FSU Launches New Music Business Bachelor's Degree Program

The university's College of Music is expanding its offerings with a focus on the intersection of music and commerce.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Florida State University (FSU) is introducing a new Bachelor of Arts in Music Business program within its College of Music. The multidisciplinary degree is designed to equip students with skills spanning music, business, law, marketing, technology, and management, preparing them for a range of careers in the modern music and entertainment industry. The program emphasizes experiential learning and industry connections, with a curriculum tailored to roles such as artist management, music publishing, recording and production, touring, licensing, and navigating digital platforms.

Why it matters

The launch of the Music Business program reflects a broader strategic effort by FSU to align its curriculum with evolving industry demands and career pathways. This move underscores the growing recognition within higher education of the need to go beyond traditional music performance degrees and address the broader business and technological aspects of the music industry.

The details

The new degree program, housed within a newly established academic area titled Music Industry, is a collaborative effort between the College of Music, the Herbert Wertheim College of Business, and the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship. The curriculum is led by specialized teaching faculty member Alan Blanchard, who brings extensive real-world experience in artist management and a track record of releasing GRAMMY-Award winning albums. FSU has also invested in renovating its recording studio facilities to provide students with access to modern production, recording, and collaborative spaces.

  • The new Bachelor of Arts in Music Business program is currently accepting applications, with a deadline of March 1, 2026.
  • The first phase of renovations to the College of Music's recording studio facilities has recently been completed.

The players

Greg Jones

Associate dean of the College of Music at Florida State University.

Alan Blanchard

Specialized teaching faculty member in the College of Music at Florida State University, with a background in artist management and a track record of releasing GRAMMY-Award winning albums.

Todd Queen

Dean of the College of Music at Florida State University.

Welling Gordon

Specialized Teaching Faculty of Music Recording at Florida State University.

Florida State University

A public research university located in Tallahassee, Florida.

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What they’re saying

“Our partnership with the Herbert Wertheim College of Business, the Jim Moran College of Entrepreneurship, and industry collaborators is vital for building bridges to career opportunities for our students. Flexible degree programs combined with professional mentorship across the spectrum offer FSU students exciting opportunities in traditional and emerging job markets.”

— Greg Jones, Associate Dean, College of Music (newsdirectory3.com)

“I'm excited to launch this new Music Business major. I've been fortunate to have many inspiring mentors who have played a key role in shaping my career so far, and I look forward to paying that forward by mentoring students, linking them to real-world experiences, and creating meaningful, hands-on opportunities that fully immerse them in the music industry.”

— Alan Blanchard, Specialized Teaching Faculty, College of Music (newsdirectory3.com)

“The College of Music at FSU continues to be a leader in the field, offering innovative degree programs that are student-centered and providing a pathway for all students who want to pursue music as part of their career goals.”

— Todd Queen, Dean, College of Music (newsdirectory3.com)

What’s next

The new Bachelor of Arts in Music Business program at FSU will begin accepting students for the Fall 2026 semester.

The takeaway

The launch of the Music Business program at FSU reflects a growing trend in higher education to adapt music curricula to the evolving needs of the modern music industry, providing students with a multidisciplinary skillset that bridges the gap between artistic expression and commercial success.