$270
Tuition Cost per Credit
2 years
Average Completion*
Turn Your Passion for Music Into a Career
The Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Studies at Athens State University prepares you for the business, technology, and creative opportunities behind today’s music industry.
You’ll develop practical knowledge of the industry while building skills in communication, management, technology, entrepreneurship, and professional collaboration.
With three concentrations—Audio Engineering & Music Production, Concert Touring & Live Performance, and Music Business & Artist Management—you can tailor your degree to the part of the music industry that interests you most. Whether you want to produce music, work behind the scenes on live events, manage artists, or build a career on the business side of the industry, Athens State gives you the opportunity to turn your passion for music into a professional advantage.
Your music career doesn’t have to sound like everyone else’s. Build the skills to make it your own.
Program Overview
The modern music industry is much bigger than performing on stage. Behind every recording, concert, tour, artist, and successful music business is a network of professionals who bring creative ideas to life.
The Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Studies gives you a broad understanding of how the music industry works while allowing you to develop specialized expertise in the area that best matches your career goals. You’ll study the business and professional side of the industry while developing practical skills related to music production, live entertainment, artist management, marketing, entrepreneurship, and technology. The program emphasizes the intersection of creativity and business, preparing you to work effectively in an industry where those two worlds increasingly overlap.
Choose Your Concentration
Your concentration allows you to focus your studies on the area of the music industry that best fits your interests and career goals.
Audio Engineering & Music Production
Turn creative ideas into finished recordings. This concentration focuses on the technical and creative processes behind recording and producing music. You’ll develop knowledge and skills related to audio technology, recording, production, sound, and the tools used to create professional-quality music.
Potential career paths include: audio engineer, recording engineer, music producer, studio professional, sound designer, and audio production specialist.
Concert Touring & Live Performance
Take your career beyond the studio and into the live entertainment industry. This concentration focuses on the planning, production, management, and execution of concerts and live performances. You’ll explore the many moving parts behind successful events and tours, from production and logistics to artist support and live entertainment operations.
Potential career paths include: concert or event coordinator, tour manager, live production professional, venue operations professional, production coordinator, and live entertainment specialist.
Music Business & Artist Management
Build the business skills behind successful artists and music organizations. This concentration focuses on the business, marketing, management, and entrepreneurial aspects of the music industry. You’ll learn how professionals help artists build careers, manage opportunities, connect with audiences, and navigate the business side of music.
Potential career paths include: artist manager, music business professional, music marketing specialist, talent coordinator, entertainment entrepreneur, and music industry representative.
Study at the Alabama Center for the Arts
Join an amazing, supportive, and uplifting community of creatives at the Alabama Center for the Arts. The campus, located in beautiful downtown Decatur, consists of state-of-the-art facilities where students can take a variety of courses in art, theatre, graphic design, visual communications, and music. Additionally, a modern three-story residence hall offers apartments in various configurations, so you can live close to where you study!
Your Career Advantage Starts Here
The music industry offers career opportunities for people with a wide range of talents and interests. Your concentration can help you develop expertise for the part of the industry where you want to make your mark.
Explore your career pathways with the Bachelor of Arts in Music Industry Studies degree, including anticipated salaries, annual job growth, and even active job listings through the Career Concourse portal.
$64k
Business Manager/Agent Estimated Entry Salary
$99k
Business Manager/Agent Estimated Median Salary
Estimated salary and employment information based on labor market data provided by Career Concourse and is intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries and employment outcomes vary based on factors such as experience, location, industry, and employer and are not guaranteed upon degree completion.
Admissions & Aid
Athens State University provides an affordable and accessible path to a bachelor’s degree for transfer students, working adults, and students ready to turn their interest in music and entertainment into a career.
Whether you’re transferring after completing an associate degree, returning to college to complete your bachelor’s degree, or building on experience as a musician, producer, event professional, or music industry professional, Athens State can help you move forward.
Our Admissions & Aid team can help you understand admission requirements, transfer credit, financial aid, scholarships, and other resources available to help make your education more affordable.
Ready to take the next step? Explore your admission and financial aid options and discover how Athens State can help you reach your goals.
Why Choose This Program at Athens State?
Music is a diverse industry, and there isn’t one path to a successful career. With three concentrations, you can focus your education on the area that best matches your interests—whether that’s producing music, working in live entertainment, or building careers and businesses around artists. At Athens State, you’ll have the freedom to explore your creativity while building the skills and confidence to turn your passion for the arts into a meaningful career. With flexible degree options, personalized instruction, and opportunities to develop your craft through hands-on experiences, our Music Industry Studies program are designed to meet you where you are and help you move toward where you want to go.
Combine Creativity with Career Skills
Talent is only part of the equation. Successful music professionals also need business knowledge, technical skills, communication abilities, organization, and adaptability. This program helps you develop the combination of creative and professional skills today’s industry demands.
More Creativity. Less Student Debt.
Earn a high-quality arts degree in a supportive, innovative environment at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur from Athens State University, one of Alabama’s most affordable public universities. A degree from Athens State gives you more value for your investment, setting you up for success from the very beginning.
Learn from Experienced, Supportive Faculty
Our faculty combine academic excellence with genuine care and concern. At Athens State, you will receive personalized guidance and mentorship from experience faculty who are invested in your creative development and success. You’re not facing the college journey alone — our dedicated, knowledgeable faculty and staff walk alongside you each step of the way.
Additional Information
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*Average completion time varies by student and depends on prior credits
transferred to Athens State and the number of courses taken per semester.
Please consult with your Student Success Coach and faculty advisor for your personalized plan of study.