The Songwriting Certificate of Achievement provides students with fundamental tools, techniques, and best-practices necessary to succeed as a songwriter. Students explore lyric writing, melody, harmony, theory, arranging, and strategies employed by some of the most well-known songwriters. After successfully completing this certificate a student will be equipped with the tools necessary to start a career as a songwriter. Students may also be hired as a composer, recording artist, music producer, or arranger.

The Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Songwriting Certificate of Achievement will be able to:

• compose melodies that demonstrate range, shape, and phrase structure that are appropriate for popular music. 
• create their own original music by means of sequencing software, and demonstrate a knowledge of relevant topics and social issues pertaining to current trends in music technology. 
• demonstrate appropriate vocal styles for selected song literature and show improvements in their individual singing using proper vocal techniques. 
• understand the basics of intellectual property rights, including an understanding of works of authorship and copyright. 
• create a financial and business plan in order to enter the music industry, and identify the roles of personal managers, booking agents, publicists, radio promoters, concert promoters, music attorneys, record producers, and studio musicians. 
• compose chord progressions that are frequently used in popular music and demonstrate ability to recognize and compose songs in these forms: Refrain, 32 Bar AABA, 12 Bar Blues. 
• read and notate music, construct key signatures, locate pitches on the keyboard, and demonstrate basic musicianship skills.

To obtain the Certificate of Achievement in Songwriting, students must complete the following courses

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

• compose melodies that demonstrate range, shape, and phrase structure that are appropriate for popular music.
• create their own original music by means of sequencing software, and demonstrate a knowledge of relevant topics and social issues pertaining to current trends in music technology.
• demonstrate appropriate vocal styles for selected song literature and show improvements in their individual singing using proper vocal techniques.
• understand the basics of intellectual property rights, including an understanding of works of authorship and copyright.
• create a financial and business plan in order to enter the music industry, and identify the roles of personal managers, booking agents, publicists, radio promoters, concert promoters, music attorneys, record producers, and studio musicians.
• read and notate music, construct key signatures, locate pitches on the keyboard, and demonstrate basic musicianship skills.