Bachelor's in Commercial Music Curriculum

Prepare for a thriving career in the competitive music industry through Nova Southeastern University's comprehensive Bachelor of Arts in Commercial Music curriculum. From core music studies and ensemble performance to specialized electives in songwriting, film scoring, and music technology, our curriculum fosters critical thinking, creative expression, and the practical skills necessary to excel as a commercial music professional.

Bachelor's in Commercial Music Requirements

General Education Requirements

Students are required to complete 30 credit hours as part of the General Education Program.

Commercial Music Major Requirements Students are required to complete 49 credit hours as part of the Commercial Music Program. See the curriculum below for details. 
Core Courses (59 credits)  
Credits
MUSC 1060
Applied Instruction (MUSC 1060 / Credits: 2 )
2
MUSC 1250
Piano II (MUSC 1250 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 1700
Musicianship I (MUSC 1700 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 1725
Aural Skills I (MUSC 1725 / Credits: 1 )
1
MUSC 1900
Musicianship II (MUSC 1900 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 1925
Aural Skills II (MUSC 1925 / Credits: 1 )
1
MUSC 2000
Choral Ensemble (1 Credit Repeated 8 Times) (MUSC 2000 / Credits: 1 )
1
or MUSC 2025
Instrumental Ensemble (1 Credit Repeated 8 Times) (or MUSC 2025 / Credits: 1 )
1
MUSC 2060
Applied Instruction II (MUSC 2060 / Credits: 2 )
2
MUSC 2200
Software Music Production (MUSC 2200 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 2900
Introduction to the Music Industry (MUSC 2900 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 2960
Creating Commercial Music (MUSC 2960 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 3025
Songwriting (MUSC 3025 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 3060
Applied Instruction III (MUSC 3060 / Credits: 2 )
2
MUSC 3200
Studio Recording (MUSC 3200 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 3300
Western Art Music (MUSC 3300 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 3600
Music of World Cultures (MUSC 3600 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 3600
Music of World Cultures (MUSC 3600 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 3900
Popular Music in Western Culture (MUSC 3900 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 3950
Music for Film (MUSC 3950 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 4060
Applied Instruction IV (MUSC 4060 / Credits: 2 )
2
MUSC 4000
Music Practicum (1 Credit Repeated 2 Times) (MUSC 4000 / Credits: 1 )
1
MUSC 4200
Music Post-Production (MUSC 4200 / Credits: 3 )
3
Music Creation Electives (Choose 3 Credits) 
Credits
MUSC 4800
Orchestration, Arranging, and Notation (MUSC 4800 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 4850
Scoring for Visual Media (MUSC 4850 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 4900
Special Topics in Music (MUSC 4900 / Credits: 3 )
3
MUSC 4950
Internship in Music (MUSC 4950 / Credits: 3 )
3

The Bachelor of Arts degree requires at least 24 credits of coursework from the following disciplines: ARTS, DANC, FILM, HIST, HUMN, LITR, MUSC, PHIL, and THEA, as well as an intermediate degree of competency in a foreign language (generally, a minimum of 6 credits or another demonstration of competency).

The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the NSU Undergraduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university, unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.

4-Year Plan of Study


See the entire program at a glance. The four-year plan of study will assist you in planning your future at NSU. It presents an overall idea of the order in which courses might be taken in a four-year plan during a student's college career.