Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Arts
Nature of the Program
The Music Business and Industry program focuses on music, music industry, and business, combined with the University’s General Education Foundations curriculum, and is designed in line with the College of Creative Arts and Media's mission of educating artists, teachers, and scholars through an experiential, student-centered approach to learning. Courses include intellectual property in music industry, music publishing, live music industry, recording industry, music product development and placement, and recording technology.
Admissions for 2027-2028
For first-time freshmen, acceptance into an undergraduate music degree program is contingent upon admission to WVU and admission to the School of Music.
- For the BA Music Business and Industry Degree: Applied Emphasis, admission to the School of Music requires completing a School of Music Application and a successful audition.
- Students transferring from another WVU major or another institution will need to complete a School of Music Application and a successful audition.
- For the BA Music Business and Industry Degree: Multi-Instrumental Emphasis, admission to the School of Music requires completing a School of Music Application and a successful interview.
- Students transferring from another WVU major or another institution will need to complete a School of Music Application and a successful interview.
Major Code: 3706
General Education Foundations
Please use this link to view a list of courses that meet each GEF requirement.
NOTE: Some major requirements will fulfill specific GEF requirements. Please see the curriculum requirements listed below for details on which GEFs you will need to select.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations | ||
| F1 - Composition & Rhetoric | 3-6 | |
| Introduction to Composition and Rhetoric and Composition, Rhetoric, and Research | ||
or ENGL 103 | Accelerated Academic Writing | |
| F2A/F2B - Science & Technology | 4-6 | |
| F3 - Math & Quantitative Reasoning | 3-4 | |
| F4 - Society & Connections | 3 | |
| F5 - Human Inquiry & the Past | 3 | |
| F6 - The Arts & Creativity | 3 | |
| F7 - Global Studies & Diversity | 3 | |
| F8 - Focus (may be satisfied by completion of a minor, double major, or dual degree) | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 31-37 | |
Please note that not all of the GEF courses are offered at all campuses. Students should consult with their advisor or academic department regarding the GEF course offerings available at their campus.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| University Requirements | 42 | |
| Music Business and Industry Program Requirements | 22 | |
| Music Business and Industry Major Requirements | 56 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
University Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Education Foundations (GEF) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 (31-37 Credits) | ||
| Outstanding GEF Requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 8 | 25 | |
| MUSC 191 | First-Year Seminar | 2 |
| General Electives | 15 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Music Business and Industry Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum GPA of 2.5 in all MUSC courses * | ||
| Musicianship Skills and Analysis Courses | ||
| MUSC 140 | Commercial Music Aural Skills 1 | 3 |
| MUSC 141 | Commercial Music Aural Skills 2 | 3 |
| MUSC 142 | Commercial Music Fundamentals | 3 |
| MUSC 143 | Commercial Music Harmony and Form | 3 |
| MUSC 144 | Functional Keyboard for the Commercial Musician 1 | 2 |
| MUSC 145 | Functional Keyboard for the Commercial Musician 2 | 2 |
| Musicology Courses | ||
| Select one of the following (GEF 8): | 3 | |
| Introduction to Music | ||
| Mozart to Metallica: Music and Society | ||
| American Popular Music | ||
| Music and the Immigrant Experience | ||
| Introduction to History of Jazz | ||
| Music in World Cultures | ||
| Hip Hop Nation: Musical and Conceptual Foundations of a Cultural Revolution | ||
| Music in Appalachia | ||
| Select one of the following (GEF 6): | 3 | |
| History of Western Musical Traditions 1 | ||
or MUSC 271 | History of Western Musical Traditions 2 | |
| Music Convocation | ||
| MUSC 189 | Music Convocation (2 semesters) | 0 |
| Total Hours | 22 | |
Music Business and Industry Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum grade of C- is required in all Music Business & Industry courses * | ||
| Minimum GPA of 2.5 in all MUSC courses * | ||
| Music Business & Industry Courses | ||
| MUSC 146 | Introduction to Music Industry | 3 |
| MUSC 411 | Intellectual Property in Music Industry | 3 |
| MUSC 412 | Music Product Development and Placement | 3 |
| MUSC 413 | Live Music Industry | 3 |
| MUSC 414 | Recording Industry | 3 |
| MUSC 415 | Music Publishing | 3 |
| MUSC 491 | Professional Field Experience | 3 |
| Music Business & Industry Electives | 5 | |
Any MUSC courses approved by advisor | ||
| Business Courses | ||
| ACCT 201 | Principles of Accounting 1 | 3 |
| BCOR 350 | Principles of Marketing | 3 |
| BCOR 370 | Principles of Management | 3 |
| or BCOR 340 | Principles of Finance | |
| Required Area of Emphasis (AoE) | 18 | |
Applied Music AoE | ||
Multi-Instrumental AoE | ||
| Capstone | ||
| MUSC 452 | Capstone Project in Music Business & Industry | 3 |
| Total Hours | 56 | |
- *
This does not supersede or replace the University’s D/F repeat policy.
Areas of Emphasis
Applied Music Area of Emphasis Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum grade of C- is required in all music industry courses. | ||
| A minimum GPA of 2.5 in all MUSC courses. | ||
| Applied Lessons *minimum proficiency level 5 required | ||
| Applied Music 100 Level (MUSC 121-127) | 4 | |
| Applied Music 200 Level (MUSC 221-227) | 4 | |
| Applied Music 300 Level (MUSC 321-327) | 4 | |
| Music Ensemble (6 semesters) | 6 | |
| Any of the following, and any other ensemble approved by advisor | ||
| Band: Wind Symphony | ||
| Band: Symphonic | ||
| Band: Marching | ||
| University Community Choir | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| University Mountaineer Chorus | ||
| Mountaineer Singers | ||
| Large Jazz Ensemble 1 | ||
| Jazz Ensemble 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 191 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| MUSC 146 | 3 | MUSC 121-127 Applied Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 189 | 0 | MUSC 141 | 3 |
| MUSC 121-127 Applied Lesson | 2 | MUSC 144 | 2 |
| MUSC 140 | 3 | Musicology Requirement (GEF 8) | 3 |
| MUSC 142 | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| GEF | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 411 | 3 | MUSC 412 | 3 |
| MUSC 221-227 Applied Lesson | 2 | MUSC 221-227 Applied Lesson | 2 |
| Music Ensemble | 1 | Music Ensemble | 1 |
| MUSC 143 | 3 | MUSC 270 or 271 (GEF 6) | 3 |
| GEF | 4 | ACCT 201 | 3 |
| MUSC 145 | 2 | GEF | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 413 | 3 | MUSC 414 | 3 |
| MUSC 321-327 Applied Lesson | 2 | MUSC 321-327 Applied Lesson | 2 |
| Music Ensemble | 1 | Music Ensemble | 1 |
| BCOR 350 | 3 | BCOR 370 | 3 |
| GEF | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 415 | 3 | MUSC 452 | 3 |
| MUSC 491 | 3 | Music Ensemble | 1 |
| Music Ensemble | 1 | Music Elective | 3 |
| Music Elective | 2 | GEF | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 13 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Multi-Instrumental Area of Emphasis Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A minimum grade of C- is required in all music industry courses. | ||
| A minimum GPA of 2.5 in all MUSC courses. | ||
| Group Instrumental Lessons | ||
| MUSC 137 | Class Guitar 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 237 | Class Guitar 2 | 1 |
Or any other group instrumental/vocal classes approved by advisor | ||
| Digital Audio Workstations Classes | ||
| MUSC 336 | Introduction to Pro Tools | 3 |
| MUSC 337 | Digital Audio Workstations | 3 |
| Music Ensemble | 4 | |
Select from the following. Some ensembles may require an audition. | ||
| Band: Concert | ||
| Band: Pep Band | ||
| Band: Wind Symphony | ||
| Band: Symphonic | ||
| Band: Marching | ||
| University Community Choir | ||
| Symphony Orchestra | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| University Mountaineer Chorus | ||
| Mountaineer Singers | ||
| Funk and Soul Ensemble | ||
| Recording Session Band | ||
| Chamber Music: Brass | ||
| Chamber Music: Guitar | ||
| Chamber Music: Piano-4 Hand | ||
| Chamber Music: Strings | ||
| Chamber Music: Woodwind | ||
| Chamber Music: Vocal | ||
| Chamber Music: Mountaineer Singers | ||
| Chamber Music: New Music | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Brass Choir | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other-Vocal Accompaniment | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Chamber Music: Other | ||
| Collegium Musicum | ||
| Jazz Ensemble 2 | ||
| Chamber Music: Percussion 2 | ||
| Large Jazz Ensemble 1 | ||
| Chamber Music: Jazz Small Group | ||
| Chamber Music: Jazz Small Group 2 | ||
| Gamelan | ||
| Steel Band | ||
| African Music Ensemble | ||
| Brazilian Music Ensemble | ||
| Experiential Music Ensemble | ||
| Taiko Ensemble | ||
| Fife and Drum Ensemble | ||
| Appalachian Music Ensemble | ||
| Lyric Theatre | ||
| Music Technology Courses | ||
| MUSC 236 | Introduction to Recording Technology | 2 |
| MUSC 437 | Practicum-Recording Technology | 4 |
| Total Hours | 18 | |
Suggested Plan of Study
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 191 | 2 | MUSC 189 | 0 |
| MUSC 146 | 3 | MUSC 141 | 3 |
| MUSC 189 | 0 | MUSC 144 | 2 |
| MUSC 140 | 3 | Musicology Requirement (GEF 8) | 3 |
| MUSC 142 | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| GEF | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 411 | 3 | ACCT 201 | 3 |
| MUSC 143 | 3 | MUSC 412 | 3 |
| MUSC 145 | 2 | MUSC 236 | 2 |
| GEF | 3 | MUSC 270 or 271 (GEF 6) | 3 |
| GEF | 4 | MUSC 137 | 1 |
| GEF | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 413 | 3 | MUSC 414 | 3 |
| MUSC 237 | 1 | MUSC 337 | 3 |
| MUSC 336 | 3 | Music Ensemble | 1 |
| Music Ensemble | 1 | BCOR 370 | 3 |
| BCOR 350 | 3 | GEF | 3 |
| GEF | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 17 | 16 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| MUSC 415 | 3 | MUSC 452 | 3 |
| MUSC 491 | 3 | MUSC 437 | 4 |
| Music Ensemble | 1 | Music Ensemble | 1 |
| Music Elective | 2 | Music Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | General Elective | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | ||
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120 | |||
Major Learning Outcomes
Music Business and Industry
Students who earn the Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry will be able to:
- Integrate music, business, and technology knowledge to design, analyze, and implement creative and commercial projects across the contemporary music industry.
- Apply music-related legal, ethical, and economic principles to intellectual property, contracts, and entrepreneurial decision-making in both domestic and global music markets.
- Apply current and emerging music technologies for creation, production, marketing, and live performance to meet professional standards and industry innovation.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively in music industry contexts, demonstrating leadership, professionalism, and cultural awareness in diverse creative and business environments.
- Develop sustainable and entrepreneurial careers in music demonstrating adaptability, ethical responsibility, and lifelong engagement with the evolving global music profession.