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M.A. Music Business and Industry

Whether you own a music business, want to advance in the music industry or are looking for a pathway to teaching music in higher ed, this fully online master's degree will give you invaluable knowledge and skills to be a visionary leader in the music industry.

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* This degree program does not require an audition or performance component.

While music is an art, it is also a global and multi-billion dollar industry that employs thousands of people in live performance, recording, and publishing sectors. WVU's online Master of Arts in Music Business and Industry offers an integrated and methodical approach to understanding current music industry systems, commercial practices, regulations, income streams and business models.


10 Online Courses

You'll take 10 fully online asynchronous courses and there are zero in-person commitments. Tailor your schedule to balance work, life and school.

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PERSONALIZED SUPPORT

A professional advisor will work with you from the very beginning to customize a schedule that aligns with your career goals and interests.

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CUSTOMIZED CAPSTONE

Spend your final, capstone course utilizing your acquired creative, technical, and operational skills to execute a professional music industry project of your choosing.

Total cost < $22k

It's a world-class program taught by leading experts at half average cost of our competitors.

Tuition and Aid

WHY WVU?

You'll focus on the skills, concepts, and methodologies central to global business models and apply these models to the artistic management and entrepreneurial challenges of music and digital media in the global entertainment industry.  Our fully online master's degree program is designed for flexibility. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out, you'll have access to top-notch academic training and professional skill development.

What You'll Learn

Students who earn the Master of Arts in Music Business and Industry will develop the following:

  • The ability to delineate and analyze current music industry regulations regarding their commercial implications, business opportunities, and appropriate music industry management practices across the industry income streams.
  • The knowledge of the historical progress and development of various music business sectors and relevant regulatory frameworks in demonstrating mastery and understanding of the present music business regulations, systems and methods.
  • The ability to perform and manage standard and management level music business procedures and processes utilized in the music publishing, recording, and live music industries, including conception and management of various music product development and placement strategies and plans.
  • The ability to construct and evaluate budgets and financial projections across the music industry income streams based on the project parameters, and the relevant market level, regulations, indicators and trends.
  • The ability to plan and manage music production processes and activities in recording and live music business sectors including scheduling, budgeting, equipment, personnel, union issues, and regulatory requirements.
  • The ability to utilize the music industry research and analysis knowledge and skills to make a constructive contribution to the scholarship in the field, and/or to create a proper business opportunity, or to productively manage a music product, so to create new value and generate positive returns on investments.

Suggested Plan of Study

To earn your Master of Arts in Music Business and Industry, you will take 10 courses in topics ranging from the Development of Music Technology to Advanced Music Publishing. You'll have the opportunity to customize your degree by selecting electives that align with your career goals and by focusing on an industry project of your choosing in the final capstone course.

CJ Rhen

Music Business & Industry in the News

Music Industry Student Receives Award from Top Jazz Magazine

CJ Rhen

Current Music Business & INdustry Student

DownBeat magazine is recognizing CJ Rhen, a student in the Music Business and Industry master’s degree program, with the award for Best Engineered Studio Recording from a graduate-level student.

Read More: Mountaineer ENews : Mountaineer ENews

Career Opportunities

WVU alumni have gone on to work in a variety of music industry roles at Warner Music Group, BMI and UCLA.

Once a Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer

Our close-knit community of alumni hold elite positions all over the world, and they are passionate about supporting Music Business and Industry students and fellow alumni.


Cassandra Muhr

“After working for two years as the marketing and communications manager for the River City Brass Band, I accepted a general manager position with the Washington Symphony Orchestra. Neither of these jobs would have been attainable without my Music Business and Industry degree.”

— Cassandra Muhr, Class of 2023

Music Biz Notes

Get the latest insights for the music business and industry.

From Record Labels to Orchestras: Success Stories of WVU Music Business and Industry Graduates

Discover how WVU's online Master's in Music Business and Industry prepares you for success with testimonials from alumni and current students. Learn about the program's curriculum, real-world experiences, and career opportunities.

Read More: From Record Labels to Orchestras: Success Stories of WVU Music Business and Industry Graduates

8 Music Industry Jobs that Make the Music Happen

Discover the diverse world of music industry jobs. From audio engineering to artist management and music production, find out what it takes to make your love for music a rewarding career. Learn about average salaries and the skills needed to succeed in these exciting roles.

Read More: 8 Music Industry Jobs that Make the Music Happen

From Rock Band to Record Label: Professor Swiger's Unique Path to Music Industry Education

Learn how Professor Joshua Swiger's unique background in music and tech is shaping the next generation of music industry professionals at WVU.

Read More: From Rock Band to Record Label: Professor Swiger's Unique Path to Music Industry Education

Meet the Faculty

Our faculty have a wealth of global music business industry knowledge and experience that they incorporate into the curriculum. You'll benefit from both their expertise and their connections.

Joshua Swiger

Joshua Swiger

Teaching Assistant Professor | Music Business and Industry School of Music

Joshua has been active in the national and regional music industry for 25+ years. His emphasis has been in record label management, recording engineering, and live event production and management. He has owned and operated Blues Alley Studios & Records since 1993, and is a 2019 Music Business and Industry graduate.

Read More: Joshua Swiger
Darko Velichkovski

Darko Velichkovski

Teaching Professor | Director of Music Business and Industry School of Music

As a businessman, an executive producer and a music producer, Darko has been creating, leading, recording and producing music projects across the genres in for-profit and non-profit sectors, nationwide and internationally, for over twenty years. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School and a classical and jazz clarinetist.

Read More: Darko Velichkovski

Music Business and Industry Graduate Certificate

Love music, but not ready for a Master's Degree? Gain industry-ready skills with our Graduate Certificate. Our Graduate Certificate in Music Business and Industry features a rigorous curriculum of five 600-level courses. This cohesive program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to navigate the music industry.

  • Music Industry Regulations
  • Music Product Advancement
  • Music Performance Organization and Commerce
  • Advanced Recording Industry
  • Advanced Music Publishing

Let's Chat

We're here for you every step of the way ... we'll answer your questions, help with your applications for graduate school and financial support, schedule your classes, provide tech support, welcome you for graduation and keep in touch once you cross the finish line.

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Application Steps

  • STEP 01

    Know what you need to apply.

    In order to pursue WVU's master's degree in Music Business and Industry, you must have completed a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution. As part of the West Virginia University Graduate Application, you'll resubmit a personal statement and résumé. The personal statement is a short essay outlining professional preferences, goals, and aspirations. You will also submit your official academic transcripts. The GRE/GMAT is not required for admission. However, International students must provide TOEFL or IELTS Scores.

  • STEP 02

    Request official transcripts.

    Academic transcript requests can sometimes get delayed, so it's best to go ahead and get the ball rolling! Contact your prior academic institution(s) and request that official academic transcripts be sent (via postal mail or electronic delivery) directly to:
    WVU Office of Graduate Admissions
    One Waterfront Place
    PO Box 6510
    Morgantown, WV 26506-6510
    Email: GraduateAdmissions@mail.wvu.edu
    Phone: 304-293-2121

    NOTE: If you earned your Bachelor's degree at WVU, you do not need to request these transcripts as they are already on file.

  • STEP 03

    Login to the application portal.

    Login to the WVU Graduate Admissions portal. You don't have to complete your application all at once - use this login anytime to continue the app or submit additional materials.

    NOTE: If you are a current WVU student, you should create a new account as this site does not use your WVU login credentials.

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