Music Industry BS

Major: Music Industry
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Minimum Required Credits: 185.0
Co-op Options: Two Co-ops (Four years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 50.1003
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code:
27-2041; 25-1121

About the Program

The degree in Music Industry offers the highly motivated student a program of study that combines education in music, music industry practices, and music technology with career preparation. Two concentrations are offered—Music Industry Business and Recording Arts (MIBU) and Music Production (RAMP)—providing hands-on experience and a strong academic foundation in relevant areas of this rapidly changing industry. The Music Industry curriculum is divided into four areas which are combined with cooperative experience: general education, music core, music industry core, and concentration requirements.

In an industry where the process of career building often begins with a few key contacts, the cooperative education program provides Drexel students the opportunity to meet industry professionals and network. The program prepares students for careers in the music industry in such diverse positions as recording engineer, music producer, sound designer, music lawyer, business manager, or music publisher. The co-op experience during the sophomore and junior year summer terms involves full-time, career-related employment during which students gain valuable insight into how the entertainment industry works.

About the Concentrations

The major offers two concentrations: Music Industry Business and Recording Arts (MIBU) and Music Production (RAMP):

  • The Music Industry Business (MIBU) concentration provides a rigorous academic foundation complemented by a real-world, hands-on, highly intensive business experience. This mission is realized through the students' participation in the MAD Dragon Music Group, a group of student-run enterprises including MAD Dragon Records, MAD Dragon Live, MAD Dragon Publishing, and MAD Dragon Marketing.

  • The Recording Arts and Music Production (RAMP) concentration focuses on the techniques and technologies of music and audio production. As well as providing the technology-oriented student with the necessary skills to perform as an audio engineer or record producer, the concentration teaches students a full range of industry functions including post-production audio, live sound engineering, and music and audio freelancing skills. The concentration encourages the technology student to interact with the students in the business concentration by recording, mixing, and mastering the music for MAD Dragon Music Group projects and engaging in live performance production.

All Music Industry students qualify to apply for a minor in Business Administration after completing their Music Industry core requirements. This emphasis on business courses as part of the core requirements is one of the foundations of the program.

Special Admissions Considerations

Students wishing to be admitted to the Music Industry major must meet or exceed the general requirements for admission to the University and the College of Media Arts and Design.

The program no longer accepts hard-copy portfolios; however, when applying to the Music Industry program, applicants are encouraged to use the portfolio portal provided on the Admissions Instructions webpage to upload electronic examples of pertinent activities (music and/or business and entrepreneurial), as well as a resume of music-industry-related experience.

In their major-specific essays, applicants should address their reasons for selecting the Music Industry major at Drexel and share their passion for this unique area of study.

Additional Information

For more information about this major, visit the College's Music Industry page.

Degree Requirements 

All students take the same general education, music industry core, and business courses. Students choose their concentration at the time of admission; however it is possible to switch as late as the beginning of junior year.

Concentrations:

  • Music Industry: Business (MIBU) Concentration
  • Music Industry: Recording Arts & Music Production (RAMP) Concentration

Students are also able to take courses in any other concentration as long as they fulfill the prerequisite requirement(s) and there is room in the class to accommodate the student.

Requirements
ENGL 101Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research3.0
or ENGL 111 English Composition I
ENGL 102Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing3.0
or ENGL 112 English Composition II
ENGL 103Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres3.0
or ENGL 113 English Composition III
COM 230Techniques of Speaking3.0
MATH 101Introduction to Analysis I4.0
or MATH 121 Calculus I
MATH 102Introduction to Analysis II4.0
or MATH 122 Calculus II
CIVC 101Introduction to Civic Engagement1.0
COOP 101Career Management and Professional Development *1.0
UNIV A101The Drexel Experience1.0
Required Arts and Humanities-students elect a minimum of 9 credits9.0
Required Natural Science-students elect a minimum of 3 credits **3.0
Required Social Science-students elect a minimum of 9 credits9.0
Music core requirements15.0
Music Industry core requirements57.0
Concentration requirements36.0
Concentration electives9.0
Free electives ***24.0
Total Credits185.0
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place ofCOOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will take an extra Free Elective credit in place of COOP 101

**

PHYS 107 - Acoustics is recommended.

***

MKTG 301, PHIL 301, PSY 101 and/or PSY 150 are recommended.

Music Core Requirements
MUSC 121Music Theory I3.0
or MUSC 122 Music Theory II
MUSC 125Ear Training I1.0
MUSC 130Introduction to Music3.0
MUSC 190Class Piano I2.0
or MUSC 191 Class Guitar I
MUSC 323Songwriting3.0
Music Elective (Select one):3.0
Music Fundamentals
Music Theory II
Modern Arranging Techniques
European Classical Music History
European Classical Music History II
The Beatles
Rock Music Through the Mid-60s
Rock Music Since the Mid-60s
World Musics
Afro-American Music USA
The Power of Black American Music
History of Jazz
Hip-Hop Music History
American Popular Music
Special Topics in Music
Special Topics in Music
Special Topics in Music
Special Topics in Music
Total Credits15.0
Music Industry Core Requirements
ACCT 110Accounting for Professionals4.0
BLAW 201Business Law I4.0
ECON 201Principles of Microeconomics4.0
ECON 202Principles of Macroeconomics4.0
FIN 301Introduction to Finance4.0
MIP 132Survey of the Music Industry3.0
MIP 161Copyrights in the Music Industry3.0
MIP 270Live Music I3.0
MIP 275Marketing in the Music Industry I3.0
MIP 293 [WI] Survey of Music Production3.0
MIP 361Music Publishing3.0
MIP 470Music Industry Colloquium *3.0
MIP 490 [WI] Music Industry Research Methods3.0
MIP 491Senior Project in Music Industry **6.0
STAT 201Introduction to Business Statistics4.0
WEST 100Introduction to Digital Design Tools3.0
Total Credits57.0
*

Repeated over three terms.

**

Repeated over two terms

Music Industry: Business Concentration Requirements
COM 181Public Relations Principles and Theory3.0
MIP 179Introduction to Sound Recording3.0
MIP 280Record Label Operations3.0
MIP 282Streaming and Radio Promotion3.0
MIP 336Contracts and Legal Issues in the Music Industry3.0
MIP 374Entrepreneurship in the Music Industry3.0
MIP 376MAD Dragon Music Group (Taken three terms)9.0
MIP 394Music Industry Data Analytics3.0
MIP 467Artist Management3.0
Select Three of the following Business Concentration Electives9.0
Community Recording
Music Merchandising
Live Music II
Live Music III
Artist Development
Cities of Music and Culture
Music Supervision
Marketing in the Music Industry II
Innovation in the Modern Music Industry
Select One Additional MUSC Elective:3.0
Total Credits45.0
Music Industry: Recording Arts & Music Production (RAMP) Concentration Requirements
FMTV 321Audio Post Production3.0
MIP 133Audio Production I3.0
MIP 212Audio Systems3.0
MIP 227Listening Techniques2.0
MIP 233Audio Production II3.0
MIP 279Sound Recording I3.0
MIP 333Audio Production III3.0
MIP 379Sound Recording II3.0
MIP 388Production Company Management2.0
MIP 389Live Sound I3.0
MIP 477Music Production3.0
MIP 481Mixing3.0
MIP 483Mastering2.0
Select Three of the following RAMP Concentration electives:9.0
Community Recording
Cities of Music and Culture
Entrepreneurship in the Music Industry
Scoring to Picture
Synthesis and Sampling
Studio Maintenance
Analog Recording
Live Sound II
Innovation in the Modern Music Industry
Audio for Media II
Audio Production IV
Total Credits45.0

Writing-Intensive Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.

A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.

Sample Plans of Study 

Music Industry: Recording Arts & Music Production Concentration-4 year, 1 coop (Fall/Winter)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ACCT 1104.0VACATION
MIP 1323.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MIP 1333.0MIP 2333.0MIP 2272.0 
MUSC 1213.0MIP 1613.0MIP 2703.0 
MUSC 190 or 1912.0MUSC 1251.0MIP 3333.0 
UNIV A1011.0MUSC 1303.0  
 WEST 1003.0  
 15 17 15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 101 or 1214.0COOP 101*1.0BLAW 2014.0Free Electives9.0
MIP 2123.0ECON 2014.0COM 230 or MIP 2793.0Social Science Elective3.0
MIP 2753.0MATH 102 or 1224.0STAT 2014.0 
MIP 3613.0MIP 279 or COM 230**3.0PHYS 107***3.0 
MUSC 3233.0MIP 2933.0Free Elective3.0 
 MIP 3893.0  
 16 18 17 12
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEFMTV 3213.0ECON 2024.0
  MIP 3793.0FIN 3014.0
  MIP 3882.0Arts & Humanities Elective3.0
  MIP 4773.0Social Science Elective3.0
  Arts & Humanities Elective3.0Free Elective3.0
 0 0 14 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
MIP 4701.0MIP 4701.0MIP 4701.0 
MIP 4813.0MIP 4832.0MIP 4913.0 
MIP 4903.0MIP 4913.0MIP RA&MP Concentration Elective3.0 
MIP RA&MP Concentration Elective3.0MIP RA&MP Concentration Elective3.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
MUSC Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0Free Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0Free Elective3.0  
 16 15 13 
Total Credits 185
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to takeCOOP 001 in place of COOP 101

Students not participating in co-op will take an extra Free Elective credit in place of COOP 101

**

 Can substitute with free elective.

***

 Can substitute with Natural Science elective

Music Industry: Recording Arts & Music Production Concentration-4 year, 1 coop (Spring/Summer)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ACCT 1104.0VACATION
MIP 1323.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MIP 1333.0MIP 1613.0MIP 2272.0 
MUSC 1213.0MIP 2333.0MIP 2703.0 
MUSC 190 or 1912.0MUSC 1251.0MIP 3333.0 
UNIV A1011.0MUSC 1303.0  
 WEST 1003.0  
 15 17 15 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MATH 101 or 1214.0ECON 2014.0BLAW 2014.0COOP 101***1.0
MIP 2123.0MATH 102 or 1224.0COM 230 or MIP 279*3.0Free Electives9.0
MIP 2753.0MIP 279 or COM 230*3.0PHYS 107**3.0Social Science Electiive3.0
MIP 3613.0MIP 2933.0STAT 2014.0 
MUSC 3233.0MIP 3893.0Free Elective3.0 
 16 17 17 13
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
FMTV 3213.0ECON 2024.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
MIP 3793.0FIN 3014.0  
MIP 3882.0Arts & Humanities Elective3.0  
MIP 4773.0Social Science Elective3.0  
Arts & Humanities Elective3.0Free Elective3.0  
 14 17 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
MIP 4701.0MIP 4701.0MIP 4701.0 
MIP 4813.0MIP 4832.0MIP 4913.0 
MIP 4903.0MIP 4913.0MIP RAMP Concentration Elective3.0 
MIP RAMP Concentration Elective3.0MIP RAMP Concentration Elective3.0Arts & Humanities Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0Free Elective3.0 
MUSC Elective3.0Free Elective3.0  
 16 15 13 
Total Credits 185
*

Can substitute with free elective

**

Can substitute with Natural Science elective

***

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will take an extra Free Elective credit in place of COOP 101

Music Industry: Business Concentration-4 year, 1 coop (Fall/Winter)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ACCT 1104.0VACATION
MATH 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MIP 1323.0MATH 1024.0MIP 1793.0 
MUSC 1213.0MIP 1613.0MIP 2703.0 
MUSC 190 or 1912.0WEST 1003.0MUSC 1251.0 
UNIV A1011.0Free Elective3.0MUSC 1303.0 
 16 17 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MIP 2753.0BLAW 2014.0COM 1813.0Arts & Humanities Elective3.0
MIP 2803.0COOP 101*1.0COM 2303.0Social Science Elective3.0
MIP 3613.0ECON 2014.0MIP 3763.0Free Electives6.0
MIP 3763.0MIP 2933.0MUSC 3233.0 
Free Elective3.0MIP 3743.0STAT 2014.0 
 MIP 3763.0  
 15 18 16 12
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCEMIP 2823.0ECON 2024.0
  MIP 3363.0FIN 3014.0
  MIP 3943.0MUSC Elective3.0
  MIP 4673.0Natural Science Elective3.0
  Free Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0
 0 0 15 17
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
MIP 4701.0MIP 4701.0MIP 4701.0 
MIP 4903.0MIP 4913.0MIP 4913.0 
Arts and Humanities Elective3.0MIP Business Concentration Elective3.0MIP Business Concentration Elective3.0 
MIP Business Concentration Elective3.0Free Electives6.0Arts and Humanities Elective3.0 
MUSC Elective3.0 Social Science Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0   
 16 13 13 
Total Credits 185
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place ofCOOP 101.

Students not participating in co-op will take an extra Free Elective credit in place of COOP 101

Music Industry: Business Concentration-4 year, 1 coop (Spring/Summer)

First Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
ENGL 101 or 1113.0CIVC 1011.0ACCT 1104.0VACATION
MATH 1014.0ENGL 102 or 1123.0ENGL 103 or 1133.0 
MIP 1323.0MATH 1024.0MIP 1793.0 
MUSC 1213.0MIP 1613.0MIP 2703.0 
MUSC 190 or 1912.0WEST 1003.0MUSC 1251.0 
UNIV A1011.0Free Elective3.0MUSC 1303.0 
 16 17 17 0
Second Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MIP 2753.0BLAW 2014.0COM 1813.0COOP 101*1.0
MIP 2803.0ECON 2014.0COM 2303.0Arts & Humanities Elective3.0
MIP 3613.0MIP 2933.0MIP 3763.0Social Science Elective3.0
MIP 3763.0MIP 3743.0MUSC 3233.0Free Electives6.0
Free Elective3.0MIP 3763.0STAT 2014.0 
 15 17 16 13
Third Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MIP 2823.0ECON 2024.0COOP EXPERIENCECOOP EXPERIENCE
MIP 3363.0FIN 3014.0  
MIP 3943.0MUSC Elective3.0  
MIP 4673.0Natural Science Elective3.0  
Free Elective3.0Social Science Elective3.0  
 15 17 0 0
Fourth Year
FallCreditsWinterCreditsSpringCredits 
MIP 4701.0MIP 4701.0MIP 4701.0 
MIP 4903.0MIP 4913.0MIP 4913.0 
MIP Business Concentration Elective3.0MIP Business Concentration Elective3.0MIP Business Concentration Elective3.0 
Arts & Humanities Elective3.0Free Electives6.0Arts & Humanities Elective3.0 
MUSC Elective3.0 Social Science Elective3.0 
Free Elective3.0   
 16 13 13 
Total Credits 185
*

Co-op cycles may vary. Students are assigned a co-op cycle (fall/winter, spring/summer, summer-only) based on their co-op program (4-year, 5-year) and major.

COOP 101 registration is determined by the co-op cycle assigned and may be scheduled in a different term. Select students may be eligible to take COOP 001 in place of COOP 101

Students not participating in co-op will take an extra Free Elective credit in place of COOP 101

Program Level Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be prepared to:

  • Display a command of basic musicianship skills
  • Develop knowledge of the history of music, the commercial music industry and music technology
  • Critically analyze music performance and production
  • Understand and be able to use music and audio technology
  • Demonstrate mathematical and computer literacy
  • Demonstrate the ability to work successfully within a major label, independent label, or entrepreneurial music industry environment via the application of basic business, marketing, data analysis and communication skills.
  • Demonstrate the ability to conceive, present, manage, and complete a long-term plan over the life cycle of a project.
  • Work effectively in teams and have a general understanding of how entertainment teams function.
  • Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze current business and legal issues in the global music industry and to conduct in-depth research on relevant topics
  • Demonstrate the ability to harness and utilize technology (including social media) in order to achieve business goals

Music Industry Faculty

Jeff Apruzzese, MS (Northeastern University) Program Director, Music Industry. Assistant Professor. Former bass player of the band Passion Pit and researcher in the live music industry.
Ivan Barias Instructor.
Kaisha Blackstone, BS (The Johns Hopkins University). Assistant Teaching Professor.
Tony Dofat Associate Teaching Professor.
Monika Julien Assistant Teaching Professor.
Danielle Lewis, MS (Drexel University). Adjunct Faculty. Sound engineer
James McKinney Assistant Professor.
Ryan Moys Assistant Teaching Professor. Music production
Toby Seay, MS (Drexel University). Professor. Sound and recording engineer, music technologist, music producer and studio technician.
Joe Steinhardt, PhD (Cornell University). Assistant Teaching Professor. Owner of Don Giovanni Records, a label that he co-founded in 2003. Don Giovanni Records remains committed to furthering alternative culture and independent values, providing resources for artists who prefer to work outside of the mainstream music industry.
Cyrille Taillandier, BTS (Ecole Superieure de Realisation Audiovisuelle, Paris, France). Associate Teaching Professor. Recording engineer, music producer and digital editor.