FAQ

How can I pursue my interest in Music Business at Mesa Community College? 

At MCC, we offer multiple opportunities to pursue your interest in the Music Industry.  Students can enroll in just one class or pursue a complete degree of certificate program. Once you have completed the admission process, you can enroll in any class that interests you, as long as it has available seats and you have fulfilled any pre-requisites. Create a student account and enroll at My.maricopa.edu.

Which Degrees does The Music Business Program Offer? 

The MCC Music Business Program offers an innovative career and technical curriculum designed to prepare students for today’s music industry. Students can choose from several options for college completion including an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Music Business, a Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Music Business and a CCL in Disc Jockey Techniques.

The Music Business CCL and AAS degree are designed for both the performing musician and the business student with limited performing experience. This program places a particular emphasis on business and marketing, along with music industry-related courses and hands-on experiences. The CCL in Disc Jockey Techniques is geared towards performance and technical skills acquisition in addition to self-promotion and marketing for DJs.  Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all courses within these programs to attain graduation. See the program check sheets:

• AAS in Music Business 
• CCL in Music Business
• CCL in Disc Jockey Techniques

 The A.A.S. degree in Music Business is a 2-year degree and can be used to transfer to many 4-year college programs. Learn more about transfer opportunities.

Learn more about Gainful Employment for the AAS/CCL in Music Business here. Learn more about Gainful Employment for the CCL in Disc Jockey Techniques here.

What can I do with a college degree in Music Business? 

A college degree in the Music Business offers students the training needed to begin a career in a wide range of music industry positions such as:

• Professional Recording artist
• Songwriter/Composer
• Venue Owner/Manager
• Talent Buyer
• Concert Promoter
• Music Publisher
• Talent Agent
• Disc Jockey
• Recording Studio Owner/Manager
• Tour Manager
• Radio Station Promotions Manager
• Record Label Executive
• Music Marketing Executive
• Press Relations and Publicity Manager
• Music Supervisor
• Recording/Music Producer
• Music Business Attorney
• Artist Manager
• Music Products Retailer
• Music Manufacturing Rep.
• Music Instrument Developer and/or Repair Specialist
• Performing Rights executive
• Music Software Developer

Learn more about Gainful Employment for the AAS/CCL in Music Business here.  Learn more about Gainful Employment for the CCL in Disc Jockey techniques here.

What is the job outlook for a career in the Music Business? 

The employment outlook in the Music Industry is constantly changing due to the rapid development of technologies which impact the creation, distribution and marketing of music products. The Music Industry has always been a highly desirable milieu in which to earn a living. Many people are drawn to the creativity and energy of the Music Business, making it a very competitive market for finding jobs. Obtaining a degree can be helpful for those who seek employment in a corporate setting, such as a major record label, radio station, music network, digital music company, or music publisher in the role of marketing, promotions, royalty accounting, entertainment law, product development, digital services, sales, distribution, etc. 

Currently, the greatest need for traditional, 9-to-5, full-time employees is in sales, data management, financial and tax analysis, royalty accounting and management, website/mobile design and IT services, strategic business development and product development.

Many people who earn a living in the music industry work as self-employed contractors or start their own entrepreneurial music ventures. A high degree of dedication is required to succeed in the Music Industry and courses at MCC can prepare students to become successful business owners and job seekers.

Learn more about Gainful Employment for the AAS/CCL in Music Business here.

What subjects can I learn about in the Music Business Program? 

Here is a partial list:

• Music Marketing & Promotions
• Introduction to Copyright and Trademark
• Basic Music Recording Techniques
• Entrepreneurial Business Planning
• Artist Management
• Live Event Production and Promotion
• Overview of Music Business Careers
• Lyric Writing and Songwriting
• Live DJ Performance Techniques
• Music Distribution
• Self-Promotion for the Music Industry
• Basic Contract and Negotiation review

Do I need to play an instrument to enroll in the Music Business Program at MCC? 

No. The Music Business program at MCC is designed for both musicians and non-musicians. If you plan to pursue performance or songwriting classes, a basic understanding of music or proficiency on a musical instrument is highly recommended. Both the A.A.S. degree and the Certificate of Completion do require an Intro to Music Theory course, but a Music Theory Bootcamp course is offered at the beginning of every semester to help prepare students to move on in Music Theory. Students who are not pursuing a Music Business degree at MCC are not required to take music theory or performance classes.

What are the Music Business classes at MCC like? 

MCC offers a wide range of Music Business courses including business and law courses as well as hands-on workshops in Songwriting and DJ Techniques.

See Music Business course descriptions.

Who will be teaching my Music Business Courses? 

The MCC Music Business faculty is comprised of professionals currently working in the Music Industry today with clients and business interests in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, Phoenix and Europe. The faculty is dedicated to helping students succeed in their chosen careers and includes award-winning individuals in the following disciplines:

• Producer/Songwriters
• Radio/ Live DJs
• Touring & Studio Musician
• Concert Promoters
• Music Publisher
• Accountant
• Attorney
• Independent A&R

Learn more about our faculty.

How are Music Business classes offered? 

MCC offers Music Business classes in several formats including Online, In-person, Hybrid and Open Entry. Music Business classes are offered 5-7 days per week, in the Fall, Spring and Summer Semesters. Students have the option to take courses during the Day and Evening. We also offer late-start, accelerated courses and short 2-4 week workshops.

Can I take all the required courses for the Music Business degree online and/or Out-of-State? 

Out-of-State students are welcome in the program. Due to the high quality and affordability of the instruction, MCC regularly hosts students from across the country and across the globe in the Music Business program. Students may take a majority of their courses online for the A.A.S. degree or Certificate of Completion in Music Business. For out-of-state students wishing to enroll in online Music Business classes, please see the list of states in which MCC is approved to offer courses:  State Authorization for Distance Learning Internet Courses (scroll to the bottom of the page, under the "Support" section to see the link for authorized states).

At this time, the Recording Studio courses must be taken in person, either at MCC or at a qualified college in your home state. Please contact Audio Technology Program Director, Keith Heffner, keith.heffner@mesacc.edu, in order to verify that your local recording courses will transfer into MCC. In some instances, degree-seeking students may request substitution courses to be taken in place of the required Audio Production classes. Exceptions must be approved in advance by contacting the Music Business Program Director.

Can you tell me more about Internship Opportunities in the Music Business program? 

Music industry internships are required for the A.A.S. and Certification of Completion in Music Business and the CCL for Disc Jockey Techniques. MCC students have interned at a diverse range of music industry companies, both locally and nationally, including Warner Brothers Records, Disney, Clear Channel Radio, BMG, Universal Music, MTV and a variety of local music industry companies.

Learn more about Internships here.

How long will it take to complete my degree? 

This depends on whether or not you take classes on a full-time or part-time basis. Typically, If you are attending full-time (with 15+ credits per semester), it should take two years, including one-two summer sessions. There is no required timeline for completing a degree. Students can take as few as one class at a time.

What is the workload like ? 

This depends on your dedication, focus, study skills and time management skills. Many standard Lecture classes are 3 credits and, typically, include 2.5-3 hours of class-time per week for 16 weeks and an additional 6-10 hours of study and homework time. Some classes are offered online or in Hybrid, so they don't have the same in-person time requirement.

Do I need to declare a Major? 

No, at MCC, students may opt to pursue a course of study that will result in degree completion or they may select to take any class of interest on their own time schedule. It is not necessary to declare a major. If planning to complete a degree, students may find it helpful to meet with an advisor to be sure they are taking the required courses to achieve their goals: Degree; Certificate; transfer to a 4-Year College or University. When students have completed the course work required for a degree, they simply fill out a graduation application at MCC.

How can I learn more about new classes and special events offered by the Music Business program at MCC? 

MCC regularly offers new classes in response to student needs. Some recent classes that have been added to the curriculum include: New Music Production courses, Music Industry Technology Seminar,  Recording Studio Business Operations, Concert Promotion and Touring, Artist Management, Songwriting and Live DJ Techniques and DJ Open Lab.

MCC is also partnered with major industry organizations to present exciting Guest Lectures with successful Record Label Executives, Artist Managers, Promoters, Music Supervisors, Music Managers, Music Retail managers, etc. To keep in touch and learn about these new classes and events, please visit the MCC Music Business Facebook page.

Can I transfer credits into the Music Business program at MCC? 

Yes. MCC, generally, accepts transfer credits for 100 and 200 level college courses from accredited schools in the United States. All students seeking to transfer credits into the Music Business program must submit official transcripts to MCC’s Office of Admissions & Records for a formal transfer assessment. Please note that the transfer assessment can take between 4-8 weeks to complete. 

Send transcripts to:

How can I speak with an advisor? 

To prepare for program advisement, it is helpful to review the program check sheets:

• AAS in Music Business 
• CCL in Music Business
• CCL in Disc Jockey Techniques

You have several options for advising. You are welcome to meet directly with Melissa Turnbull in MCC's Advising Department. She is  well versed in the requirements for the AAS or CCL degrees for the Music Business Program. She is, generally available during regular office hours, M-F, for drop-in advising. 

During fall and spring, you are welcome to email advising questions to musicbiz@mesacc.edu.

How much is Tuition ? 

The cost of tuition depends on your residency status. In-state, In-County students, currently, pay $81.00 per credit (effective Fall 2013 semester) plus registration fees and any additional course fees. For more information, please refer to MCC's Cashier Services.

Do you offer Federal Financial Aid? How can I get more information on financial aid? 

MCC does offer Financial Aid for Music Business classes. Please visit the Financial Aid Office for more information.

How can I get more information about taking Online Courses? 

If you are new to Online or Hybrid classes, it is strongly recommended that you review the information here.