| School | Degree |
|---|---|
| Full Sail University | BS/MS Entertainment Business |
| The Los Angeles Film School | BS in Entertainment Business |
With a current estimated $1.8 trillion dollars in revenue, the global entertainment industry is booming. By 2021, the global market is expected to reach $2.2 trillion dollars in revenue, with the U.S. contributing $720 billion by 2020. With industry growth at an all-time high, the demand for behind-the-scenes talent has increased, with business management topping the list In response to the demand, a number of colleges and universities across the country have developed programs that prepare graduates to compete in this soon-to-be multi-trillion dollar market. Some programs lead to a degree while others may lead to a diploma or certificate.
We’ve identified several top schools that offer a variety of program options for aspiring entertainment business professionals. The schools in our guide are popular in both the academic and professional worlds, and they are fully accredited. We are happy to report that Full Sail University and Los Angeles Film School offer top entertainment business programs leading to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida
Full Sail University was established in Dayton, Ohio in 1979 as Full Sail Productions. What began as a recording studio is now a major university that offers arts, entertainment, media and technology programs. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and licensed by the Commission for Independent Education (CIE), Florida Department of Education, the school serves 15,000 students across 210 acres of campus space, including 110+ studios and labs.
Around 93 program options lead to an associate's, bachelor’s or master's degree. Among these programs are a BS and MS in Entertainment Business. Per the school, the BS in Entertainment Business “combines essential business and management knowledge with personal development in a project-based environment, modeling the same kinds of professional scenarios you’ll encounter in your chosen industry.” Courses are taught by working professionals in the field and cover everything from business technology and design to global media management, marketing, and event management. Learn more about Full Sail's programs.
Course highlights include Audience Metrics, Business in the Entertainment and Media Industries, Business Accounting, Business Law, Business Management, Economics, Entertainment Business Models, Entrepreneurship in the Entertainment Business, Event Management, Global Media Management, Intellectual Property, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, and Principals of Business Finance.
Students will also complete seven “Project and Portfolio” courses worth three credits each. Per the school, the courses combine “hands-on learning experiences with summative and formative portfolio assessments.” Project and Portfolio courses are taken in addition to an internship, which can be pursued after the student has successfully completed 50% of the required credit hours for the program.
The MS in Entertainment Business “is an advanced exploration of the specific business and management skills required to excel and lead in the entertainment world” says the school. Students in the program “learn the strategies of top executives, and are given the opportunity to apply that knowledge in practical exercises.” Courses cover key concepts such as contract negotiation, financial planning, and publishing and distribution.
Course highlights include Advanced Entertainment Law, Business Plan Development, Business Storytelling and Brand Development, Entertainment Business Finance, Entertainment Media Publishing and Distribution, Executive Leadership, Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership, Negotiation and Deal-Making, Product and Artist Management, and Project and Team Management.
Students will also complete Final Project: Business Plan. A requirement for graduation, this final course requires a written business plan that students will present to faculty and peers.
Los Angeles Film School, Los Angeles, California
Located in the iconic RCA Building on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles Film School (LA Film School or LAFS) prepares students for careers in the music business through its Entertainment Business Program and the Recording School Division. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC) and home to more than 2,000 students, the school offers a BS in Entertainment Business. The program is described as LA Film School’s “standard degree program,” offering a “well-rounded study of business administration and management principles with a practical focus on how that knowledge can be applied to the entertainment industry.”
Students will receive training in Artist Management, Event Planning, Concert & Tour Management, New Media Distribution, Music Industry Marketing, Sports & Leisure Management, TV & Digital Management, and more. Sample courses for the program include Entertainment Business Technology, Entertainment Business Ethics, Intellectual Property, Introduction to the Entertainment Business, Professional Selling, and Television and Digital Network Management.
An Entertainment Business Final Project is part of the program as well as internship opportunities in Los Angeles and across the U.S. Delivered 100% online through LA Film School’s Learning Management System, the project-based BS in Entertainment Business requires 120 credit hours, which can be completed in just 36 months, full-time.
Sources
“Value of the global entertainment and media market from 2011 to 2021.” Statista, The Statistics Portal, Statista, 2017. Web. 07 Nov. 2018.