Student at sound board looking at jazz band on stage

Undergraduate Visual and Performing Arts Degrees

Visual and Performing Arts degrees at Michigan Tech put you in charge of the audience experience, from classical theatrical productions to unique entertainment opportunities in unusual places. Are you ready to run the show?

Be a part of the Visual and Performing Arts department at Michigan Tech. The areas of study within the Visual and Performing Arts department— audio production and technology, sound design, and theatre and entertainment technology—help you develop creativity, self-motivation, and concrete goals—artistic, practical, and analytical attributes that, combined with academic performance, add up to success.

You'll work side-by-side with faculty, staff, and visiting touring artists as you explore areas of interest and hone your craft. Complete your technical arts training in state-of-the-art facilities with unlimited studio access and a computer lab equipped with the latest entertainment-dedicated software.

You'll work closely with faculty and your advisor to track progress and stay on course. Our faculty have "been there and done that," so they're in a great position to offer you career-development guidance, from student internships to post-graduation employment in the industry. They introduce you to networks and help you to present your work at professional industry events.

Bachelor's Degrees

Audio Production and Technology—BS

A degree in audio production and technology from Michigan Technological University is valued by the industry; like many of our graduates, you'll walk into high-level jobs as a project engineer, AV integrator, acoustic consultant, and more after graduation. Learn the tools, techniques, equipment, and theories of sound production during numerous opportunities to work with faculty, in intentionally small classes, and with 24/7 access to studios and equipment.

Sound Design—BA

Focus on sound effects in storytelling: film, TV, theater, video games, theme parks, virtual/augmented reality, and the venues of tomorrow. Hiring companies see your degree in sound design from Michigan Technological University as a valued credential. Many of our students walk into high-level jobs after graduation. That's because we cover the full spectrum of sound, from recording, mixing, and mastering to narrative analysis. The program is built on strong technical arts components. You'll hone skills in surround-sound production rooms for cinema, theatre, and gaming. Unlike many programs elsewhere, Michigan Tech students have complete access to studios and equipment.

Theatre and Entertainment Technology—BS

Craft, draft, build, manage, or technically direct the backstage technology that the entertainment industry demands for all types of live entertainment productions. A degree in theatre and entertainment technology from Michigan Tech provides a strong knowledge base. Combine practical creativity and design with craft, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurial training. Integrate another field of study into your program mix—like engineering, computing, or business—to adapt your education to your specific talents and interests.

5:1

student-faculty ratio
9
minors to help you customize your degree
6+

on- and off-campus performance venues
35+

music ensemble performances and Tech theatre productions each year
24/7

access to studios and equipment

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about the Visual and Performing Arts undergraduate degree programs at Michigan's flagship technological university.

Tour Creative Spaces

Gain Valuable Experience in World Class Facilities

Find your place among the innovators, problem solvers, artists, and critical thinkers in the Visual and Performing Arts Department. Take a tour of our studios, performance, and exhibition spaces. Hear from your professors. Unleash your creativity!

Full STEAM Ahead

Combine your love of science, technology, engineering, the arts, and math (STEAM) into a career that requires creative, artistic, and technical skills. In the Department of Visual and Performing Arts, we emphasize creativity, self-motivation, and concrete goals—attributes that, combined with academic performance, add up to success. Develop critical skills to continue as a lifelong learner who adapts to ever-evolving entertainment industry technology. Our programs and faculty engage students and enrich campus by involving scholars from diverse fields in ambitious and meaningful projects, exhibitions, and performances.

Access state-of-the-art facilities: Michigan Tech's Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts—the region's premier performing arts center—and the Walker Arts and Humanities Center are home to a traditional performance hall, flexible black box space, costume and scene shops, and a packed schedule of multimedia events. Work side-by-side with faculty on Michigan Tech productions and complete high-tech training in all aspects of the profession in well-equipped shops, labs, and performance venues—many with 24/7 access.
Get personalized attention: With a student-faculty ratio of 8:1, you can build valuable relationships with world-class professors. Our students can access personal quality educational time with faculty and staff, and more exploratory time in the studio (with industry-specific equipment and tools).
Build a career: Work one-on-one with your advisor to develop your career path—from student internships to post-graduation employment in the industry. Build your professional network and strengthen your presentation and interview skills at industry conferences and events. Build your portfolio as you prepare for a thrilling career in the arts and entertainment industry.
Get involved: Join the 250 member strong Huskies Pep Band or one of 12 other ensembles. Be part of any of our 30+ music performances, 6+ art exhibitions or events, and 5 theatre shows. Or join any number of professional organizations on campus—WMTU; Audio Engineering Society; Mu Beta Psi (national music fraternity, non-music majors welcome); Sound Girls; Above The Bridge Records ; Sound and Lighting Service; and more.

Tomorrow Needs You

Combine your creativity and curiosity to meet pressing societal challenges with innovative solutions. Graduate with the technical skills, critical thinking and tenacity to inspire, design and implement a sustainable future across social and natural sciences, humanities, and arts.

College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence and driven by our passion for education, outreach, research, and creativity across the social and natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. Uniquely situated in the heart of Michigan's R1 flagship technological university, we specialize in human-centered potential and discovery-based learning designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Knowing that every student at Michigan Tech will pass through our doors, our college strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

Our students gain a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts through experiential learning and innovative research. We welcome you to be part of our caring, expansive college community, with 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees to choose from.

The opportunities in Michigan Tech's College of Sciences and Arts are limitless. Transform into a civic leader ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Lead and participate in action-based experiences that are critical to the start of a fulfilling career. Job-shadow at a local hospital or veterinary clinic while preparing for a career in health. Design sound and lighting for a regional production. Conduct community forums on the implications of artificial intelligence. Work to purify vaccines. Study the impact of social media on society. Research the mysteries of space and galaxies beyond our universe. Explore transforming abandoned iron and copper mines into giant batteries. Understand freshwater ecosystem health. Document the nature of changes in cognitive function and motor behavior in aging and dementia.

At Michigan Tech, your academic growth is supported by a variety of learning centers, along with our Humanities Digital Media Zone and Writing Center. Model climate in the only cloud chamber of its kind. Take part in interdisciplinary health research in our state-of-the-art H-STEM Complex. Create amazing sights and sounds in our visual art, sound, and theatre performance spaces.

Undergraduate Majors in Arts and Technology

Not sure which major is the right fit? No problem. Browse the entire list of College of Sciences and Arts majors. Or, give yourself time and declare the General Sciences and Arts major, which lets you decide when you arrive on campus. To learn more, speak to an academic advisor.

"Because we are such a small department, it's very supportive of things I've been interested in and helping me achieve my goals through experience and different hands-on ways to get involved."Drew Stockero, '20 BS Audio Production and Technology