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Music Business and Industry, M.A.

Navigate the rapidly evolving commercial landscape of the modern music ecosystem. The online Music Business and Industry, M.A. from WVU equips you with the financial strategy, rights management, and media literacy needed to lead creative ventures.

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Cost:

$777 / Cost per credit hour

Courses and Credits:

10 Courses / 30 Credits

Duration:

4 semesters

Admission Terms:

Fall, Spring

Next Start Date:

January 11, 2027

Term Length:

8-week courses

Learning Format:

Online asynchronous

Program Overview

Music is a global, multi-billion-dollar ecosystem that requires deep business acumen combined with a creative passion. The online Master of Arts in Music Business and Industry from the College of Creative Arts and Media focuses on what happens after a song is recorded. The broad curriculum equips you with the strategic toolkit needed to manage artists, navigate emerging technologies, and maximize licensing revenue. Designed for working professionals across media, business, and education, the program bridges the gap between creativity and commercial execution.

Master the Business of Music

Develop a highly specialized skill set that combines entrepreneurial thinking with an acute awareness of modern commercial systems and international music markets.

  • Commercial and Rights Management: Navigate the complexities of music publishing, intellectual property, international copyrights, and changing regulatory frameworks to protect and monetize creative assets.
  • Operational Execution: Gain hands-on competency in managing live entertainment production, venue touring logistics, union regulations, and artist management structures.
  • Financial Stewardship: Learn to construct data-driven budgets and financial projections across multiple modern income streams to maximize returns on creative investments.
  • Customizable Capstone: Tailor your degree to your specific career goals through a major final project, building real-world campaigns ranging from album release strategies to event production plans.

What You’ll Learn

The rigorous curriculum prepares you to capitalize on new market opportunities and lead within a fast-changing landscape. Through this coursework, you will learn to:

  • Analyze Regulations: Evaluate current entertainment policies and licensing structures to uncover new business opportunities across global recording and publishing sectors.
  • Product Development: Oversee the entire lifecycle of music product placement, distribution, and strategic marketing to engage audiences.
  • Drive Research: Utilize advanced data analysis to evaluate market indicators, spot emerging trends, and generate new value within the commercial music market.
  • Production Logistics: Direct the technical and personnel requirements of recording and live music sectors, including scheduling, equipment management, and stakeholder collaboration.

Explore some of the options you can pursue to build your competitive edge in music business and industry:

The course covers development of technological innovations and their influence on music industry production, reproduction, regulations, and commerce, from mid 19th century to present.

Main stream music publishing industry regulations, models, structures and organization. Current commercial practices, strategies, and procedures in music publishing. Catalog acquisition, administration and advancement methods and processes.

The course covers scope, development, creation, and production of music material for visual, interactive, and digital media applications, as well as regulations, licensing, and commerce of music in multimedia.

The course covers music industry systems, commerce, and regulations in major international music markets, as well as strategic options for entering and competing in foreign music markets, role of alliances with music industry partners from developing economies, and competing in emerging music markets.
Explore Full Curriculum

Alumni Spotlight

Portrait of Cassandra Muhr
Portrait of Cassandra Muhr

Cassandra Muhr

M.A. in Music Business Industry, 2023

“ “ I planned to work and wanted to pursue my graduate degree to deepen my understanding of the music industry. The online program enabled me to study various aspects of the industry while gaining practical experience in my field.

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Application Steps

What You Need to Apply

  • Successful completion of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.75.
  • A Statement of Purpose
    • The statement should be 500-800 words and double-spaced.
    • This statement should explain to the admissions committee your motivation for applying, rather than repeating your resume.
  • A resume or CV that reflects your education and experience.
  • Official transcripts from all non-WVU institutions attended should be sent to:

How to Apply

Applications for WVU’s online programs are processed through the University’s central portal. Follow these steps to set up your account and submit your application.

  1. Check the prerequisites: Review ‘What You Need to Apply’ to confirm your eligibility and get your application materials ready.
  2. Create your account: Visit the portal, create your account and start your application.
  3. Pay your application fee: Complete the required payment within the portal.
  4. Submit: Carefully review your details and submit your application.
  5. Interview with Program Director: If selected, you will be contacted via email by the Program Director to schedule the interview, which will be held over the phone or on Zoom.
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Tuition, Fees, and Aid

Cost per credit hour is listed on each program page. Rates are reviewed annually and subject to change.

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 visit WVU’s Estimate Costs and Aid website for how to plan for other potential expenses.

  • Complete the FAFSA
  • Check Employer Benefits: Inquire about potential tuition assistance or reimbursement programs.
  • Review Waivers: Understand the specific restrictions on University tuition waivers.

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Careers and Employment

The online Music Business and Industry, M.A. program will prepare you to succeed in the fast-paced world of music and entertainment. You will learn to navigate the business side of the industry, including artist management, marketing, publishing, licensing, and live event production. This program aims to equip you with the skills to turn creative talent into sustainable careers while adapting to the evolving digital landscape.

This curriculum covers important topics as music law, intellectual property, branding, and revenue strategies while gaining hands-on experience through applied projects that mirror real-world industry challenges. These practical experiences will allow you to build a professional portfolio and connect with industry professionals and give you insight into how the industry works and your role will work inside it.

What can I do with a Music Business Industry, M.A. degree?

Explore potential careers, employment environments, and academic pathways:

  • Music Producer
  • Recording Engineer
  • Artist Manager
  • Tour Manager
  • Music Professor
  • Booking Agent
  • Music Publicist
  • Sound Technician
  • Composer/Arranger

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Frequently Asked Questions

Online asynchronous means the program is delivered entirely online with no required live meeting times (like Zoom). While you learn on your own schedule, you remain responsible for completing all coursework by the established deadlines.

If you’d like to dive deeper into the program’s curriculum and student experience, connect with:

Cindy Hart

Applicants need a 2.75 GPA in the bachelor’s degree to be admitted on good standing. However, the review process for the M.A. in Music Business and Industry program is holistic, and considerations can be made for applicants with a lower GPA based on work experience, other graduate level course work, and letters of recommendation on a case-by-case basis. If you have questions about the GPA requirements, please contact your admissions consultant.

Yes, you can. Most of our students work full-time. The program is flexible, allowing you to choose your classes and progress at your own pace, taking one or two courses at a time.

Success, however, relies on organization and discipline. You must meet academic standards and dedicate time each week to your studies and meet your deadlines. With commitment, you will be successful in the program and well-prepared for the dynamic job market.

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