Online Music Business Schools

This article provides an overview of music business schools. The goal of the music business degree is to provide students with a blend of music experience and business skills.

Every record label, famous recording artist, and movie that is made requires someone who has in depth knowledge of the music business. Through music business schools, students can learn the ins and outs of the industry through a range of classes that focus on topics, such as management, digital rights, and entrepreneurship instead of performance and composition. As the recording industry continues to transform and the old industry models are made increasingly obsolete, graduates with the skills to thrive within the digital markets will thrive and pave the way for new record companies and agents. Students who attend a school that is focused solely on music may be offered an associates or a bachelors degree in music business studies. However, those who attend courses at general universities tend to graduate with bachelors degrees and some even go onto obtaining their MBA in entertainment management.

Music & Entertaiment Programs

Full Sail University

• M.S. in Entertainment Business
• M.S. in Entertainment Business with electives in Sports Mgmt
• M.S. in Internet Marketing Graduate Programs
• M.S. in Education Media Design & Technology
• Master of Fine Arts in Media Design

International Academy of Design and Technology (IADT)

• Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Recording Arts

Boston University Center for Digital Imaging Arts

• Digital Film making
• Photography
• 3D Animation
• Audio Production

The Los Angeles Recording School

• Music Production
• Digital Recording
• Audio Postproduction for Film and Television

The Los Angeles Film School

• Associate of Science in Film
• Associate of Science in Game Production
• Associate of Science in Computer Animation

American Intercontinental University (AIU)

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Media Production (BFA) with a concentration in Audio and Sound Recording

Media & Communication Programs in Canada

University of Canada West

• Bachelor of Arts - Media and Communication
• Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communications

Music Business Education and Training

Students who enter music business management degree programs can expect to learn a wide variety of skills that laws that relate to the music industry in its current form. Every student can expect to learn about marketing, licensing, digital distribution, and publishing. Depending upon the chosen pathway, students may also learn about managing and planning events, managing professional musicians, and running a venue. Music business classes may include:

• Music Industry Entrepreneurship
• Entertainment Business Law
• Artist Management
• Copyright and Intellectual Property Law
• Music Licensing
• Music Publishing
• Music Marketing
• Public Relations

Some of the common core courses in music business degree programs that students must complete in order to graduate include the history of the music business, intellectual property and copyright law, career development, and small business management. Students can also expect to take classes in law, Internet marketing, personal management, networking strategies, and concert and tour production. Some colleges with music business majors also offer internships within the industry.

Music Business Management Careers

Graduates of music business courses can go onto taking up a number of different positions inside and outside of the industry. Those with the necessary management skills can go onto starting their own record labels, managing artists, or managing a concert venue.

Other students of music business schools may go into promotions and marketing for major or independent labels, while others may organize concerts and tours. However, since these degrees have a strong business focus, the skills learned can be easily transferred and used within other industries. Music management roles include:

• Business Manager
• Tour Manager
• Event Manager
• Production Manager
• Publicist

For example, some graduates of music business schools take jobs within the film and television industries working within the copyright and digital rights management offices. Other careers include: Venue managers, Musical artist representatives, Retail salespersons, Freelance musicians, and Performance marketers.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Outlook

The average salary for entry-level positions for graduates of music business schools within the industry ranges from $34,400 to $40,000. However, with experience and promotions, salaries will range from $50,000 to $70,000. Students who graduate with advanced degrees and those who have gained industry experience through internships tend to command higher salaries than those who only have a bachelor’s degree.

Expected growth for this industry, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics is 13% over the next decade. This is higher than the average growth for other sectors. However, a high number of the positions created will most likely be internship jobs. The BLS estimates that business managers and agents of performers earned an average hourly wage of $47.03 in 2009 or an annual salary of $97,820.

Since this industry is highly competitive, students should seek out internships during their years at music business schools in order to give them an edge over other job applicants. Alternatively, they can also seek MBA programs in entertainment management in the field. This may also lead to an increase in pay as well as increased job opportunities.

Online music business schools and entertainment business management MBA degrees