The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Herb Alpert School of Music has taken a monumental stride by introducing a groundbreaking Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) music industry degree, set to commence this fall, with the official announcement made on October 3.

Distinguished as the sole program of its kind within the University of California system, this innovative degree program is designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge necessary for thriving careers in artist and label management, publicity, financial management, live music promotion, cutting-edge digital marketing, music supervision, music publishing and licensing, and a multitude of other opportunities. The program will also infuse creative guidance on audio technology, musicianship, songwriting, and production. Students will have the privilege of being taught by a faculty mix, comprising both seasoned UCLA instructors and industry experts.

This B.A. initiative is a natural evolution from the School of Music's well-received undergraduate minor program. A press release emphasizes the remarkable fact that over a quarter of all music industry job postings in the United States are in California, with seven of the top ten cities employing music professionals located within 50 miles of UCLA's Westwood campus. Additionally, this program acknowledges the current trends in the music industry, such as emerging global markets, groundbreaking streaming algorithms, generative artificial intelligence, and the wave of musical activism.

Eileen Strempel, the inaugural dean of the Herb Alpert School of Music, spoke about the school's mission: "Our goal and responsibility is to empower a diverse community of exceptional students as next-generation transformational thinkers in the music industry. The success of our previous programs built our credibility and infrastructure, while providing us the time to assemble a powerful 12-member advisory board chaired by Warner Records visionary Tom Corson to guide us in building this new major’s curriculum."

What sets UCLA's music industry degree apart from its peers is the incorporation of direct skill development through internships, apprenticeships, and student-led projects into the comprehensive liberal arts curriculum of a major research institution. Robert Fink, founding chair of the school's music industry degree program, underlines that students will be challenged to critically assess the transformative effects the music industry and technology have had on musical practices worldwide.

Warner Records co-chairman/COO Tom Corson, who is set to chair the dean's board of advisors at the school, stated, "UCLA’s School of Music is closely affiliated with our industry and knows it well. Every business needs people who have the passion and the training that this program will provide. We need future professionals who’ve seriously considered many aspects of the music industry — cultural impact, creative innovation, and operational reality — and bring a fresh, informed point of view to the business."

The permanent faculty at The Herb Alpert School of Music includes distinguished members like Thomas Hodgson, specializing in data science, algorithmic justice, and the global music business; Catherine Provenzano, a leading figure in new technologies; and David MacFayden, an expert in Soviet popular music, offering valuable insights into the understanding of new music distribution models and economic value. In addition, students will have the privilege of learning from industry professionals such as the renowned songwriter Amy Kuney, known for her work with artists like Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert, and Akon, and Lauren Spalding, co-founder of Femme House, a nonprofit collective committed to forging fresh opportunities for women, gender-expansive, BIPOC, and LGBTQIA+ creatives.