Overview

Key facts

Our program seeks to:

Enhance artistic expression and communication skills through hands-on, mentored design experience within a wide range of production opportunities and classroom instruction.

Explore creative collaborations with directors, actors, technicians, and playwrights.

Create new forms of theatrical expression for the next generation.

MFA Sound Design students at Boston University are being prepared for substantive careers as theatre artists. Training includes a rigorous curriculum, production design opportunities, and collaboration with professionals through our Professional Theatre Initiative. Students are mentored by working professional faculty and advisors. Financial aid is available to some students in the form of scholarships, living stipends, or teaching assistantships. Admission is highly selective, with the School of Theatre admitting one to three students each year into each of the Scene Design, Costume Design, Lighting Design, and Sound Design MFA programs.

Curriculum Highlights

In-depth classroom instruction in artistic, practical, and skills applications of design to the art of theatre.

Production opportunities to design in multiple venues.

Preparation and execution of a thesis that represents the culmination of three years of study.

Opportunity to work on productions with companies through our Professional Theatre Initiative (PTI).

Learning Outcomes

The Sound Design program aims to develop a complete theatre artist by fostering a passion for theatre, storytelling, design, and the collaborative process. Through their required coursework and production assignments, Sound Design students will:

Demonstrate an understanding of theatre as an art form and the role sound can play in that art.

Demonstrate an understanding of the role of the sound designer in the collaborative process in relationship to the director and to the visually oriented members of the design team.

Design sound that will communicate aurally, conceptually, and emotionally to an audience.

Demonstrate an understanding of the functions and qualities of sound and music and the creative use of both to support storytelling and the theatrical experience.

Demonstrate proficiency in the skills sufficient to obtain professional positions in the performing arts as a working sound designer, including, but not limited to, drafting, familiarity with sound technology and sound paperwork, and implementation of a sound design from the conceptual phase to opening night.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Matinee

Colloquium

Production

Master Class

Sound Design Studio

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 36 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-03 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-01-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

60 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Boston, United States

Disciplines

Sound Engineering View 34 other Masters in Sound Engineering in United States

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Academic requirements

We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

125

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TOEFL^® IBT

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IELTS

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Cathoven AI IELTS Preparation

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AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

Completed application for Graduate Admission to the College of Fine Arts.

Non-refundable application fee of $95.

Upload transcripts from all colleges and universities attended to your application

Résumé.

Letter of Intent

Completed Online Portfolio Submission ($10 fee)

Two (2) Letters of Recommendation from theatre professionals

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

66670 USD / year

≈ 66670 USD / year
Out-of-State

66670 USD / year

≈ 66670 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

66670 USD / year

≈ 66670 USD / year

Living costs

Boston

United States

1560 - 3239 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Financing

Interested in financing your studies? Find a student loan that works for you.

MPOWER Financing No cosigner. No collateral. No hidden fees.

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Get the funding you need to study in the U.S. or Canada - with a process that's fast, simple, and built for international students.

Flexible loans from US$2,001 to US$100,000
Fixed interest rates -- no inflation surprises
No upfront fees or prepayment penalties
Accepted at 500+ universities across the U.S. & Canada
100% online application -- instant conditional offer
Free visa & career support through our Path2Success program

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

In order for us to give you accurate scholarship information, we ask that you please confirm a few details and create an account with us.

Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Sound Design.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Key facts

Curriculum Highlights

Learning Outcomes

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Boston

Financing

Funding

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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