Music Industry and Technology BA
Total Units Required: 120
The Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry and Technology prepares students for diverse roles in the audio and music industry. Our hands-on curriculum, coupled with practicum experiences in CSU system-leading studios, ensures students acquire valuable skills to prepare them for the music and audio business.
The option in music industry includes topics such as copyright, publishing, record company administration, management, marketing, and contracting. School of the Arts Productions, the program's practical learning and student-run component, teaches students business skills and how to organize, manage, network, promote, and produce live concerts and events on and off campus.
The option in recording arts builds a strong foundation for a successful career in music and sound engineering. Through courses in music, audio recording and mixing, studio operations, and sound design, students develop technical proficiency applicable to diverse contexts, including record production, sound reinforcement, theater sound design, mobile recording, broadcast, studio design, AV installation, and post-production. These skills position our alumni to have successful careers in the professional music and audio technology industry.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Some courses require a minimum grade to progress in the program. Minimum grade requirements, including those listed on course requisites, are considered graduation requirements.
For those courses taken for a letter grade, students must earn a grade of C- or higher.
Course Requirements for the Major: 57 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Major Core | ||
| MUSC 101 | Theory I | 3 |
| MUSC 102 | Theory II | 3 |
| MUSC 103 | Aural Musicianship I | 1 |
| MUSC 104 | Aural Musicianship II | 1 |
| MUSC 105 | Beginning Piano I | 1 |
| MUSC 108 | Computer Software for Musicians | 3 |
| MUSC 109 | Introduction to Music Technology | 3 |
| MUSC 118 | Music Industry Forum | 1 |
| MUSC 291 | American Music: Its History and International Influence | 3 |
| MUSC 309 | Music Industry Studies and Analysis | 3 |
| Select two units from the following: | 2 | |
| Music Performance Groups: Concert Choir | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Band | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Pep Band | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Symphonic Wind Ensemble | ||
| University Chorus | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Orchestra | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Jazz Ensemble I | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Jazz Ensemble II | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Brass Choir | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Woodwind Quintet | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Guitar Ensemble | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Mixed Ensembles | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Scene/Light Practice I | ||
| Select nine units from the following: 1 | 9 | |
| World Music | ||
| The Appreciation of Music | ||
| History of Jazz | ||
| History of Rock Music | ||
| African American Music | ||
| Theory III | ||
| Music from a Global Perspective | ||
| Music of Latin America | ||
| Composition I | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Concert Choir | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Band | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Pep Band | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Symphonic Wind Ensemble | ||
| University Chorus | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Orchestra | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Jazz Ensemble I | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Jazz Ensemble II | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Brass Choir | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Woodwind Quintet | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Guitar Ensemble | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Mixed Ensembles | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Songwriting | ||
| Major Option | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 24 | |
| Music Industry | ||
| Recording Arts | ||
| Total Units | 57 | |
- 1
Music Performance Groups courses can be taken for a maximum of three units.
Major Option Course Requirements
Select at least one of the following options to complete the major course requirements.
The Option in Music Industry: 24 units
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 350 | School of the Arts Production I | 3 |
| MUSC 351 | School of the Arts Production II | 3 |
| MUSC 451 | School of the Arts Production III | 3 |
| MUSC 452W | Legal Issues in Music (W) | 3 |
| Select 12 units from the following: 1, 2 | 12 | |
| Introduction to Financial Accounting | ||
| Introduction to Economics | ||
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Social Media Storytelling | ||
| Basic Web Design | ||
| Survey of Management | ||
| Leadership and Motivation | ||
| Managing Teams and Conflict in Organizations | ||
| Introduction to Entrepreneurship | ||
| Digital Entrepreneurship | ||
| Survey of Marketing | ||
| Studio Instruction in Applied Music: Brass | ||
| Studio Instruction in Applied Music: Guitar | ||
| Studio Instruction in Applied Music: Keyboard | ||
| Studio Instruction in Applied Music: Percussion | ||
| Studio Instruction in Applied Music: Strings | ||
| Studio Instruction in Applied Music: Voice | ||
| Studio Instruction in Applied Music: Woodwinds | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Concert Choir | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Band | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Pep Band | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Symphonic Wind Ensemble | ||
| University Chorus | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Orchestra | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Jazz Ensemble I | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Jazz Ensemble II | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Brass Choir | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Woodwind Quintet | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Guitar Ensemble | ||
| Music Performance Groups: Mixed Ensembles | ||
| Chamber Singers | ||
| Dir Field Proj in Music 3 | ||
| Invention and Innovation | ||
| Foundations of Recreation, Hospitality, and Parks Management | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
- 1
At least three units must be upper division.
- 2
Music Performance Groups courses can be taken for a maximum of three units.
- 3
MUSC 489 must be taken for three units.
The Option in Recording Arts: 24 units
Studio instruction is available to students in the option in recording arts who can qualify by audition.
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 341 | Fundamentals of Digital Audio | 3 |
| MUSC 342 | MIDI and Synthesis | 3 |
| MUSC 344W | Audio Recording I (W) | 3 |
| MUSC 345 | Audio Recording II | 3 |
| MUSC 441 | Sampling and Sound Design | 3 |
| MUSC 444 | Advanced Studio Production | 3 |
| Select six units from the following: | 6 | |
| Video Game Production | ||
or CAGD 495 | Advanced Production | |
| Audio Systems Design and Maintenance | ||
| Advanced Electronic Media | ||
| Advanced Studio Production | ||
| Audio for Visual Media | ||
| Sound Reinforcement | ||
| Remote Audio Recording | ||
| Dir Field Proj in Music 1 | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Special Problems | ||
| Total Units | 24 | |
- 1
No more that three units of MUSC 489 can be applied in this area.
Electives Requirement
To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. Consult with an advisor to help select courses that provide breadth to your University experience and possibly help satisfy credential, professional, or graduate school prerequisites or support completion of a minor.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) requires you to take four Writing (W) courses, two of which are upper-division courses designated for your major. Specifically, you must:
- Take one Writing (W) course.
- Take one Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course.
- Complete a GE English Composition (1A) course before taking the GW course.
- Earn a grade of C- or higher to receive GW credit.
See Writing and Math Requirements for details on additional writing requirements you need to complete for graduation.
Major-Designated Courses
Writing (W) Course
- Any upper-division Writing (W) course.
GWAR (GW) Course
Notice to Prospective Applicants
In recent years there has been high student demand for the option in recording arts. Students interested in this program should apply to the University during the priority application filing period. A supplemental recording arts application must be submitted in April of the spring semester. Information on any current enrollment restrictions is available from the Admissions Office and the Music, Theatre, and Dance Department.
Special Music Requirements
- Advising is required each semester for all music students.
- Incoming students who wish to articulate units from another institution in theory, aural musicianship, or beginning piano classes must take the Placement Exam in those curriculum areas. Students who wish to receive units as “credit only” in the curricular areas listed above must take the Challenge Exam in those areas. (For students that believe they have the necessary skills and do not need to take the class in question). Students may only take the Challenge Exam for a class in a semester where they are already enrolled in that class. Consult with the department office with any questions.
- Students wishing to be enrolled as a music major should contact the advisor in the option in which they are interested. The advisor will help you determine if your choice of major/option is appropriate. Consult the department website to locate the advisor of the option or contact the department office with any questions.
- It is strongly suggested that students enrolled in studio instruction (MUSC 110/310) be concurrently enrolled in a performance ensemble (MUSC 411, 412, 413). Students who have completed their requirements in studio instruction MUST be concurrently enrolled in an ensemble to be qualified for additional studio instruction units.
- Admission procedures for the option in recording arts include applying to the University during the initial filing period, being placed in a pre-recording arts option, and passing supplemental recording arts criteria. Consult with the Music, Theatre, and Dance Department office for details.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are clear, measurable statements that describe how students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline as appropriate to the degree. Graduates of this program are expected to achieve the following PLOs:
- Comprehend and appreciate “fundamentals” through practiced observation and study.
- Articulate knowledge, theory, and criticism of the musical arts within historical and cultural contexts, through writing, oral presentation, and aural recognition assignments.
- Apply individual, collaborative, and leadership skills through performance or studio production.
- Have a working knowledge of current industry standards and practices respective to their discipline(s).
- Have a working knowledge of intellectual property rights and use of marketing data for decision making as they relate to careers, artists, project management and monetization models in the profession of music.
- Demonstrate proficiency using software and hardware in recording, editing, and processing music and audio for commercial and artistic applications, utilizing effective communication and professionalism in recording environments.