Music Industry: Career Associate

The program provides students with experiences in the classroom, MIDI computer lab (Harrisburg Campus), professional studio production at off-campus locations, and internships. The complete program is only available at the Harrisburg Campus. Some of the required courses are available at the Gettysburg, Lancaster, Lebanon, and York campuses, as well as through Virtual Learning.

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in music marketing, retailing, wholesaling, music publishing, licensing, concert promotion, arts promotion, recording production and distribution technology in the entertainment field.

General Education   
ENGL 101 English Composition I  3 
ENGL 102 English Composition II (or)  3 
  ENGL 106 Business Writing  (3)
COMM 101 Effective Speaking (or)  3 
  COMM 203 Interpersonal Communication    (3)
Core A Elective  3 
 Core B Elective  3 
Core C Elective  3 
Free Elective  3 
Physical Education & Wellness  1 

Major Requirements   
ACCT 101 Principles of Accounting I (or)  4 
  ENTR 203 Finance & Accounting for the Entrepreneur  (3
BUSI 101 Introduction to Business  3 
BUSI 201 Business Law I  3 
MKTG 201 Principles of Marketing  3 
MUS 119 Introduction to Music Theory (or)  3 
  MUS 120 Music Theory I  (3
MUSB 111 Music Business and the Internet  3 
MUSB 214 Music Business Studies  3 
MUSB 224 Music Industry & American Popular Music  3 
MUSB 225 Entertainment & Music Promotion  3 
MUSB 226 Music Computer Applications  3 
MUSB 228 Audio Technology  4 
MUSB 291 Music Industry Internship  3 
*Music or Music Industry Electives  3 

Other Required Courses   
MATH 100 College Math for Business  3 
   

This curriculum is designed to prepare students to:

Prepare and deliver oral and written presentations on music business concepts

Develop skills in applied critical thinking and decision making

Integrate various research methods to collect and analyze music marketing data in order to design music marketing strategies

Identify the skills, concepts, and methodologies necessary to manage the legal, financial, artistic, and ethical issues that face the contemporary music business professional

Identify the basic functions and business interrelationships that occur among the numerous business entities that exist within the music business industry

Perform and function as a team member

Compare and contrast basic foundational knowledge of music languages and genres

Investigate changes to the music business, music media, and music management and distribution environments

Utilize appropriate software and music technologies in order to complete audio and recording production assignments

Demonstrate functional mastery of necessary collaborative skills by completing a final music marketing internship

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Apply for a Full-Ride Scholarship

Are you a future student and ready to apply to HACC? 
By applying to HACC, you have the opportunity to apply for a full-ride scholarship! HACC will fund two years of your education – enough to complete your associate degree.

Thanks to the support of the HACC Foundation, the College is able to offer FREE money to support future students, like you, in reaching your educational goals. Six full-ride scholarships are available – one from each of the five campuses and one through HACC’s Virtual Learning Program. 

Please note that current students are not eligible for the full-ride scholarships. However, there are more than 250 scholarships available for current students.

What should you know about the full-ride scholarship?

The scholarship covers tuition, books and fees for a full academic year. 

The scholarship will automatically renew each term for up to six consecutive terms if you maintain your eligibility.

Once you apply to the College and receive a HACC ID and email address, you may apply for the full-ride scholarship. You do not have to register for classes before applying for the scholarship.

Are you eligible?

To be eligible, you must:

Apply to HACC

Take 12-15 credits each term for no more than six consecutive terms (two years)

Live in Adams, Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Perry, Schuylkill or York county

Have a minimum cumulative high school GPA of 3.0

Provide a 480 SAT reading score, 21 ACT or comparable scores on the College’s placement test

Maintain a GPA of 3.0 while enrolled at HACC

Participate in at least two HACC student organizations

The Music Industry: Career Associate program at Harrisburg Area Community College is designed to prepare students for a variety of roles within the dynamic and multifaceted music industry. This program provides a comprehensive overview of the music business, including essential topics such as music production, artist management, marketing, promotion, and copyright law. Students gain practical skills through hands-on experience with industry-standard equipment and software, enabling them to navigate the technical aspects of recording, mixing, and mastering music. The curriculum also emphasizes the development of business acumen, including contract negotiations, financial management, and entrepreneurial strategies necessary to succeed in the competitive music landscape.

Throughout the program, students are encouraged to build a professional portfolio that showcases their talents and expertise, often culminating in a project or presentation that demonstrates their readiness to enter the workforce. The program also fosters networking opportunities by connecting students with industry professionals, local music events, and internship possibilities, which are vital for gaining real-world experience and establishing industry contacts. The faculty members are experienced professionals with backgrounds spanning music production, talent management, and entertainment law, providing mentorship and insights into current industry trends.

Graduates of the Associate degree program are equipped to pursue careers in various sectors of the music industry, including roles such as sound engineer, artist manager, marketing specialist, concert promoter, and music publisher. This program is ideal for individuals passionate about music and eager to develop their skills in a hands-on learning environment that combines technical learning with industry insights. Overall, the Music Industry: Career Associate at Harrisburg Area Community College aims to cultivate versatile professionals prepared to make a significant impact in the ever-evolving music industry.