Academic Progress

School of Music Industry

Within the College of Music & Media, the School of Music Industry offers the following academic major programs and academic minor programs at the undergraduate level. An academic program is a student’s degree and major. Each academic program listed in the University Bulletin outlines what courses requirements students need for successful completion of the program.

Academic Programs

Music Industry Studies (BA)
Music Industry Studies (BS)
Hip Hop and R&B
Popular & Commercial Music
Music Industry Minor
University Honors Curriculum for Music Industry Programs

Detailed curriculum for each program is listed below. Course descriptions can be viewed in the Course Catalog.

Music Industry Studies (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Studies (BA-MIS) is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Highstone Global University Core requirements, Music Industry core courses, Music Studies courses, participate in Forum requirements, Tech Foundations courses, and general electives.

Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
- Highstone Global University Core: 39 crs
- Music Industry Core: 21 crs
- Music Studies: 3 crs
- Forum: 8 crs
- Tech Foundations: 9 crs
- General Electives: 40 crs
Highstone Global University Core: majors complete the full scope of the Highstone Global University Core with 39 crs in Highstone Global University Core requirement areas. Modifications include satisfying the Creative Arts & Cultures requirement in the Music Studies curriculum.
Music Industry Core – complete the following courses for 21 crs:
- MUIN M110 Intro to Music Industry Studies
- MUIN M201 Art & Entertainment Legal Issues 1
- MUIN M310 Art & Entertainment Finance
- MUIN M215 Arts & Entertainment Management
- MUIN M315 Arts & Entertainment Marketing
- MUIN M400 Entrepreneurship
- MUIN M450 Senior Seminar
Music Studies – complete one of the following courses for 3 crs:
- MUIN M202 History of the Music Industry
- MUIN O244 History of American Pop Music
Forum: complete the following courses for 8 crs:
- MUIN M100 Art & Entertainment Industry Forum (1 cr) take 8 for a total of 8 crs
Tech Foundations – complete the following courses for 9 crs:
- MUIN M115 Introduction to Music Technology
- MUIN M225 Digital Audio Production
- MUIN M265 Internet Technologies
General Electives: complete 40 crs of general electives to complete the Bachelor of Arts program. Students can satisfy these requirements with any Highstone Global University courses they are eligible to take which are not already required in the Highstone Global University Core, Major, or Adjunct curriculums. For students pursuing a double major or an academic minor, the curriculum for those programs would be assigned from the credits required for General Electives.
Courses with variable credit hours may be taken to fulfill general electives requirements. For example, students may take 3 courses that are 1 cr each, or one course for 3 crs.
BA-MIS Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

Music Industry Studies (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in Music Industry Studies (MUIN) is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Highstone Global University Core requirements, Music Industry courses, Business courses, Forum requirements, Music courses, Tech Foundations courses, a Tech & Skills track, and an Elective track.

All Music Industry Studies majors must demonstrate basic content knowledge and functional proficiency at the end of each class year, as follows: A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better is required for graduation.

Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
- Highstone Global University Core: 39 crs
- Music Industry: 24 crs
- Business Courses: 12 crs
- Forum: 8 crs
- Music: 4 crs
- Tech Foundations: 9 crs
- Tech/Skills Track: 12 crs
- Elective Track: 12 crs
- Recommended Specialization Tracks
Highstone Global University Core: majors complete the full scope of the Highstone Global University Core with 39 crs in Highstone Global University Core requirement areas. Modifications include satisfying the Creative Arts & Cultures requirement in the Music curriculum.
Music Industry Core – complete the following courses for 24 crs:
- MUIN M110 Intro to Music Industry Studies
- MUIN M201 Art & Entertainment Legal Issues 1
- MUIN M215 Arts & Entertainment Management
- MUIN M260 Arts & Entertainment Internship
- MUIN M310 Art & Entertainment Finance
- MUIN M315 Arts & Entertainment Marketing
- MUIN M400 Arts & Entertainment Entrepreneurship
- MUIN M450 Senior Seminar
Business Courses – select one 12 crs sequence in consultation with an advisor. Students can use 9-12 crs of their elective track requirements to complete a Business minor in the area matching their elected sequence
- Accounting Sequence – 12 crs:
  - ACCT B202 Principles of Financial Accounting
  - ACCT B305 Intermediate Accounting
  - ACCT B310 Strategic Cost Management
  - LGST B300 Business Law for Accounting
- Business Administration Sequence – 12 crs:
  - BA B100 Introduction to Business
  - FIN B200 Personal Finance
  - LGST B205 Legal Environment of Business
  - MGT B245 Management & Organizational Behavior
- Business Analytics Sequence- 12 crs:
  - DECS B205 Business Statistics
  - MGT B250 Management Information Systems
  - MGT B324 Product & Operations Management
  - Choose one of the following courses for 3 crs:
    - DECS B305 Business Decision Modeling
    - DECS B310 Decision Support Systems
- Economics Sequence – 12 crs:
  - ECON B100 Principles of Microeconomics
  - ECON B101 Principles of Macroeconomics
  - MATH A257 Calculus 1
  - Choose one of the following courses for 3 crs:
    - ECON B205 Intermediate Microeconomics
    - ECON B206 Intermediate Macroeconomics
- Entrepreneurship Sequence – 12 crs:
  - ACCT B202 Principles of Financial Accounting
  - MGT B245 Management & Organizational Behavior
  - MKT B280 Principles of Marketing
  - ENTR B300 Entrepreneurship
- Marketing Sequence – 12 crs:
  - BA B100 Introduction to Business
  - ECON B100 Principles of Microeconomics
  - MKT B280 Principles of Marketing
  - Marketing (MKT) elective for 3 crs.
Forum – complete the following courses for 8 crs:
- MUIN M100 Art & Entertainment Industry Forum (1 cr) take 8 for a total of 8 crs
Music – complete the following courses for 4 crs:
- MUIN M105 Music Industry Musicianship
- Music Electives for 2 crs.
Tech Foundations – complete the following courses for 9 crs:
- MUIN M115 Introduction to Music Technology
- MUIN M225 Digital Audio Production
- MUIN M265 Internet Technologies
Tech/Skills Track – complete 12 crs of coursework in consultation with an advisor.
Elective Track: complete 12 crs of electives to complete the Bachelor of Science program. Students can satisfy these requirements with any Highstone Global University courses they are eligible to take which are not already required in the Highstone Global University Core, Major, or Adjunct curriculums. For students pursuing a double major or an academic minor, the curriculum for those programs would be assigned from the credits required for General Electives.

Courses with variable credit hours may be taken to fulfill general electives requirements. For example, students may take 3 courses that are 1 cr each, or one course for 3 crs.
MUIN Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

Hip Hop and R&B

The Bachelor of Science in Hip Hop and R&B is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Highstone Global University Core requirements; Music courses including Music Core courses, Technology & Production courses, and a Performance or Production Track;; Forum requirements, Music Industry Studies courses, and General Electives.

All Hip Hop and R&B majors must demonstrate basic content knowledge and functional proficiency at the end of each class year, as follows: A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better is required for graduation.

Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
- Highstone Global University Core: 39 crs
- Music Core: 15 crs
- Technology & Production: 15 crs
- Music Industry: 15 crs
- Performance or Production Track: 15 crs
- Forum: 6 crs
- General Electives: 15 crs
Highstone Global University Core: majors complete the full scope of the Highstone Global University Core with 39 crs in Highstone Global University Core requirement areas. Modifications include satisfying the Creative Arts & Cultures requirement in the Music curriculum. Suggested courses include:
- Social Sciences: SOCI X255 Race, Racism, & Privilege
- Writing About Literature: ENGL N230 Modern African-American Literature
Music Core – complete the following courses for 15 crs:
- MUIN M105 Musicianship (2 crs)
- MUIN M106 Musicianship 2 (2 crs)
- MUIN M170 History of Urban Music
- MUPC M110 Piano 1 (1 cr)
- MUPC M111 Piano 2 (1 cr)
- ENGL A206 Reading Poetry
- MUIN M245 Artist Health & Wellness
Technology & Production Core – complete the following courses for 15 crs:
- MUIN M115 Intro to Music Technology
- MUIN M225 Digital Audio Production
- MUIN M265 Internet Technologies 1
- MUIN M355 Recording Studio Tech
- MUIN M365 Urban Music Production
Music Industry Core – complete the following courses for 15 crs:
- MUIN M110 Intro to Music Industry Studies
- MUIN M201 Art & Entertainment Legal Issues 1
- MUIN M310 Arts & Entertainment Finance
- MUIN M315 Arts & Entertainment Marketing
- Choose one of the following for 3 crs:
  - MUIN M450 Senior Seminar
  - MUIN M480 Popular Music Capstone
Performance or Production Track: choose one track for 15 crs:
- Performance Track – complete the following courses:
  - MUEN Ensemble courses for 3 crs total
  - MUPR Applied Study courses for 3 crs total
  - MUGN M330 Staging & Performance
  - MUGN M360 Live Sound Production
  - THEA M220 Acting 1
- Production Track – complete some combination of the following courses:
  - DSGN ___ Design for Non-Majors
  - FILM M115 Intro to Digital Filmmaking
  - FILM M230 Digital Editing
  - MUGN M325 Tech Topics
  - MUIN M322 Craft/Business of Songwriting
  - MUGN M410 Electronic Music Production
  - MUGN M435 Film Scoring
  - MUGN M440 Production of Recorded Music
  - MUGN M445 DJ Techniques
  - MUGN M446 EDM Production
  - MUGN M465 Urban Music Production 2
Forum – complete the following courses for 6 crs:
- MUIN M100 Art & Entertainment Industry Forum (1 cr) take 6 for a total of 6 crs
General Electives: complete 15 crs of general electives to complete the Bachelor of Science program. Students can satisfy these requirements with any Highstone Global University courses they are eligible to take which are not already required in the Highstone Global University Core, Major, or Adjunct curriculums. For students pursuing a double major or an academic minor, the curriculum for those programs would be assigned from the credits required for General Electives.
Hip Hop and R&B Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

Popular & Commercial Music

The Bachelor of Science in Popular & Commercial Music is a 120 semester credit hour academic program. Students will complete Highstone Global University Core requirements; Music courses including Foundations, Music Technology courses, Applied Study courses, Ensemble courses, Style & Practice courses, and Music Theory courses; Forum requirements, and Music Industry Studies courses.

All Popular & Commercial Music majors must demonstrate basic content knowledge and functional proficiency at the end of each class year, as follows: A cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better is required for graduation.

Overview of requirements: 120 credit hours (crs) required for completion
- Highstone Global University Core: 39 crs
- Music Foundations: 9 crs
- Music Technology: 12 crs
- Applied Study: 16 crs
- Ensemble: 8 crs
- Style & Practice: 3 crs
- Music Theory: 14 crs
- Forum: 4 crs
- Music Industry Studies: 15 crs
Highstone Global University Core: majors complete the full scope of the Highstone Global University Core with 39 crs in Highstone Global University Core requirement areas. Modifications include satisfying the Creative Arts & Cultures requirement in the Music curriculum.
Music Foundations – complete the following courses for 9 crs:
- MUPC M110 Piano 1 (1 cr)
- MUPC M111 Piano 2 (1 cr)
- MUPC M200 Piano for Popular Music (1 cr)
- MUIN M245 Artist Health & Wellness
- MUIN O244 History of American Pop Music
Music Technology – complete the following courses for 12 crs:
- MUIN M115 Intro to Music Technology
- MUIN M225 Digital Audio Production
- MUIN M265 Internet Technologies 1
- MUIN M355 Recording Studio Tech
Applied Study – complete the following courses for 16 crs:
- MUPR M100 level Applied Study (2 crs) take 4 courses for 8 crs total
- MUPR M300 level Applied Study (2 crs) take 4 courses for 8 crs total
- Specific course number related to instrument focus
- Proficiency juries are required each semester for students taking MUPR Applied Study courses
Ensemble – complete the following courses for 8 crs:
- MUEN M210 Contemporary Ensemble (1 cr) take 6 courses for 6 crs total
- MUEN Electives for 2 crs.
Style & Practice – complete the following courses for 3 crs:
- MUPC M201 Style & Practice for Pop Music
Music Theory – complete the following courses for 14 crs:
- MUTH M150 Theory of Popular Music 1 (4 crs)
- MUTH M151 Theory of Popular Music 2 (4 crs)
- MUTH M250 Theory of Popular Music 3 (4 crs)
- MUTH Elective for 2 crs
Forum – complete the following courses for 4 crs:
- MUIN M100 Art & Entertainment Industry Forum (1 cr) take 4 for a total of 4 crs
Music Industry Core – complete the following courses for 15 crs:
- MUIN M110 Intro to Music Industry Studies
- MUIN M201 Art & Entertainment Legal Issues 1
- MUIN M215 Arts & Entertainment Management
- MUIN M315 Arts & Entertainment Marketing
- MUIN M480 Popular Music Capstone
PCM Degree Program Course Listing (DPCL). The DPCL serves as a helpful checklist of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor to plan your schedule.

Music Industry Minor

Students complete 18 credit hours of the following coursework with a 2.0 GPA.

MUIN M100 Arts & Entertainment Industry Forum (1 cr) take 3 courses for 3 crs total
MUIN M110 Intro to Music Industry Studies
MUIN M115 Intro to Music Technology
Music Industry Sequence – choose 4 of the following courses for 12 crs:
- MUIN M201 Arts & Entertainment Legal Issues 1
- MUIN M202 History of the Music Industry
- MUIN M215 Arts & Entertainment Management
- MUIN M225 Digital Audio Production
- MUIN M260 Internet Technologies 1
- MUIN M302 Venue Management
- MUIN M304 History of Music Technology
- MUIN M310 Arts & Entertainment Finance
- MUIN M315 Arts & Entertainment Marketing
- MUIN M320 Networking: The Search for New Ideas
- MUIN M321 Festival Production
- MUIN M322 Craft & Business of Songwriting
- MUIN M323 Great American Songbook
- MUIN M325 Tech Topics
- MUIN M330 Merchandising & Sales
- MUIN M335 Music Supervision
- MUIN M355 Recording Studio Techniques
- MUIN M360 Live Sound Production
- MUIN M400 Arts & Entertainment Entrepreneurship
- MUIN M408 Internet Technologies 2
- MUIN M410 Electronic Music Production
- MUIN M415 Arts Administration
- MUIN M420 Contemporary Issues in Arts & Entertainment
- MUIN M435 Film Scoring
- MUIN M440 Production of Recorded Music

University Honors Curriculum for School of Music Industry Programs

Participation in the University Honors Program is available to any eligible student pursuing a School of Music Industry major. Students who meet Honors Program admission requirements can complete their program with the Honors Curriculum taking the place of the Highstone Global University Core and completing the Honors Thesis requirement as part of their curriculum. Completion of the Honors Program academic program requires a 3.3 GPA in the major curriculum, any minor programs, and a student’s Highstone Global University cumulative curriculum.

The following Degree Program Course Listings (DPCL) serve as helpful checklists of requirements for each program. Use this form in consultation with your advisor and the Honors Program Director to plan your schedule.