Best Master's In Entertainment Management Degrees
Updated February 23, 2023
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Are the bright lights calling your name? Do you want to work with the world’s top talent? Check out the best entertainment management degrees!
Are you ready for an exciting, fast-paced career where no two days are ever the same? Do you love everything about the entertainment industry? Have you dreamed of rubbing shoulders with your favorite stars or discovering bright new talent? Yes, yes, and yes? Well, you might want to consider a master’s degree in entertainment management! If you thrive on both creative energy and business strategies, you’ll do well in this career. Confidence is key and you should have stellar communication skills to match.
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What kind of entertainment management degree should you get?
If you have some experience under your belt – either within the entertainment industry or in management and business – then a master’s degree is a logical choice for you. Of course, if you’re just starting out, you may want to consider a bachelor’s degree. In fact, all of the below programs require applicants to have already earned a bachelor’s.
If a program’s flexibility and affordability are of utmost importance to you, then an online degree will probably work best. Many online programs offer 24/7 tech support and asynchronous classes. If you’re looking for more online options, we’ve ranked the overall Best Online Colleges and Universities.
How much money do people make with an entertainment management degree?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, agents and business managers of artists, performers, and athletes make, on average, over $90,000 a year. Your salary will also depend on who you’re representing and what part of the country you’re in. Typically, entertainment managers live on the coasts – many of them in California or New York.
If you’re just starting out, you may have to work with more low-level talent, so don’t expect to earn the big bucks from the start. The more experience you have and the more advanced education, the higher your earning potential will be.
What can you do with a degree in entertainment management?
There are so many exciting job opportunities within the entertainment business. As an agent or manager, you can work with actors, singers, athletes, authors, and more. You may even help to plan world-class events! Entertainment managers often deal with contract negotiations, finances, and a variety of other business items that may pop up. Careers within this field can be quite stressful and demanding – you may have to work weekends as well, depending on your client’s schedules.
What are the requirements for a master’s degree in entertainment management?
Most of the below master’s programs require graduate students to complete anywhere from 30 to 50 credit hours. Additionally, all of the below schools require applicants to already hold a bachelor’s degree. While your degree doesn’t have to be related to the entertainment industry, it is highly preferred. The GRE is not required for most of the below programs. Once admitted, students will take courses dealing with the law, business finances, entertainment ethics, and more.
What are the best entertainment management degrees?
The team at College Choice has compiled a list of the 5 best online master's in entertainment management degrees just for you! We’ve found that the best degrees are those that offer fair not only fair prices, but ample flexibility and convenience as well! To find the best degrees for you, we look at the best schools in the country based on reputation, student satisfaction, program quality, and return on investment. Then we review the bottom line - just how much is this going to cost?
Once we determine all of the above, we curate a list of stellar schools for you! These not only represent the best entertainment management degrees you can get, but also ones that will fit your budget. Check out our picks below!
Ranking
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University of MiamiLocation
Miami, FL
Tuition$42204
Graduation Rate80.99%
Overview
The University of Miami is a private university located in Coral Gables, Florida. With over 17,000 students enrolled worldwide, this university is home to 11 schools and colleges that offer over 180 unique majors and programs. Interested in entertainment management? Check out the university’s Master of Arts in Arts Presenting and Live Entertainment Management.
Program Features
Offered through the university’s Frost School of Music, students in this 30-credit online program can complete their degree in just 18 months. Required courses may include:
- Music Copyright Law
- Tour Management and Production
- Legal Aspects of the Live Entertainment Industry
- Marketing and Promotion in the Entertainment Industry
- Sponsorship, Development, and Financial Management in the Live Entertainment Industry
While it’s not required that applicants have work experience within the music industry, it is preferable.
Notables
The University of Miami has been ranked among the nation’s Best Value Schools, Best Colleges for Veterans, and Best Online Programs. The tuition rate for online programs is the same for both in-state and out-of-state students. Additionally, the university offers a variety of scholarships to eligible students, including a Life Achievement Scholarship and an Academic Performance Scholarship.
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The New SchoolLocation
New York, NY
Tuition$17191
Graduation Rate60.21%
Overview
Located in New York City, The New School was founded in 1919 and is now home to over 7,000 undergraduate students. The New School boasts over 130 unique degree and diploma programs. Now, students can pursue a multitude of degrees entirely online, including a Master of Science in Media Management.
Program Features
Offered through the School of Media Studies, this 36-credit program consists of 11 courses as well as a capstone course. Required courses may include:
- Media Ethics
- Media Economics
- Media Management and Leadership
- Media, Corporate Responsibility, and the Law
- Social Media: Content, Communication, and Culture
All applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for admission into this program. Admitted students may transfer in up to six credits from another university. This degree can be completed either part-time or full-time.
Notables
Students in the above program will focus on a variety of specialization areas, including project leadership, data analytics, and marketing and media sales. The New School has been ranked among the nation’s Best Value Schools and Best Colleges for Veterans. Graduates of the MS in Media Management have gone on to work for many prestigious companies, including NBC News, CNN, BET, TIDAL, and more.
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Southern Utah UniversityLocation
Cedar City, UT
Tuition$14586
Graduation Rate50.36%
Overview
Founded in 1897, Southern Utah University is a public university located in Cedar City, Utah. With six different colleges, the university offers nearly 20 unique graduate programs for students to choose from. In fact, now students can earn a Master of Arts degree with a specialization in Arts Administration entirely online.
Program Features
This 36-credit program is offered through SUU’s College of Performing and Visual Arts. Applicants do not have to submit GRE scores. Required courses may include:
- Marketing in the Arts
- Legal Issues in the Arts
- Board Relations and Planning
- Arts Advocacy and Cultural Policy
- Leadership Development in the Arts
Additionally, all students must complete a final project capstone. While this is an online program, prospective students should note that all students must attend a three-day conference in Cedar City each fall. This includes an orientation, master classes, and a variety of workshops.
Notables
Southern Utah University is the most affordable option on this list. In fact, online-only students pay the same rate of tuition as those who reside in Utah. This university has been ranked among the nation’s Top Public Schools and Best Regional Universities in the West by U.S. News and World Report.
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University of KentuckyLocation
Lexington, KY
Tuition$14451
Graduation Rate61.39%
Overview
Located in Lexington, Kentucky, this public university was founded in 1865 and now boasts an enrollment of over 20,000 students. The University of Kentucky is home to 16 colleges and over 200 unique degree programs. Now, through its College of Fine Arts, students can pursue a Master of Arts degree in Arts Administration entirely online.
Program Features
With no residency requirement and asynchronous courses, UK distance learners have access to many of the same resources as those on-campus. Plus, all students pay the same rate of tuition, regardless of residency. Graduate courses may include:
- The Arts and the Law
- The Arts and Artists in Society
- Community Engagement in the Arts
- Management and Leadership in the Arts
- Marketing Research and Planning for Arts Organizations
Prospective students should have some industry experience within the arts and art management. Admissions are rolling and students may be accepted for entry in the fall or spring semesters.
Notables
The University of Kentucky has been ranked among the nation’s Best Value Schools, Top Public Schools, and Best Colleges for Veterans by U.S. News and World Report. While this university already has an affordable tuition rate, students may apply for additional scholarships and financial aid packages.
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