Program: Music Business, BA Major in - Hofstra University

Jun 15, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Bulletin

The BA in Music Business program fosters the next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs in the music industry. The program teaches music business foundations and concepts in order to manage the legal, financial, and creative issues faced by music business professionals in the global music marketplace. Music courses offer insight into harmony, analysis and aural theory. Inside the classroom students develop critical thinking and problem solving skills through lectures, assignments, practicums, case studies and guest speakers in order to navigate the constantly evolving music industry. Outside the classroom, students engage in research, participate in group-based projects and internships to develop skills, apply knowledge and assess opportunities in the marketplace.

Music Business Program Overview

The BA Major in Music Business consists of 30 semester hours of Music Business and Music requiring a grade of C- or above to count towards their major. Additionally, 12 semester hours in the Zarb School of Business are required with a minimum grade of C- or above.

No audition required for entrance into program.

BA Music Business Program Outcomes:

Learn music business terminology and music history
Gain knowledge and appreciation of music theory and harmony
Understand the role and function of the stakeholders in the global music marketplace
Synthesize intellectual property and the legal aspects of the music business
Ascertain rights and revenue models in touring, recorded music, publishing, merchandising and sponsorship
Create innovative marketing and promotional strategies in the music industry
Recognize technologic advances and their application to the music business
Employ an innovative problem solving approach to future trends in the music industry

Music Business Requirements

A minimum of 45 s.h. in Music Business, Music, and General Business or Marketing or Intellectual Property Law or Music Technology:

26 s.h. Music Business
12 s.h. Music
9 s.h. General Business or Marketing or Intellectual Property Law or Music Technology

Music Business Required Courses: a minimum of 24 s.h.

MUSB 100 - Music Publishing in the Music Industry Semester Hours: 3
MUSB 101 - History of the Recording Industry Semester Hours: 3
MUSB 102 - Survey of the Music Industry Semester Hours: 3
MUSB 103 - Promotion in the Music Industry Semester Hours: 3
MUSB 104 - Artist Management in the Music Industry Semester Hours: 3
MUSB 105 - Advanced Seminar in Music Industry Semester Hours: 3
MUSB 106 - Internships in the Music Industry Semester Hours: 1-3
MUSB 107 - Entertainment Contracts in the Music Industry Semester Hours: 3
MUSB 108 - Music Business Practicum Semester Hours: 2

Music Business Electives

MUSB 150 A-Z - Special Topics in Music Business Semester Hours: 1-3
MUSB 151 A-Z - Special Topics in Music Business Semester Hours: 1-3

Music Courses 12 s.h.

Choose an additional 6.s.h from the following:

MUS 004 - (AA, CC) Music Around the World Semester Hours: 3
MUS 017 - (AA, CC) Introduction to the Sikh Musical Tradition: Singing as Way of Knowing Semester Hours: 3
MUS 048 - (AA) Music Histories, Genres and Cultures Semester Hours: 3
MUS 122 - (AA) History of Jazz Semester Hours: 3
MUS 134 - (AA) American Music Semester Hours: 3
MUS 143 - History of Music Semester Hours: 3
MUS 144 - History of Music Semester Hours: 3
MUS 145 - History of Music: The 20th-Century Semester Hours: 3

Required Courses: 6 s.h.

MUS 051 - Theory and Application for Popular Music Semester Hours: 3
MUST 101 - Music Technology II Semester Hours: 3

General Business or Concentrations in Marketing or Intellectual Property Law or Music Technology: 9 s.h.

General Business

Choose 9 s. h. from the following:

BBA 100 - Business and Society: Foundations for Professional Development Semester Hours: 3
BAN 001 - Introduction to Business Statistics Semester Hours: 3
ENTR 115 - Entrepreneurial Mindset Semester Hours: 3
IB 150 - Introduction to International Business Semester Hours: 3
IT 001 - Introduction to Excel Semester Hours: 1
IT 015 - Introduction to Information Systems Semester Hours: 3
LEGL 020 - Introduction to Legal Systems, Environment and Contracts Semester Hours: 3
MGT 101 - Introduction to Management Semester Hours: 3
MKT 101 - Principles of Marketing Semester Hours: 3

Concentration in Marketing

MKT 101 Principles of Marketing is required, students must choose and additional 6 s. h. in Marketing from the following:

MKT 124 - Consumer Behavior Semester Hours: 3
MKT 131 - Principles of Advertising Semester Hours: 3
MKT 132 - Integrated Marketing Campaigns Semester Hours: 3
MKT 133 - Case Competition Semester Hours: 3
MKT 141 - Retail Management Semester Hours: 3
MKT 142 - New Product Development Semester Hours: 3
MKT 145 - Digital Marketing Semester Hours: 3
MKT 146 - Social Media Marketing Semester Hours: 3
MKT 169 - Marketing of Services Semester Hours: 3
MKT 170 - International Marketing Semester Hours: 3
MKT 175 - Marketing Planning and Strategy Semester Hours: 3

Concentration in Intellectual Property Law

LEGL 020 Introduction to Legal Systems, Environment and Contracts is required, students must choose an additional 6 s. h. in LEGL or MASS. Choose 6 s. h. from the following: