If you’re into the energy of bright lights and big cities but don’t necessarily want to be in the spotlight, a master’s in entertainment management may be what you are looking for!
Combining both business and creativity, entertainment management is a vibrant industry that is rapidly rising. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media occupations are growing by 12.5%! Not to mention, most careers in the entertainment management field pay six figures!
If you’re driven, creative, and love working with people, you won’t want to miss the best master’s degrees for the entertainment industry.
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What are the Best Master’s in Entertainment Management?
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University of Kentucky
Founded in 1865, the University of Kentucky is one of the most comprehensive in the country. Here in the “Heart of the Bluegrass,” you will find more than 200 academic programs spanning 16 colleges, an honors college, and a graduate school. One of the top master’s in entertainment management comes from UK’s graduate school: an affordable online MA in arts administration.
UK’s online MA in arts administration is flexible and affordable. It is designed for working professionals, and there is no residency requirement: all online students pay the same tuition rate. The program entails 36 credit hours of coursework, an internship, and a comprehensive exam. Sample courses include:
- Social Media Marketing, Promotion, and Branding
- Community Engagement in the Arts
- Art Administration Technologies
Potential students who have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university are welcome to apply. Additionally, you will submit:
- Transcripts
- Resume
- Statement of purpose
- Writing sample
- Two recommendation letters
GRE scores are not required.
Pace University
Established in 1906 as a one-room accounting school, Pace University has evolved over the past 115 years into what it is today. Pace University “offers unbeatable opportunity to ambitious students at every level, in dozens of disciplines, and on three campuses.” If studying arts in New York City appeals to you, then you won’t want to miss Pace’s Master of Science in arts and entertainment management.
The MS in arts and entertainment management is offered through Lubin School of Business and one of two AACSB-accredited programs in New York. This program requires 30 credit hours divided into 15 credits of required courses, 12 credits of electives, and three credits in a capstone course. Notable courses include:
- Leading and Managing Teams
- Arts and Entertainment Management
- Social Media and Mobile Marketing Strategies
Pace University’s arts and entertainment degree provides opportunities and experiences that you won’t find elsewhere. Pace is home to the 15-time Emmy-nominated Bravo TV’s Inside the Actors series, which is broadcast to 125 countries! This series recently featured Jennifer Aniston, Jim Carrey, George Clooney, and Brad Pitt.
The New School
Since its founding in 1919, The New School, located in New York City, has been all about media! In fact, the first college course that explored the motion picture was at the New School in 1926. The School of Media Studies at The New School is where you find our #3 ranking—a Master of Science in Media Management.
The New School’s MS in media management is a 36-credit hour program that can be completed full-time, part-time, on campus, or online. The program combines business and leadership courses with creative production classes to create graduates who are ready to enter the media industry. Students also have the option to complete a graduate minor in one of the following:
- Business development
- Data analytics
- Innovation and entrepreneurship
- Project leadership
- Marketing and media sales
- Integrated media strategies
The New School Media Management graduates are highly sought after in the media industry. Many jump right into their careers during their internships and before graduating. Some work for leading media companies like NBC News, CNN, and Sony Music Entertainment to name a few.
University of Miami
Known as one of America’s top private research universities, the University of Miami serves over 17,000 students from around the globe. UM consists of 12 schools and colleges and nearly 350 majors. From UM’s Frost School of Music is a master’s degree worth checking out: a Master of Arts in live entertainment management.
UM’s MA in live entertainment is 30 credit hours divided into 12 credits of major courses, 15 credits of electives, and three credits of a final project. Major courses include:
- Marketing in the Music Industry
- Global Live Entertainment
- Financial Management in Live Entertainment
- Legal Aspects of the Live Entertainment Industry
For the final project, you can choose between a live entertainment practicum or capstone. Applications for this MA program are accepted for the fall term only. Applicants should have:
- A minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Three recommendation letters
- A resume
The University of Miami offers the same tuition for in-state and out-of-state applicants as well as numerous financial aid opportunities.
University of Southern California
A leading private research university in Los Angeles, the University of Southern California does not disappoint. Founded in 1880, USC is also known as the oldest private research university in the state! USC Marshall’s School of Business partners with USC’s School of Cinematic Arts to provide a formal graduate certificate in the business of entertainment.
USC’s professional business of entertainment certificate requires 16 units from a list of courses offered by the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Some of these courses include:
- The World of the Producer
- The Television Industry: Network, Cable and the Internet
- Feature Film Financing and the Studio System
- Digital Technologies and the Entertainment Industry
- Graduate Film Seminar
USC’s business of entertainment certificate is a great way to enter the entertainment industry in a shorter amount of time. Likewise, earning a graduate certificate versus a graduate degree can decrease costs.
Top Searched Programs
Check out these additional top searched programs from the best graduate colleges for entertainment management:
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University is ranked #20 among private universities and #28 university in the world, according to Times Higher Education, 2021. CMU offers both a Master of Arts Management and a Master of Entertainment Industry Management that are worth checking out.
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina features a Master of Science in sports and entertainment management, one of the best in the world. The sports and entertainment master’s degree is a comprehensive program that is taught by outstanding faculty and leads to numerous career opportunities.
Drexel University
Drexel University is a comprehensive global research institution known for its experiential learning model and academic rigor. Drexel offers a television and media management graduate program that can be completed either on campus or online. Additionally, this program includes two options: a stand-alone MS degree or a dual MS/MBA option.
UCLA
The University of California-Los Angeles, commonly known as UCLA, is a public research university with over 40,000 students. Through UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, you will find a Master’s of Business Administration with an entertainment management concentration—an unbeatable combination!
Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut University is a top-ranking public institution in New Haven, Connecticut. SCSU features a unique Master of Science in sport and entertainment management that can be completed either online or on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
The average cost of a master’s degree in the U.S. is just over $65,000, according to the Education Data Initiative. This is the average for all master’s programs – not just entertainment management. Your specific degree might be more or less depending on numerous factors, including the graduate school you attend, whether you’re an in-state or out-of-state student, whether you study in person or online, and the amount of financial aid you receive.
A master’s degree is a solid investment of time and money that often proves to be worth it in the long run, no matter the area of study. In the entertainment industry, having a master’s degree will help you start your career and give you leverage to grow your career over time, too. A master’s degree in this field helps you develop advanced skills and gain additional knowledge that makes you a more competent worker. As you build your reputation using the skills and knowledge you gain in your master’s program, you’ll attract more clients, which will help you expand your business even more.
A master’s in entertainment management may be a Master of Arts (MA), a Master of Science (MS), or a Master’s of Business Administration (MBA). Most master’s in entertainment management require 30-50 credit hours, which include coursework, a capstone project (or thesis), and a practicum exam. The top master’s in entertainment management require internships or other experiential learning opportunities. Many programs offer specialty focus areas, like film, television, or sports.
These programs have varying admission requirements. However, you will need a bachelor’s degree, preferably in a related field, and a solid cumulative college GPA (usually 3.0 or higher) to apply. Some programs require test scores like the GRE or GMAT, while others do not. Additionally, you might have to submit an application essay and letters of recommendation and participate in an interview process to gain admission.
An MBA in entertainment management is a Master’s of Business Administration with an entertainment management concentration. Most of the coursework in an MBA revolves around finance, business, and management. A master’s in entertainment management includes some business courses, but the focus is on communications, public relations, and marketing. For a well-rounded degree encompassing entertainment and business, look for an MBA in arts, media, and entertainment management.
An entertainment management master’s program is typically 30-50 credit hours and includes entertainment business management courses like the following:
• Media Management and Leadership
• Entertainment Business Finance
• Digital Marketing
• Arts and Entertainment Management
• Social Media and Mobile Marketing Strategies
You will have the opportunity to take elective courses in areas of interest, too. Many entertainment management programs also require you to complete a capstone project, thesis, field-based learning, or a combination thereof.
A typical master’s in entertainment management requires 30-50 credits, which takes about two or three years to complete. The exact amount of time you need to finish a degree like this depends on various factors, though, including whether you’re a full-time or part-time student, your program’s specific curriculum, and the type of courses required. For example, some degree programs offer accelerated courses that you can complete more quickly, which can shorten the time needed to complete the degree.
A top job you can pursue with a master’s in entertainment management is working as an entertainment business manager. Everyone in the entertainment industry, from musicians to comedians to actors, need business managers to help them oversee their affairs. But because this degree emphasizes both business and entertainment, it leads to many other careers in the entertainment industry like the following:
• Advertising Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Public Relations Manager
• Sales Manager
• Agent
• Artistic Director
• Talent Manager
If you’re interested in a certain avenue of entertainment management, check to see if the entertainment management graduate programs have that focus. For example, if you are interested in business, go for an MBA in media and entertainment management. If you are interested in entertainment, look for graduate schools offering an M.A. in media and entertainment.
With a master’s in entertainment management, you can expect to earn well into the six figures, depending on your specific career. Producers and directors earn an average salary of $85,320 each year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, the business side of entertainment management will result in a higher salary. For example, sales managers earn a median salary of $130,600. Likewise, advertising, promotions, and marketing managers bring in an average yearly salary of $127,830.