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Music Business and IndustryMajor

Learn the fundamental analytical, regulatory and creative knowledge and skills necessary for jobs in the music industry.

By the numbers1

First Music Industry program in West Virginia

Overview

What is Music Business and Industry at WVU like?

Description

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 Music 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 includes courses in 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’ mission of educating artists, teachers and scholars through an experiential, student-centered approach to learning. The Music Industry program includes courses in intellectual property in music industry, music publishing, live music industry, recording industry, music product development and placement, recording technology, etc.

All interested students must apply to the University and audition for the School of Music for acceptance.

Music Business and Industry program highlights:

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At a Glance

Next Steps

Interested in this major? Here are some suggested next steps:

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Areas of Emphasis

Tailor this major to your interests by taking courses in one of these areas:

  • Applied Music
  • Multi-Instrumental

Fast Facts

What makes Music Business and Industry at WVU unique?

Research and Academic Opportunities

  • Participate in all of the production aspects of WVU’s record label – Mon Hills Records.
  • Work with local/regional businesses related to the industry.
  • Internship opportunities.
  • The Evansdale Library is just a short walk from the Creative Arts Center and houses printed and sound music resources.
  • Creative Arts Center facilities include rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, classrooms and electronic music laboratory.
  • Courses include applied (private) lessons and a wide variety of performance opportunities, both in large ensembles (band, orchestra, choral, jazz, and opera) and smaller chamber ensembles (string, brass, woodwind, percussion, vocal, jazz, and world music).

Living-Learning Communities (LLCs)

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Student Organizations

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Professional Organizations

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Careers

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Businesses that seek and hire personnel with music industry skills include music publishing firms, business management firms, booking agencies, performance rights organizations, entertainment law firms, record labels, artist management firms, licensing firms, video game designers/producers, music studios, audio equipment manufacturers/dealers, TV and film production studios, entertainment venues, talent agencies, radio/TV stations, nonprofit organizations and theatre/Broadway production companies.

Possible Careers

Wondering what you can do with a degree from WVU's Music Business and Industry major? Check out these ideas from WVU Career Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is the midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

This page includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Courses

What are the courses like in Music Business and Industry at WVU?

Plan of Study

Check out a program overview, learning goals, course descriptions and suggested plan of study for WVU's Music Business and Industry major.

View the Plan of Study
 

Popular Courses

MUSC 410:
Introduction to Music Industry

Introductory overview of the music industry's history, business, technology, and law. Students will gain essential understanding and skills necessary for professional involvement and progress in the music industry.

MUSC 412:
Music Product Development and Placement

Key music product development and placement principles structures, and practices using today's music commerce mechanisms, techniques and technologies for publicity, product advancement, consumer research, and distribution. Design, implementation, control, and evaluation of effective music product market advancement and positioning.

MUSC 413:
Live Music Industry

Regulations, standards, strategies, and methods of live music event planning, advancement, and implementation. Topics include: talent and venue buying and deal structuring, budgeting, sponsorships, live sound production, music event contracts, licensing, publicity and placement, ticketing, and insurance.

MUSC 414:
Recording Industry

Recording industry system development, markets, structures, commercial methods and strategies. Topics include: historical development of the recording industry; industry specific copyright regulations and commercial agreements; record company structures and models; recording production processes and technology; global music markets.

MUSC 415:
Music Publishing

Development, commercial methods, scopes, and practices of the music publishing industry; copyrights acquisition, advancement, and protection. Topics include: history of the music publishing and related copyright regulations; royalties and licensing; performing rights; music publishing and television, film, commercials, musicals, video games, and other media; music publishing agreements; international music publishing.

MUSC 491:
Professional Field Experience

(May be repeated up to a maximum of 18 hours.) Prearranged experiential learning program, to be planned, supervised, and evaluated for credit by faculty and field supervisors. Involves temporary placement with public or private enterprise for professional competence development.

Cost and Aid

How much does Music Business and Industry at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

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Scholarships

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Net Price Calculator

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Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Ohio Tuition Reciprocity

As the result of a special agreement, students from Ohio who are fully admitted to Music Business and Industry can enroll at WVU and pay in-state tuition rates. Students must be admitted to both the University and this major.

Learn More

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Music Business and Industry at WVU?

To be admitted to WVU's Music Business and Industry major, you must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Related Majors and Minors

What other options does WVU have?

What minors could I consider?

Related Pathways

What majors share similar career interests with this major at WVU?

Next Steps

I like this major. What are the next steps?

Apply Now

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission. Our online application makes the process as convenient as possible.

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Request Information

Want to know more about Music Business and Industry at WVU? Fill out the Request Information form to receive more information about the program and life at WVU.

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Visit WVU

It's the next-best thing to being here – you can virtually tour residence halls and the WVU Morgantown Campus.

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