Music Industry Studies

The business of popular music is an important, specialized component of the larger entertainment and communication industries. It is an exciting time to be involved in this ever-changing field in which new opportunities regularly arise. By studying the music industry, you will gain the professional edge while preparing for an exciting and rewarding career.

Why Study the Music Industry at Butler?

Butler’s Music Industry Studies (MI) program is designed to prepare students for managing a wide spectrum of creative enterprises. MI majors will learn to transform their talents and dedication into marketable skills required by music publishers, radio, performing rights organizations, talent agencies, record labels, concert promoters, and venues. Butler’s MI program, available as a three-year degree, provides creative preparation to nurture industry-specific competencies while simultaneously providing multiple experiential opportunities. MI majors learn about the many facets of the business that drive popular music today, including varied career paths, multiple revenue streams, media law and production. Students engage in internships, volunteer opportunities, and community partnerships in which they put into practice the knowledge and skills gained from start to finish in their studies. Throughout their time in the program, students interact with industry professionals and have access to professional equipment and work spaces. Students can complete their MI degree with an impressive resume, work examples of which they can be proud, and a valuable network of industry contacts. It is our goal to graduate students who are prepared to be tomorrow’s leaders in an ever-evolving music business.

Student Learning Outcomes

Discuss the music industry and its historical, cultural and economic aspects
Gather information through appropriate methods
Communicate information to audiences
Use communication technology effectively
Demonstrate team building, collaboration and leadership
Apply professional, ethical and legal standards in the fieldThe information found on this website with respect to major/minor/program requirements is primarily directed at providing prospective students a general roadmap of the curriculum. Current Butler students are expected to review their degree audit report at my.butler.edu and speak with their advisor regularly for detailed information regarding their specific degree requirements and their progress toward degree completion.

COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS

126 Total Credit Hours (Includes Butler University Core Requirements)

COM 101 Rhetoric and the American Democratic Tradition

SW 266-CCM Media Literacy

Foreign Language of Choice (3 credit hours at 204 level or above)

Communication & Culture course (selected from approved list)

Second major, minor or concentration area required

Description of Music Industry Studies (MI) – Major 41/42 Required Credit Hours

MI students put into practice information and skills gained in their studies while regularly interacting with music business professionals, creating work examples of which they can be proud, building a valuable network of industry contacts, and graduating with an impressive and useful resume.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

MI 107 Music Skills for Industry Professionals

MI 109 Survey of the Music Industry

MS 100 Basic Excel Skills for Business

MI 201 Audio Production

MI 222 History of the Music Industry

MI 252 Theories and Techniques of Sound Recording

MK 280 Principles of Marketing

ME 330 Self-Representation for Musicians

MI 352 Music Industry Business Practices

MI 353 Audio for Video, OR

MI 355 Artist Management, OR

MI 357 Experiential Application in Entertainment

MI 360 Music Industry Practicum

ME 430 E-Portfolio Capstone

MI 440 Internship

MI 452 Entertainment Media and the Law

MI 461 Music Industry Capstone

Two credit hours form the following courses:

AM ___ Applied Music, OR

ES ____ Ensemble

One course from the following:

AC 203 Introduction to Accounting, OR

EC 231 Principles of Microeconomics, OR

MT 440 Electronic Music

One course from the following:

MH 308 Music in Global Contexts (3), OR

MH 408 History and Literature of Jazz (3), OR

MT 244 Jazz Improvisation (2) AND one additional AM or ES credit (1)

COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS

126 Total Credit Hours (Includes Butler University Core Requirements)

COM 101 Rhetoric and the American Democratic Tradition

SW 266-CCM Media Literacy

Foreign Language of Choice (3 credit hours at 204 level or above)

Communication & Culture course (selected from approved list)

Second major, minor or concentration area required

Description of Music Industry Studies (MI) – Major 41/42 Required Credit Hours

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

MI 107 Music Skills for Industry Professionals

MI 109 Survey of the Music Industry

MS 100 Basic Excel Skills for Business

MI 201 Audio Production

MI 222 History of the Music Industry

MI 252 Theories and Techniques of Sound Recording

MK 280 Principles of Marketing

ME 330 Self-Representation for Musicians

MI 352 Music Industry Business Practices

MI 353 Audio for Video, OR

MI 355 Artist Management, OR

MI 357 Experiential Application in Entertainment

MI 360 Music Industry Practicum

ME 430 E-Portfolio Capstone

MI 440 Internship

MI 452 Entertainment Media and the Law

MI 461 Music Industry Capstone

Two credit hours form the following courses:

AM ___ Applied Music, OR

ES ____ Ensemble

One course from the following:

AC 203 Introduction to Accounting, OR

EC 231 Principles of Microeconomics, OR

MT 440 Electronic Music

One course from the following:

MH 308 Music in Global Contexts (3), OR

MH 408 History and Literature of Jazz (3), OR

MT 244 Jazz Improvisation (2) AND one additional AM or ES credit (1)