Music Industry Program | Fredonia.edu

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Your Backstage Pass to the Music Business

The Music Industry program at Fredonia is your gateway to a dynamic career in the entertainment business. As the only SUNY school offering a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry, we provide a unique blend of music, business, economics, accounting, and communications—giving you the skills to thrive in a fast-paced industry. Learn from industry professionals, including program coordinator Armand Petri, a producer with 15 gold and platinum records, and gain hands-on experience through our student-run label, HAIL! Fredonia Records.

What You’ll Gain

Unique Program Offering: Fredonia is the only SUNY campus offering a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry, providing a distinctive educational opportunity.
Comprehensive Curriculum: The program covers a well-rounded education in music, business administration, accounting, economics, and communications.
Specialized Courses: Gain expertise through innovative classes such as Contract Law, Copyright Law, Live Touring and Sound, and Music Marketing and Promotion.
Career Preparation: The program prepares students for diverse roles in media management, music production, tour management, and more.
Active Music Community: Engage with a vibrant music scene, including events like Battle of the New Bands and numerous music groups and ensembles.

Career Opportunities for Music Industry

A&R Administrator
Business Manager
Gaming Industry
Music Production
Studio Owner
Tour Manager

Box Office Manager
Distributor
Media Management
Record Labels
Technical Director
Venue manager

What is a Music Industry Degree?

What does a 4-year degree look like?

First Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 100	Pathway to Success	3
MUSB 101	Music Industry Foundations	3
ECON 205	Prin. of Microeconomics	3
ENGL 100	Craft of Writing	3
MUS 115	Music Appreciation	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
ECON 210	Prin. of Macroeconomics	3
MUS 101	Beginning Music Theory I	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	15

Second Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 201	The Business of Music	3
ACCT 201	Principles of Financial Accounting	3
CSIT 107	Web Programming I	3
MUS 233	Music of the World	3
FF	Course	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 230	History of the Music Industry	3
ACCT 202	Principles of Managerial Accounting	3
CSIT 104	Intro Microcomputer Science	3
FF	Course	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Third Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 301	Music Copyrights	3
MUSB 304	Business of the Beatles	3
MUSB 351	Digital Marketing	3
ECON 200	Fundamentals of Statistics	3
MUS 104	Applied Music	1
MUS 021-052	Special Ensemble	.5

	TOTAL	13.5

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 320	Music Contracts	3
MUS 021-052	Special Ensemble	.5
MUS 104	Applied Music	1
	Music Industry Elective	3
	Music Industry Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	16.5

Fourth Year

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 435	Contemporary Issues in Music	3
COMM102	Mass Media and Society	3
MUS 425	Music Marketing and Promotion	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 420	Student Record Label	3
MUSB 465	Music Business Internship	3
MUSB 470	Concert Touring and Sounds	3
	General Elective	3
	General Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

GRAND TOTAL:

This Sample Degree Map is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

First Year - JCC

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUS 1570	MUS 1MT Theory Credit by Exam (sub for MUS 101)	3
MUS 1520	MUSB 101 Music Industry Foundations	3
BUS 1500	BUAD 101 Intro to Business	3
BUS 1510	ACCT 201 Princ Financial Acctg	4
ENG 1510	ENGL 099 Non Major Elective	3
INT 1555	LART 099 Non Major Elective	2
	TOTAL	18

Spring Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
MUS 1530	MUS 350 Special Topics	3
MUS 1610	MUS 1AL Lessons Credit by Exam (sub for MUS 104 App Music)	1
BUS 1520	ACCT 202 Princ Managerial Acct	4
MATH 1540	STAT 200 Statistical Methods	3
ENG 1530	ENGL 100 Craft of Writing	3
	TOTAL	14

Second Year - JCC

Fall Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
MUS 1510	MUS 115 Music Appreciation	3
MUS 1730	MUED 291 Music Tech	3
CSC 1530	CSIT 107 Web Programming	3
ECO 2610	ECON 210 Macroeconomics	3
SUNY Gen Ed DEISJ	Fredonia Foundations DEISJ	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course JCC	Fredonia Equivalent	Credits
MUS 2520	MUSB 201 The Business of Music	3
MUSIC Ensemble	Music Ensemble (MUS 021-048)	2
ECO 2620	ECON 205 Microeconomics	3
CSC 1560	CSIT 151 Intro Info Systems	4
SUNY Nat Science	Fredonia Foundations Nat Science	3
	TOTAL	15

Third Year - Fredonia

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 100	Pathway to Success	3
MUSB 230	History of Music Industry	3
COMM 102	Mass Media and Society	3
MUSB 351	Digital Marketing for Music Industry	3
MUSB 301	Music Copyrights	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUS 104	Applied Music Non Majors	1
MUSB 320	Music Contracts	3
MUSB 435	Contemp Issues Music & Marketplace	3
MUSB 465	Music Industry Internship	3
MUS 233	Musics of the World	3
Elective	Upper Level MUSB Elective	3
	TOTAL	16

Fourth Year - Fredonia

Fall Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 425	Music Marketing and Promotion	3
MUSB 304	Business of the Beatles	3
Elective	Upper Level Elective	3
Elective	Upper Level Elective (Non MUSB)	3
Elective	Elective	3
	TOTAL	15

Spring Semester

Course	Title	Credits
MUSB 420	Student Record Label	3
MUSB 470	Concert Touring and Sound	3
Elective	Upper Level Elective	3
Elective	Upper Level Elective	3
	TOTAL	12

GRAND TOTAL:

*MUS 1570 Music Theory I can be taken in place of MUS 101 Beg Music Theory I
*MUS 1610 Applied Lessons can satisfy 1 credit of MUS 104 Applied Music for Non Major
*Students can apply a maximum of 6 ensemble credits towards their degree.

This Sample Transfer Path is based on the requirements published in the University Catalog.

Transfer Policy:
SUNY General Education/Fredonia Foundations: Students who earned an AA/AS SUNY Degree in 2015 or later, or completed the SUNY Gen Ed requirement prior to transferring, will have satisfied Fredonia Foundations, our local general education requirement. Students who earned any other SUNY Degree may need to complete additional Fredonia Foundation courses at Fredonia. Such students should consult with their current advisor regarding the SUNY Gen Ed requirement and applicable courses. All SUNY General Education courses will be verified by the General Education Transcript Addendum, GETA, which is sent with the SUNY transcript.

Transfer Credit Policy:
Please refer to our Transfer Credit Policy in the College Catalog for current information.

What are all the required and elective courses offered to obtain this degree?

View Full Curriculum for Music Industry B.S. Major

View Full Curriculum for Music Industry Minor

MUSB 301 Music Copyrights

An exploration of copyright purpose, history, use and challenges. Students will learn about copyright ownership and registration, and how copyright is used to manage royalties, publication, project development, and dissemination of the intellectual property through the various media, including the Internet.

MUSB 304 Business of the Beatles

An in-depth look at the business of The Beatles. The course will examine recording contracts, publishing, touring and biographies of those most closely associated with the band.

MUSB 425 Music Marketing and Promotion

Effective marketing is a necessary component of any successful release of recorded music. This course explores the various elements of a marketing plan -- how it is researched, prepared, and implemented. The use and effectiveness of marketing via radio, print, the Internet, and touring will be examined. An inquiry into the changing music industry will focus on the emergence of developing markets and the future of music.

It's Different Here

Courses You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Learn critical industry skills in classes like Copyright Law, Live Touring & Sound, and Music Marketing.

Build Your Industry Network from Day One

Meet industry professionals, attend music conferences, and connect with alumni working in the business.

Internships, Tours, and Hands-On Learning

Gain experience through internships, concert promotions, live event management, and more.

Music Career Prep

Work on a Real Record Label

Join HAIL! Fredonia Records and work directly with artists, plan releases, and promote real music projects.

Love Music? You Belong Here

You don’t need to play an instrument—just a passion for music and an interest in the business behind it.

Student performing at battle of the bands

Music is in Our DNA

Fredonia’s music scene is alive with performances, student bands, and endless opportunities to connect led by the Music Industry Club.

Fredonia student playing guitar at battle of the bands

One-of-a-Kind

SUNY's Leader in Music Business

Fredonia is the only SUNY school offering a Bachelor of Science in Music Industry, giving you a competitive edge in the field. Our program blends music, business, law, and marketing, preparing you for diverse careers in artist management, concert promotion, music production, and more. With hands-on learning, expert faculty, and real-world experiences, this degree is built for future industry leaders.