Program Guide

Music (Business)

College: Music
Degree: BA in Music - Liberal Arts
Specialized Admission: Yes

Contact: Dr. Joanna Hunt
Address: 202-D Housewright Music Bldg, Tallahassee, FL 32306-1180
Phone: (850) 644-6105
Email: jchunt@fsu.edu

Description of Major

Students cannot begin enrolling in this major until Fall 2026. Also, please note: FSU is not yet authorized to enroll F-1 international students in the Bachelor's degree in Event Management. International students who need an F-1 visa, should NOT apply to this major at this time.

*Please Note: Face-to-face/in-person instruction of this program is available ONLY at the main campus in Tallahassee, FL. This program is NOT available via Online/Distance Learning.*

The Bachelor of Arts in Music Business major is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the music industry, blending core aspects of an education in music along with business acumen. This program will give students the necessary skills to be the future leaders of the music industry. Open to students from a variety of musical backgrounds, the program does not require a formal audition, with applicants submitting sample videos and completing specific essay questions as part of the admissions process. Interviews may be required at the discretion of the Program Director.

Prerequisite Coursework

Students should complete the following courses in preparation for placement in upper division status:
MUT X111 (3) Basic Theory I or MUT 1005 (3) The Art of Songwriting
MUN XXXX (2) Courses in Ensemble

Additional courses may be required. Contact the department for details.

Note: State-wide common prerequisites are always under review. For the most current information and for acceptable alternative courses, visit the “Common Prerequisites Manual.” This is available from the “Student Services” section of http://www.flvc.org .

Students in this program must complete: a modern or classical foreign language through the 2200 or equivalent level. This requirement may be satisfied through coursework or examination.

Admission Requirements to the Major:
Open to students from a variety of musical backgrounds, the program does not require a formal audition, with applicants submitting sample videos and completing specific essay questions as part of the admissions process. Interviews may be required at the discretion of the Program Director.

For details see: https://music.fsu.edu/programs/music-industry/

Requirements

Major Program of Studies at FSU: (61 hours)

Musicianship: (16 hours)

Theory and Aural Skills

MUT 1005 (3) The Art of Songwriting

Music Skills Competency
MVK 1111 (1) Class Piano IA
MVK 1112 (1) Class Piano IB
or
MVS 1116 (1) Beginning Class Guitar
MVS 2126 (1) Intermediate Class Guitar

Ensemble

MUN 2xxx (1) Ensemble
MUN 4803 (1) Ensemble (Old Time)

Music History

MUH 2051 (3) World Music Cultures
MUH 2019 (3) Modern Popular Music
MUH 2054 (3) American Roots Music

Music Business: (23 hours)

MUS 3934 (0) Music Business Forum (6x)
MUS 3320 (3) Survey of the Music Industry
MUS 3340 (3) Music Instr. Digital Interface I
MUS 3934 (3) Legal Issues in Music
MUS 3934 (2) Practices in the Recorded Music Industry
MUS 3934 (2) Artist Management
MUS 3934 (2) Music Publishing
MUS 3934 (2) Concert Marketing and Management
MUS 3934 (3) Intro to Music Ent/Innovation
MUS 4905 (3) Music Business Capstone Project

Practicum: (Choose 4 hours) - Course topics may be repeated.

MUS 3934 (1) Practicum (various topics) (4x)
or
Non-Music Electives (4)

Internship: (6 hours)
If a part-time internship is selected, 3 elective credit hours must be added to fulfill degree requirements.

MUS 4940 (6) Full-time Internship
MUS 4940 (3) Part-time Internship

Student Recital Attendance: (0 hours)
Entering freshmen must register for this course for six semesters. Transfer students must consult advisor regarding completion of this requirement.

MUS 1010 (0)

Minor Requirement: (12 hours)
Students must complete a minor in Business, Commercial Entrepreneurship, or Social Entrepreneurship.

For details on the minors see: https://business.fsu.edu/academics/undergraduateprograms/minors/general-business or https://jimmoranschool.fsu.edu/academics/minors

Students are alerted to the University policy which requires a minimum of 45 hours at the upper division level. Additional upper division elective hours may be necessary to meet this stipulation.

Foreign Language: (0-12 hours)
Completion of a foreign language through the intermediate (2220) level or proficiency equivalent is required.

Digital Literacy: (3 hours)
One of: CGS 2060 (3), CGS 2100 (3), CGS 3406 (3), EME 2040 (3) or other University approved course that meets this requirement.

Oral Communication Competency: (0-3 hours)
Students must demonstrate the ability to orally transmit ideas and information clearly. This requirement may be met through with a University approved course.

Minimum Program Requirements - Summary
Min. Hrs. Required 120
General Education 36*
Major Coursework 61
Digital Literacy 3
Oral Competency 0-3
Foreign Language 0-12 (depending on placement)
Electives to bring total credits to 120

*NOTE: Up to nine (9) hours of credit from the required Music History, Music Literature and Music Theory courses may also be used to partially fulfill requirements of General Education.

 

Mapping

Mapping is FSU’s academic advising and monitoring system. Academic progress is monitored each Fall and Spring semester to ensure that students are on course to earn their degree in a timely fashion. Transfer students must meet mapping guidelines to be accepted into their majors. You may view the map for this major at academic-guide.fsu.edu/.

Remarks

1. A minimum of 45 hours at the 3000 level or above, 30 of which must be taken at this University.
2. Half of the major course semester hours must be completed in residence at this University.
3. The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at this University.
4. For the BA in Music, at least 66 hours must be earned in non-music coursework.

Employment Information

Salary Information: For more information go to: National Association of Colleges and Employers (www.naceweb.org) or the Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/ooh/home.htm) provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Representative Job Titles Related to this Major: Arts Administrator, Consultant, Teacher, Performer/Artist, Author, Music Business Executive, Publication Editor, Music Law/Copyright Lawyer, Music Engineer/Recorder, Conductor, Researcher, Composer, Freelancer, Music Administrator Representative.

Representative Employers: Junior Colleges, Conservatories, Colleges, Entertainment Centers, Universities, Recording Studios, Publishers, Record/Music Companies, Law Practice, Private Clubs.