COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music with an Arts Administration concentration at the University of Alabama is a career-focused program that blends music studies with business and management training, requiring a minimum of 120 total credit hours including general education, major coursework, and a required business-related minor. The major itself includes approximately 37–40 credit hours, covering foundational music theory courses such as voice leading and harmony, along with music history, world music, and specialized subjects like recording techniques and legal issues in the arts, which are particularly important for understanding the professional music industry. A key component of the program is the Music Administration Internship, which provides practical, real-world experience in arts organizations, helping students develop skills in management, event coordination, and industry operations. Students must also complete applied music studies and ensemble participation across multiple semesters to maintain their performance background. In addition to the major, students are required to complete a minor in areas such as general business, entrepreneurship, management, or world business, reinforcing the program’s focus on preparing students for leadership roles in the arts sector. Ancillary coursework (around 33 hours) offers flexibility, allowing students to choose from subjects like arts marketing, fundraising, venue management, jazz studies, theatre, and creativity, which further enhance their understanding of the broader arts ecosystem. Academic requirements include maintaining a minimum 2.0 GPA in the major and completing at least 12 upper-level (300–400 level) credit hours in residence. Certain courses, such as MUS 121, do not count toward general education fine arts requirements for music majors. Students must work closely with academic advisors to ensure they meet all university, college, major, and minor requirements. Overall, this program is ideal for students who want to combine musical knowledge with business strategy and pursue careers in arts management, entertainment administration, or nonprofit cultural organizations.