---
title: "Sound Studies B.A. / Minor"
url: "/academics/programs/sound-studies"
type: program
date: 2026-06-16
updated: 2026-06-17
---
# Sound Studies B.A. / Minor
# Sound Studies B.A. / Minor
**Study sound as both an art and a science, from music theory to acoustics, recording, and sound design.**
Manhattan University's Sound Studies program reimagines music study for the 21st century, pairing traditional musicianship with audio technology, acoustics, and critical listening. You'll work with industry-standard equipment, learn from working professionals, and build skills that carry into recording, acoustic consulting, sound design, and beyond.
[ Request Information ](/admissions/undergraduate/request-information)
[ Visit Manhattan University ](/admissions/visit) [ Explore Kakos School of Arts and Sciences ](/academics/kakos)
Credit Hours120
Time to Complete4 Years
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This program is part of [Communication, Sound & Media Arts](/academics/kakos/departments/comm-sou-med-arts)
The Manhattan University Difference
## What Sets Us Apart
The Sound Studies program at Manhattan University redefines the study of music as the study of sound. It combines traditional music study, including theory, performance, composition, and musicology, with the science of sound: audio technology, acoustics, recording, and sound design. As the first interdisciplinary program of its kind in the region, it prepares students to work across music, technology, and the listening environment.
First-in-Region Program
Manhattan University offers the first true interdisciplinary sound studies program in the region, integrating musicology, audio technology, and the science of sound into a single degree.
Music Meets Technology
Students combine music theory, performance, and composition with digital audio, acoustics, and sound design, a pairing that few colleges nationwide offer together.
Industry-Standard Labs
Coursework and personal projects run on professional equipment and software, giving students hands-on command of the tools used across the audio industry.
Faculty Who Practice
Students learn from working producers, acousticians, sound artists, and scholars who bring active careers and industry connections into the classroom.
NYC Industry Access
Partnerships with the Metropolitan Opera, Trinity Consultants, Lincoln Center, and area studios connect students to internships and mentorship across New York City.
Faculty-Mentored Projects
Students work one-on-one with faculty on student-led projects, from sound mapping to acoustic research, supported by summer research and lab access.
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The Manhattan Advantage
## Why Study Sound Studies at Manhattan University?
At Manhattan University, Sound Studies students gain a rare combination of musicianship, technical skill, and critical perspective. The program blends traditional music study with audio technology and the science of sound, all taught in small classes by faculty who are active in the field. Through hands-on lab work, faculty-mentored projects, and industry partnerships across New York City, students graduate ready to shape how the world is heard, whether in the studio, the concert hall, or the built environment.
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Facilities & Technology
## Industry-Standard Facilities
Sound Studies students compose, mix, record, and perform across a suite of dedicated creative spaces on campus. The Digital Audio/Piano Lab pairs nine 88-key digital pianos with professional DAW software, including Pro Tools, Ableton Live, and Logic Pro, in an acoustically treated surround-sound environment. The Dolby Atmos Sound Immersion Room offers a Neumann 14.1 multi-speaker system for spatial audio, while the Critical Sound Studies personal studio and multiple acoustically treated rehearsal and recording spaces give students hands-on command of the tools used across the audio industry. Performance venues, including a Black Box Theater and the 127-seat Hayden Hall Auditorium, round out a campus built for every stage of creative work.
[ Learn More About Facilities and Technology For Sound Studies ](/academics/kakos/departments/comm-sou-med-arts/facilities)
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Curriculum & Courses
## Sound Studies: Listen, Create, Analyze.
Manhattan University's Sound Studies program equips students with a versatile, interdisciplinary skill set spanning creative practice, technical production, and critical analysis, preparing them for careers across the audio industry and for advanced study.
Recording & Production
Develop hands-on command of recording, mixing, and post-production using industry-standard digital audio workstations.
Acoustics & Sound Control
Learn the science of acoustics and apply sound capture and control across studios, performance spaces, and the built environment.
Music Theory & Performance
Build a foundation in music theory, ear training, and performance on a chosen instrument.
Critical Listening
Examine the history and culture of sound and recording technology and their impact on society.
Sound Design
Apply creative and technical skills to sound design for film, gaming, performance, and interactive media.
Research & Ecology
Explore acoustic ecology and the relationship between sound, living systems, and the environment through faculty-mentored research.
Department Faculty ## Learn From Leaders in the Field
Sound Studies faculty are active producers, acousticians, sound artists, and scholars whose work spans the recording industry, acoustic consulting, performance, and published research. In small classes, they mentor students one-on-one, bring real-world projects into the classroom, and help connect students to internships across New York City's audio industry.
[Meet Our Department Faculty](/academics/kakos/departments/comm-sou-med-arts/faculty "Faculty | Department of Communication, Sound and Media Arts")
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## Why Study in New York City
New York City is one of the world's great centers for sound, music, and audio innovation, from recording studios and broadcast media to concert halls, theaters, and acoustic consulting firms. Sound Studies students tap directly into that ecosystem through partnerships with the Metropolitan Opera, Trinity Consultants, the Paul Taylor Dance Company at Lincoln Center, and area recording studios. These connections turn coursework into real-world experience, giving students internships, mentorship, and a professional network in one of the most competitive audio markets in the country.
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## The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences
The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences is the largest of Manhattan University's three schools, offering 33 undergraduate majors, six graduate programs, and six combined degrees across the humanities, natural and social sciences, and professional fields. Grounded in the University's Lasallian Catholic mission and located near the heart of New York City, the School pairs rigorous academics with small classes, close faculty mentorship, and real-world experience throughout the five boroughs and beyond. That foundation delivers: Manhattan University ranks in the top 3% nationally for salary impact (Wall Street Journal, 2026), a measure of how strongly a degree here translates into graduates' career earnings.
[ Explore Kakos School of Arts and Sciences ](/academics/kakos)
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Careers & Outcomes
Costs & Aid ## Program Costs & Financial Aid
Manhattan University is committed to making a high-quality, career-focused education accessible and affordable. Through a combination of competitive tuition, robust financial aid, and our **Jasper Guarantee**, students and families can plan their education with confidence. The Jasper Guarantee locks your tuition rate for all four years—ensuring financial stability and eliminating unexpected increases as you work toward your degree.
More than 90% of Manhattan University students receive some form of financial assistance, including merit scholarships, grants, and need-based aid, significantly reducing the overall cost of attendance.
- [View Tuition & Fees](/admissions/financial-aid/tuition)
- [Explore Financial Aid](/admissions/financial-aid/undergraduate)
- [Learn More About Scholarships](/admissions/financial-aid/loans-grants/scholarships-and-grants)
- [Learn About the Jasper Guarantee](/admissions/undergraduate/jasper-guarantee)
A Manhattan University education is an investment in your future, and we are dedicated to helping you access the resources that make it possible.
[Learn More About Costs and Financial Aid](/admissions/financial-aid/)
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A Smarter Investment in Your Future
## Jasper Guarantee
At Manhattan University, every undergraduate student is protected by the Jasper Guarantee, which locks your tuition rate for all four years, ensuring clarity, stability, and peace of mind as you plan your education. This promise reflects our commitment to affordability and to supporting students and families throughout their academic journey.
[ Learn More About the Jasper Guarantee ](/admissions/undergraduate/jasper-guarantee)
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Admission Information ## Admissions Information
**Start Your Journey in Sound Studies**
Applying to Manhattan University is designed to be clear and accessible. Review the requirements and key deadlines below to take the next step toward a future in data-driven business.
**Requirements:**
- Application & transcript
- SAT/ACT optional
- Personal statement
- Letter(s) of recommendation
**Deadlines:**
- Early Action: November 15
- Regular Decision: February 1
[Admission and Application Process](/admissions/financial-aid/)
### International Students:
Support available for visas, documentation, and English-language assessments.
[Learn More about International Financial Aid](/admissions/international/financial-aid/)
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## Prepare for the Real World
At Manhattan University, your education is built around who you are and where you want to go. Whether you’re ready to apply or just starting to explore, take the next step when you’re ready — we’re here to help.
[Apply Today](/admissions/apply)
[Visit Manhattan University](/admissions/visit)
[Request Information](/admissions/undergraduate/request-information)
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