HCCS Audio and Filmmaking FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get started in HCC Audio and Film?

Classes begin three times per year - August, January and June. Beginning students should apply for admission on the HCCS Homepage and speak with the Audio/Filmmaking department for initial class schedule prior to registration.

Generally, Audio and MIDI majors begin with MUSC 1427 (Audio I), MUSC 1331 (MIDI I), MUSC 1323 (Electronics I) and RTVB 1421 (Moviemakers Academy).

Film majors start with RTVB 1421 (Moviemakers’ Academy), FLMC 1301 (Production Management), RTVB 1429 (Scriptwriting for Electronic Media) and MUSB 1301 (Legal Aspects of the Entertainment Industry). Please see the contact page for more information on getting in touch with someone at HCCS.

Where do I register for classes?

For students who have previously filed an application with HCC, registration can be completed over the web using your student ID and password. Many upper level classes require permission numbers before you can enroll. Call 713-718-5602 to request a permission number.

Registration can also be completed in person at the Town and Country campus and many other HCC campuses.

When is registration?

Registration for the Fall semester begins in early Summer and usually lasts through the month of August. The Fall semester usually begins in the last week of August.

Registration for the Spring semester begins in November and usually lasts through the first two weeks in January. The Spring semester usually begins the day after Martin Luther King Day in January.

Registration for the Summer semester begins in April and usually lasts through the last week in May. The Summer semester usually starts the first week in June.

How long does it take to complete the Audio Program at HCCS?

There are several plans for completing an Audio program. Students are able to work at their own pace to complete any of the programs that are offered at HCC. If a student goes to school full time and does not have an outside job, certificate programs can be completed in one calendar year, and A.A.S. degree programs can be completed in two calendar years. Since so many of our students are employed and go to school part time, certificates take two years and degrees take three years. Our experience is that it is better for students to take a little longer rather than rush right through.

When are classes offered?

Introductory audio and film classes are offered daytime, nighttime and weekends. Advanced classes are offered weekday mornings, afternoons or evenings.

Do I need to take the THEA test to take audio classes?

Students who plan to obtain ONLY a certificate do not need to take the THEA test. Students who plan to obtain a degree from HCC must either take the THEA or be classified as THEA exempt.

Are there any entrance requirements for the Audio Program at HCCS?

No, but you should have a passion for music, sound or film. Because of prerequisites in subsequent semesters, it is a good idea for beginning students to enroll in these courses in their first semester of classes.

Audio and MIDI majors:

MUSC 1427 Audio I
MUSC 1331 MIDI I
MUSC 1323 Audio Electronics
RTVB 1421 TV Field Production (Moviemakers’ Academy)

Film majors:

RTVB 1421 TV Field Production (Moviemakers’ Academy)
FLMC 1371 Production Management
MUSB 1301 Legal Aspects of the Entertainment Industry
MUSC 1427 Audio I
ENGL 1301 Composition I

Can I transfer HCC Audio credits to other colleges?

The University of Phoenix accepts 64 hours from the AAS degrees towards their Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) with an emphasis in Audio Recording Technology or Filmmaking, leaving about 60 hours of General Education classes to be taken from the University of Phoenix. HCC and Texas Southern University have an articulation plan where students with a certificate in Audio Recording can transfer to TSU and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Production with no loss of credit or time.

Can I transfer other audio or film credits to HCCS?

It is possible to place out of certain audio or film classes by taking a departmental exam. To receive a certificate or a degree from HCC, a certain number of hours must be completed at HCCS.

What kinds of jobs can I expect to find in the Audio Industry?

Our certificate and degree programs provide our students with the skills necessary to work in fields such as:

Live sound reinforcement
Studio engineering
Radio and Television
Video Sweetening
Multimedia production

How will I find a job after I graduate?

As part of our curriculum at HCC students complete and internship class at a commercial recording facility or other professional audio or video business. This allows the student to make valuable contacts in the industry that can lead to jobs and careers in the audio and video field while completing class requirements.

What sets HCC Audio apart from other schools?

The amount of gear, studios and the 7 day a week until midnight access students have. We are one of the few schools in the southern United States with a SSL 4048 G+ for students to use. At HCCS, "hands on" is the key phrase to describe our program. From the very first semester, students can expect to use the very finest equipment in the industry. We can accomplish this because we have three complete multi-track audio studios, two full MIDI studios and two dedicated video/filmmaking studios and a sound stage.



		Frequently Asked Questions How do I get started in HCC Audio and Film? Classes begin three times per year - August, January and June. Beginning students should apply for admission on the HCCS Homepage and speak with the Audio/Filmmaking department for initial class schedule prior to registration. Generally, Audio and MIDI majors begin with MUSC 1427 (Audio I), MUSC 1331 (MIDI I), MUSC 1323 (Electronics I) and RTVB 1421 (Moviemakers Academy). Film majors start with RTVB 1421 (Moviemakers’ Academy), FLMC 1301 (Production Management), RTVB 1429 (Scriptwriting for Electronic Media) and MUSB 1301 (Legal Aspects of the Entertainment Industry). Please see the contact page for more information on getting in touch with someone at HCCS. Where do I register for classes? For students who have previously filed an application with HCC, registration can be completed over the web using your student ID and password. Many upper level classes require permission numbers before you can enroll. Call 713-718-5602 to request a permission number. Registration can also be completed in person at the Town and Country campus and many other HCC campuses. When is registration? Registration for the Fall semester begins in early Summer and usually lasts through the month of August. The Fall semester usually begins in the last week of August. Registration for the Spring semester begins in November and usually lasts through the first two weeks in January. The Spring semester usually begins the day after Martin Luther King Day in January. Registration for the Summer semester begins in April and usually lasts through the last week in May. The Summer semester usually starts the first week in June. How long does it take to complete the Audio Program at HCCS? There are several plans for completing an Audio program. Students are able to work at their own pace to complete any of the programs that are offered at HCC. If a student goes to school full time and does not have an outside job, certificate programs can be completed in one calendar year, and A.A.S. degree programs can be completed in two calendar years. Since so many of our students are employed and go to school part time, certificates take two years and degrees take three years. Our experience is that it is better for students to take a little longer rather than rush right through. When are classes offered? Introductory audio and film classes are offered daytime, nighttime and weekends. Advanced classes are offered weekday mornings, afternoons or evenings. Do I need to take the THEA test to take audio classes? Students who plan to obtain ONLY a certificate do not need to take the THEA test. Students who plan to obtain a degree from HCC must either take the THEA or be classified as THEA exempt. Are there any entrance requirements for the Audio Program at HCCS? No, but you should have a passion for music, sound or film. Because of prerequisites in subsequent semesters, it is a good idea for beginning students to enroll in these courses in their first semester of classes. Audio and MIDI majors: MUSC 1427 Audio I MUSC 1331 MIDI I MUSC 1323 Audio Electronics RTVB 1421 TV Field Production (Moviemakers’ Academy) Film majors: RTVB 1421 TV Field Production (Moviemakers’ Academy) FLMC 1371 Production Management MUSB 1301 Legal Aspects of the Entertainment Industry MUSC 1427 Audio I ENGL 1301 Composition I Can I transfer HCC Audio credits to other colleges? The University of Phoenix accepts 64 hours from the AAS degrees towards their Bachelor of Science in Management (BSM) with an emphasis in Audio Recording Technology or Filmmaking, leaving about 60 hours of General Education classes to be taken from the University of Phoenix. HCC and Texas Southern University have an articulation plan where students with a certificate in Audio Recording can transfer to TSU and earn a Bachelor of Arts in Music Production with no loss of credit or time. Can I transfer other audio or film credits to HCCS? It is possible to place out of certain audio or film classes by taking a departmental exam. To receive a certificate or a degree from HCC, a certain number of hours must be completed at HCCS. What kinds of jobs can I expect to find in the Audio Industry? Our certificate and degree programs provide our students with the skills necessary to work in fields such as: Live sound reinforcement Studio engineering Radio and Television Video Sweetening Multimedia production How will I find a job after I graduate? As part of our curriculum at HCC students complete and internship class at a commercial recording facility or other professional audio or video business. This allows the student to make valuable contacts in the industry that can lead to jobs and careers in the audio and video field while completing class requirements. What sets HCC Audio apart from other schools? The amount of gear, studios and the 7 day a week until midnight access students have. We are one of the few schools in the southern United States with a SSL 4048 G+ for students to use. At HCCS, "hands on" is the key phrase to describe our program. From the very first semester, students can expect to use the very finest equipment in the industry. We can accomplish this because we have three complete multi-track audio studios, two full MIDI studios and two dedicated video/filmmaking studios and a sound stage.