Professional Certificate in Music for Film & Media
On-Campus and Low-Residency Options
Same Program, Different Piece of Paper, Lower Cost!
After a 14 year partnership with the Seattle Film Institute to offer the original one-year Master of Music in Film Composition degree, we have set out on our own and have transitioned to a Professional Certificate. Aside from a lower price tag, everything else about our acclaimed program is still the same; learn from industry professionals, get training in all industry software and standards, write and conduct music for live recording sessions with professional musicians in world-class studios, work with student directors from around the world, and graduate in just 40 weeks with the skills, experience, demo reel, and connections to start your career in film, television, games, or other media.
We are currently waiting on a thumbs up from the Workforce Training Board to be able to begin accepting applications for the Fall 2025 class of our new Professional Certificate program. We anticipate receiving that approval by late December or early January. Feel free to check back in around that time, or, better yet, sign up for updates below to be alerted when the floodgates open!
Low-Residency Option
We are pleased to offer a Low-Residency option for our Professional Certificate in Music for Film & Media program!
This option allows students to attend and participate in live classes remotely and then join us in Seattle for a series of 1-2 week residencies during the school year for recording sessions and workshops.
Low-Residency and On-Campus students attend all classes together as one hybrid cohort.
One of the Top Film Music Programs in the World
Rated as the #4 school in the world for film scoring education by Music School Central and consistently featured in the Hollywood Reporter as one of the top music schools to study for a career in film and television.
“in just one year, the school places students into a pressure cooker of intense learning resulting in a professional demo reel that can be used to obtain future paid commercial opportunities… Schools that focus on the value and future of their music students are compelling options, and this program most certainly does exactly that.”
Dozens of Scoring Projects
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Conduct live recording sessions with professional musicians
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Produce and mix remote sessions
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Create high quality mockups and electronic scores using virtual instruments and synths
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Work with student directors from around the world scoring their actual films
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Graduate with an impressive and well-rounded demo reel
Learn from Industry Professionals
All PNWFS staff and faculty are active professional film and game composers, orchestrators, copyists, and engineers.
Accelerated and Affordable
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Graduate in less than a year
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Low-Residency option for those who cannot move to Seattle
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Computers and software provided to all students
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Payment plans and grant options available
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All accepted students are eligible for Merit-Based Tuition Awards
More than Just Music Theory
The Professional Certificate in Music for Film & Media program also focuses on:
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Instruction in all major software used in the industry
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Conducting for studio orchestras
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Songwriting for film
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Studio technology
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Mixing
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Creating music and sound design for interactive games
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Business and contracts
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Networking
How to apply:
Prospective students should either already have or be in process of earning a 4-year undergraduate degree. There are no requirements that the undergraduate degree be in music, though it is recommended that students have at least some formal training in music theory.
To apply you must fill out the online application (coming soon!) and then submit the following materials:
• Your college transcripts (these can be “in progress”)
• 2 letters of recommendation
• A $50 application fee (due at time of application)
• A portfolio of 3 recent compositions that you feel best represent you as a composer. These compositions should be of varying styles and ensembles. You must submit both an audio recording and a notated score for each piece. Audio recordings can be MIDI/electronic but at least one piece should be written for live players.
International students only:
We require the TOEFL for all international students unless you have earned your undergraduate degree from an English speaking university, college, or school. IELTS scores are also acceptable.
ATTENTION INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS:
Any international student interested in applying for the Fall 2025 program should contact program director Sammy Applegate BEFORE applying!
Application deadline:
We offer rolling admissions, there is no official deadline to apply. Once we have received your online application and all of the required materials listed above it usually takes 2-3 weeks to be informed of our decision.
Tuition, Fees, and Awards:
Tuition:
Tuition for both the on-campus and low-residency options is $35,000. This includes all classes, workshops, studio and musician costs for recording sessions, and a personal computer provided to each student preloaded with all of the software, sample libraries, and plugins needed to complete the program.
Fees:
There is a $50 application fee due when applying and a $200 enrollment and orientation fee due after acceptance to hold your seat in the class. Both of these fees are non-refundable.
Tuition Awards:
We offer merit-based Tuition Awards, which all applicants are eligible for. These are determined by the strength of an applicant’s portfolio and transcripts and do not require any additional applications, essays, videos or submissions. Applicants are informed of their award upon acceptance.
Other payment plan and grant options are available, please reach out to Sammy Applegate for more information.
Pacific Northwest Film Scoring Program at the Seattle Film Institute
Aurore Boréale - Sandrine Rudaz
Climbing Mt. Symphony
