Curriculum
Learn how to create and think musically and entrepreneurially from multiple perspectives as a music-maker in Oregon State’s contemporary music industry degree program. The music industry major is comprised of an interdisciplinary and project-based learning curriculum.
These projects will form a portfolio so that you are ready for jobs and the gig economy throughout your studies and upon graduation. Through an interconnected series of foundational core courses, you’ll gain an understanding of how contemporary music is created, built and utilized.
Learn from music industry experts
As a student in the contemporary music industry program, you’ll learn from Oregon State faculty members who have strengths and/or work directly in this field. That includes Bob Santelli, OSU’s director of popular music and performing arts who won a Grammy in 2020.
Degree requirements
A minimum of 180 quarter credits — at least 60 of which must be upper-division credits — are required to graduate with your contemporary music industry degree, including:
- OSU's Baccalaureate Core (general education)
- B.A. or B.S. requirements
- College of Liberal Arts Core (for all majors in OSU's College of Liberal Arts)
- Major requirements: Contemporary music industry
Honors degree online
As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, you can apply to earn an honors degree online in your academic major. Earning this prestigious degree gives you the opportunity to collaborate with faculty on research, complete a comprehensive thesis experience and engage in co-curricular activities.
Sample course topics
- Music appreciation
- Digital audio workstations and publishing
- American music tradition
- Genre studies
- Arts entrepreneurship
- Songwriting
- Applied musicianship
- Theory and composition
- Music business
Transfer credits
Some degree requirements may be transferred from other institutions. Please note that a minimum of 45 credits of the last 75 credits in this degree program must be completed at Oregon State (online or on campus) to meet the academic residency requirement.
Previously earned credits will need to be reviewed upon admittance to OSU for appropriate articulation. Additional information about transferring credits is available through OSU’s Transfer Credit Central.
Add a minor
As an OSU Ecampus student, you'll have the ability to add a minor to your bachelor's degree program. Oregon State offers a diverse selection of minors online. Combine contemporary music industry with a minor in popular music studies, or merge your major studies with a leadership minor to create an even more powerful résumé fit for today's job market.
Notice: Oregon State University students may now take part in internships anywhere in the United States. Read more about Ecampus’ authorization and compliance.
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Important dates
See our academic calendar for our full quarter term schedule.
Degree quick facts
* Oregon State University is on a quarter-term system. There are four quarters each year and classes are 11 weeks long. This program's 180 quarter credits are equal to 120 semester credits.
† Cost per credit is calculated using tuition per credit for the current academic year. It does not include associated fees, course materials, textbook expenses, and other expenses related to courses. Note: Upper-division music courses are charged at a differential tuition rate.
‡ You can complete all or nearly all requirements of this program online. View the curriculum.
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