USC Music Industry
Transfer Requirements and Classes
The major preparation USC lists for Music Industry transfers starts with WRIT 150, WRIT 340 and ACCT 410x; the full list is below.
81 California community colleges have a current transfer agreement with USC for this major. Pick yours below to see which of its classes count.
Your community college
Which classes count at your community college?
Pick your college to see its class for each USC requirement.
Major Requirements
USC Music Industry Major Preparation
The courses USC lists as Music Industry major preparation for transfer applicants, for the 2026-27 academic year. Course numbers are USC's own; pick your community college above to see the matching class there.
Writing
Complete all of these
- WRIT 150 Writing and Critical Reasoning–Thematic Approaches
- WRIT 340 Advanced Writing and Critical Engagement
Business Related Courses (12 units)
Required
- ACCT 410x Foundations of Accounting
Any 4 unit ECON course
Complete all of these
- BAEP 450 Fundamentals of Entrepreneurship
- BAEP 451 The Management of New Enterprises
Program Intensive Courses (27 units)
Complete all of these
- MPPM 100 Forum
- MTEC 175 Fundamentals of Audio Recording
- MTEC 176 Critical Listening
- MUIN 270 Introduction to the Music Industry
- MUIN 360 Introduction to Music Law
- MUIN 370 Music Publishing and Licensing
- MUIN 425 Live Music Production and Promotion
- MUIN 497 Current Topics, Case Studies, and Analysis
- MUIN 475 Advanced Concert Management
- MUIN 495 Web Design for the Music Industry
- MUIN 496 Music Media Solutions
- MTEC 477 Remote Recording Techniques
- MTEC 478 Advanced Multichannel Remix
- MTEC 479 Audio Mastering
- MTEC 486 Computer-Assisted Music Editing for Picture
- MTEC 493 Audio Signal Processing Equipment
Complete 12 units from these
- MUIN 280 Communications in the Music Industry
- MUIN 430 Artist Management and Development
- MUIN 443 The Business of Music for Visual Media
- MUIN 444 Music Supervision
- MUIN 445 International Music Industry
Complete 8 units from these
- MTEC 245 Introduction to MIDI Sequencing
- MTEC 246 Introduction to Audio Recording and Editing
- MTEC 248 Introduction to Music Notation
- MTEC 275 Fundamentals of Audio Engineering
- MTEC 389 Digital Equipment and Recording
- MTEC 392a Acoustics and Speaker Design
- MTEC 442 Operation of the Radio Studio
- MTEC 443 Desktop Music Production
- MTEC 446a Computer Assisted Recording and Editing
- MTEC 446b Computer Assisted Recording and Editing
Complete 4 units from these
- BUAD 307 Marketing Fundamentals
- MUIN 410 Marketing, Branding and Strategic Alliances in Music
- MUIN 420 DIY Music Marketing
Complete 4 units from these
- MPPM 350g A History of Popular Music
- MUHL 250g Music and Ideas
- MUHL 350g Western Art Music History I
- MUHL 351 Western Art Music History II
- MUJZ 350g A History of Jazz Music
- MUSC 102gw World Music
- MUSC 115gp Western Music as Sounding History
- MUSC 200gmw The Broadway Musical: Reflections of American Diversity
- MUSC 210g Electronic Music and Dance Culture
- MUSC 250gmw The Music of Black Americans
- MUSC 320gmw Hip-hop Music and Culture
- MUSC 371g Musical Genre Bending
- MUSC 372g Music and Politics
- MUSC 373g Writing About Popular Music
- MUSC 423 Classic Rock: Popular Music of the Sixties and Seventies
- MUSC 424 Iconic Figures of Popular Music
- MUSC 444 American Roots Music: History and Culture
- MUSC 460 Film Music: History and Function from 1930 to the Present
- MUSC 465 Music, Television and American Culture
Complete 6 units from these
- MPGU 120a Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar
- MPGU 120b Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar
- MPGU 120c Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar
- MPGU 121 Intensive Beginning Pop/Rock Guitar
- MPKS 150a Beginning Piano
- MPKS 150b Beginning Piano
- MPPM 240 Drumming Proficiency for the Popular Musician
- MPPM 250 Keyboard Proficiency for the Popular Musician
- MPPM 340 Intermediate Drum Set Proficiency
- MPVA 141 Class Voice
- MPVA 241 Intermediate Class Voice
- MUCO 101x Fundamentals of Music Theory
- MUCO 130ax Basics of Music Theory
- MUCO 130bx Basics of Music Theory
- MUSC 255 Songwriting I
- MUSC 355 Songwriting II
- MUSC 455 Songwriting III: The Performing Songwriter
Capstone Projects (2 units)
Complete all of these
- MUIN 498a Final Capstone Project
- MUIN 498b Final Capstone Project
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Does USC have a Music Industry major for transfer students?
Yes. USC offers Music Industry and lists the major preparation it expects transfer applicants to complete.
What classes do I need to transfer to USC for Music Industry?
USC's Music Industry major preparation includes WRIT 150, WRIT 340, ACCT 410x, BAEP 450, BAEP 451 and MPPM 100, with more courses in the list on this page. Pick your community college on this page to see which of its classes match.
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