Overview
To prepare the next generation of media professionals for the contemporary popular music landscape, the Bachelor of Arts in Audio and Live Entertainment (ALE) is located at the intersection of music, media, live events, and business. Housed in the Department of Media Studies and Production, the ALE curriculum involves coursework in the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication, the School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management, the Boyer College of Music and Dance, and the Fox School of Business and Management.
Popular music is, now more than ever, part of the media landscape, and those earning their livelihoods in the popular music industries have never been more heavily invested in and dependent on media to provide sources of revenue.
Record labels license recordings to streaming media platforms to provide fans access to the songs and artists they love; performing artists mount increasingly elaborate and immersive live music experiences for their fans; and even corporate events have grown increasingly media intensive. Social media provide artists channels for connecting with potential audiences, and the number of popular music-oriented media properties (e.g., The Masked Singer, Bob Marley: One Love, etc.) continues to increase.
ALE is designed to help develop skilled and savvy professionals to create, distribute, manage, and monetize it all.
This program is ideal for students aspiring to be content creators; artist managers; concert promoters; tour managers; recording, mixing, mastering, or live sound engineers; A&R reps; media entrepreneurs; publishers; or recording artists. Our students are immersed in the conception, creation, distribution, management and marketing of recorded music, concerts, festivals, podcasts, audiobooks, nightclub performances, and more.
Campus Location: Main
Program Code: CO-ALE-BA
Contact Information
Jack Klotz, Director of Audio and Live Entertainment
Annenberg Hall, Room 205
215-204-5823
jack.klotz@temple.edu
Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Audio and Live Entertainment.
These requirements are for students who matriculated in academic year 2024-2025. Students who matriculated prior to fall 2024 should refer to the Archives to view the requirements for their Bulletin year.
Summary of Requirements
The degree of Bachelor of Arts may be conferred upon a student majoring in Audio and Live Entertainment (ALE) by the recommendation of the faculty and upon satisfactory completion of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher overall and in the major.
Students must meet:
- University requirements
- All students are required to complete the General Education (GenEd) curriculum.
- All students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive (WI) courses in the major at Temple University. Whenever possible, it is recommended that students select these WI courses from courses that directly satisfy a specific ALE requirement to ease the path to program completion.
- Lew Klein College of Media and Communication requirements, including KLN 1001 and KLN 1002.
- Minimum of 47 credits in the major / maximum of 68 credits in the major (total of MSP, MUST, HRM, LGLS, SGM, and STHM).
- Each course that fulfills a requirement for the major must be passed with a C- or better.
- All prerequisites must be met unless exempted in writing.
- No more than 23 transfer credits may be applied to the Audio and Live Entertainment major.
- Total number of credits taken in internship, practicum, independent study, and independent project courses may not exceed 12 credits total.
Audio and Live Entertainment Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Courses 1 | ||
| MSP 1701 | Introduction to Media Production | 3 |
| MUST 1701 | Music Theory for Non-Music Majors | 2 |
| or MUST 1711 | Theory I | |
| MSP 2663 | The Recording Industry and Music Business | 3 |
| Music and Media History | ||
| Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3 | |
| History of Electronic Media (WI) | ||
| History of Pop | ||
| Audio Production | ||
| Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Audio for Media | ||
| Sound Recording | ||
| Entertainment Industries Fundamentals | ||
| Select a minimum of one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Media Business | ||
| Foundations of Experience Design and Management | ||
| Professional Development Requirements | ||
| MSP 4039 | Senior Seminar 2 | 3 |
| Select one of the following Experiential Learning Options: 3 | 3-4 | |
| Recording Industry Practicum | ||
| Internship | ||
| Professional Focus Courses | ||
| Select a minimum of 24 credit hours from the following courses, including no more than two (2) courses at the 1000 or 2000 level. 3 | 24 | |
| In Audio and Live Entertainment | ||
| Music Publishing | ||
| Artist Management | ||
| International Studies in Media and Communication | ||
| Advanced Live Sound | ||
| In Media Studies and Production | ||
| Introduction to Internet Studies and Web Authoring | ||
| Marketing Music and Media | ||
| Sound for Visual Media | ||
| Studio Music Recording Techniques | ||
| Live Sound Production | ||
| Podcast and Radio Production | ||
| Creating a Media Business | ||
| Art and Business of Recording | ||
| Recording Industry Practicum | ||
| Communication in Media Organizations | ||
| Emergent Media Production | ||
| Audio Mixing | ||
| Audio Mastering | ||
| In the School of Sport, Tourism, and Hospitality Management | ||
| Foundations of Event and Entertainment Management | ||
| Business of Social Events and Weddings | ||
| Event and Entertainment Operations | ||
| Event and Entertainment Revenues | ||
| Entertainment Management | ||
| Digital Portfolio Creation | ||
| The Event Experience | ||
| Marketing in Tourism and Hospitality (WI) | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Tourism, Hospitality and Event Management (WI) | ||
Note: STHM 2401, STHM 3425, STHM 3428, and STHM 4415 combine for an Event and Entertainment Management Certificate in STHM that is available to ALE students. Limiting electives to 30 credits will provide sufficient space to complete this certificate without counting any course for more than one requirement. | ||
Note also: STHM 2401, STHM 3424, STHM 3425, STHM 3428, STHM 3429, and STHM 4415 combine for an Event and Entertainment Management Minor in STHM that is available to ALE students. Limiting electives to 24 credits will provide sufficient space to complete this minor without counting any course for more than one requirement. | ||
| In the Boyer College of Music and Dance | ||
| Music Theory for Non-Music Majors II | ||
| Sound Recording | ||
| Sound Editing | ||
| Advanced Audio Production | ||
| Introduction to Music Technology for Non-Majors | ||
Note also: The Boyer College of Music and Dance welcomes ALE students to participate in Boyer’s non-major, non-auditioned ensembles: OWLchestra, Temple University Night Owls Campus Community Band (TUNO), Temple University Swinging Owls 6 & 8, and Temple University Singing Owls Community Choir. | ||
| In the Fox School of Business | ||
| Business Communications | ||
| Leadership and Organizational Management | ||
| Entertainment Law | ||
| Entrepreneurial and Innovative Thinking | ||
| Lean Startup: Fast and Inexpensive Ways to Test and Launch Your Ideas | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 47-49 | |
- 1
Foundation courses must be completed within the first 45 credits at Temple University. Students transferring into Temple must complete at least one Audio and Live Entertainment foundation course at Temple, unless exempted in writing by the chair of the department.
- 2
Taken during final 30 credits.
- 3
It is recommended that these are chosen in consultation with an Advisor.
Note: Courses offered in various categories can only be counted once.
About the Professional Development Requirements
The academic experience for all Audio and Live Entertainment majors culminates with the Professional Development requirements, which include MSP 4039 Senior Seminar (3 s.h.) and one of the Experiential Learning Options (3-4 credits). Together, these courses provide students with hands-on and practical training in the field while allowing them the opportunity to explore their potential professional futures.
Experiential Learning Option: MSP 4785 Internship
Internship opportunities exist locally (at virtually every media-oriented organization in the greater Philadelphia region), nationally (in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and other U.S. media markets), and internationally (in London, Dublin, Paris, Barcelona, Hong Kong, and Tokyo through the Lew Klein College of Media and Communication's Global Opportunities Program and Temple's Education Abroad Office). Students who wish to enroll in a second internship as an elective can take MSP 4786 for 1 to 3 credit hours. NOTE: To be eligible for an internship, students must obtain an appropriate internship placement for the term of registration (assistance is available), have Junior or Senior standing, a minimum GPA of 3.00, have completed all three ALE foundation courses with a minimum grade of C-, and official approval by the MSP Internship Coordinator via submission of the Internship Verification Form, and once determined eligible, the Site Verification Form.
Suggested Academic Plan
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
Bachelor of Arts in Audio and Live Entertainment
Suggested Plan for New Students Starting in the 2024-2025 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MSP 1701 | Introduction to Media Production | 3 |
| MUST 1701 or MUST 1711 | Music Theory for Non-Music Majors or Theory I | 2 |
| ENG 0802 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] or Analytical Reading and Writing: ESL [GW] or Honors Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| KLN 1001 | Klein First-Year Seminar | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| MSP 2663 | The Recording Industry and Music Business | 3 |
| ALE Audio Production Requirement | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| KLN 1002 | Klein College Introduction to Professional Development | 1 |
| ALE or Non-ALE Electives | 3-2 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 1) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Music & Media History Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| IH 0851 or IH 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] or Honors Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Quantitative Literacy Course [GQ] | 4 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 2) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Entertainment Industries Fundamentals Requirement | 3 | |
| IH 0852 or IH 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] or Honors Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 3) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 4) 1 | 3 | |
| Non-ALE Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 5) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 6) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE or Non-ALE Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 7) 1 | 3 | |
| MSP 4039 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| ALE or Non-ALE Electives | 9 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 8) 1 | 3 | |
| Experiential Learning Option (Internship or Practicum) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Non-ALE Electives | 10-9 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 124 | |
- 1
All students are required to take at least two writing-intensive (WI) courses in their major. This course area includes at least one WI course option. Whenever possible, it is recommended that students select these WI courses from those that also directly satisfy one of their specific ALE requirements, since that will provide a more efficient use of credits and ease the path to program completion.
- 2
To be eligible for an internship, students must obtain an appropriate internship placement for the term of registration (assistance is available), have Junior or Senior standing, a minimum GPA of 3.00, have completed all three ALE foundation courses with a minimum grade of C-, and official approval by the MSP Internship Coordinator via submission of the Internship Verification Form, and once determined eligible, the Site Verification Form.
Suggested Academic Plan for Transfer Students with 60+ Credits
Please note that this is a suggested academic plan. Depending on your situation, your academic plan may look different.
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| MSP 1701 | Introduction to Media Production | 3 |
| MUST 1701 or MUST 1711 | Music Theory for Non-Music Majors or Theory I | 2 |
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 1) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 2) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Music & Media History Requirement 1 | 3 | |
| KLN 2001 | Klein College Experience | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| MSP 2663 | The Recording Industry and Music Business | 3 |
| ALE Audio Production Requirement | 3-4 | |
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 3) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 4) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Entertainment Industries Fundamentals Requirement | 3 | |
| KLN 1002 | Klein College Introduction to Professional Development | 1 |
| Credit Hours | 16-17 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 5) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 6) 1 | 3 | |
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 7) 1 | 3 | |
| MSP 4039 | Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Electives or Remaining GenEd Requirement | 5-4 | |
| Credit Hours | 17-16 | |
| Spring | ||
| ALE Professional Focus (Option 8) 1 | 3 | |
| Experiential Learning Option (Internship or Practicum) 2 | 3-4 | |
| Electives or Remaining GenEd Requirement | 10-9 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 64 | |
- 1
All students are required to take at least two writing-intensive (WI) courses in their major. This course area includes at least one WI course option. Whenever possible, it is recommended that students select these WI courses from those that also directly satisfy one of their specific ALE requirements, since that will provide a more efficient use of credits and ease the path to program completion.
- 2
To be eligible for an internship, students must obtain an appropriate internship placement for the term of registration (assistance is available), have Junior or Senior standing, a minimum GPA of 3.00, have completed all three ALE foundation courses with a minimum grade of C-, and official approval by the MSP Internship Coordinator via submission of the Internship Verification Form, and once determined eligible, the Site Verification Form.
Accelerated Programs
Students may opt to pursue an accelerated +1 program, enabling them to complete both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in less time than the traditional route.
The following accelerated program is available to students in the Audio and Live Entertainment BA:
Lew Klein College of Media and Communication