BA Sound for the Performing Arts at Purdue University

Programme overview

A major covering sound design, composition, live mixing, audio engineering and acoustics, with students working on departmental productions in Pao Hall.

Faculty: College of Liberal Arts | Study mode: full-time | Location: West Lafayette, IN, United States

What you will study

Students can focus on technical work, artistic work or both across sound design, composition, live mixing, audio engineering and acoustics.

Career pathways

Broadcast audio technician, composer for theatre, film or games, live sound/audio engineer, recording/studio engineer, sound designer, themed entertainment audio designer, touring or production audio technician.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to the university/college (not specific to this major). Understanding Undergraduate Degree Paths The College of Liberal Arts offers multiple paths in select majors to accelerate degree completion and provide opportunities to earn multiple degrees simultaneously so you can make the most of your educational experience. Degree in 3 Degree in 3 provides an accelerated pathway to complete your Liberal Arts degree in just three years — saving time and tuition. With focused planning and year-round support, y Minimum high school coursework: Math – 4 years; English – 4 years; Lab science – 3 years; Social studies – 3 years; World language – 2 years.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year entry terms: Fall (Early Action and Regular Decision) and Spring (check the Closed Programs page, as some majors do not start in spring). Transfer entry terms: Spring, Summer and Fall.

First-year application opens Aug. 1 and closes Jan. 15 (Regular Decision). Early Action deadline is Nov. 1 (also the merit scholarship and John Martinson Honors College deadline, and the priority deadline for engineering, computer science, flight, nursing and veterinary technology). Early Action decisions release Jan. 15; Regular Decision decisions by March 31. The nonrefundable application fee is $60. Apply using the Common App.

Transfer applications: spring term opens Sept. 1 and closes Nov. 1; summer and fall applications open Jan. 15; summer deadline April 1; fall deadline June 1 for most majors (priority deadline for engineering March 31; veterinary technology March 1, fall only). The nonrefundable application fee is $60. Applicants use the Purdue transfer application.

Purdue accepts SAT, ACT and CLT scores, with no preference among them; scores are evaluated if provided and must be from within the past five years.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.purdue.edu/apply/

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