Earning a Master's in Entertainment Management Online

What You’ll Learn & What You Can Do After Graduation

Should I Pursue a Master's in Entertainment Management Online?

Typically, students who pursue an online master's in entertainment management move to entertainment hubs such as Los Angeles and New York, which helps give their career the best chance of flourishing. The best professionals in this field commit to working odd and sometimes long hours, and they boast excellent organizational and communication skills.

If this description sounds like you, an online master's in entertainment management might help you take the first steps in a well-matched career path. Graduates of online master's in entertainment management programs often hold job titles such as agent, event coordinator, public relations manager, and social media manager. Additionally, an online degree can help students save money, continue full-time employment, and gain access to education they may not receive locally.

Employment Outlook for Master's in Entertainment Management Graduates

Master's in Entertainment Management Salary

As one might expect, states with large metropolitan areas provide the highest annual mean wages and the most job opportunities for entertainment management professionals. Large metropolitan areas like New York City; Los Angeles; and Washington, D.C. have large entertainment industries, and for that reason, New York, California, and the District of Columbia all earn places among the five highest-paying states for these professionals.

As in other professions, entertainment professionals earn larger annual salaries as they progress in their careers and gain more experience.

Top Paying States for Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

State Employment Annual Mean Wage
District of Columbia 190 $116,140
New York 3,230 $103,230
Wisconsin 60 $102,330
Kansas 30 $99,290
California 6,300 $96,470
United States 15,450 $90,870

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Pay by Experience Level for Event Coordinators

  • Entry-Level (0-5 Years):
    $39,191
  • Mid-Career (5-10 Years):
    $44,093
  • Experienced (10-20 Years):
    $47,054
  • Late-Career (20+ Years):
    $48,437

Source: PayScale

Master's in Entertainment Management Careers

As the introduction to this guide briefly discussed, entertainment management professionals typically work long or irregular hours. They must also manage multiple personalities and organize events, which requires significant communication and organizational skills. The following section delves into five common professions in the industry, all of which require those aforementioned characteristics.

As with all entertainment professions, many of the job opportunities mentioned below exist in Los Angeles or New York.

Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes

Annual Median Salary: $64,940

Also known as talent agents, these professionals represent clients' interests to potential employers. Activities may include negotiating a contract with a team, venue, or film, as well as finding sponsorship opportunities. In most cases, talent agents earn a defined percentage of whatever their clients make.

Event Coordinators

Annual Median Salary: $40,323

Event coordinators take responsibility for an entire event, managing every single aspect. The term 'event' can refer to a party, a meeting, weddings, business conferences, or any sort of gathering with stakes attached. In the entertainment industry, event coordinators mostly deal with parties and other entertainment-related events such as music festivals.

Event Managers

Annual Median Salary: $50,463

Event managers take more of a big picture role in overseeing events as compared to event coordinators. In many cases, they manage and direct event coordinators in the design, creation, and execution of an event.

Public Relations Managers

Annual Median Salary: $63,360

Public relations managers oversee their client's entire public persona. The job entails both proactive and reactive management, including attending events, charity work, and crisis management. In addition to working for individual clients, these professionals can work in-house for entertainment companies or talent agencies.

Social Media Managers

Annual Median Salary: $49,116

In the modern age, entertainers' social media personalities play a huge role in cultivating their following and audience. Social media managers typically take responsibility for creating that personality for their client and managing each of their client's social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and/or Twitter.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statstics / PayScale

What Can I Expect from an Online Master's in Entertainment Management Program?

The following section outlines common courses in a typical master of entertainment industry management online curriculum. While the five courses spotlighted often appear in these programs, individual details can vary from school to school and program to program.

Curriculum for an Online Master's Degree in Entertainment Management

Tour Management and Production

This course prepares graduates for careers as tour planners, providing a comprehensive overview of the elements involved in designing, planning, and carrying out a tour for a musical artist. The course typically gives students project assignments or hands-on field experiences to give them a chance to learn on the job.

Performing Arts Center and Facility Management

This course prepares graduates for future careers as venue or facility managers. Possible topics include foundational business areas such as budgets, general management, logistics, marketing, scheduling, and programming in the context of a live music or entertainment venue.

Music Copyright Law

This course centers on the implications and stipulations of the 1976 Copyright Act in addition to the law's impact on both songwriters and artists. Students learn the ins and outs of copyright laws in the context of the music industry and work through case studies to ensure their comprehension.

Legal Aspects of the Live Music Industry

This course typically focuses on contracts future talent agents might encounter during their careers in the music industry, such as agreements with labels, vendors, facilities, and artists.

International Music Licensing

This course deals with advanced topics -- including concepts and issues -- in international music licensing. In most cases, this course ushers students through numerous case studies to help them learn the ins and outs of the industry. Students also typically get hands-on experience with licensing.