Credits required
180 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
$350 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.
Delivery
Online You can complete all or nearly all requirements of this program online. View the curriculum.
Start terms
4 per year

B.A./B.S. in Contemporary Music Industry – Online

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:

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.

Login

Notice: Oregon State University students may now take part in internships anywhere in the United States. Read more about Ecampus’ authorization and compliance.

Related stories

Making music at a distance

It’s nighttime in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Mykola Balakin is making a flute-like instrument called a sopilka in his home office. A software engineer by trade and a computer science student with Oregon State Ecampus, he’s new to making instruments, but after several hours...

Elevate your career with Oregon State’s online business programs

Moving up in the business world doesn't need to be more difficult to figure out than quantum physics. Make it simple with Oregon State's online business programs. From microcredentials to MBAs and everything in the middle, we've got you covered.

Which microcredential is right for you?

Explore five online microcredentials, designed to help you meet your professional goals. Whether you're looking to start climbing the metaphorical corporate ladder or learn how to start your own business, OSU Ecampus has you covered.