Q: What is the Certificate Program in Disc Jockeying?
A: The Certificate Program in Disc Jockeying is the first comprehensive curriculum in the U.S. for DJs. The program focuses on helping new and existing DJs with their knowledge, skills, and competency in the art of DJ'ing. The curriculum consists of introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses in beat mixing, scratching, mobile DJ'ing, and PC DJ'ing using vinyl, CD, and/or MP3s. The program is based on the academy's proprietary Disc Jockey Body of Knowledge (DJBOK).
Q: What is the Disc Jockey Body of Knowledge (DJBOK)?
A: There is a lot more to DJ'ing than you might be aware of. The Disc Jockey Body of Knowledge (DJBOK) is DMA's attempt to represent the sum of knowledge within the disc jockey profession. It includes knowledge of proven, traditional practices which are widely applied as well as knowledge of innovative and advanced ones.
Q: What must be accomplished to complete the Certificate Program in Disc Jockeying?
A: The certificate is awarded to students who pass the minimum number of courses, pass a written final exam, record a mix CD, pass a live DJ'ing performance, and complete an internship. The mix CD, live DJ'ing performance, and internship provide students, instructors, and potential employers with a student's proof of competency.
Q: Who can apply for the certificate program?
A: The certificate program is open to all students 14 years of age or older.
Q: Is there a required textbook for the certificate program?
A: Yes. The academy has selected How to DJ Right as the textbook that will be used for each of the required courses in the certificate program. This book provides all of the core course content which forms the foundation of DJ knowledge. This book is included free with certificate program application acceptance.
Q: Is the program more geared towards club, mobile, or radio DJs?
A: With its emphasis on beat mixing with vinyl, CDs, and/or MP3s, the certificate program is more geared towards the club and mobile jock.
Q: What type of music format is used during class time: vinyl, CD, and/or MP3s?
A: All of the above. Students can choose whatever formats they want to learn on during class time as part of the certificate program.
Q: How many courses must be taken to achieve the certificate?
A: Seven (7): four (4) required courses and three (3) elective courses.
Q: What are the required courses?
A: The required courses are:
- DJ 101: DJ'ing I
- DJ 201: DJ'ing II
- DJ 301: DJ'ing III
- DJ 401: Final Project
These mandatory courses must be completed by all students. Refer to our DJ Curriculum Catalog for full course descriptions, prerequisites, and free bonuses.
Q: What is DJ 401: Final Project?
A: The outcome of taking the DJ 401 course is for students to create their own mix CD. The mix CD is a sixty (60) minute (minimum) recording of a student's beat mixing. The CD is one example of the proof of competency aspect that is integrated within the certificate program. The CD can also be included as part of the DJ's portfolio as a marketing tool to get bookings.
Q: I don't have the equipment needed to record my mix CD for DJ 401: Final Project. What can I do?
A: Students can use the academy's Master DJ Booth including a CD recorder as part of a Practice Session (see our Registration Form) so that you can work on and record your mix CD for the DJ 401 course.
Q: What are the elective courses?
A: The elective courses allow the student to specialize in one or more areas of interest. They consist of introductory (100-level), intermediate (200-level), and advanced (300-level) courses including:
- DJ 111: Vinyl DJ'ing I
- DJ 121: CD DJ'ing I
- DJ 131: Scratching I
- DJ 141: Mobile DJ'ing I
- DJ 151: PC DJ'ing I
- DJ 161: Club DJ'ing I
- DJ 211: Vinyl DJ'ing II
- DJ 221: CD DJ'ing II
- DJ 231: Scratching II
- DJ 241: Mobile DJ'ing II
- DJ 251: PC DJ'ing II (Final Scratch)
- DJ 252: PC DJ'ing II (PCDJ)
- DJ 261: Hip-Hop DJ'ing II
- DJ 331: Turntablism
- DJ 341: Mobile Entertainment
- DJ 361: Hip-Hop DJ'ing III
If a student meets the prerequisite(s), a 200-level or 300-level course can be taken as an elective course. Refer to our DJ Curriculum Catalog for full course descriptions, prerequisites, and free bonuses.
Q: What do I get with each course?
A: Courses typically include an instructor-written Student Handbook, a textbook, PowerPoint slides (based on the textbook), a free bonus (DJ headphones, for example), a promotional CD or DVD, audio CDs, music and equipment purchasing advice, a DJ Mix Academy t-shirt, and a Certificate of Achievement.
Q: How long is each course?
A: Each course consists of four (4) classes, each class lasting two (2) hours in duration, once a week, for four (4) weeks (total hours/course: 8), with the exception of DJ 101 which is a ten (10) hour course.
Q: How much class time is spent with hands-on practice?
A: Student spend sixty percent (60%) of a typical 2-hour class with instructor-lead hands-on practice.
Q: Is there homework?
A: Yes. For example, homework typically consists of reading from the textbook, listening to an audio CD and calculating the beats per minute (BPM) of each song, preparing for weekly quizzes, and practicing your DJ set.
Q: I've taken a DMA course in the past. Will it be counted towards the certificate program?
A: Yes, all DJ Mix Academy courses (required and elective) are credited towards this certificate program.
Q: Will DJ-related courses that I've taken at a college/university or another DJ school count towards the certificate program?
A: It depends. Each student's past courses will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Q: Where are the courses offered?
A: Courses are held at our classroom locations in Boston, Newton, Tyngsboro, Chelmsford, and Essex located in Massachusetts, US.
Q: I can't make it to a classroom location. Can I still earn the Certificate in Disc Jockeying?
A: Yes. To accommodate students who live outside the Boston area, the academy offers the certificate program through its Mobile DJ Mix Academy where we bring our school to you. In addition, through our new Global DJ Mix Academy, you can learn at home through a self-study program.
Q: What does the final exam consist of?
A: The purpose of the final exam is to assess students' learning of the material covered during the certificate program. This written examination may consist of multiple choice, true/false, and/or short answer questions. A grade of eighty five percent (85%) or better is needed to pass the final exam.
Q: What happens during the live DJ'ing performance?
A: The live DJ'ing performance is an opportunity for students to showcase their learned and improved DJ'ing skills live and in front of our instructors. The song selection should be identical to the ones recorded on the mix CD as part of DJ 401: Final Project. Students will receive constructive feedback after their sixty (60) minute (minimum) performance. A grade of eighty five percent (85%) or better is needed to pass the live DJ'ing performance.
Q: What's involved with the internship?
A: Students will spend a month (minimum) with a professional club or mobile DJ learning the ins-and-outs of DJ'ing in the real world. Students will write a short paper afterwards describing their experiences and lessons learned. A letter of recommendation from the employer is needed to complete the internship.
Q: How much does the certificate program cost?
A: Through our classroom curriculum, each course costs $325 and with the $75 certificate program application fee, the total cost is $2,350. Through our self-study curriculum, courses cost $275. Discounts are available for former students (alumni), early registration, and prepayment for courses through our Frequent DJ'ing Pass.
Q: How do I apply for the certificate program?
A: Interested students need to complete the Certificate Program in Disc Jockeying Application Form, pay a non-refundable application fee ($75), and submit a mix CD showcasing their current DJ'ing skills. The purpose of the initial mix CD is to benchmark a student's DJ'ing skills and is used as a basis for improvement. Upon acceptance into the program, applicants become a matriculating student.
Q: What does becoming a "matriculating student" mean? How do I maintain my matriculating status?
A: Once accepted into the certificate program, an applicant becomes a matriculating student. Students can maintain their matriculating status by taking a minimum of one (1) course every three (3) months. If not, student will loose their matriculating status and will need to re-apply to the certificate program.
Q: How long can I take to complete the certificate program? Do I have to finish in any fixed timeframe?
A: Assuming that you take one (1) course consecutively per month, you will complete all of the courses in seven (7) months. You may also concurrently work on your mix CD while you are taking classes. The final exam will be administered after you complete your 7th (last) course. The live DJ'ing performance would be next, followed by your internship. In all, the certificate program can be achieved in as early as nine (9) months.
Contact us for additional information and an application form.
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