Music technology is newest degree program from University of Maine at Augusta

Courtesy / University of Maine at Augusta The University of Maine at Augusta, part of the University of Maine System, has a current enrollment of around 5,700 full-time and part-time students.

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By Alexis Wells

The University of Maine at Augusta is launching a degree program in music technology that's designed to prepare future artists with tools and skills to navigate the music industry.

The program is structured around diverse subjects, ranging from music production and sound engineering to digital composition and interactive performance.

The university said in a news release that students will have the opportunity to attend classes at various campuses within the University of Maine System.

They include the School of Computing and Information Science at the University of Maine, which has a bachelor's degree program in new media, as well as the University of Maine at Farmington's Division of the Arts. Students will also have access to three UMF music courses, and UMaine will offer its upper-level new media coursework.

“At UMA, we believe in preparing our students not just for today's music industry but for the future,” said Anita Jerosch, associate professor of music and music program coordinator.

"This new program is a testament to our commitment to innovation and excellence in music education and in preparing students with the appropriate technical skills to succeed.”

Students will have hands-on experience in creating, producing, recording and using audio electronics for various fields of music business. In addition to course collaboration with UMS schools, students will collaborate with peers from multiple disciplines, such as business, education and sociology.

The degree can be completed online, in person, or in a hybrid format with online and face-to-face classes.

“Students are learning from the best, gaining insights into the latest trends and technologies shaping the music industry,” said Joseph Szakas, provost and chief academic officer at UMA. “I’m very proud of the expertise UMA brings in its music faculty which ranges from audio engineering to hip-hop mixing to immersive 3-D audio.”

UMA is No. 11 among Maine’s largest colleges and universities, according to the 2024 Mainebiz Book of Lists. That ranking is based on undergraduate enrollment last fall, when UMA had 1,289 full-time students.

Established in 1968, the University of Maine System comprises Maine’s seven public universities, including 10 campuses and numerous satellite locations. The system serves more than 30,000 students annually and has over 5,000 faculty and staff.