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Mar 17, 2026
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2026-2027 Undergraduate Catalog
Music Industry (Music, B.S.M.)
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Program: Music Industry Major
School of Music
College: Visual and Performing Arts
Music Center 144 260-481-6714
A major in music emphasizing the structure of the music industry, with particular emphasis in entrepreneurship, marketing, management, and operation within the rapidly changing, multi-billion dollar music and entertainment industry. Business practices, copyright/ownership, contracts, and many other issues pertaining to popular music will be investigated, along with media production, technology, musical study, and study of musical styles and histories. Music Industry students may take a number of more general music courses, which may include applied study (lessons), participation in ensembles, and courses in other areas offered by the School of Music. This program will prepare students for a variety of careers in music and its allied industries. Students will have the opportunity to participate in the university-run record label, publishing company, as well as production and promotion of live music concerts and events. This major will maximize a strong partnership with Sweetwater, a world leader in music technology, professional audio, and instruments. The Sweetwater Music Center, an excellent new facility located on the Sweetwater campus, is the home for many of the classes in this program.
Student learning outcomes for the Bachelor of Science in Music degree
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of music theory sufficient to analyze musical forms, structures, and styles; to create within basic musical structures; and to relate theoretical concepts to sound.
- Students will demonstrate performance ability as ensemble members, as conductors, and as soloists on both a primary instrument and a secondary instrument.
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history and literature of western and non-western music, with an understanding of the social, political and cultural impacts that shaped music history.
- Students will demonstrate proficiency in utilizing appropriate technology to notate and create music, to investigate and report scholarly research, and to support the specific demands of their professional degrees.
Student Learning outcomes for the Major in Music Industry:
- Students will demonstrate knowledge of popular music styles with an understanding of the social, political and cultural impacts that shaped musical development.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of the legal problems and issues associated with the music industry, including case studies, modern/emerging business models and music licensing.
- Students will apply working knowledge of music event production and the functions and operation of the music publishing industry.
- Students will demonstrate an understanding of marketing products in the music industry including online, distribution, advertising and promotion.
- Students will demonstrate practices, and techniques for self-marketing and promoting the “independent” musical artist or group in order to succeed in the current music industry.
Program Description
Enter the amazing and vast world of music industry, with particular emphasis in entrepreneurship, marketing, management, and operation within this rapidly changing, multi-billion dollar career field. You will explore business practices, copyright/ownership, contracts, and many other issues pertaining to popular music, along with media production, technology, musical study, and study of musical styles and histories. This flexible degree will allow you to create a program of music courses, which may include applied study (lessons), participation in ensembles, and courses in other areas offered by the School of Music. You will also leave with a minor in business studies from the Doermer School of Business.
Your four years with us will prepare you for a variety of careers in music and the allied industries, as you participate in the university-run record label, publishing company, along with the production and promotion of live music concerts and events. You will greatly benefit from our strong partnership with Fort Wayne’s Sweetwater Sound Inc., a world leader in music technology, professional audio, and instruments. The Sweetwater Music Center, an excellent new facility located on the Sweetwater campus, will be the home for many of the classes in this program as you enter the professional world of music.
Bachelor of Science in Music with a major in Music Industry students are expected to own a computer-based digital audio workstation that is compatible with the School of Music high-end system, and that will allow students to work in their own space on their own time. The Director of Music Industry shall maintain the list of current equipment and capability Music Industry students are expected to own. Since such equipment is considered to be “tools of the trade”, this equipment expenditure can be included in Financial Aid loan calculations.
Accreditation:
Program Delivery:
- This major is offered on campus.
General Requirements:
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College Scorecard
The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs. The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings. Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program. That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=5009&fos_credential=3 General Education: Credits 30
Effective Fall 2025, the General Education program at PFW requires 30 credits to be completed, such that students pass each course listed below with a grade of C- or better: - Category A. Foundational Intellectual Skills (Foundational Intellectual Skills Course Lists)
- Category B. Ways of Knowing (Ways of Knowing Course Lists)
- Six additional credits from any Foundational Skills (A1-A3) or Ways of Knowing (B4-B8) categories
- At least one Ways of Knowing course that is designated as having a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and/or global awareness
Some programs recommend courses and/or require a specific course as part of the major that may also be used to fulfill General Education requirements. Please see below or your Academic Advisor for courses that fulfill both purposes. You can familiarize yourself with other program regulations at General Education Requirements . Supporting Course: Credits 3
Music Industry: Credits 33
Required courses: Cr. 18 Electives (choose from): Cr. 15 Perspectives In Music: Credits 9
Music Elective: Credits 18
Senior Seminar: Credits 3
Required course: Media Production: Credits 3
Required course: Electives
- Sufficient additional credits to bring the total to 120.
Accounting Concentration: Credits 24
Student Learning Outcomes for this concentration include: - Demonstrate knowledge of the concepts underlying managerial/cost accounting for internal decision-making for music industry professionals.
- Evaluate accounting systems.
Event Management Concentration: Credits 24
Student Learning Outcomes for this concentration include: - Understand performance standards associated with hospitality and tourism industry workplace skills.
- Solve music industry related challenges using analytical and/or quantitative skills.
Graphic Design Concentration: Credits 24
Student Learning Outcomes for this concentration include: - Utilize research data, perceptual and conceptual skills to solve music industry problems creatively in graphic design media.
- Apply functional knowledge of design practices and opportunities, as well as professional ethics to enhance the effectiveness of design solutions.
Journalism Concentration: Credits 24
Student Learning Outcomes for this concentration include: - Explain the history and role of professionals and institutions in shaping communications.
- Apply professional ethical principles to music industry professions and work ethically in pursuit of truth, accuracy, fairness and diversity.
Management Concentration: Credits 24
Student Learning Outcomes for this concentration include: - Integrate management theories, critical thinking, quantitative decision making in planning, organizing, leading, and controlling organizations and entrepreneurial ventures.
- Practice effective life-long individual and organizational learning skills in managing change, improvement, and growth in increasingly dynamic music industry environments.
Marketing Concentration: Credits 24
Student Learning Outcomes for this include: - Demonstrate effective communication, both written and oral, in presenting marketing analyses, plans and developing customer relationships.
- Create an effective collaboration across diverse music industry teams to achieve shared marketing goals and objectives.
Public Relations Concentration: Credits 24
Student Learning Outcomes for this include: - Apply communication concepts and theories.
- Evaluate and apply the processes involved in productive conflict in the contexts (interpersonal, small group, organizational, mediated, public) to music industry professions.
Recording and Production Concentration: Credits 24-26
Student Learning Outcomes for this include: - Demonstrate competency in the recording and production of music including live sound and the interface between music and video.
- Utilize appropriate technology to notate and create music, investigate and report scholarly research, and support the specific demands of their professional degrees.
Student Responsibility
You are responsible for ensuring that you satisfy all graduation requirements specified for each selected program. Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies, and procedures governing your academic career. If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study. Changing curricular records during the graduation term of application may affect state or federal financial aid awards. All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the appropriate chair or dean. |
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