students mixing music under tent

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.

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

For Non-Business Majors

* Students must be enrolled in or have completed MBUS 3010: Introduction to Music Business when applying to the certificate program. MBUS 3010 can be taken at any point prior to entering the program.

Instructors

David Barbe
  • Director and Principal Lecturer, Music Business
David Lowery
  • Senior Lecturer, Music Business
Andrew headshot
  • 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 InApplication Period
Spring SemesterOctober 1 – November 1
Fall SemesterFebruary 1 – March 31

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Have more questions?

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.

Current Sponsors

$10,000 Level

  • Georgia Theatre

Upcoming Events

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