Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry
Prepare to launch your career in a booming industry, both locally and nationally
Today’s music industry needs creative professionals who understand both artistry and business. GMercyU’s Music Industry major combines music, media production, and business strategy to prepare students for careers in music, entertainment, digital media, and music management.
This new major begins fall 2027.
Program Details
In the Bachelor's of Music Industry program, you’ll learn how to create, manage, and monetize artistic content, while developing professional identities and sustainable creative careers.
Highlights include:
- Small class sizes strengthen your connection with your professors and peers and allow for personalized attention.
- Courses are taught by experts with industry experience. There are no teaching assistants at GMercyU!
- A mandatory internship ensures you gain experience and connections before graduating, enhancing your employability.
- Our values-based education prioritizes values such as social justice and service to others, which are woven into your coursework to emphasize ethical and fair business practices and social responsibility.
- The Griffin Edge will help you connect the dots between your GMercyU experiences and your future aspirations, so you can ace future job interviews and launch a successful career.
Music Industry majors complete a total of 120 credits which include the following, in addition to General Education courses.
Core Courses (33 credits)
MUS 104: Music Appreciation
MUS 1xx: Music Technology & Media Scoring I
MUS 200: Fundamentals of Music
MUS 220 or MUS xx: Piano Lab or Guitar Class
MUS 100: Glee Club Ensemble (1-3 credits)
BUS 101: Business Theory
MKT 207: Principles of Marketing
COMD 115: Intro to Digital Communication
COMD 201: Digital Storytelling
COMD 206: Public Relations
COMD 301: Podcasting
Strategy and the Law (9 credits)
COMD 304: Social Media Law and Ethics
BUSXXX or MUS XXX- The Business of Music
BUS 205 Principles of Management
Concentration Courses: Choose two from each category (18 credits total)
Music & Audio Production:
MUS 2xx: Advanced Music Technology and Sound Recording
MUS 203: Introduction to Broadway
MUS 107: Music Therapy
MUS 299: Advanced Piano or Guitar
Digital Content and Social Media:
COMD 217: Digital Media, Culture & Society
COMD 302: Video Production & Editing
COMD 437: Special Topics (e.g., TikTok, YouTube Strategy)
ART 122: Intro to Digital Photography
COMD 437: Special Topics (e.g., Branding for Creators)
Industry Foundations:
MKT 334:Consumer Behavior
MKT 438: Social Media
MKT 410: Digital Marketing
MKT 333: Integrated Marketing Communications
BUS 214: Business Law and Ethics
BUS 437: Special Topics
MKT 437: Marketing Special Topics
Electives (6 credits)
Any ART, BUS, MUS, or COMD course not already taken. Only one 3-credit class may be at the 100 level; all others must be 200 or higher.
Internship/Experiential Learning (6 credits)
MUS 4000:Music Industry Capstone
COMD 405/BUS 441 or a new cross-listed internship course in entertainment/media.
Here's a look at just a few of the classes offered in GMercyU's Bachelor's in Music Industry.
BUS or MUS XXX: The Business of Music
Exploring the fundamentals of the music industry
[need description]
MUS 1xx: Music Technology & Media Scoring I
An introduction to music composition and production
[need description]
COMD-201: Digital Storytelling
Connecting music, media, branding, and audience engagement
Students are introduced to the creation of visual and audio content for use on social and digital media platforms utilizing the same smart phone you use everyday. Basic skills such as framing, composition, audio quality and website development will be covered in theory and with hands-on application. Students will host projects on their own websites. Smartphone and app purchase required.
Carol Evans, MMus
Position: Assistant Professor, Music Industry Program Director
Did you know? Nominated for a Grammy in 2023, Evans directs GMercyU’s Voices of Gwynedd, which performs around the country and world.
Read bio
Alan Harper, MBA, PhD
Position: Associate Dean of Operations in Academic Affairs; Associate Professor
Did You Know? Dr. Harper has 20 years of management experience and has published more than 15 peer-reviewed articles.
Read bio
Luigi Corrado, Jr., CPA, MT
Position: Assistant Professor, Accounting
Did You Know? Professor Corrado spent nearly 20 years in the accounting industry as a financial statement auditor, corporate controller, and senior consultant with a variety of firms.
Read bio
Melissa Dennis, DBA
Position: Assistant Professor, Chair of the Undergraduate Business Department
Did You Know? Dr. Dennis spent 15 years working for Disney Parks, Experiences and Products in customer relationship and customer engagement, supporting Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Vacation Club, and the Disney Cruise line businesses.
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Maddie Herman, EdD
Position: Assistant Professor and Program Director, Sport Management
Did You Know? Dr. Herman has worked for the Philadelphia 76er's and Wells Fargo Center, and ran GMercyU's Intramurals and Recreation program.
Read bio
Margaret Rakus, EdD
Position: Assistant Professor
Did You Know? Dr. Rakus has held industry positions in marketing and public relations. She holds certifications in Tableau, Hootsuite, Google Analytics, Google AdWords, and more.
Read bio
Voices of Gwynedd 
GMercyU's 100-member choir — comprised of students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends — performs around the area, country, and globe. Students help plan the VOG's fundraisers, concerts, and special performances, such as singing the national anthem at Phillies games (shown) and other high-profile events.
Real-World Opportunities
Students are required to complete an internship in entertainment, media, or brand strategy. This experience enables you to apply classroom learning in a real-world setting, build your professional network, and develop career-ready skills.
Faculty and career advisors will help students identify internship opportunities aligned with their interests in music, entertainment, media, production, or brand strategy.
The music industry, and broader entertainment industry, require a broad variety of professionals.
Music Industry Degree Jobs
Talent Manager
Description: Guide the career of an artist, helping them to build their brand and manage their business affairs.
Average Salary: $143,730 annual mean wage in 2023, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Music Producer
Description: Help bring an artist’s vision to life as a creative and technical director who oversees the recording process.
Average Salary: $95,000 annual wage per Glassdoor
Social Media Manager
Description: Build brand awareness by developing compelling, clickable, and culturally competent social media.
Average Salary: $60,596 annual mean wage in 2025, according to Payscale
More potential careers paths include:
- Arts Entrepreneur
- Brand Strategist
- Content Creator
- Entertainment Marketing Specialist
- Media Producer
Choose a Minor
Pair your Music Industry degree with a minor that complements the skills learned in your major. Choose from Accounting, Data Analytics, Marketing, and more.
Scholarships
GMercyU offers dozens of scholarships and grants to help you save on a great education. They do not need to be repaid and generally are renewable each year.
Transfer to GMercyU
GMercyU grants up to 90 qualifying credits toward a bachelor's degree and offers renewable transfer scholarships & grants ranging from $11,000 to $21,000 a year.
