Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology (BS)

About the Curriculum
The Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology (MBET) curriculum is cross-disciplinary, as there are myriad opportunities to collaborate with students in other programs across UArts. Courses cover the core areas of Business and Entrepreneurship, Technology and Application (audio engineering in studio and live environments, electronics design and audio app programming), Music Theory and Musicianship, Critical Studies, and free electives. Additional study in international business, project courses and internships help maximize students’ undergraduate portfolios.

Available as a major (58.5 credits) or a minor (15 credits), the program can be customized to meet your career goals. Other than the core requirements, you can choose from a variety of Business and Entrepreneurship and Technology and Application courses to explore your individual interests in different areas of the music industry. For example, if you’re interested in sound design, you can take courses in topics like audio synthesis and DAW techniques.

Students graduating from the MBET bachelor’s degree program will

• possess essential business knowledge in the foundational areas of marketing; communications; and business, contract and entertainment law;
• possess essential music business knowledge in intellectual property, music licensing, media markets, and event production and management;
• possess technological skills in audio production, recording, live sound reinforcement, digital distribution and web/interface design;
• possess foundational music knowledge and competencies, the understanding of music form and structure, and critical listening and assessment skills;
• possess advanced writing and presentation skills;
• have engaged in entrepreneurial activities relative to the production, marketing and distribution of music and other performance and art media;
• collaborate and partner with other university students and departments, as well as professional organizations;
• be information-literate, aware, resourceful and problem-solving critical thinkers; and
• use all of the above as the basis for creative and innovative output.

At UArts, all incoming freshmen and transfer students are required to have laptops. Students with qualifying laptops are given access to install university-licensed software for free.
 
Learn about the recommended laptop specs for MBET students.
 
See the list of free university-licensed software.

Sample Curriculum
Duration: Four years, full time
Credits: 120 credits
 
Major requirements: 58.5 credits
Discipline history: 9 credits
Critical Studies: 33 credits
Free electives: 19.5 credits
 

* At this level, courses include Audio Electronics, Intro to Logic Pro, Webcasting and others.
** At this level, courses include Advanced Mixing & Mastering, Advanced Electronics Forum, Spatial Music Composition and others.
*** At this level, courses include Copywriting, Artist Management, Entrepreneurs Boot Camp and others.
† At this level, courses include Recording II and Digital Music Production I and II.
†† At this level, courses include Careers in Music.

Free elective credits can be used to

• take additional classes in your primary area of interest,
• pursue or explore other creative interests in the arts, or
• minor in one of the 23 programs that are open to all undergraduate students.

Learn about transferring to UArts, including transferring credits from a program at another college.

Explore the full curriculum

The School of Music offers a robust set of performance spaces, recording studios, rehearsal rooms and music labs.

• two state-of-the-art recording studios
• seven production suites
• eight rehearsal rooms
• 16 individual practice rooms
• two dedicated drum practice rooms
• four smart classrooms that double as rehearsal spaces
• one circuitry lab
• one electronic music lab featuring the 4th Moog analog synthesizer, built specifically for the School of Music at UArts in 1965
• two computer labs with keyboard controllers and audio interfaces
• two drum teaching and practice studios

Laurie Wagman Recording Studios

In 2019, UArts celebrated the grand opening of the Laurie Wagman Music Studios on the 11th floor of Terra Hall. The two recording studios are equipped with state-of-the-art, 24-channel API consoles and Antelope interfaces. There is a surround sound system in Studio A, while Studio B has a pair of Adam reference monitors. Both studios have a number of outboard compressors, equalizers and other effects processors. Studio A will also function as a fully analog space, equipped with a 16-track tape machine.

Studio A

• 16-track, 1-inch tape machine
• Antelope Orion 32+ converters
• API 2448 console
• Genelec 5.1 surround sound system
• a variety of outboard gear, including
• 1176-style compressors
• EL8 distressors
• Eventide Eclipse
• Pultec-style EQ

Studio B

• Adam A77X nearfield monitors
• Antelope Orion 32+ converters
• API 2448 console
• a variety of outboard gear, including
• 1176-style compressors
• EL8 distressors
• Eventide Eclipse
• Pultec-style EQ

Learn more about the Laurie Wagman Recording Studios. 

Circuitry Lab

The circuitry lab at UArts is designed as both a classroom and a space for students to experiment with and build audio electronic equipment. State-of-the-art ventilation and 12 individual stations ensure a professional workspace and is open for use during and outside class hours.

• central island with a lab sink, storage and overhead HD camera which feeds into two large HD smart monitors
• a Tektronix 2235 Analog Oscilloscope
• two Craftsman Drill Presses each with their own industrial work countertop and assortment of drill bits
• various hand and maker tools, such as hot-glue guns, nibblers, reamers, rotary tools, screwdrivers and more
• an ever-growing stock of various electronic components such as capacitors, ICs, knobs, resistors, semiconductors and more
• 12 student lab stations, each with a
  • variable benchtop power supply
  • Weller soldering iron station
  • bench vise
  • breadboard
  • small tool kit consisting of wire cutters, pliers, soldering supplies and testing equipment
  • digital multimeter

Performance Spaces

• Arts Bank features a 230-seat main stage, rehearsal and dance studio, and the Laurie Beechman Cabaret Theater on the first floor.
• The Ellen and Ronald Caplan Center for the Performing Arts includes the Caplan Recital Hall and the black box Caplan Studio Theater.
• CBS Auditorium is used primarily for meetings, lectures, and workshops and symposia.
• The Elaine C. Levitt Auditorium is located in historic Gershman Hall and hosts large concerts and performances.
• The Gershman Black Box Theater hosts student-led productions. 

Learn more about performance spaces at UArts. 

Center for Immersive Media 

The Center for Immersive Media (CIM) is a 5,600-square-foot facility dedicated to exploring the fields of virtual and mixed reality, performance motion-capture, and human-computer interaction. The space includes

• 
  an optical motion-capture system for full-body performance capture and location-based VR applications;
• a four-channel audio system, multiple video projectors and lighting, and a control station;
• 16 Genelec speakers for a 3rd Order Ambisonic system; 
• a 16-station computing classroom with PCs optimized for real-time graphics rendering; and 
• two large project rooms with ceiling grids for the development of installations and virtual environments. 

Learn more about CIM.

Our students experiment, push boundaries and envision new models for the future of the industry. Their interests are diverse and span from recording original music to marketing, and incorporate other disciplines of art such as photography.

Click on the profiles below to read more.

Our faculty members are active in their fields outside the classroom and utilize industry contacts to provide students with connections for networking and job opportunities.

Click on the profiles below to read more.

Internships

You’ll gain professional experience and a behind-the-scenes view of the music industry during internship. Throughout your course of study, you are required to complete a three-credit, 90-hour internship. Though students are responsible for finding their own internships, faculty often use industry contacts to connect students with opportunities in the field. 

Internships that have previously hosted UArts students include

AEG • Billy Penn Music • Breed Studios • CBS Radio • Charterhouse Music Group • CID Entertainment • CODA Nightclub, Critter and Guitari • EDM World Magazine • ESPN Radio • EVERYBODY Brands • Fame House/UMG • Firefly Festival • Grammy U • Hazelrigg Industries • Kiros Beauty • Live Nation • Miner Street Studios • MVP Interactive • Organic Music Marketing • Ormsby Guitars • Owl's Nest Media • Philadelphia Folk Festival • Philadelphia Recording Academy • Punch Line Philly • REC Philly • Rumor Nightclub • Sigma Studios • Sine Studios • Spice House Sound • Superior Sound Studios • Terrorbird Media • The Boom Room • The Brooklyn Home of Music • Electric Factory • the Fillmore • the Headroom • the Kimmel Center • the Mann Center • the Philadelphia Clef Club of Jazz and Performing Arts • the Trocadero, Turtle Studios • Undercarriage Studios • Underground Arts • Uniform Recording • Union Transfer • Universal Records • Walt Disney World • Warner Music Group • Watt Studio • Weathervane Music Organization • William Street Common • World Café Live • WXPN

As the industry continues to grow, graduates find themselves in a variety of roles. Common career fields for MBET majors include those in 

• Amplifier design and construction
• Artist management
• Audio processor design and construction (guitar pedals, outboard gear)
• Booking
• Digital audio production
• Entertainment law
• Film
• Live music events
• Music entrepreneur
• Music journalism
• Recording engineering for music and visual media
• Studio design and acoustics
• TV
• Venue management 
• Video games 

Featured Alumni

Click on the profiles below to read more.

Admissions Deadline: There is no set deadline. UArts operates on a rolling admissions basis, which means we receive and process applications throughout the year as space remains available in each program. 
 
The following materials are required for your application. 

• A completed application for admission
• A nonrefundable $60 application fee
• Official high school transcripts 
  • Official transcripts from the high school(s) you have attended are required. For transfer students, transcripts from each college you have attended are required. They must be mailed directly by your school in a sealed envelope to the Office of Admissions, emailed directly from your school, or sent through a secure electronic transcript delivery service. Transcripts sent or emailed by students are not considered official. They should be sent to the Office of Admissions, University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 or via email to undergradcredentials@uarts.edu.
  • For transcripts from outside the U.S., refer to the instructions for international students. 
• A writing sample
  • Your writing sample should address one of the following questions, interpreted as you wish. There is no right or wrong answer.
    1. When and how did you discover your creativity?
    2. How will University of the Arts help you achieve your creative and professional goals?
    3. How do you want your creativity to impact the future?
    4. Submit an existing piece of writing, such as an essay or class assignment, on any topic.
  • Pay attention to grammar, spelling and punctuation. There is no required word count, but we recommend a 250-word statement, which is about one double-spaced page. You can upload your sample with your application for admission, or email it to undergradcredentials@uarts.edu.
• Your audition or interview
• International applicants must submit proof of English proficiency
• Optional materials 
  • You can also submit SAT scores, a résumé and/or letters of recommendation. None of these materials are required. Learn more about submitting optional materials. 

For more information, visit our first-year application checklist and transfer checklist. 

Auditions & Interviews

Every student applying to the School of Dance, Music or Theater must pass an entrance audition or interview. Your audition or interview measures not only your creative and expressive facility, but also the level of skill you’ve acquired. You’ll be asked to select an audition or interview date when you complete your application. An application for admission must be submitted to the Office of Admissions at least two weeks before the date you request for an audition or interview.

COVID-19 update: All auditions will be conducted via online submission until further notice. Instructions for distance auditions and interviews are included below.

Distance Auditions & Interviews

Auditioning during a scheduled remote audition day is preferred, unless unique circumstances or your time zone prevent you from participating. In the event that you can’t make it to one of our audition dates, you can request an exception from the Office of Admissions. In that instance, you can submit a video recording of your audition. If your request is approved, follow the specific audition and interview submission instructions for your program of interest. Recorded auditions should be submitted via the GetAcceptd online submission platform.

Overview & Format

You will select an audition date on the application form. Your School of Music audition or interview will happen in two steps.
 
Step one: You’ll submit your required material for review. Ensure that you are uploading all required materials.
 
Step two: During your live remote audition day, you’ll have the opportunity to meet other UArts applicants and current students. At the live audition, you will take a virtual placement test. Some applicants might be asked to sight read materials. (Check your specific major requirements to find out about sight reading). You also might be asked to interview with a faculty member one-on-one to review your submitted materials. You’ll also be invited to participate in panel discussions with various School of Music faculty and students. 

Recorded Audition Guidelines for the School of Music

The repertoire for recorded auditions is the same as it is for remote auditions. Include a repertoire or program list (also clearly marked with your name and major), outlining titles, authors, composers and descriptions of the pieces you’ll be performing.
 
Recordings of recitals or concerts are not acceptable, and your video should not exceed 15 minutes. Videos should feature the performer alone in a room without a live audience. Musicians must show a full-body frame with close-up shots of embouchure, hands and face. You should also include information about the instrument you’re playing.
 
Complete and upload the appropriate audition/interview information form along with your audition and/or portfolio materials when you submit via GetAcceptd.

• Instrumental Performance, Vocal Performance, and Composition audition/interview information form
• Music Business, Entrepreneurship and Technology (MBET) audition/interview information form

UArts reserves the right to re-audition or interview any applicant admitted on the basis of a video audition. In such cases, the university also reserves the right to reconsider and to withdraw the original offer of admission or scholarship, if necessary.

Music Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology Portfolio and Interview Materials

Before your interview, you will have to submit transcripts and the following materials.

• Essay: What do you think the future of the music business looks like? What role do you envision for yourself in this ever-evolving industry, and how will a university education help you get there? Your essay should be submitted at least two weeks before your scheduled interview via email at undergradcredentials@uarts.edu or mail: Office of Admissions, University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102.
• Information form: You will have to complete a questionnaire before your interview. Time will be allotted to fill out the form on the day of your interview, but you can also download the applicant information form, complete it and have it with you at your interview.
• Interview: You’re required to register for an audition or interview date after you complete your application. You will receive an email with further instructions on how to register for your audition after your application has been processed. Your application must be submitted two weeks before your interview date.
• Portfolio: During the interview, you will be expected to present a portfolio of any work you’ve produced, which might include recordings; videos; documentation of business experience; or promotional work, like show flyers and website links. Be sure to upload your portfolio to Get Acceptd, so faculty can review it together if they need to. You can use Soundcloud, YouTube, Google Drive and other similar services to deliver your materials.

Apply now.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

UArts recognizes the extraordinary talent of our students through a range of merit-based scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for such scholarships—no special application is necessary.
 
Nearly 80 percent of UArts’ undergraduate students enrolled on a full-time basis are eligible for some type of need-based aid. Additionally, some scholarship opportunities take need-based criteria into account. All students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens and are enrolled in a degree program are encouraged to apply by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
 
Learn more about Financial Aid.