The Master of Fine Arts in Screen Scoring & Music Design program is designed to prepare students to pursue careers in the growing field of music for on-screen media, including film, television, video games and interactive media. The student experience will mirror that of working composers, orchestrators, arrangers, music editors and music supervisors, such that upon graduation they are prepared to enter the industry by a number of different professional avenues. The program functions like a real-world screen music production company, with defined assignments, deadlines and standards for evaluation, and aspires to provide the kind of professional mentoring that is generally found only on-the-job.
Students are required to purchase and bring their own MacBook Pro or MacBook Air.
The Master of Fine Arts in Screen Scoring & Music Design is currently only approved at Strayer’s Chamblee, GA campus, which is expected to move to a new location in Atlanta, GA at 715 Peachtree Street in late June 2026, subject to regulatory approval. Classes for the program are anticipated to begin in October 2026.
Two courses, MFA 516 and MFA 536, require travel to designated studio locations:
- In MFA 516, travel will be within the U.S.; full in-person participation in this exercise is required. All travel expenses (e.g., transportation, lodging, incidentals, and meals) are the responsibility of the student. Strayer will cover the studio reservation and recording fees.
- In MFA 536, the capstone SoundTrek occurring in the final quarter of the program, travel to a designated European studio location is required. Full participation in this exercise is required. All travel expenses (e.g., airfare/transportation, lodging, incidentals, and meals) are the responsibility of the student. Strayer will cover the studio reservation and recording fees. Students are responsible for securing their own visa, if needed.
The MFA program is currently not approved for federal financial aid by the U.S. Department of Education. If it is approved at a later date, Strayer expects that this program’s tuition will exceed federal unsubsidized loan limits. Students should have a plan to pay for tuition that is not covered by federal loans, as well as living and required program expenses.