Music Business Certificate

The music industry has a reputation for being hard to break into. The Terry College Music Business Program specializes in removing barriers and opening doors for our students. Whether you’re an aspiring producer, marketer, financial analyst or anywhere in between, we can help you tailor your learning to your goals.

Open to all University of Georgia students, the 21-credit-hour program culminates in a certificate officially recognized on your UGA transcript. Students complete one of two tracks, with curriculum covering the record and concert business, production, publishing and licensing, public relations and promotion, finance and economics of the music industry.

Students meet with an array of guest lecturers and influential alumni across roles and locations while completing a required capstone course, which includes internship placements in the local Athens music scene. The end result? You’ll leave with the knowledge, connections and experience to confidently kickstart your career in music.

Contact the Music Business Program

Curriculum

The certificate program curriculum is designed around fundamental business skills and specialized competencies.

Certificate Requirements

21 hours of approved coursework
Required courses vary depending on your major.
Grade of C- or higher for each course

Required Courses and Electives

The certificate requires 21 credit hours and is typically completed within two years.

For Business Majors

Required Courses

9 credit hours

MBUS 3010: Introduction to Music Business (pre/co-requisite for applying)
MBUS 4100: Fundamentals of Music Business
MBUS 5100: Emerging Issues in Music Business

Elective Courses

12 credit hours

3–6 credit hours from Group 1 Electives

3–6 credit hours from Group 2 Electives

For Non-Business Majors

Required Courses:

12 credit hours

MBUS 3010: Introduction to Music Business (pre/co-requisite for applying)
MBUS 4100: Fundamentals of Music Business
MBUS 5100: Emerging Issues in Music Business
MBUS 3755: Business Fundamentals as Applied to the Music Industry

Elective Courses

9 credit hours

3–6 credit hours from Group 1 Electives or the following:

ACCT 1160: Survey of Accounting
BUSN 3000: Applied Statistics and Data Analysis for Business
FINA 3001: Financial Management
MARK 3001: Principles of Marketing
MGMT 3001: Principles of Management
MIST 2090: Intro to Information Systems in Business

6–9 credit hours from Group 2 Electives

Group 1 Electives

ECON 4000: Economics of Human Resources {pre-req: ECON 2105 and 2106}
ENTR 5500: Introduction to Entrepreneurship
ENTR 5505: Funding the Entrepreneurial Venture
ENTR 5525: Managing the Entrepreneurial Venture
LEGL 4200: Intellectual Property Law {pre-req: LEGL 2700 or 2800H}
LEGL 4400/6400: Business Law {pre-req: LEGL 2700}
MARK 4450: Social Media Marketing Strategy {pre-req: MARK 3000 or 3001}
RMIN 4000: Risk Management and Insurance

Group 2 Electives

MBUS 3100: Promotion and Publicity Techniques for Music Business
MBUS 3550: Music Production
MBUS 4200: Music Artist Management and Development
MBUS 4300: Music Publishing
MBUS 4550: Live Concert Recording [POD] {pre-req: MBUS 3550}
MBUS 4800: Internship in Music Business [POD]
MBUS 4900: The Music Business, Public Policy, and International Treaties
MBUS 5000: Special Topics in Music Business
MUSI 2040: History of Popular Music*
MUSI 2050: Survey of Jazz History*
MUSI 2060: History and Analysis of Rock Music*
MUSI (AFST)(AFAM) 2080: African American Music*
MUSI 2090: Music and Film
MUSI 2600: Introduction to Media Music
MUSI 3550: Music Theory for Non-Majors**
MUSI 3600: Music and Media
NMIX 2010: Introduction to New Media
NMIX 4010/6010: Web Development

* Only one of these classes may be credited towards certificate completion.
** Music Majors may not apply MUSI 3550 toward certificate requirements.

Instructors

David Barbe

Director and Principal Lecturer, Music Business

David Lowery

Senior Lecturer, Music Business

Andrew Rieger

Part-Time Lecturer, Music Business

Courses are often supplemented with guest lecturers from the music industry.

Admissions & Eligibility

The Music Business Certificate Program is open to all UGA undergraduate majors.

Admissions Requirements

current UGA undergraduate student (all majors)
at least 60 undergraduate credit hours
MBUS 3010: Introduction to Music Business, enrolled in or completed at time of application
minimum 2.8 overall GPA

Acceptance Criteria

Acceptance to the program is at the discretion of an admissions committee made up of MBUS faculty and staff. Prior enrollment in an MBUS elective(s) does not impact program admittance. Only 100 applicants are admitted each year.

Application Periods/Deadlines

To Begin Coursework In	Application Period
Spring Semester	October 1 – November 1
Fall Semester	February 1 – March 31

Submit your application

Use your UGA Google Account to access the MBUS Application

Testimonials

The Music Business program was one of the main reasons I chose UGA, and it was by far the best part of my college experience. I feel so lucky to have benefited from such an amazing support system of classmates, professors, and staff who pushed me out of my comfort zone and immersed me in the Athens music community. If you asked me four years ago, I could’ve never imagined I would have the option, let alone the courage, to move across the country and accept a position at an industry-leading company. The drive to chase after what once felt like a pipe dream was certainly instilled in me by the consistent encouragement of David Barbe and the amazing role models I found in the MBUS alumni community. I’m forever grateful for this program, and I can’t recommend it enough!

Taylor Tucker (’20)
Endeavor

The MBUS program offers what most students spend their college careers searching for — a sense of shared passion, community, and a creative learning environment with real-world applications. Without a doubt, I would not be in the position I am in today if it weren’t for the training and opportunity that David Barbe and the MBUS program provided. I am beyond grateful to have found a program that not only helps turn passion into reality but also one that fully prepares its students to make a meaningful impact within the industry.

Robert Knotts (’13)
VP of Distribution, Thirty Tigers

Mikayla Connolly (’24)
Paralegal Administrative Assistant, Universal Music Group

Notable Employers

Students participate in internships as part of their required coursework for the program. This gives them the potential to be recruited to full-time positions in various sectors of the music industry. Students have joined or gained experience from notable organizations such as:

New West Records
Live Nation
BMG Chrysalis
Thirty Tigers
Creative Artists Agency (CAA)
William Morris Endeavor (WME)
ATO Records
Red Light Management
Warner Music Group
40 Watt Club
The Atlanta Symphony
Chase Park Transduction Studios
Georgia Theatre

Support the Music Business Program

Bruce Burch Experiential Learning Fund

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I major in Music Business?

No. The Music Business Program is a certificate program, not a major. The certificate is taken in addition to your major area of study.

How is the MBUS Certificate different from a minor?

As a certificate program, Music Business is able to offer a wider range of courses in a variety of disciplines. Like a minor, upon completion of the requirements, the MBUS certificate is noted on your official transcript.

Do I have to be a musician?

No. We only prefer that you have an interest in pursuing a career in the music industry, whether that is the creative or business side.

How do I register for Music Business classes?

Students are welcome to enroll in most MBUS classes prior to applying to the program, with the exception of MBUS 4100, MBUS 5100, and MBUS 4800. Students who are accepted into the program or in the program already are given priority registration for specialized music business electives.

Can I participate if I’ve already graduated from college?

Yes. However, you must apply (or in some cases re-apply) to UGA and be accepted as an undergraduate student before applying to our program. If you plan on doing this, please contact the UGA Admissions office for assistance.

What careers does the MBUS certificate prepare students for?

Artist management, booking, label services, entertainment marketing, radio promotion, music publishing and copyright, concert promotion, venue management, music production and engineering, promotion and publicity, music journalism, financial roles in entertainment, all the skills an artist needs to manage their own careers, and much more.

Are there any prerequisites to the required courses?

Yes, students must take MBUS 3010: Introduction to Music Business before they take the capstone classes MBUS 4100 and MBUS 5100. There are no prerequisites to MBUS 3010 and the course may be taken any time before applying to the program.

Have more questions?

Contact the Music Business Program

Corporate Sponsorships

By financially supporting the Music Business Program, you can be a part of a transformational change that MBUS offers future generations of music business leaders.

About Corporate Partnerships

Upcoming Events

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