Transform How People Hear the World

By integrating theory and research with real-world practice, Northwestern’s MA in Sound Arts and Industries students not only get to learn—they also get to create. 

From studio engineer classes to music production software, students have access to tools and expert instruction to be ready for the next wave of innovation —like AI and VR.

Learn about these innovative career paths from award-winning Hollywood experts who bring sound to life: Our faculty are known worldwide for pivotal roles in podcasts, production, and sound study and design—and come from departments all over campus.

Why Earn a Master in Sound Arts and Industries at Northwestern?

Lead the Next Generation of Sound Design

Learn about audio production, sound theory, and sound science while you develop cutting-edge skills alongside a community of other sound lovers. More than a masters degree in audio engineering, our curriculum is shaped by evolving industry trends, the latest sound technology—and what you want to learn.

Gain Valuable Career Guidance

Northwestern offers dedicated career services to help you find your next opportunity. We connect you with expert-led workshops, valuable site visits, and résumé assistance. Our advisory board—filled with innovators in sound—interacts with you and shares real-world experiences.

Change How We Hear the World–in Just One Year

Earn your MA in just one year. Receive a production award to financially support your study in whatever way you choose from equipment to conferences. State-of-the-art facilities offer 24/7 access to hardware, software, and recording and editing spaces. Experience hands-on work, student-led productions, career changing internships, and audio editing boot camps to accelerate your career. 

MA in Sound Arts and Industries

Transform How People Hear the World

Interactive Design Track

In SAI's Interactive Sound Design track, you'll dig into the evolving tools, techniques and aesthetics of this emerging frontier in sound design. Learn algorithmic and real-time data-driven techniques for producing music with the Max programming environment. Create immersive, 360-degree soundscapes with ambisonic microphones, recorders, and processing tools in Reaper, and then translate those sounds into virtual environments using the Unity game engine. Learn about commercial video game sound production techniques with Wwise. Open up the world of Physical Computing by implementing the Arduino microcontroller to capture performance data through sensors in the Digital Musical Instrument Design class.