Master’s Curriculum
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Course Descriptions
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Master of Science in Music Industry Leadership
The Master of Science Program focuses on the core scholarly areas of music industry. Students specialize in one of three concentrations: entrepreneurship, professional and research. Courses provide a solid foundation in music industry theory and analysis while offering students the opportunity to apply the foundational skills to an area of personal interest. Elective courses emphasize the creation and sustainability of music organizations in a rapidly evolving environment. Using an active learning approach, the program seeks to develop music executives intellectually and ethically, while providing them with a keen appreciation for the complexities of managing in the creative industries. This approach focuses on long-term skills sets that enhance the potential of graduates within a fluid and ever-changing field. The program also emphasizes global leadership qualities that provide a broader vision of the music industry on an international level.
Curriculum
The Master of Music Industry Leadership offers students three curriculum options for degree completion. A minimum of 32 semester hours and nine courses (not including the intensive reporting seminar), with a grade-point average of 3.000 are required for graduation. Each option is designed to highlight a student’s strength and longer-term goals. Consultation with the graduate coordinator prior to degree commencement is required to establish a student’s ideal concentration.
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Professional Concentration
The professional concentration is designed for those interested in developing high level training in music management that eventuates in leading music organizations. Graduate students with several years of work experience are encouraged to apply to this program. Course work in this concentration focuses on empirical examples and applications in real world music business situations.
Program Features/ Completion Time
Full-time students can finish the program in as short a time as a year. Part-time students, most of whom work in the Boston area, take one or two courses each semester and complete the program in two or three years.
Curriculum
The professional concentration consists of five core courses, four to six music industry electives and two to four business courses. Students are required to complete management of music organizations, Intellectual Property for Music Management, Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry, Financial Management in the Music Industry and Music Industry Research Methodology.
Students must also take eleven semester hours of electives from a wide array of courses offered by Music Department ranging from courses on innovation and leadership to global music markets and negotiations. A further six semester hours of courses are earned at the College of Business Administration in a range of subjects including new venture creation, management of small business enterprises and managing the global enterprise.
A minimum of 32 semester hours and nine courses with a grade-point average of 3.000 is required for graduation.
Electives
Graduate Students in the professional concentration must select four electives from an array of courses offered by the College of Business Administration.
Typical Full-time Schedule for the Professional Concentration
| Semester | Course Name | Credits |
| Fall | Management of Music Organizations | 3 |
| Intellectual Property For Music Management | 3 | |
| Music Industry Research Methodology | 3 | |
| Spring | Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Financial Management in the Music Industry | 3 | |
| Electives (Business) | 1-6 | |
| Summer 1 | Electives (Music) | 1-11 |
| Summer 2 | Electives (Music) | 1-11 |
| Electives (Business) | 1-6 | |
Typical Part-time Schedule for the Professional Concentration
| Semester | Course Name | Credits |
| Fall | Management of Music Organizations | 3 |
| Music Industry Research Methodology | 3 | |
| Spring | Financial Management in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Electives (Business) | 3 | |
| Summer 1, 2 or both |
Electives (Music) | 11 |
| Fall | Intellectual Property For Music Management | 3 |
| Electives (Business) | 3 | |
| Spring | Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Electives (Business) | 3 | |
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Research Concentration
This program is designed for those who are interested in careers as entertainment analysts or music industry educators.
Program Features/ Completion Time
All research concentration students complete an original thesis that must be submitted to the Graduate School and www.proquest.com upon completion and acceptance. The thesis examines a critical issue in the music industry, often combining qualitative and quantitative research. The master’s thesis requires students to develop, design and complete an original research project that must be approved by a faculty committee and under the supervision of one faculty member. Because of the time required to plan and complete a thesis, students in this concentration generally take 16 months to finish their degree.
Curriculum
The research concentration curriculum consists of five core courses, four to six music industry electives and two to four business courses. Students are required to complete management of music organizations, Intellectual Property for Music Management, Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry, Financial Management in the Music Industry and Music Industry Research Methodology.
Students must also take seven semester hours of electives from a wide array of courses offered by Music Department ranging from courses on innovation and leadership to global music markets and negotiations. Students must also enroll in a thesis course and take Research Methods and Advanced Music Industry Research Methodology.
A minimum of 32 semester hours and nine courses with a grade-point average of 3.000 is required for graduation.
Typical Full-time Schedule for the Research Concentration
| Semester | Course Name | Credits |
| Fall | Management of Music Organizations | 3 |
| Intellectual Property For Music Management | 3 | |
| Music Industry Research Methodology | 3 | |
| Spring | Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Financial Management in the Music Industry | 3 | |
| Thesis | 8 | |
| Summer 1 | Electives (Music) | 1-11 |
| Thesis Continuation | 0 | |
| Summer 2 | Electives (Music) | 1-11 |
| Thesis Continuation | 0 | |
Typical Part-time Schedule for the Research Concentration
| Semester | Course Name | Credits |
| Fall | Management of Music Organizations | 3 |
| Music Industry Research Methodology | 3 | |
| Spring | Financial Management in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Electives (Music) | 1-11 | |
| Summer 1, 2 or both |
Electives (Music) | 1-11 |
| Fall | Intellectual Property For Music Management | 3 |
| Thesis | 8 | |
| Spring | Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Thesis Continuation | 0 | |
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Entrepreneurship Concentration
The entrepreneurship concentration is designed for those interested in developing new ventures in the music industry. Graduate students with several years of work experience or those who are interested in the creation and operation of new music companies are encouraged to apply to this program. Course work in this concentration focuses on global leadership capabilities that emphasize entrepreneurship and business development capabilities. This program acts as a “global meeting place” where executives and students share prescriptive best practices that benefit all.
Program Features/ Completion Time
Full-time students can finish the program in as short a time as a year. Part-time students, most of whom work in the Boston area, take one or two courses each semester and complete the program in two or three years.
Curriculum
The entrepreneurship concentration consists of five core courses, four to six music industry electives and two to four business courses. Students are required to complete management of music organizations, Intellectual Property for Music Management, Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry, Financial Management in the Music Industry and Music Industry Research Methodology. Students must also take seven semester hours of electives from a wide array of courses offered by Music Department ranging from courses on innovation and leadership to global music markets and negotiations. A further six semester hours of courses are earned at the College of Business Administration in a range of subjects including new venture creation, management of small business enterprises and managing the global enterprise. A capstone project concludes the requirements of this concentration. Students select a capstone project within their area of expertise including, developing the market entry strategy of a new music website, identifying channels to market a new musical act, develop a functional business plan for a small music company, etc.
A minimum of 32 semester hours and nine courses with a grade-point average of 3.000 is required for graduation.
Typical Full-time Schedule for the Entrepreneurship Concentration
| Semester | Course Name | Credits |
| Fall | Management of Music Organizations | 3 |
| Intellectual Property For Music Management | 3 | |
| Music Industry Research Methodology | 3 | |
| Spring | Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Financial Management in the Music Industry | 3 | |
| Electives (Business) | 1-6 | |
| Capstone Project | 7 | |
| Summer 1 | Electives (Music) | 1-7 |
| Summer 2 | Electives (Music) | 1-7 |
| Electives (Business) | 1-6 | |
Typical Part-time Schedule for the Entrepreneurship Concentration
| Semester | Course Name | Credits |
| Fall | Management of Music Organizations | 3 |
| Music Industry Research Methodology | 3 | |
| Spring | Financial Management in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Electives (Music) | 1-7 | |
| Summer 1, 2 or both |
Electives (Music) | 17 |
| Fall | Intellectual Property For Music Management | 3 |
| Electives (Business) | 1-6 | |
| Spring | Marketing Strategies in the Music Industry | 3 |
| Capstone Project | 7 | |