• Academics at Musicians Institute
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  • Bachelor and Associate Degrees
  • Certificate Programs
  • Non-Certificate Programs
• Financial Aid Opportunities
• Location: Hollywood, California

Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, offers a comprehensive, hands-on education in contemporary music performance, audio engineering, independent artist development, guitar making, music business and film. If you are serious about your music, your education, and your career, we invite you to select your academic preferences and complete the form. We will respond to you promptly with more information about how we can help you reach your goals.

Academics at Musicians Institute
Select your preferences by clicking here.

Musicians Institute offers four types of programs: Bachelor of Music Degree, Associate of Arts Degree, Certificate Programs, and Non-Certificate Programs (Encore). The admissions process varies somewhat between different programs, so be sure to express your preferences early in the process.

Accreditation: Musicians Institute is accredited as a member institution by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). NASM also specifically approves MI's Bachelor, Associate, Certificate, and Non-Certificate programs for guitarists, bassists, drummers, keyboard players, vocalists, audio engineers, artists, music business professionals, film-makers and guitar builders. MI is also fully accredited by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Vocational Education (BPPVE) of the State of California.

Bachelor of Music in Performance (Contemporary Styles) (12 quarters / 180 credit units): With a world-class teaching staff of professional, working musicians, Musicians Institute's challenging and selective Bachelor Degree joins advanced education in traditional musical skills with practical technical training and unmatched performing opportunities to develop your musical potential to the fullest. The program's practical philosophy emphasizes preparation for careers in today’s music industry, and the overall success of MI's methods is demonstrated by the thousands of successful graduates employed in the music industry around the world. Bachelor Degree instrument majors include Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, and Voice, with additional minor studies available in Audio Production and Music Industry Studies.

Associate of Arts Degrees (6 quarters / 90 credit units): Musicians Institute's AA program offers unique, all-music occupational degrees. The AA program provides a highly-organized program comprising advanced instrument techniques, practical musicianship, and extensive live performing opportunities as well as creative development and recording experience. It's the best of both worlds: MI's famous intensive hands-on contemporary music training and a nationally-recognized degree. Associate Degree instrument majors include Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboard Technology, and Voice, with additional degree options available for combining instrument studies with training in non-performing specialties (described below).

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and inquire directly to Musicians Institute.

Certificate in Performance (4 quarters / 60 credit units): Musicians Institute's intensive performance certificate programs for bass, drums, guitar, keyboard technology and voice are designed to increase your technical skills, musicianship and performing experience to a level that will allow you to pursue any style of music. Created by players for players, the total-immersion Performance Certificate curriculum provides a combination of core classes, live playing workshops, private lessons, open counseling and electives as well as seminars and clinics by world-famous musicians.

The admissions procedure is selective and based on factors including an audition tape or written test (where applicable), a written application and prior experience. The most important criteria for admission are the applicant's desire for career advancement and commitment to an intensive educational program. Each applicant is individually reviewed, taking into consideration his or her experience, achievements, aptitude, attitude, and potential for growth. Prospective students are encouraged to follow a college preparatory curriculum and to take as many music and music-related courses as are practical prior to attending Musicians Institute.

Music Industry Certificate Programs (2-3 quarters, 30-45 credit units): MI-style intensive, hands-on education is also offered in a variety of other music industry career fields. These programs may be taken alone or combined with instrument studies to create unique AA degrees; contact MI's Admissions Department for details. Music Industry certificate programs include:

• Audio Engineering: Comprehensive training in professional recording engineering and music production
• Audio Engineering (Post-Production Audio): Additional emphasis in recording and mixing music, dialogue and sound effects for film and television
• Music Video, Film, and Television Production: Training in all aspects of film / television production, including directing, lighting, camera work, editing and special effects
• Guitar Craft: Electric guitar and bass design, fabrication, maintenance and repair
• Guitar Craft (Acoustic Guitar Design): Additional emphasis in designing and building high-quality acoustic guitars
• Music Business: Preparation for careers in the music industry, including record companies, publishing, management, concert production and more
• Independent Artist Development: Training in creative and career survival skills for the independent musical artist, including songwriting, recording, production, promotion and distribution

Interested? Get started by
choosing which program you want to pursue.

Non-Certificate Programs (various lengths): MI provides additional program options for students who may not choose to attend full-time, multi-quarter certificate or degree programs. Non-Certificate options include:

Encore (one quarter): Students of bass, drums, guitar, keyboards and voice work with the program coordinator to create a personalized ten-week curriculum, choosing from a wide range of available courses (specific course availability varies; consult with the Encore Coordinator for details). Every Encore Program includes a personalized schedule, weekly private lessons, 24-hour access to Musicians Institute's facilities for practice and rehearsal, use of the video library, admission to special clinics and seminars, and participation in open counseling and live performance workshops. Classes start every quarter for all styles and levels.

Summer Shot (one week): Each June, MI offers a one-week workshop-style program for students aged 14 and up, all styles and levels, with concentrations in performance (Bass, Drums, Guitar, Keyboards, Voice) and recording. Summer Shot includes classes, seminars, hands-on workshops, lessons, open counseling, visiting artist concerts and more. New program options are added regularly; check mi.edu for current info.

Please note: Non-certificate programs are not eligible for U.S. financial aid. Program content is subject to change. Please contact the admissions counselors at Musicians Institute by selecting your academic preferences and completing the simple form. Counselors will respond to you directly with more information about your program.

Learn more about how Musicians Institute
can help you achieve your goals.
Tell us more about your interests,
and we will respond promptly to your request.

Financial Aid Opportunities: Musicians Institute is eligible to provide financial aid to U.S. Citizens and permanent residents under various federal and state aid programs. Each type of aid has specific eligibility requirements. If you qualify, you may be eligible for one or more types of aid. However, it is important for you to know that financial aid usually does not cover all of your tuition costs.

International Students: Students who are planning to attend Musicians Institute with an M-1 or F-1 Student Visa are ineligible to receive U.S. financial assistance. We recommend that you contact the Department of Student Financial Assistance in your country for information on financial aid available to you from your own government.

Location: Hollywood, California is a neighborhood in the City of Los Angeles with a population of approximately 300,000 people. Due to its fame and identity as a major center of movie studios and stars, the word Hollywood is often used in a broader sense to refer to the American motion picture industry in Southern California.

When the Guitar Institute of Technology (GIT) opened its doors in Hollywood in 1977, it was the right place and time for a great new idea in music education: A focused, intense, hands-on contemporary program designed and taught by working professional musicians, and located in the center of the music industry.

GIT quickly expanded to become Musicians Institute, a complete spectrum of contemporary performance and music industry programs located in one of the world's foremost music education facilities. M has evolved tremendously over the years, but our mission remains the same: To offer innovative programs that help aspiring students reach your musical goals.

We look forward to welcoming you to Musicians Institute! To learn more, review all of our programs and select the ones that interest you. Then complete the inquiry form, and we will respond to you directly.