In the second year, students deepen their understanding of the art and business of creating and selling recorded music. Students have the opportunity to study the “artist,” how musical talent is identified and cultivated, how material is selected and arranged, how a complete album is constructed in the studio and how the audience and artist have historically influenced each other. Upon completion of a second year review, students work closely with their faculty advisor to develop a personalized course of study focusing on their area of interest.
During the third and fourth years, students may pursue advanced level study in business, production, history & criticism, or musicianship via courses offered through the department, as well as through the Stern School of Business, Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development, and the College of Arts and Sciences. Also, during their third year, students have the opportunity to study abroad in one of Tisch's study abroad programs, or participate in the department’s required internship program.
The final year culminates with the Capstone Project in which students develop a full creative plan to launch themselves as entrepreneurs. Projects have included launching a record label, creating a production company, developing a new media company, and starting an innovative music venue.
As is the case with all Tisch programs, professional training is combined with a solid liberal arts education. In addition to the 58 points taken within the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music, students are expected to earn a total of 44 general education points in courses offered by Tisch and the College of Arts and Science. Students also complement their study with 26 points in elective courses taken in the areas of their interest.
Internship Opportunites
Students have the opportunity to complete an industry internship at an established, institutional record company such as Universal or Mercury Records; an independent production company such as Epitaph Records; a trade publication such as Billboard or Impact; a trade broadcast company such as VH1 or MTV; or a music recording association such as the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), the National Association of Recording Merchandisers (NARM), or the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The B.F.A. Curriculum
B.F.A Total Credits: 128
REQUIRED COURSES ARE LISTED BELOW IN CAPS
- History & Criticism Courses
- Business Courses
- Production Courses
- Musicianship & Performance Courses
- Colloquia
- History & Criticism Courses
- H85.1201 - RECORD PRODUCER AS CREATIVE ARTIST
- H85.1203 - ARTISTS & AUDIENCES
- H85.1196 - WRITING ABOUT POPULAR MUSIC
- H85.1099 - The Songbooks of Lennon and McCartney, Dylan, Mitchell, and Simon
- H85.1190 - Music & Fashion: Glam, Punk, Hip-Hop and Beyond
- H85.1194 - Hip-Hop History, Music and Culture
- H85.1195 - The Beatles
- H85.1198 - Rock Music in Historical Context
- H85.1199 - Music & Politics in the 1960s
- H85.1204 - Music Moguls
- H85.1132 - Topics: Def Jam
- H85.1187 - The Soundtrack Auteur
- H85.1110 - Topics: Cuba
- H85.1113 - Topics: Jamaica
- H85.1108 - Topics: Latino NY
- H85.1111 - Topics: Miles Davis
- H85.1107 - Topics: Punk
- H85.1112 - Topics: Rock Musicals
- H85.1131 - Topics: The Electronic Avant-Garde
- H85.1109 - Topics: The History and Culture of Record Players from Edison to the iPod
- H85.1133 - Topics: The Island Records Story
- H85.1129 - Topics: The Motown Legacy
- H85.1130 - Topics: Nirvana
- H85.1116 - Topics: Aretha Franklin and Soul Music
- H95.1281 - Topics: Bhangra, Bollywood and Beyond
- H85.1150 - Music Recommendation and Discovery: History, Criticism & Culture
- Business Courses
- H85.1202 - INTRO TO MUSIC BUSINESS
- H85.1037 - INTERNSHIP/CAREER SKILLS FOR THE MUSIC ENTREPRENEUR
- H85.1205 - MUSIC MARKETING
- H85.1272 - ENTREPRENEURSHIP: DEVELOPING THE MUSIC BUSINESS VENTURE
- H85.1006 - Artist Development Lab
- H85.1250 - Branding
- H85.1251 - The Basics of Branding
- H85.1104 - Constructing a Record Label
- H85.1161 - Music Business Seminar: A & R
- H85.1160 - Music Business Seminar: Publicity
- H85.1223 - Contracts & Dealmaking
- H85.1222 - Legal Issues in Recorded Music
- H85.1140 - Producing the Visual Image in Recorded Music
- H85.1170 - Women as Entrepreneurs in Popular Music
- H85.1230 - Understanding New Media
- H85.1229 - The International Music Business Marketplace
- H85.1320 - Curating Live Music Events
- H85.1239 - The Business of Electronic & Dance Music
- H85.1260 - The Business of Artist Management
- Production Courses
- H85.1040 - ENGINEERING THE RECORD I
- H85.1041 - ENGINEERING THE RECORD II
- H85.1020 - FUNDAMENTALS OF AUDIO WORKSTATIONS I
- H85.1021 - FUNDAMENTALS OF AUDIO WORKSTATIONS II
- H85.1003 - PRODUCING THE RECORD: SIDE A
- H85.1004 - PRODUCING THE RECORD: SIDE B
- H85.1022 - PRODUCING MUSIC WITH SOFTWARE & MIDI I
- H85.1023 - PRODUCING MUSIC WITH SOFTWARE & MIDI II
- H85.1014 - 30-Second Music Production
- H85.1012 - Advanced Music Production
- H85.1010 - Capstone Studio Production: Directed Study
- H85.1013 - Advanced Engineering
- H85.1089 - Film Music Workshop
- H85.1060 - Mastering the Record
- H85.1051 - Mixing the Record
- H85.1009 - Beats & Beatmaking
- H85.1710 - Pro Tools for Educators
- H85.1720 - Music Technology for Educators: Music Software and Digital Workstations
- H85.1730 - Music Technology for Educators: Practical Recording in the Classroom
- H85.1120 - Topics: Studio Acoustics, Construction, & Design
- H85.1188 - Music for Film & TV
- H85.1015 - Hardwired: Creating Electronica
- H85.1005 - Live Studio Recording Intensive
- H85.1052 - Mix Intensive




















