Certificate in Music Composition and Film Studies
Anticipated first cohort starting Fall 2027

Under Construction

We are in the building phase of a new post-secondary (undergraduate level) certificate program for aspiring film and media composers looking to fast track their training. This one year program will focus on composition and film studies to prepare students for entry into our Professional Certificate program, allowing them to start their careers in just two years. This will be a great option for career focused composers who may not want to go down the traditional 4-year undergraduate degree route.

See how it's going!

Our list of courses, as seen below, have now been finalized. Some of the titles may change as we work on the course descriptions, but the overall blueprint will remain the same. We're hoping to have everything ready for the catalog by the end of October and aiming to open applications for Fall 2027 by the end of the year!

Quarter 1

Music Theory 1
Music Theory 2
Engraving and Copying 1
Digital Music Production 1
Music History 1
Film Studies 1
Health & Wellness for Creatives
Ethics & Professionalism

Quarter 2

Music Theory 3
Music Theory 4
Engraving and Copying 2
Digital Music Production 2
Music History 2
Film Studies 2
Interpersonal Communications & Public Speaking
Principles of Music Composition

Quarter 3

Instrumentation & Orchestration 1
Digital Music Production 3
Film Studies 3
Financial Foundations for Independent Artists
Contemporary Marketing for Composers
Score Study

Quarter 4

Instrumentation & Orchestration 2
Directed Study/Portfolio
Film Studies 4
Critical Listening & Analysis

Applicant Requirements

This program is intensive, accelerated, and rigorous. It is not an entry level curriculum for students who have no background or experience with music. The course load is also heavier and more strenuous than a typical college pathway.

Prospective applicants should meet the following qualifications:

Must be able to read music in both treble and bass clef
Should be familiar with all major scales/key signatures
Should have several years experience playing an instrument or singing
Should have basic keyboard proficiency - be able to identify the keys on a piano, play simple melodies in the right hand and block triads/inversions in the left
Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
Suggested high school GPA - 3.0

PLEASE NOTE: All accepted students for the Certificate in Music Composition and Film Studies program will be required to attend all classes in person in Seattle, no online or low-residency options will be available.

Application Requirements

Once we are able to open applications for our Certificate program, here are the materials that applicants will also need to submit.

To apply you must fill out the online application (coming soon) and then submit the following materials:

Any relevant transcripts (high school, college, certificate programs, etc.)
$50 application fee
3 letters of recommendation - at least 2 must be from previous/current instructors
A portfolio consisting of 3 pieces written by applicant. If applicant does not already have compositions to submit they should write 3 pieces, at least 8 bars in length, with at least a melody line and either chord symbols or notated block chords. Notated scores and audio are required for each piece, audio can be a live recording or MIDI/electronic.

Other important information on applying to the Certificate in Music Composition and Film Studies program:

Any use of AI for any aspect of completing the application or for any of the submitted materials will result in an automatic rejection of the applicant.
An interview may be part of the application process.