UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN
Why Study Music Business
The Music Business Program at Hofstra prepares students for the music business and creative sides of the industry to work behind the scenes at a record label or as an artist manager or build a career as a performer, producer, or songwriter. New York City is the epicenter of the music industry where record labels, music publishers, streaming platforms, and artist management companies just a short train ride away, you’ll gain access to internships and mentorships through faculty and alums who are deeply connected to the field.
Graduates work across the full spectrum of the industry, from A&R, marketing, and digital promotion to concert production, artist management, and entertainment law. Many also launch careers as recording artists, composers, producers, or sound designers. A degree in music business gives you the skills, network, and real-world experience to navigate and shape today’s fast-evolving music landscape.
Turn Your Passion Into a Career
Learn the business behind the music industry with hands-on access to NYC labels, live events, and more.
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A Billboard Best Program
Hofstra’s program has been recognized by Billboard magazine as one of the Top Music Business Schools in the world. Hofstra’s Music Business program teaches students core music business foundations, provides the tools necessary to navigate the ever-changing industry, and cultivates relationships to launch a vibrant career.
Read More About Hofstra’s Billboard RankingDegrees & Programs
The BA in Music Business program offers an opportunity for prospective students who possess little or no musical ability to study the music business and pursue a career in the industry as a nonperformer. No audition is required nor is there any requirement to enroll in private lessons or to perform in ensembles. BA Music Business graduates work for record labels, publishing companies, live music promoters, artist managers, music supervisors, entertainment attorneys, or booking agents and in many other fields that comprise the music business.
Students in the BS in Music Business program are performers who study music and gain a comprehensive understanding of the music industry. Students are required to pass an audition to enter, enroll in private instrument lessons, study music theory and harmony, as well as perform in various ensembles. Graduates work as recording/performing artists/producers/ composers and/or record labels, publishing companies, concert promoters, artist managers, booking agents, and many other fields.
Career Path & Outcomes
Many of Hofstra’s music business graduates hold positions with prestigious employers. Others go on to pursue advanced degrees at top graduate schools (MBA or JD).
Hofstra music business graduates have been employed by:
- Warner Music Group
- Primary Wave Music
- Gold Business Management
- Universal/Republic Records
- Warner Chappell Music Publishing
- Brooklyn Bowl
- AEG Worldwide
- SoundCloud
- Creative Artists Agency
- Downtown Music Publishing
- Kobalt Music
- C3 Presents
- ROAM Artists
- Paramount
- Live Nation
- Symphonic Distribution
- Meta (Facebook/Instagram)
- Reservoir Media
- TuneCore
- Fantasy Records
- Viacom Media Networks
- Atlantic Records/Big Beat
- Ceremony of Roses/Sony Music
- ONErpm
- Vevo
- Round Hill Music
- Columbia Records
- Arista Records
- Bravado/Universal Music Group
- Interscope/Dark Room
100%
Graduates who were employed or enrolled in or planning to attend graduate school within one year after graduation
91%
Employed graduates who landed their position within six months after graduating
$49K
Mean salary for the first year following graduation for graduates in the Department of Music
Master Class Series
Hofstra’s music business program launched a master class series in 2018 focused on highly specialized topics in the music industry and taught by experts in their field. Master class topics have ranged from music supervision in commercials to tour management to beat making.
Student-Run Enterprises and Clubs
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Internships
Internships give music business majors real-world experience across NYC in artist management, marketing, promotions, publishing, touring, labels, streaming, studios, and more. Students have interned at leading companies, including Spotify, Live Nation, Atlantic Records, ASCAP, Columbia Records, Universal Music Group, Warner Music, Downtown Music Publishing, Q Prime, Mom + Pop, SESAC and more.
The Hofstra Music Business program provides students with individualized support from a dedicated internship coordinator who helps guide career development through resume and cover letter coaching, LinkedIn and outreach strategy, elevator pitch development, interview preparation, portfolio building, and internship placement support. MUSB students gain meaningful real-world experience, completing an average of 4–8 internships over the course of their four years at Hofstra.
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Office Information
Department of Music
Room 101 Joseph G. Shapiro Family Hall
Coordinator of Music Business
Terrance Tompkins
Assistant Professor
Room 107 Joseph G. Shapiro Family Hall
Audition Information
More Information on Auditions
Join one of the nation’s top music business schools designed to help you build the skills, relationships, and experience to thrive in the music industry.