Contemporary Music Industry Undergraduate Major (BA, BS, HBA, HBS)
This program is available at the following location:
- Ecampus
The Contemporary Music Industry program prioritizes student interests, building essential and adaptive creative skills. We encourage internships, studying abroad, and real-world industry experience. Our flexible program offers room for electives and even a minor, providing opportunities to develop secondary areas of study and enhance entrepreneurial, technical, and creative acumen.
Students develop skills through understanding various musical styles and creative problem-solving. They gain a deep understanding of the evolving nature of contemporary music, including popular, global, experimental, conceptual, media, and entertainment industries.
Students utilize entrepreneurial skills to become competitive leaders and influencers. The program prepares students for careers in music that support the student's interests, including game music scoring, songwriting, film scoring, independent composition, creative enterprises, music supervision, education, and entertainment, providing industry-standard skills across several contemporary music genres.
Students explore various stylistic practices in performance, research, writing music for media and games, songwriting, the business of music, and music as a global innovative enterprise. They master tools and skills (both hard and soft), that are essential for working in creative teams, and being prepared for a dynamic career in music.
Major Code: 028
Upon successful completion of the program, students will meet the following learning outcomes:
- Analyze genre and discipline-specific knowledge of modern, contemporary and popular music processes, influences, practices, and histories.
- Describe and analyze works of contemporary, popular and modern music critically and relate them to historical and contemporary contexts, issues, and cultural meaning.
- Articulate discipline specific concepts through applied theory, through technical writing, oral traditions, notation and sound practice.
- Create original music and/or research projects by applying discipline-specific tools, skills, methods, and sources.
- Complete the WIC course MUS 475 with a grade of C- or better.
- Maintain a 2.0 or better university GPA.
- Maintain a 2.25 or better major GPA.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Lower-Division Core | ||
| MUS 107 | INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATIONS AND PUBLISHING | 3 |
| MUS 114 | FOUNDATIONS: APPLIED LISTENING AND THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 200 | AMERICAN MUSIC TRADITION | 3 |
| MUS 216 | +THE MUSIC BUSINESS I | 3 |
| MUS 237 | CRITICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY & POPULAR MUSIC | 3 |
| MUS 255 | INTERMEDIATE DAW AND MUSIC PUBLISHING | 3 |
| MUS 279 | INTRODUCTION TO SONGWRITING 1 | 3 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6 | |
| *MUSIC APPRECIATION II: PERIODS AND GENRES | ||
| *MUSIC APPRECIATION III: GREAT COMPOSERS | ||
| *SURVEY OF JAZZ | ||
| *MUSIC CULTURES OF THE WORLD | ||
| FOUNDATIONS: APPLIED LISTENING, THEORY, AND PRACTICE | ||
| APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: BEGINNER BEAT MAKING (DAW) | ||
| SPECIAL STUDIES (take up to 3 credits) | ||
| Upper-Division Core | ||
| MUS 309 | +*WOMEN IN MUSIC | 3 |
| MUS 331 | *GENRE STUDIES: POPULAR MUSIC AND CULTURE IN LATIN AMERICA | 3 |
| MUS 338 | APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP GUITAR | 2 |
| or MUS 335 | APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP VOCAL | |
| or MUS 339 | APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP KEYBOARD | |
| MUS 349 | THE MUSIC BUSINESS II | 3 |
| MUS 415 | SCORING VISUAL MEDIA I | 3 |
| MUS 428 | SENIOR PROJECT (take twice) | 8-12 |
| or MUS 403 | THESIS | |
| or MUS 410 | INTERNSHIP | |
| MUS 451 | INTRODUCTION TO ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| MUS 453 | SCORING VISUAL MEDIA II | 3 |
| MUS 475 | ^CREATIVITY AND THE CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL IMAGINATION | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| INDEPENDENT STUDY | ||
| CONTEMPORARY MUSIC TECHNIQUE & PRACTICE | ||
| GENRE STUDIES | ||
| INTRODUCTION TO SCORING GAME MUSIC | ||
| BASIC RECORDING TECHNIQUES | ||
| SPECIAL STUDIES (take up to 3 credits) | ||
| Remaining Core Ed, CLA Core, BA/BS Requirements and Electives | 119 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course
Major Code: 028
Degree plans are subject to change and the following is only an example of how students may complete their degree in four years. Students should consult their advisor to determine the best degree plan for them. Contact details for advisors can be found on the Academic Advising page.
Bachelor of Arts
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MUS 114 | FOUNDATIONS: APPLIED LISTENING AND THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 200 | AMERICAN MUSIC TRADITION | 3 |
| WR 121Z | +*COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Core Ed: Transitions | 2 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| MUS 107 | INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATIONS AND PUBLISHING | 3 |
| Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 | |
| CLA Core: Humanities | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS 338 | APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP GUITAR or APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP VOCAL or APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP KEYBOARD | 2 |
| Lower-Division MUS Course | 3 | |
| CLA Core: Fine Arts | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Difference, Power & Oppression Foundations | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 237 | CRITICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY & POPULAR MUSIC | 3 |
| MUS 279 | INTRODUCTION TO SONGWRITING 1 | 3 |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 | |
| Language 111 | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Winter | ||
| MUS 216 | +THE MUSIC BUSINESS I | 3 |
| MUS 255 | INTERMEDIATE DAW AND MUSIC PUBLISHING | 3 |
| Language 112 | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Lower-Division MUS Course | 3 | |
| Language 113 | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Social Science | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 415 | SCORING VISUAL MEDIA I | 3 |
| Language 211 | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Writing Elevation | 3-4 | |
| CLA Core: Social Science | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| MUS 349 | THE MUSIC BUSINESS II | 3 |
| MUS 453 | SCORING VISUAL MEDIA II | 3 |
| Language 212 | 4 | |
| CLA Core: Non-Western Culture | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS 475 | ^CREATIVITY AND THE CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL IMAGINATION | 3 |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Language 213 | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 309 | +*WOMEN IN MUSIC | 3 |
| MUS 451 | INTRODUCTION TO ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| Upper-Division Elective | 4 | |
| CLA Core: Additional Course | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| MUS 331 | *GENRE STUDIES: POPULAR MUSIC AND CULTURE IN LATIN AMERICA | 3 |
| MUS 428 | SENIOR PROJECT or THESIS or INTERNSHIP | 4 |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS 428 | SENIOR PROJECT or THESIS or INTERNSHIP | 4 |
| Upper-Division MUS Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 1 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
Bachelor of Science
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| MUS 114 | FOUNDATIONS: APPLIED LISTENING AND THEORY | 3 |
| MUS 200 | AMERICAN MUSIC TRADITION | 3 |
| WR 121Z | +*COMPOSITION I | 4 |
| Core Ed: Transitions | 2 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| MUS 107 | INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL AUDIO WORKSTATIONS AND PUBLISHING | 3 |
| CLA Core: Non-Western Culture | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Quantitative Literacy & Analysis | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities Global | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS 338 | APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP GUITAR or APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP VOCAL or APPLIED MUSICIANSHIP: GROUP KEYBOARD | 2 |
| Lower-Division MUS Course | 3 | |
| BS Math or Statistics | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Communication, Media & Society | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Difference, Power & Oppression Foundations | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 237 | CRITICAL STUDIES IN CONTEMPORARY & POPULAR MUSIC | 3 |
| MUS 279 | INTRODUCTION TO SONGWRITING 1 | 3 |
| Core Ed: Arts & Humanities General | 3-4 | |
| BS Computer Science | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Winter | ||
| MUS 216 | +THE MUSIC BUSINESS I | 3 |
| MUS 255 | INTERMEDIATE DAW AND MUSIC PUBLISHING | 3 |
| CLA Core: Fine Arts | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Core Ed: Social Science | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| Lower-Division MUS Course | 3 | |
| Core Ed: Scientific Inquiry & Analysis | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 415 | SCORING VISUAL MEDIA I | 3 |
| CLA Core: Social Science | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Writing Elevation | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| MUS 349 | THE MUSIC BUSINESS II | 3 |
| MUS 453 | SCORING VISUAL MEDIA II | 3 |
| Upper-Division Elective | 4 | |
| BS Math or Statistics | 4 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS 475 | ^CREATIVITY AND THE CONTEMPORARY MUSICAL IMAGINATION | 3 |
| Upper-Division Elective | 3 | |
| CLA Core: Humanities | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| MUS 309 | +*WOMEN IN MUSIC | 3 |
| MUS 451 | INTRODUCTION TO ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP | 3 |
| CLA Core: Additional Course | 3-4 | |
| Core Ed: Seeking Solutions | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Winter | ||
| MUS 331 | *GENRE STUDIES: POPULAR MUSIC AND CULTURE IN LATIN AMERICA | 3 |
| MUS 428 | SENIOR PROJECT or THESIS or INTERNSHIP | 4 |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Elective | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| MUS 428 | SENIOR PROJECT or THESIS or INTERNSHIP | 4 |
| Upper-Division MUS Course | 3 | |
| BS Science Course | 4 | |
| Elective | 4 | |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Total Credits | 180 | |
- *
Baccalaureate Core course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in a catalog year up to 2024-2025
- +
Core Education course. Applies to general education requirements for undergraduate students in catalog year 2025-2026 and beyond
- ^
Writing Intensive Curriculum (WIC) course