Audio Visual Arts - Distance Education is a Certificate program (100% Online) offered by The Recording Conservatory of Austin in Austin, TX. The program takes 60 weeks — four 15-week terms over two academic years (about 16 months) to complete, with a total tuition of $29,760.
Program Overview
The Audio Video Arts Distance Education Program (AVAD) is a comprehensive program designed to put students on a career path as an audio video technician. The program is broken into four terms. The first two terms (AY1) are designed to teach students the basics of audio and film. Practical application of these techniques are reinforced through projects that students own from start to finish.
The third and fourth terms (AY2) teach the student how to further develop their multifaceted skills focused on a myriad of topics including, but not limited to, audio engineering and recording technology, camerawork, lighting, networking systems, music business, project management, teamwork skills, safety procedures, and how to obtain employment/clients. Practical application of these techniques are taught via starting a student's business and completing audio/video projects.
48 credit hours. The program is 48 credit hours total. It's a sixty (60) week program comprised of four fifteen (15) week terms. Students completing all four terms earn a certificate in Audio Video Arts (an Audio Visual Arts Distance Education Certificate of Completion).
A production career path. The Video / Audio Arts Program is designed to take you directly on a production career path. During the program you will be seeking out what will be potential clients and doing single full production projects with them. In the Advanced Term you will do as many as 10 production projects like this (10 single productions with the intent to create a client).
Distance education. Screen sharing is a form of teleconferencing in real time using both an audio and a data connection. The computer screen is shared by more than one site, and used as an electronic blackboard, overhead projector or still video projector. Distance programs require the Distance Education Supply Package, and distance learning is not available for VA funded students.
What sets this Program apart
One-on-one mentorship. TRCOA provides mentorship training combined with exposure and access to a professional recording facility. Students work in a fully functional, world-class recording studio, Stinson Recording Studios. The difference between TRCOA and most everyone else is that our students have daily interaction with professional producers, composers, writers, and musicians.
Real working studios. You will learn in a place where real products are created for real clients everyday.
Building clients. This business is very reputation oriented. You have to be working for anyone to notice you. You will practice building clients right here, right now while you are in school at TRCOA.
Your own company. Here you will literally start your own music production company while you are in school. Our curriculum doesn't just tackle the idea of learning how to turn knobs but we also tackle the tough question of creating professional radio-ready music and the even tougher question of actively creating real sustainable business.
Flexible schedules. The timing of your weekly schedule is entirely up to you. This makes it perfect if you need to hold a part time job or attend another school at the same time.
Screen-share. Most of our one-on-one mentor-ship recording arts program can be experienced via screen-share. All of the One-On-One attention you would experience here in person at our Austin campus you will experience with our screenshare classes.
Admission Requirements and Process
Who can apply. Enrollment at The Recording Conservatory of Austin is open to people who are seriously interested in the field of professional audio production and music recording. No previous musical or recording experience is required for admission.
All Certificate Program applicants must be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Texas, provide a high school diploma or equivalent (ie- GED, evidence of passing a state certified high school equivalency test, an academic transcript showing successful completion of at least a two-year program acceptable for full credit toward a bachelor's degree), and all official post-secondary transcripts, as well as proof of a tour of the institution and enrollment agreement. Each candidate must complete an Enrollment Application and conduct a personal interview with the School Director before enrollment.
Distance education tests. All students that apply for our distance education programs must also complete our distance education aptitude test and our distance education learning style test before enrollment to determine if the student has the technical skills, competencies, access to technology, and if the student's learning style is conducive to TRCOA's distance education teaching style. If a student fails the aptitude or learning style test twice, the student will have to wait a month to attempt a retake of the test.
Before classes start. A working computer and an aptitude test is required before starting classes.
Transfer credit. All official transcripts from previous institution(s) must be received prior to enrollment so TRCOA can determine transferable credits. Credit may be granted if the previous institution is accredited, the course description is comparable to our catalog description, and the course is at the same grade level or higher. TRCOA only accepts course credit grades equivalent to C and above. We do not accept credit for music courses from other institutions.
Home-schooled applicants. An applicant who has completed a home school program must submit either a transcript or its equivalent, signed by the applicant's parent or guardian, that lists the courses completed and documents completion of high school, or a high school completion credential for homeschool provided for under state law.
General Requirements
- High school diploma or equivalentProvide a high school diploma or equivalent, such as a GED or evidence of passing a state certified high school equivalency test; you must be beyond the age of compulsory school…
- Enrollment ApplicationFill out the Enrollment Application; no previous musical or recording experience is required for admission.
- Interview and tourComplete a personal interview with the School Director and provide proof of a tour of the institution.
- Official transcriptsProvide all official post-secondary transcripts, received before enrollment so transferable credits can be determined.
- Computer and aptitude testA working computer and an aptitude test are required before starting classes.
- Distance education testsComplete the distance education aptitude test and the distance education learning style test before enrollment.
- Enrollment agreementSign the enrollment agreement at the orientation / enrollment day set near your start date.
Application Process
- 1Complete the Enrollment ApplicationTo get the process started, fill out the enrollment application.
- 2InterviewComplete a personal interview with the school director; tours and interviews can be scheduled for day, evening or weekends.
- 3FinancialCarefully look through all of the payment options and fill out any applicable applications, including the FAFSA (federal school code 042480).FAFSA Code for Austin: 042480FAFSA
- 4Previous transcriptsOrder official transcripts from your high school and any previous college, and do this early to allow time for processing.
- 5Orientation / enrollmentOnce you have decided on a start date and a tuition structure, set up an orientation / enrollment day. This is a two hour process which is usually set near your start date.
Program Schedule
Monthly starts. Classes start every month on the 15th: January 15, February 15, March 15, April 15, May 15, June 15, July 15, August 15, September 15, October 15, November 15 and December 15. If the starting and/or ending date falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the date will roll to the following Monday.
Sixty weeks. The program is a sixty (60) week program comprised of four fifteen (15) week terms over two Award Years of thirty (30) weeks. The maximum time allowed for completion of each Academic Year is forty five (45) weeks and ninety (90) weeks for both Academic Years. The Video / Audio Arts Program lasts approximately 16 months.
About 20 hours a week. You will need a minimum of 20 hours per week (approximately 4 hours of one-on-one course instruction, 2 hours of class events, and 15 hours of project or studio lab time). All classes are taught one on one and they can be scheduled for evenings or weekends.
Your weekly schedule. At the time of orientation, a weekly schedule is established between the student and instructors. Terms and courses will be extended on a day-to-day basis to make up for holidays.
By screen share. Classes are held by screen share: each class is typically taught one-on-one and can be taken from anywhere around the world, and you work with instructors to get the best day/time to accommodate your schedule.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
Campus Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited school means its training has been reviewed against independent standards that protect students.
This school: The Recording Conservatory of Austin is institutionally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), and all of its degree and certificate programs are accredited by ACCSC. It is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Career Schools and Colleges.
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Reviewed against independent standards
- Recognized by employers and licensing boards
Accreditations
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
Tuition. Tuition is $14,880 per Academic Year; when signing up for both Academic Years at the time of original enrollment, tuition is $29,760.
Total cost. The catalog prints two figures for this program. Its fee tables (Academic Year 1 $17,510.00, including a $2,000 Tech Package; Academic Year 2 $15,460.00) add up to $32,970.00, while its summary line reads: tuition $29,760.00, plus $3,000 tech package, $1,110 for books and supplies and a $100 registration fee for a total cost of $33,970. The Distance Education Supply Package box on the same page reads Total Charges $2,000.
Both printed totals are shown above because they disagree on the tech package ($2,000 or $3,000).
Distance Education Supply Package. Required for distance programs: mic stands, instrument cables, an Audio Technica AT2035 large diaphragm mic, an Alesis v25 keyboard, a laptop, a Pro Tools subscription with iLok, Ableton Live, Steven Slate Complete, Melodyne, a Presonus Audio Box, Sennheiser HD 280 headphones and an SM 57 microphone, plus a camera. Students who already own supply materials may pay reduced fees, and as soon as the package is paid in full it is mailed to the student.
Payment options. Three options are available for tuition payment: full payment, executed upon enrollment; a school financed loan (pre-approved prior to admission acceptance, 10 percent interest compounded annually, 10% down plus the $100 registration fee); or a stipend payment option of equal payments with no interest charged. Payment options include cash, check, money order and credit card; a fee of 3% is added to any amount charged on a credit card.
Federal financial aid. The Recording Conservatory of Austin offers traditional Student Financial Aid through the FAFSA application (federal school code 042480); financial aid is available for those who qualify. Federal Pell Grants, Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans and Direct Parent PLUS Loans are offered. Federal financial aid may not cover the entire cost of the programs. Scholarships may be available.
Veterans. We proudly accept the Post 9-11 GI Bill® from eligible applicants. TRCOA does not prohibit attendance or impose penalties while waiting on VA Payments. Distance learning is not available for VA funded students.
Cancellation and refunds. A full refund will be made to any student who cancels the enrollment contract within 72 hours (until midnight of the third day excluding Saturdays, Sundays and legal holidays) after the enrollment contract is signed, and to any student who cancels enrollment within the student's first three scheduled class days. Refund computations after that are based on scheduled hours of class attendance through the last date of attendance; refunds will be made within 40 days of termination.
Curriculum
48 credit hours. Academic Year 1 (Terms 1 and 2) covers Cinematography and Editing, Beginning Pro Tools and Productions, Beginning Audio Engineering, Beginning Projects and Events; Academic Year 2 (Terms 3 and 4) covers Music Business Development & Internet Marketing, Advanced Video Editing, A/V Production Techniques, Advanced Projects and Events. Each subject runs as a 101/102 (AY1) or 201/202 (AY2) pair, and each course earns 3 credit hours. All AY1 courses must be taken before AY2 designated courses. The courses and their instructional and supervised lab hours are listed in the table below.
Grading. TRCOA technical courses are Pass/Fail: for a grade of P (Pass), students must earn 85% or higher on all tests, quizzes and meet industry standards for projects as determined by the instructor.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | Total | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Career paths. Graduates of the program may find employment as an independent technician in a recording studio, an employee of an audio/visual corporation, radio station, TV station, a post production facility, among many other opportunities.
Alumni services and placement assistance. The Recording Conservatory of Austin does not guarantee employment, but prepares students and alumni for placement through its Alumni Services Program: helping current students and graduates update resumés and match with employers, creating an individual student profile at graduation based on employment interests, and allowing alumni to use the facilities for life, including free studio time with intent to create an employer.
After graduation. There are many different arrangements under which an audio engineer, music producer or video producer can run their business. You don't have to buy any gear: you can build "engineer rate" relationships with existing studios. As an alumni service you will always be able to use the studios here to do single free songs for potential clients, and if you have a paying client it will only cost you $15/Hr.
Licensure. Audio engineering and other careers in the music production industry are generally not required to be licensed, therefore licensure examinations are generally not applicable.
What to expect as a TRCOA student
Projects with real artists. For your recording projects, you can bring in any artist you would like. We will instruct you on how to best meet and approach artists for your projects. As you progress beyond the 1st Term we will be encouraging you to do single songs with the intent to create a client.
Attendance. Attendance and participation in classes are extremely important and students are expected to attend all class sessions. Students must maintain 80% of scheduled hours as the progress standard; academic progress is evaluated every 8 academic weeks.
Grades. You must maintain an overall grade of 85% at each evaluation period and in order to graduate from a program. For any failing grade, students can attempt a retake to achieve a passing grade of 85% or higher.
Student services. TRCOA offers student career advising and career services via one-on-one conferences that include resumé building and employer outreach, and students are given access to the TRCOA Moodle based site at my.trcoa.edu.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Other Programs at Austin
The Recording Conservatory of Austin in Austin, TX also offers these 7 programs at 4615 City Park Road, Austin, TX 78730.
- Audio Visual ArtsCertificate · 60 weeks — four 15-week terms over two academic years (about 16 months)
- Audio Visual ArtsAssociate Degree · 60 weeks — four 15-week terms over two academic years (about 16 months)
- Audio Visual Arts - Distance EducationAssociate Degree · 60 weeks — four 15-week terms over two academic years (about 16 months)
- Recording ArtsCertificate · 60 weeks — four 15-week terms over two academic years (about 16 months)
- Recording ArtsAssociate Degree · 60 weeks — four 15-week terms over two academic years (about 16 months)
- Recording Arts - Distance EducationCertificate · 60 weeks — four 15-week terms over two academic years (about 16 months)
- Recording Arts - Distance EducationAssociate Degree · 60 weeks — four 15-week terms over two academic years (about 16 months)