Jan. 8, 2024
Next Start Date
11
Courses Required
$686
Cost Per Credit Hour
33
Total Credit Hours
Online Asynchronous
Learning Formats
The Master of Arts in Music Business and Industry offered by the College of Creative Arts provides an integrated and methodical approach to understanding the mastery of current music industry systems and commercial practices, combined with acute awareness of new regulations, income streams, and business models.
You will focus on the skills, concepts, and methodologies central to global business models and apply these models to the artistic management and entrepreneurial challenges of music and digital media in the global entertainment industry.
While music is an art, it is also a global and multi-billion dollar industry that employs thousands of people in live performance, recording, and publishing sectors. The online Master of Arts in Music Business and Industry, offered by the College of Creative Arts, prepares students for careers in the music business field by offering an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to understanding and mastering music industry systems, methods, and practices. The program provides historical context as well as courses in management, production, legal issues, and emerging technologies.
"Being a WVU graduate and a first-generation college student, I’m happy to be back to help you navigate the WVU System. Something WVU Online wants to do is assist you in creating your sense of community and continuity, making sure you have the answers to any and all questions."
If a student has not already completed the following undergraduate course(s) prior to registering for the program, they must complete them during the first year of the program:
NOTE: The School of Music requires 3 letters of recommendation. Letters should be submitted by directing references to this form: https://wvucca.wufoo.com/forms/retsjw90mrrakv
Learn more about student and faculty experiences in the Music Business & Industry M.A. program.
Laverne Perry
"I always received a timely and thoughtful response to every email and question that I had."
Joshua Swiger
"Music is part of our DNA and if I can help the next generation of musicians succeed then my calling has been answered."
WVU provides a comprehensive approach to helping you finance your education. Learn more by visiting the Student Financial Services website.
Students are encouraged to:
Music Business and Industry M.A. total degree cost: $22,638 – Residents and Non-Residents
Credits | Cost |
---|---|
1 | $686 |
3 | $2,058 |
6 | $4,116 |
9 | $6,174 |
Tuition and fees are usually not the only educational expenses you may have while pursuing a degree. You may have other costs such as books, supplies and living expenses. Please see the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage for how to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.
Minimum Grade in any course: C-.
Minimum GPA requirement: 2.75.
Music Industry Foundations Module
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 610 | Foundations of Recording Industry | 3 |
MUSC 611 | Music Industry Regulations | 3 |
MUSC 617 | Development of Music Technology | 3 |
Music Commerce, Management, and Operations Module
Required courses: (12)
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 612 | Music Product Advancement | 3 |
MUSC 613 | Music Performance Organization and Commerce | 3 |
MUSC 614 | Advanced Recording Industry | 3 |
MUSC 615 | Advanced Music Publishing | 3 |
Select two from the following: (6)
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 619 | Music in Multimedia | 3 |
MUSC 620 | International Music Industry | 3 |
MUSC 621 | Artist Representation | 3 |
Music Production Methods and Technology Module (3)
Select one from the following:
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 623 | Recording Production | 3 |
MUSC 624 | Live Music Production | 3 |
Industry Project (3)
Course | Title | Credit Hours |
---|---|---|
MUSC 626 | Music Industry Project | 3 |
Total Hours: 33
Students who earn the Master of Arts in Music Business and Industry will develop the following:
The Master of Arts Program in Music Business and Industry at the School of Music offers such knowledge and training by providing an engaging, systematic, and rigorous course of study leading to analytical, creative, regulatory, and entrepreneurial understanding and skills necessary to succeed in today’s complex and challenging music industry field.
The program is offered online as a high-quality graduate-level distance-learning opportunity. The program will provide all students possessing appropriate interest, qualifications, and ambition, regardless of their geographic location, access to extensive academic training and acquisition of professional skills necessary for building or furthering their careers in music business and industry.
Students who graduate from WVU Online with the Music Business and Industry M.A. degree may be prepared for the following careers in music: directors, singers, sound technicians, composers and arrangers, professors, and producers. These are only a few examples of some of the many opportunities that will be open to you with this degree. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for some positions.
Typically, the Music Business and Industry M.A. degree takes 4 semesters to complete. However, students wishing to complete the program in a shorter time frame may be able to do so with the program director’s approval.
Most of our online MA in Music Industry students come to the program while they are planning their own music related ventures, or they are already involved in an industry, music or otherwise, and want to learn more about the music business to further their professional growth and development.
Among our students we have touring musicians, studio owners, indie record label owners, music producers, audio/visual production company owners and concert promoters.
We do have students with occupations in different fields. These students want to start their own entrepreneurship/business entities in the music industry field (think publishing, concert promotion, or artist management). Of course, students who complete the program are well qualified to work for companies like Sony, Warner and Universal in their admin departments.