Music Industry Major, B.A.

(68 credits)
Eric Heukeshoven, M.S., Program Director

The music industry program is designed to deliver relevant educational programs in music industry, recognizing the traditions of our liberal arts context. Saint Mary’s University offers a B.A. degree with a music industry major with either a technology or business emphasis possible through elective credits. The music industry program shares a common core of required music courses that have been updated to reflect the needs of today’s musician in an ever-changing high tech world. By completing a four-year B.A. degree, students have the advantage of a liberal arts education from Saint Mary’s University and technical training in music technology and business.

Music industry majors take courses from the business department at Saint Mary’s as well as gaining invaluable job experience by completing an internship in the professional world of music business or technology off campus. The university has been offering music business degrees for over 25 years. Off-campus music industry internships are available for credit using a wide range of professional venues. Examples of internship sites include: Universal Music Group, Minnesota Public Radio, Warner, Elekra Asylum Records, KNXR Studios, Schmitt Music, Sound Strations Studio, Leithold’s Music, and the Wenger Music Corp.

Music industry majors also gain an understanding and working knowledge of basic recording techniques as well as live sound production. Students take music technology courses and labs, as well as courses in other areas such as physics and computer science. Students also complete a field exploration project utilizing the knowledge and experience gained from their course work or complete an off-campus internship. Our music industry degree program includes a professional partnership with Sound Stration Studios in La Crosse, Wis., owned and operated by adjunct faculty and Grammy Award winner Brett Huus.