Degree Offered
- Bachelor of Arts
Nature of the Program
Music industry is a vibrant, multi-billion dollar global industry, vast in scope and reach, offering a product that is deeply ingrained into the fabric of every country and culture, across social strata around the world. As such, it offers extensive professional opportunities to those who are trained, knowledgeable, and versed in its systems, methods, and practices.
The BA in Music Business and Industry offers two tracks (areas of emphasis) students may select: applied music (which includes private instrument or voice lessons) or multi-instrumental (where students are engaged in group instrumental/vocal lessons).
The Music Business and Industry program provides an engaging, systematic, and rigorous course of study leading to analytical, creative, regulatory, and entrepreneurial understanding and skills necessary to succeed in today’s complex and challenging music industry field.
The full course of study that includes courses in music, music industry, and business, combined with the University’s General Education Foundations curriculum, 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. The Music Business and Industry program includes courses in intellectual property in music industry, music publishing, live music industry, recording industry, music product development and placement, and recording technology.
Admissions for 2026-2027
Acceptance into an undergraduate music degree program is contingent upon both admission to WVU as an undergraduate student and a successful performance audition. Auditions are held from late fall through the early spring semester. For maximum scholarship consideration, students are encouraged to complete the application (including audition) before March 1. Audition information can be found on the College's website or by contacting the CCAM Office of Recruitment at (304) 293-4339. Special accommodations may be made by contacting the School of Music at (304) 293-4532 or Music@mail.wvu.edu.
For admission consideration, all students must submit separate applications to the University and to the School of Music. The audition is a preliminary assessment of a student’s potential for success. For the Bachelor of Science in Music and Health, students must audition at a minimum performance level four. If a student is admitted, their standing is confirmed or revised after the first semester of study.
Students should own their own instrument under normal circumstances (except for piano).
- Apply to West Virginia University (How to Apply)
- Audition for the School of Music (Apply Now)
Acceptance into an undergraduate music degree program requires admission to WVU as an undergraduate student and a successful audition and/or interview. The audition and/or interview is a preliminary assessment of a student's potential for success in their intended major.
- BA Music - audition required
- BA Music Business and Industry: Applied Music Emphasis - audition required
- BA Music Business and Industry: Multi-instrumental Emphasis - interview required (no audition)
- BM Composition - audition and portfolio review required
- BM Music Education - audition and interview required
- BM Music Therapy - audition and interview required
- BM Performance - audition required
- BS Music and Health - audition required
Students who cannot attend one of our regularly scheduled audition days should contact the School of Music at:
(304) 293-4532 or Music@mail.wvu.edu.
Music majors can change from one music curriculum to another with faculty approval, particularly during the freshman or sophomore year, without significant loss of course credit. Students are encouraged to explore and follow the curriculum for which they are best qualified and in which they can achieve the greatest success. Evaluation of students’ work by the School of Music faculty informs these decisions. If students wish a broader, liberal arts-oriented program, they may pursue a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music.
Area of Emphasis Information
BA in Music Business and Industry Program / Area of Emphasis: Applied Music
Entrance Requirements
Acceptance into the Bachelor of Arts in Music Business and Industry degree program is contingent upon admission to WVU as an undergraduate student and a successful interview. Each student applying for the BA in Business and Music Industry program will complete an interview process with one or more representatives from the Music Business and Industry program. Other School of Music staff may be present as well. The interview process covers information about the student’s educational history, preparation for the music industry degree program, interest in music industry as a career, and any other information the student would like to share with the interviewer.
Music Performance Audition Requirement
All the prospective majors who wish to enroll in the program’s Area of Emphasis: Applied Music will be required to pass a successful instrumental/vocal performance audition in order to be admitted into the program. Students who pursue this area emphasis must audition at a performance level 2, or above, on their principal instrument/voice to be admitted to the BA in Business and Music Industry program. Auditions for such incoming majors are held principally in November, February, and March in Morgantown. Audition information can be found on the College's website or by contacting the CCAM Office of Recruitment at (304) 293-4339. Special accommodations may be made by contacting the School of Music at (304) 293-4532 or Music@mail.wvu.edu.
All admitted students should own their own instrument under normal circumstances (except for piano) and a portable (folding) music stand.
Additional Requirements:
High school graduates from West Virginia and non-residents are eligible to be considered for admission to the program with a 2.5 grade point average and either a composite ACT score of 19 or a combined math and critical reading SAT score of 910. If space is available and the required high school units, GPA, and test scores are met, the student will be admitted. Therefore, we encourage eligible students to apply as soon as possible after September 15 of their senior year. If one of the requirements is not met, students may still apply, and the Music Business and Industry Program Director will review the application. If appropriate, students should submit a written statement explaining any extenuating circumstances that might have affected their academic performance.
BA in Music Business and Industry Program / Area of Emphasis: Multi-Instrumental
Entrance Requirements
Acceptance into the Bachelor of Arts in Business and Music Industry degree program is contingent upon admission to WVU as an undergraduate student and a successful interview. Each student applying for the BA in Music Business and Industry program will complete an interview process with one or more representatives from the Music Business and Industry program. Other School of Music staff may be present as well. The interview process covers information about the student’s educational history, preparation for the music industry degree program, interest in music industry as a career, and any other information the student would like to share with the interviewer.
Music Performance Audition Requirement
Music performance audition is not required for this Area of Emphasis.
Additional Requirements:
High school graduates from West Virginia and non-residents are eligible to be considered for admission to the program with a 2.5 grade point average and either a composite ACT score of 19 or a combined math and critical reading SAT score of 910. If space is available and the required high school units, GPA, and test scores are met, the student will be admitted. Therefore, we encourage eligible students to apply as soon as possible after September 15 of their senior year. If one of the requirements is not met, students may still apply, and the Music Business and Industry Program Director will review the application. If appropriate, students should submit a written statement explaining any extenuating circumstances that might have affected their academic performance.
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 Industry Major Requirements | 78 | |
| 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 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 410 | 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 | |
| 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 | ||
| Music in Appalachia | ||
| Hip Hop Nation: Musical and Conceptual Foundations of a Cultural Revolution | ||
| MUSC 271 | History of Western Musical Traditions 2 (GEF 6) | 3 |
| Music Convocation | ||
| MUSC 189 | Music Convocation (2 semesters) | 0 |
| Required Area of Emphasis (AoE) | 18 | |
Applied Music AoE | ||
Multi-Instrumental AoE | ||
| Capstone | ||
| MUSC 452 | Capstone Project in Music Business & Industry | 3 |
| Total Hours | 78 | |
- *
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 | ||
| 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 189 | 0 | MUSC 121-127 Applied Lesson | 2 |
| MUSC 410 | 3 | 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 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 | |
Any available ensemble that does not require audition, or for which a student passes the audition. | ||
| 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 189 | 0 | MUSC 141 | 3 |
| MUSC 410 | 3 | 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 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 develop:
- The ability to integrate knowledge and skills in music, music industry, and business, to address issues, projects, and problems in the music industry.
- Make independent, logical evaluations and judgements associated with the work of one or more sectors of the music industry.
- The capacity to pose, analyze, and solve problems with an understanding of the interrelationships and interdependencies of various interests and influences on the music industry.
- Knowledge and skills in various aspects of the music industry and business more generally through study and personal experience.