Bachelor of Arts
Commercial Music
Degree Overview
The University of North Texas System Board of Regents recently approved the Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music degree. This new degree program begins Fall 2025. Application opens September 1, 2024. For questions, please contact collegeofmusic@unt.edu.
The BA in Commercial Music focuses on the contemporary music-making process from the early creative stages to final release. Our program engages with the stylistic diversity that is present in the popular contemporary music landscape and gives the students tools to manage their careers in a dynamically changing music industry.
Students in the program can expect a rigorous set of hands-on courses that will challenge them to stand out creatively by engaging with the ideas learned. We embrace artistic leadership and an entrepreneurial mindset, and our faculty will guide students through their journey in developing these skills.
We believe that the ability to collaborate is a key skill for 21st century musicians. The UNT world-class College of Music faculty and ensembles offer Commercial Music majors collaboration with a wide-range of talented musicians.
Students have ample room to explore their interests while focusing on command of cornerstone contemporary industry practices and holistic understandings of its cultural underpinnings.
Four different tracks are offered.
Curriculum
Coursework Required for ALL Tracks:
Creative Practice in the Music Industry
Analysis and Critical Listening in Music Production and Commercial Music
Science and Technology of Musical Sound
Fundamentals of Digital Audio Workstations
Music Business and Entrepreneurship
Commercial Music Capstone
Music & Culture
Music as Communication
Music Cultures of the World
One option from below:
- Cultures of Hip Hop
- Global Perspective in Popular Music
- African American Music
- Understanding and Appreciating Jazz in US and World History and Culture
- Sounds and Cinema
- History of Rock
- Music, Gender, and Sexuality
- Music as Politics
Track Specific:
Commercial Music & Production
Digital Audio Workstation Techniques
Commercial Music Writing and Production
Techniques of Mixing and Mastering
Album-making, Pre-to Post-Production
Business of Commercial Music Track
Music Entrepreneurship Practicum/Internship
Marketing for Musicians
One option from below:
- Music Leadership and Performing Arts Management
- Music Law and Finance
- Artist Management and Touring
Music for Media Track
Digital Orchestration
Music in Film and Media
Sonic-Visual Aesthetics
General Track
Choice of 3 additional commercial music courses
(per faculty approval)
Meet the Commercial Music Faculty
Explore the Four Commercial Music Tracks
Possible Career Paths for Graduates Include:
- Music Supervisor
- Singer-songwriter
- Composer For Advertising
- Sound Branding
- Artist Development/a&r
- Music Director
- Music Editor
- Arranger
- Session Musician
- Arts Marketer
- Arts Administrator
Sound like the right career track for you?