Expert: Susie Watts - 9/3/2008

Question
Hello, my name is Elias and I recently found out about the existence of the Recording Arts major. I've always been interested in music, I play the guitar (basic skills) and I can improvise on various other instruments, but even though I'd love it, I don't think music performing would be my thing. Recording Arts, for what I've read, is a major that could satisfy my passion for music from a more technical aspect. The program I was looking at is an associate's degree at Full Sail University. In a career such as Recording Arts, does it make a big difference to get an associeate's instead of a bachelor's? My plan is to get the Recording Arts Associate's and then complement it with a Music Business Bachelor's as soon as possible while I gain experience working as a recording technician with my associate's. My parents are concerned because they feel an Associate's is not enough for the real world.

Answer
A lot of two year schools offer an associates degree in things like recording arts.  There is nothing wrong with getting your degree at a two year college, but if your parents want you to have a four year university education, you can always transfer to another school and finish your last two years.  Your parents are probably concerned that you won't transfer once you have your associates degree.  That is something you will need to work out between you if that is important to them and they are paying for your education.  There are also four year schools like the Savannah College of Art and Design that offer a four year degree in fine arts with an emphasis on recording arts.  A four year degree is always nice to have for job security in the future.