This degree is designed to provide performing musicians with a basic understanding of business education to enhance their capacity to pursue a career in today's professional music world. While requiring students to meet the competencies common to all professional baccalaureate degrees in music, this program specifically focuses on developing the business knowledge base and analytic skills to facilitate success both in performance and other music-related business opportunities. In addition, the program emphasizes the development of aesthetic judgment in performance, the understanding of and appreciation for many different types of music, and the ability to identify musical quality.

The curriculum is based on the bachelor of music in performance degree with its longstanding track record of excellence at Duquesne. Students in this program elect business courses in place of free electives, some music electives and some specialized courses in the performance degree. Through careful advisement, the students are able to enroll for common core General Education requirements that fulfill business requirements.