Undergraduate Certificate in Music Industry

The Music Industry Minor and the Music Industry Certificate both provide a strategic core course of study for students interested in pursuing music industry as a secondary field of study. Its curriculum equips students with the fundamental operational, analytical and creative knowledge and skills necessary for commercial practice in the music industry.

Both programs are delivered online and contain the exact same set of courses. The difference between the programs is that the minor is open to all the undergraduate majors, except the music majors, since students are not permitted to major and minor in the same general field. The music majors interested in the music industry can register for the certificate program and thus undertake the same course of study as the music industry minors.

The curriculum for both programs consists of the following five (5) 400 level courses:

1. Intellectual Property in Music Industry (3 credits)

Regulatory frameworks and copyright law application and implementation as related to music industry systems. Various dimensions of intellectual property in music and the tools and strategies to identify, protect and manage them. Topics include: domestic and international perspective of ownership issues, contracts, licensing and the commercializing of intellectual property including commerce and legal issues, domestic and international copyright law and music industry agreements.

2. Music Publishing (3 credits)

Structure, functions and operations of the music publishing industry. Topics include: publishing strategies, agreements, and practices including catalog promotion, song casting, performing rights organizations, talent acquisition, copyright management, songwriter contracts, performance licensing, mechanical licensing, print publishing and synchronization rights.

3. Recording Industry (3 credits)

Foundations of the recorded music industry including market structure, commercial relationships, distribution, advancement, and product placement strategies at major and independent record labels. Topics include: current frameworks, artist & repertoire functions, acquisition of rights, commercial models, industry agreements, manufacturing, distribution.

4. Live Music Industry (3 credits)

Concert promotion and venue management methods and operations, including tour management and festival productions. Topics include: planning, placement, booking, sponsorships, operations, sales strategies, insurance, security, governmental regulations, budgeting methods and principals, and union issues.

5. Music Product Development and Placement (3 credits)

Strategic planning, exploiting, developing, promoting and selling music-related products and services in domestic and international markets to achieve competitive advantage in the music industry. Developing effective placement programs that enhance the overall performance of a music organization. Topics include: consumer behavior, market segmentation, targeting, customer equity, brand equity, brand positioning, product policy, pricing strategy, distribution channels, global music branding, new product development, and social media.