Music Industry

Master of Science (MS)

Graduate Application Deadline

December 1

Current USC Thornton Student?
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Undergraduate Student?
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Graduate Application Requirements

This section is for all MS applicants including current USC students applying to the Music Industry program. Applications to the MS in Music Industry are accepted for fall semesters only.

Required Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • A demonstrated passion for music and music business combined with an entrepreneurial spirit

All applicants are required to submit two separate application forms:

  1. USC Application for Graduate Admission
  2. Thornton’s SlideRoom application form

The total application fee is $115 ($90 for the USC Graduate Application and $25 for the SlideRoom Media/Materials upload). All required materials must be received by December 1. Application materials will not be accepted via mail or email. If both required application forms are not submitted by the appropriate deadline, your application will be removed from consideration.

Applicants experiencing hardship or extenuating circumstances due to natural disaster or public health concerns in their local area that may affect their ability to satisfy application requirements may contact the Thornton Office of Admission at uscmusic@usc.edu to explore possible accommodations. Though we cannot guarantee that accommodations/exceptions will be possible, applicants are encouraged to contact the Admission Office as soon as possible to allow the maximum amount of time to consider the options.

Important policies for those applicants with a bachelor’s degree in Music Industry

  • Those who hold a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music Industry from USC Thornton are not eligible to apply to the Master of Science program in Music Industry at USC Thornton.
  • Those who earned a minor in Music Industry at USC Thornton are eligible to apply.
  • Those who earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Industry, Music Business, or another closely related field at another institution are strongly encouraged to review the curriculum and carefully consider the similarities and differences between the Master of Science program at USC Thornton and the degree they have already earned. It may not be advisable to pursue the Master of Science program at USC Thornton if it is very similar to an already-completed bachelor’s degree. Because application fees are not refunded at USC Thornton, prospective applicants are urged to consider these issues before submitting an application to the Master of Science program.
Applying For

Fall Admission

Auditions Required?

No.

Questions?

Email: uscmusic@usc.edu | Phone: (213)740-8986

Complete the USC Application

Applicants must complete the USC Graduate Application and submit all other application materials required by the December 1st deadline.

USC Graduate Application Fee

The application fee for the USC Graduate application is $90. Application fee waivers are available to qualified applicants, and must be requested before submitting the USC Graduate Application. If you plan to apply for a waiver of the USC Graduate Application fee, please do so at least two weeks before the application deadline. The deadline will not be extended for applicants who fail to request a fee waiver in time. Details and instructions can be found here.

Transcripts

All Thornton graduate applicants must upload transcripts into both the USC Graduate Application (Liaison) AND Thornton SlideRoom Application. The transcript submission deadline is December 1st. Please carefully read the instructions below.

Step 1– You must obtain official transcripts from the registrar’s office of each of your prior institutions before you can complete and submit the application forms. This may take some time, please plan accordingly.

Step 2– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the “Academic History” section of the USC Graduate application (Liaison).

Step 3– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the SlideRoom application where indicated.

Unofficial transcripts or documents printed from an on-line student system will not be accepted. Failure to upload scans of official transcripts in both application forms may significantly delay the release of a final admission decision.

Program Materials Section

When completing the USC Graduate application, it is important to pay special attention to the following items that you will find in the “program materials” section of the application:

  • Thornton SlideRoom portal – A link to access the Thornton SlideRoom portal will be provided in this section.
  • The Documents tab – Documents submitted in this section will not be accessible to the Thornton faculty. Thornton faculty will only be able to review documents submitted via the Thornton SlideRoom portal. In order to complete this section, you must check the box indicating that you do not wish to upload documents in this section.
  • The Questions tab – Enter your SlideRoom Confirmation number where indicated (you will receive your SlideRoom confirmation number upon submission of the SlideRoom form).
Supporting Information

It is not necessary to complete the “Supporting Information” section in the USC Graduate Application. We prefer that you upload the supplemental online portfolio, as defined above via SlideRoom instead. You will still need to upload your résumé where indicated, click through the “Supporting Information” section, and “opt-out” of submitting information there.

International Applicants

In addition to the application materials required of all applicants, international applicants must submit a statement of financial support, and certified translations of any documents (transcripts, diplomas, financial documents) not issued in English.

TOEFL or IELTS scores are required from International applicants for whom English is a second language. Please include your scores on the application form where indicated, and be sure that an official score report is sent to USC’s Graduate Admission office by the application deadline. Minimum test score requirements and other relevant information can be found in the link below.

Click here for important additional requirements and instructions for all International Applicants.

Complete the SlideRoom Portfolio

All applicants must complete the Thornton SlideRoom portfolio by the December 1st deadline.

All Thornton supplemental materials must be uploaded through SlideRoom, which you will access through the link provided in the “Program Materials” section of the USC Graduate Application.

SlideRoom Requirements

SlideRoom Application Portal

A link to the SlideRoom portal is located inside the USC Application for Graduate Admission, in the “Program Materials” Section.

The SlideRoom application fee is $25 (fee waivers are not available). Thornton supplemental materials will not be accepted via mail or email.

The SlideRoom form must be submitted before the USC Application for Graduate Admission (Applicants can start both forms and work on them at the same time). Once SlideRoom is submitted, you will need to enter your SlideRoom confirmation number into the “Questions” tab, also located in the “program materials” section of the USC Graduate application.

Statement of Purpose

You are required to submit a Statement of Purpose (400 – 550 words) that communicates your plans and goals related to the pursuit of this program. Why do you wish to pursue the MS in Music Industry degree at USC Thornton? Name at least two (2) classed offered by the Music Industry Program at USC Thornton that you anticipate taking and why?

Two Supplemental Short Essays

You are required to submit a short essay / answer (not to exceed seventy (70) words) to the following question:

Essay 1

Which of the following statements best describes you? Explain briefly why.

  • I want to be a successful artist, songwriter or producer;
  • I want to be successful in assisting artists, songwriters, or producers (who are not me) to develop their careers.

Essay 2

You are required to submit a short essay (100-350 words) for one (1) of the following prompts:

  • Is intention or perception more important in communication?
  • Global artists like BTS exemplify the power of intercultural exchange in the music industry.
  • What other artist’s approach contributes to fostering global understanding and why is it effective?
  • What do you see is the future of the music industry in regards to AI created music?
  • The soundtrack can make or break a movie. If you could put any song in a movie scene, what song would you use and describe the scene?
  • If you could host two people in the music industry for dinner (currently living), who would they be and what is your first question you would ask to each of them?
Video Recording

A video submission consisting of one (1) recording: You are required to submit a video recording in the SlideRoom media section responding to the following prompt:

  • A video (not to exceed one (1) minute) answering the following question: what will your first job be once you graduate from the Music Industry Program? How will you go about finding and securing this job?
Résumé

The résumé is generally 1-2 pages in length and should focus on the following:

  • Education- emphasizing your academic history
  • Professional endeavors: identify work, internships, and/or volunteer positions
  • Extra-curricular activities: identify activities beyond your classes
  • Leadership: identify leadership roles you may have held as part of any of your previous experience(s)
Transcripts

All Thornton graduate applicants must upload transcripts into both the USC Graduate Application (Liaison) AND Thornton SlideRoom Application. The transcript submission deadline is December 1st. Please carefully read the instructions below.

Step 1– You must obtain official transcripts from the registrar’s office of each of your prior institutions before you can complete and submit the application forms. This may take some time, please plan accordingly.

Step 2– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the SlideRoom application where indicated.

Step 3– Upload Scans (PDF format) of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended into the “Academic History” section of the USC Graduate application (Liaison).

Unofficial transcripts or documents printed from an on-line student system will not be accepted. Failure to upload scans of official transcripts in both application forms may significantly delay the release of a final admission decision.

Letters of Recommendation

You must submit at least one (1) letter of recommendation for the Music Industry program portfolio. Letters of recommendation for the Music Industry program may be from teachers, mentors, or people who know you well, either within or outside of your former school. The letters should give additional context or information to support your admission that is not already provided in your application or other submitted documents (e.g. résumé, transcripts).

Recommendation letters are to be submitted online through the Thornton SlideRoom portal via the “References” section by December 1. We cannot guarantee the review of any material received after December 1.

Consent Form

Applicants to the Thornton School will be required to complete and upload the following form in SlideRoom:

Slideroom Media Troubleshooting Tips

For helpful Slideroom media upload troubleshooting tips, please click here.