2025-2026 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Performing Arts Industry
The Bachelor of Science in performing arts industry degree provides a course of study for students interested in study of either music or theatre in conjunction with study in public and nonprofit administration. Performing arts industry study is geared for students interested in working within the arts field as administrators, presenters, businesspeople, or any of the myriad options beyond performance or education. The B.S. degree requires a cognate of STA 215 as well as two courses from the listed options. The culmination event of the B.S. is an internship experience within the student's chosen field guided by a faculty advisor. Students electing a B.S. in performing arts industry must complete the public and nonprofit requirements as well as either the music or theatre core sequence, planned with the approval of a faculty advisor in the department. Students will complete 24 credits of public and nonprofit administration courses, and then either 39 Credits in music, or 50 Credits in theatre depending on their area of focus. Please note, students entering the music focus of this degree program are required to complete a music major audition.
Bachelor of Science in Performing Arts Industry - Public and Nonprofit Administration Requirements
Required of all students in arts industry program.
Core Sequence
- PLS 102 - Issues in U.S. Politics (3 credits)
- PNH 101 - Public and Nonprofit Organizations in Action (3 credits)
- PNH 335 - Grant Writing (3 credits)
- PNH 360 - Voluntarism and the Nonprofit Sector (3 credits)
- PNH 376 - Public Personnel Policy and Administration (3 credits)
- PNH 420 - Organization Theory and Dynamics (3 credits)
Choose one of the following four courses
- PNH 307 - Local Politics and Administration (3 credits)
- MKT 300 - Fundamentals of Marketing for Nonbusiness Majors (3 credits)
- PNH 120 - Organizing to Make a Difference (3 credits)
- PNH 390 - Leadership Dynamics (3 credits)
B.S. Cognate Required
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- Select one of the following:
- Select one of the following:
Total: 33 credits
Requirements for a Major in Performing Arts Industry - Music
Major Ensembles (4 credits)
Choose from the following. Each can be taken more than once for credit.
- MUS 101 - University Singers (1 credit)
- MUS 102 - Concert Band (1 credit)
- MUS 103 - Grand Valley Symphony Orchestra (1 credit)
- MUS 104 - Chamber Music Ensembles (0.5 credits)
- MUS 105 - Grand Valley Jazz Ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 107 - Grand Valley Marching Band (1 credit)
- MUS 108 - New Music Ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 109 - Anima Vocal Ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 110 - Early Music Ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 112 - Wind Symphony (1 credit)
- MUS 117 - Grand Valley University Arts Chorale (1 credit)
Applied Music (4 credits)
- MUS 141 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 142 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 241 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
- MUS 242 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
Music Theory (12 credits)
- MUS 130 - Music Theory I (3 credits)
- MUS 131 - Music Theory II (3 credits)
- MUS 230 - Music Theory III (3 credits)
- MUS 231 - Music Theory IV (3 credits)
Keyboard Musicianship (2 credits)
Aural Perception and Sight-Singing (2 credits)
- MUS 133 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing I (1 credit)
- MUS 134 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing II (1 credit)
Music Literature (6 credits)
- MUS 119 - Survey of Music Literature I (3 credits)
- MUS 120 - Survey of Music Literature II (3 credits)
Music Electives (6 credits)
Choose from the following:
- MUS 218 - World Music (3 credits)
- MUS 219 - Jazz History (3 credits)
- MUS 300 - From Rag to Rock - Exploring American Music (3 credits)
- MUS 302 - Music: Medieval and Renaissance Eras (3 credits)
- MUS 304 - Music: Classical Era (3 credits)
- MUS 305 - Music: 19th Century (3 credits)
- MUS 306 - Music from 1900-1960 (3 credits)
- MUS 308 - Music History Seminar (3 credits)
- MUS 310 - Piano Literature (2 credits)
- MUS 320 - Introduction to Conducting (2 credits)
- MUS 330 - Instrumentation/Orchestration (3 credits)
- MUS 333 - Form and Analysis in Western Music (3 credits)
- MUS 380 - Special Topics in Music (1 to 4 credits)
- FINAL PROJECT 3 CREDITS
Final Project - 3 Credits
Total: 39 Credits
Suggested Order of Coursework for a major in Arts Industry - Music
Year One
Fall Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 130 - Music Theory I (3 credits)
- MUS 133 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing I (1 credit)
- MUS 141 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 263 - Keyboard Musicianship I (1 credit)
- PLS 102 - Issues in U.S. Politics (3 credits)
Winter Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 131 - Music Theory II (3 credits)
- MUS 134 - Aural Perception and Sight-Singing II (1 credit)
- MUS 142 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Freshman (1 credit)
- MUS 264 - Keyboard Musicianship II (1 credit)
Year Two
Fall Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 119 - Survey of Music Literature I (3 credits)
- MUS 230 - Music Theory III (3 credits)
- MUS 241 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
- PNH 101 - Public and Nonprofit Organizations in Action (3 credits)
Winter Semester
- Major ensemble (1 credit)
- MUS 120 - Survey of Music Literature II (3 credits)
- MUS 231 - Music Theory IV (3 credits)
- MUS 242 - Private Instruction in Voice and Instruments - Sophomore (1 credit)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
Year Three
Fall Semester
- Music electives (3 credits)
- PNH 335 - Grant Writing (3 credits)
- PNH 360 - Voluntarism and the Nonprofit Sector (3 credits)
- B.S. Cognate Elective
Winter Semester
- Music electives (3 credits)
- B.S. Cognate Elective
Year Four
Fall Semester
- PNH 376 - Public Personnel Policy and Administration (3 credits)
- PNH 420 - Organization Theory and Dynamics (3 credits)
- PNH/MKT Elective (3 credits)
Winter Semester
Requirements for a Major in Performing Arts Industry - Theatre
Core Courses
Design/Tech/Management Area Requires eight credits, including two of the following:
- THE 250 - Theatre Management (3 credits)
- THE 261 - Stagecraft I (3 credits)
- THE 262 - Costume Construction (3 credits)
- AND two (one-credit) sections of THE 298:
Theatre Studies Area Requires 12 credits, including:
- THE 161 - Theatre Production (3 credits)
- THE 162 - Play Analysis (3 credits)
- THE 371 - Theatre History I (3 credits)
- THE 372 - Theatre History II (3 credits)
- Performance Area Requires nine credits, including:
- THE 151 - Acting Process (3 credits)
- THE 252 - Acting Characterization (3 credits)
- THE 365 - Directing I (3 credits)
Advanced Theatre Study
Requires six credits, including two of the following (one must be a design course selected from THE 367, THE 368, or THE 369):
- THE 362 - Production Dramaturgy (3 credits)
- THE 367 - Scenography (3 credits)
- THE 368 - Lighting Design (3 credits)
- THE 369 - Costume Design (3 credits)
- THE 465 - Directing II (3 credits)
Final Project (3 credits)
Elective Courses
Requires 12 credits. Electives must be taken in addition to courses taken in the theatre core. Courses not selected to fulfill the theatre core may be taken as electives once core requirements are met. Elective credit for THE 298 is available only after completing tech lab requirement.
- THE 152 - Voice for the Actor (3 credits)
- THE 198 - Rehearsal and Performance (1 to 3 credits)
- THE 250 - Theatre Management (3 credits)
- THE 261 - Stagecraft I (3 credits)
- THE 262 - Costume Construction (3 credits)
- THE 263 - Makeup (2 credits)
- THE 298 - Applied Theatre Practice (1 to 3 credits)
- THE 300 - Storytelling (3 credits)
- THE 325 - Theatre for Social Change (3 credits)
- THE 356 - Acting for the Camera (3 credits)
- THE 362 - Production Dramaturgy (3 credits)
- THE 366 - Drama in Education (3 credits)
- THE 367 - Scenography (3 credits)
- THE 368 - Lighting Design (3 credits)
- THE 369 - Costume Design (3 credits)
- THE 380 - Special Topics in Theatre (1 to 3 credits)
- THE 399 - Independent Study (1 to 3 credits)
- THE 400 - Touring Theatre Production (3 credits)
- THE 454 - Acting Advanced Scene Study (3 credits)
- THE 455 - Shakespeare Performance (3 credits)
- THE 465 - Directing II (3 credits)
- THE 490 - Internship (1 to 6 credits)
- THE 499 - Independent Research (1 to 3 credits)
Total: 50 credits
Suggested Order of Coursework for a major in Arts Industry - Theatre
The following guidelines are for completing the theatre major. Students should verify specific major requirements with their advisor. This option assumes students will complete the required skills, general education, and required courses working toward a B.S. degree. Theatre students are encouraged to avoid taking evening courses where possible, due to rehearsal conflicts in the cocurricular theatre program.
Year One
Fall
- THE 151 - Acting Process (3 credits)
- THE 161 - Theatre Production (3 credits) (fulfills the general education Foundations Arts category and is required for the theatre major)
Winter
Year Two
Fall
- THE 252 - Acting Characterization (3 credits)
- THE 298 - Applied Theatre Practice (1 to 3 credits)
- PNH 101 - Public and Nonprofit Organizations in Action (3 credits)
- STA 215 - Introductory Applied Statistics (3 credits)
- Theatre Elective (3 credits)
Winter
- THE 298 - Applied Theatre Practice (1 to 3 credits)
- Theatre Elective (3 credits)
- Two of the following:
To Complete the Theatre Sequence Years Three and Four
Year Three
Fall
- THE 362 - Production Dramaturgy (3 credits)
- THE 369 - Costume Design (3 credits)
- Theatre Elective (3 credits) Winter:
- THE 365 - Directing I (3 credits)
- THE 371 - Theatre History I (3 credits)
- Theatre Elective (3 credits)
Year Four
Fall
Winter
To complete the Performing Arts Industry Sequence Years Three and Four
Year Three
Fall
- PNH 335 - Grant Writing (3 credits)
- PNH 360 - Voluntarism and the Nonprofit Sector (3 credits)
- B.S. Cognate Elective (3 credits)
Year Three
Winter
- B.S. Cognate Elective (3 credits)
Year Four
Fall
- PNH 376 - Public Personnel Policy and Administration (3 credits)
- PNH 420 - Organization Theory and Dynamics (3 credits)
- PNH/MKT Elective (3 credits)
Year Four
Winter Semester