Program Information
Learn more about the Music Industry Studies program.
General Help
Ask general questions at our support center.
Course Sequence
Field of Interest
The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Music Industry Studies: Music Business is designed to provide aspiring music industry professionals with a broad background in music management, production, and entrepreneurship activities. The program combines theoretical and applied learning experiences to help students gain a strategic understanding of commercial music as both an art and profession. Students will choose a focus area among business and marketing, commercial performance, and music production. They will employ analytical and communication skills and explore aesthetic, cultural, and historical perspectives relevant to the music industry.
Details
Important information you’ll need when applying for admission:
- Field of Interest
- Visual and Performing Arts
- Type
- Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
- Academic Plan
- Music Industries: Music Business (DEG)
- Academic Plan Code
- 3017
- Total Credits Required
- 61-70
- Catalog Year
- 2025-2026
- Effective Term
- Fall 2025
- Available Online
- Yes
- Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
What You’ll Learn
This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:
- Analyze the values, ethics, and key factors, including economic, legal, policy, audience, and consumer that influence the creation of music-related media products.
- Utilize applications and tools to manage business and creative activities in the music industry.
- Create a project plan applying project management skills.
- Demonstrate interpersonal skills in building relationships and networking with clients, colleagues, and organizations.
- Identify opportunities for expanding creative, innovative, and entrepreneurial skills in the music industry.
- Analyze and synthesize musical content for social, cultural, aesthetic and historical significance.
- Evaluate branding, marketing communications, and sales skills to build a music brand.
- Investigate intellectual property law, rights management, publishing, licensing, and contracts.
- Differentiate operating structures and business types.
- Analyze metrics and revenue data to improve business processes.
- Use effective written, oral, and visual communication skills for diverse audiences and outcomes.
- Assess the music industry and its role in the gig economy.
Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Maricopa County-based annual median wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Advertising and Promotions Managers
$100,483 Show expanded career information for Advertising and Promotions Managers
Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
$58,335 Show expanded career information for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes
General and Operations Managers
$94,323 Show expanded career information for General and Operations Managers
Instrumental Musicians
$55,740 Show expanded career information for Instrumental Musicians
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
$71,962 Show expanded career information for Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
Marketing Managers
$133,431 Show expanded career information for Marketing Managers
Music Composers and Arrangers
$46,876 Show expanded career information for Music Composers and Arrangers
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other
- Media and Communication Workers, All Other
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
- Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.
Restricted Electives
Students should work with their program advisor to select 12-13 credits from courses that align with the academic/career goals and further their development in the areas of music business and marketing, music production, and commercial performance. Courses from required courses area may not be used.
Business and Marketing
GBS+++ Any GBS General Business course
MKT+++ Any MKT Marketing course
MUC+++ Any MUC Music: Commercial/Business course
Music Production
MTC+++ Any MTC Music: Theory/Composition course
MUC+++ Any MUC Music: Commercial/Business course
Commercial Performance
MTC+++ Any MTC Music: Theory/Composition course
MUP+++ Any MUP Music: Performance course
Ready to get started?
Follow one of the options below to get started on your personal career pathway.
Become a Student
Click here for MCC’s easy-to-use Enrollment Steps.
Program Information
Learn more about and find contact information for the Music Industry Studies program.
General Help
Ask general questions over the phone at 480-461-7400 or via online chat.
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- C = Cultural Diversity in the US
- CS = Computer/Statistics/Quantitative Application
- FYC = First Year Composition
- H = Historical Awareness
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
- MA = Mathematics
- SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
- SG = Natural Sciences General
- SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, meet with an academic advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=15992891).
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Music Industries: Music Business