Music Business and Industry Graduate Certificate

College of Creative Arts and Media

Turn Your Passion into Profession

• Industry-Wide Expertise: Learn to manage music publishing, recording, and live event operations with real-world strategies and tools.
• Financial & Legal Fluency: Analyze music industry regulations, construct budgets, and evaluate financial projections across income streams.
• Product Lifecycle Mastery: Understand the full journey of a music product—from concept to market placement.
• Live Event Management: Gain hands-on skills in scheduling, budgeting, logistics, and compliance for live music productions.
• Career-Ready Curriculum: Apply what you learn immediately with a focus on practical, project-based learning guided by industry professionals.

To facilitate a holistic, methodical approach, the Music Business and Industry Graduate Certificate curriculum consist of five 600 level courses, representing a cohesive academic core, covering all the fundamental, interrelated and interdependent segments of the music industry through methodical study of its foundations, commerce, and operations.

Upon completion of the certificate, you will be able to:

• Delineate and analyze current music industry regulations regarding their commercial implications, business opportunities, and appropriate music industry management practices across the industry income streams.
• Perform and manage standard and management level music business procedures and processes utilized in the music publishing, recording, and live music industries, including conception and management of various music product development and placement strategies and plans.
• Construct and evaluate budgets and financial projections across the music industry income streams based on the project parameters, and the relevant market level, regulations, indicators and trends.
• Plan and manage organizational processes and activities in live music business sectors including scheduling, budgeting, equipment, personnel, union issues, and regulatory requirements.

• WVU Online Graduate Application
• Resume
• Personal Statement. Write a short essay outlining professional preferences, goals, and aspirations.
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended (other than WVU)
• Email to: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
Mail to: WVU Hub
P.O. Box 6004
Morgantown, WV 26506
• International Students are required to submit a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo score.

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. Visit the Estimate Costs and Aid webpage to estimate and plan for other potential expenses.

Tuition per credit hour is listed on the page of your program of interest. Please note, tuition and fees are reviewed and subject to change at the start of each academic year.

• Learn More about Tuition and Financial Aid
• Explore All WVU System Tuition and Fees
• Understand Restrictions on University Tuition Waivers

The music industry is highly competitive, and having a specialized credential such as the WVU Graduate Certificate in Music Business and Industry can give you a competitive edge. The knowledge and skills gained through the program can enhance your career prospects in various music-related fields, such as artist management, talent scouting, event management, marketing and music production.