Recording Arts is an Associate Degree program 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 $36,860.
Program Overview
The Recording Arts Associate Degree Residential (RAAR) Program consists of four terms and two academic years. The first Academic Year (AY1) provides students with fundamental skills as an audio engineer or music producer. They will learn to record, edit, mix and master sound recordings using Avid's Pro Tools Digital Audio Workstations in order to realize an artist's or producer's creative vision by completing our project requirements.
The second Academic Year (AY2) prepares students for a career as a Freelance Audio Engineer, Commercial Radio Engineer, Television Audio Engineer or Recording Studio Owner/Operator. Students will master Digital Audio Engineering Techniques, Analog Audio Engineering Techniques and Pro Tools software to create the desired qualities for sound recordings.
63 credit hours, 1,449 clock hours. The program is 585 class hours, 864 lab hours, with 1,449 clock hours and 63 credit hours total. It is a sixty (60) week program comprised of four fifteen (15) week terms. Students satisfactorily completing the program will be awarded a Recording Arts Academic Associate Degree upon completion.
Recording Arts plus general education. Everything in the Recording Arts Program is included in and required for the Recording Arts Associate's Degree. You'll also have five additional general education classes. The Recording Arts Associate's Degree program combines the music production courses that will train you to be an audio engineering entrepreneur, plus the general education classes to give you additional reach and impact in the workforce.
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.
Austin. There is no better place to go to music production school and set up your business than in Austin Texas. Austin is "The Live Music Capital of the World". Every night over 100 venues stage live music of some kind, and at TRCoA we'll show you how to connect with Austin's rich base of potential clients.
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 Academic Associate Degree 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.
EdReady exam. Degree program applicants are required to take the EdReady entrance exam. A minimum score of 70 in the English section and a minimum score of 46 in the Math section is required for enrollment in all TRCoA associate degree programs. Applicants will be allowed to take the entrance exam a maximum of three times within a year. The EdReady entrance exam is not required for students entering a program who can show proof of earning 12 semester credits from an accredited college.
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.
- EdReady entrance examScore at least 70 in English and 46 in Math on the EdReady entrance exam, unless you can show 12 semester credits earned at an accredited college.
- 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 Recording 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.
Studio hours. The studio is open 24 hours, 7 days a week, with no tracking of loud instruments (drums, electric guitar/bass) between 10:00pm and 8:00am. All studio time is booked via a communal calendar.
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 $18,430 per Academic Year; when signing up for both Academic Years at the time of original enrollment, tuition is $36,860.
Total cost. Both Academic Years, $36,860.00 tuition + $100 registration fee + $930 for required books and supplies = total cost of $37,890.00 (Academic Year 1 $18,880; Academic Year 2 $19,010).
- Tuition: $36,860
- Registration Fee: $100
- Books: $80
- Hard Drive (2): $200
- Supplies: $200
- Web Hosting: $100
- LLC Registration: $350
- Total: $37,890
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.
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
63 credit hours. Academic Year 1 (Terms 1 and 2) covers Beginning Audio Engineering, Beginning Pro Tools and Productions, Beginning Beat Production & Music Theory, Beginning Projects and Events; Academic Year 2 (Terms 3 and 4) covers Music Business Development & Internet Marketing, Advanced Pro Tools and Productions, Advanced Beat Production & Music Composition, 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 five general education courses (English Composition I, Introduction to Psychology, United States History, Interpersonal Communication and Contemporary Mathematics) may be taken in any order, with one gen ed class per term and two during term four. 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. General Education courses are letter graded with "C" and above for passing.
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Lecture | Lab | Total | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career Outcomes
Career paths. The program prepares students for a career as a Freelance Audio Engineer, Commercial Radio Engineer, Television Audio Engineer or Recording Studio Owner/Operator. Audio engineers are needed in music, radio, TV/film, live sound and venues, and gaming and internet media.
Reported outcomes (2025). Self-reported data submitted to ACCSC and TWC in the school's most recent Campus Accountability Reports: program graduation rate (ACCSC) 8 of 11 (73%); program employment rate (ACCSC) 8 of 8 (100%).
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.
Open houses. Our open houses provide an opportunity for our students, faculty, and guests to interact with each other in a casual setting at our recording studio or virtually. We regularly invite a music industry professional to come and tell their story.
Testimonials
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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)
- Audio Visual Arts - Distance EducationCertificate · 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 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)