Music Business, BBA Adult Degree

Why Major in Music Business?

A musician performs on stage with a guitar, accompanied by a band, with colorful lights and a cityscape backdrop. — Curb College Showcase Concert Series is entirely student produced.

Belmont's pioneering Music Business program prepares future industry leaders for careers in the fast-changing music and entertainment world. Located in Nashville, Tennessee with study away programs across the country and around the globe, we put you close to all the opportunities you need to succeed!

According to Billboard Magazine, our program is a “feeder of industry leaders.” With a degree from Belmont, you’ll join many talented music business executives, artists, writers, managers, producers, touring leaders and musicians who graduated from Belmont and went on to shape the industry.

We are proud to be the only music business degree program in the world with AACSB International accreditation—a distinction that reflects the academic rigor and professional excellence of our curriculum. Combined with state-of-the-art facilities, expert faculty, extensive internships, and immersive industry experiences, Belmont is consistently recognized among Billboard’s “Top Music Business Schools” worldwide. With 50+ years of experience, our reputation speaks for itself.

No separate application required. Admission to the Music Business BBA program is included in Belmont's general undergraduate application—no audition or secondary process is needed.

Music City USA and Beyond

Being one block from Nashville’s famous Music Row gives you easy access to today’s industry leaders through our alumni and strong connections. This city—and beyond—becomes your classroom. With a focus on hands-on learning, you’ll have a front-row seat to the music business, taking full advantage of Belmont’s long-standing relationships both inside and outside Nashville. The University’s Belmont USA program also lets you grow your cultural and career experiences in places like New York City, Los Angeles, Washington DC and across the globe.

We’ve built partnerships with some of the most important people and companies in the industry, like ASCAP, Big Machine, BMI, Brad Paisley & Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Creative Artists Agency, Morris Higham Management, the Music Business Association, the Music Licensing Collective, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Sony Music Publishing, TriStar Sports and Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Wide Eyed Entertainment, William Morris/Endeavor, and many more.

Events & Speakers

Am I an Adult Student?

Adult Degree applicants should be 24 years or older. However, exceptions for those under the age of 24 might include evidence of two years or more of military service, marriage or having a family of your own.

Want to transfer previous college credits?

See how your courses will transfer to Belmont University.

Request a free transfer credit analysis

What makes Adult Degree Programs special?

Your Success is Personal: Our students are not one-sized fits all, and neither is our commitment to you. Your path to a college degree is unique, and we take your success as personally as you do. Our staff and faculty will be with you from the first point of contact all the way through graduation and beyond, providing personalized guidance and assistance so you don’t have to go it alone.

Education Designed to Elevate Your Career: Whatever adult degree program option you choose, a career-focused curriculum will help you elevate your current career or prepare you for new professional or personal opportunities.

Unique Tuition Discount for Adult Degree Program Students: Belmont is dedicated to offering access to high-quality education for busy adults. Students in Belmont’s Adult Degree Program receive more than a 60% discount off of the tuition cost that traditional Belmont students pay for the very same quality, private school education.

What You'll Learn

Business Courses That Power Creative Careers

As a music business major, you'll learn the key business principles that drive today’s entertainment world. You’ll take classes such as survey of music business, copyright law, live events and music publishing—alongside courses in business management, accounting and marketing that prepare you to lead or manage companies in the entertainment industry.

You can also explore courses in music marketing, venue management, music streaming, social and emotional wellbeing, Jay-Z and the business of hip hop, music supervision, the artist’s team, touring, public relations, working in a booking agency and more.

Depending on your career interests, you can choose from several emphases:

Business
Legal
Legal 3+3

Live
Production

Program Details

Program Requirements

BELL core requirements: 50 hours (minimum)
Business courses: 36 hours
B.B.A. core technical requirement: 3 hours
Music Business Major area: 17 hours (Survey of Music Business, Career and Professional Development, Copyright Law, Understanding the Live Economy, Music Publishing, Record Label Operations, Senior Capstone)
Music Business Emphasis area: 15-21 hours
General electives: 10-11 hours (minimum)

See All Program Requirements

Program Summary

As a music business management major, you'll take classes that combine business and music industry training. The degree is similar to earning a double major in business and music business, so you don't need a minor. You'll learn how the industry works and how to manage people, projects and creative ideas.

Courses cover topics like music business opeartions, copyright law, marketing, venue management, publishing, touring and entrepreneurship. You'll also take business management classes in accounting, finance, leadership and strategy that prepare you to run a label, manage a team or start your own company. Internships and real-world projects are built in, giving you experience and connections before you graduate.

Emphasis Areas

Business
The Business Emphasis uniquely combines a professional business degree (B.B.A.) with a broad and flexible selection of electives, allowing students to tailor their studies to personal career goals within the music and entertainment industries. Students integrate core business fundamentals with specialized coursework in evolving areas such as digital and social media marketing, genre-specific industry studies (including hip-hop, blues, and the evolution of recorded music), DIY and entrepreneurial ventures, film and music supervision, and the international music business. This emphasis is ideal for students aspiring to lead, manage, or launch businesses across the global music and entertainment landscape.
Legal
The Legal Emphasis focuses on the legal and policy frameworks that shape the music and entertainment industries. Coursework examines entertainment law, copyright, contracts, and artists’ rights, along with contemporary legislative and regulatory developments impacting the field. This emphasis is well suited for students seeking a strong foundation in how creative work is protected, negotiated, and governed by law, as well as for those planning to pursue graduate studies such as law school.
Legal 3+3
The 3+3 Program offers an accelerated and distinctive pathway for highly motivated students to earn both a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Music Business and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree in six (6) years. Through a collaborative partnership with the Music Business Department and College of Law, qualified students begin their first year of law school during what would traditionally be their senior year of undergraduate study. Designed for students seeking careers at the intersection of entertainment, law, policy, advocacy, and business leadership, the program intentionally integrates music business education with rigorous legal training.
Live
The Live Emphasis prepares students for careers in the live entertainment economy by combining focused instruction with hands-on application. Students examine the key players, processes, and business models involved in concerts, touring, festivals, venue management, and event promotion. This emphasis equips students with practical knowledge and industry insight essential to succeeding in live music and event-based careers.
Production
The Production Emphasis blends creativity and business by exploring how music is created, produced, and brought to market. Students study music production, publishing, studio practices, and collaborative workflows with artists and producers. This emphasis develops the technical, creative, and professional skills needed to work effectively at the intersection of artistry, technology, and the music business.

Who you are today is different than the person you were when you graduated from high school.

We recognize the student you are now: a working professional with extensive work and life experience. Our adult degree application process does not require the SAT or ACT, and we consider your professional experience and personal accomplishments as we review your application materials.

Learn more about Adult Degree Admissions & Financial Aid

Beyond the classroom, you’ll have a wealth of opportunities to explore the business of music, make connections and discover your purpose.

Get insights from industry leaders like Brad Paisley, Ashley Gorley, Vince Gill and Amy Grant. Our Seminar Series gives you access to the inner workings of the music business.
Study away and abroad programs in NYC, LA, Atlanta, DC and across the world in England, Ireland and beyond.
Take on an internship through our expansive network in Nashville, Los Angeles, New York or beyond. Our internship programming puts you in the center of the music & entertainment business.
Connect with classmates and gain hands-on industry experience by joining one of more than 10 clubs devoted to the music and entertainment industry – such as CMA EDU, GRAMMY U and Women in Entertainment.
Get hands-on experience working events like the Grammy Awards, Sundance Film Festival, CMA Awards and many more.

aacsb logo Belmont University’s B.B.A. programs are accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the premier agency for bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs in business administration and accounting.

Fewer than 5% of business schools worldwide achieve AACSB accreditation, and Belmont is the only private college or university in Tennessee that is accredited by AACSB International for BBA, MBA and accounting programs. Belmont’s program is the only AACSB-accredited music business in the world.

Outcomes & Alumni Success

Ashley Gorley talking with other industry execs at an event — Award-winning songwriter and alumni Ashley Gorley speaking at a Curb College seminar

Belmont has a large group of successful alumni, including artists and songwriters like Ashley Gorley, Tyler Hubbard, Gordon Kennedy, Hillary Lindsey, Brad Paisley, Tricia Yearwood, and Hailey Whitters. Industry leaders like Rusty Gaston (Sony Music Publishing Nashville President), Clint Higham (Morris Higham), Dann Huff (producer/guitarist for Kane Brown and Keith Urban), Cindy Mabe (Chair and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville), Ben Vaughn (Warner Chappell Nashville President/CEO) and Carla Wallace (co-founder of Big Yellow Dog Music) are also part of our alumni. You’ll learn from these professionals through internships, seminars, and classroom guest speakers!

We're committed to your success

Curb College's Professional Development team helps students and graduates grow their skills and networks, preparing them to enter the entertainment industry. To support this, our team offers one-on-one meetings, weekly workshops led by industry experts, off-campus networking events, and hundreds of internships each semester. We serve as ambassadors and connectors for Curb College students and graduates through active involvement in the entertainment world.

It's no wonder that 95% percent of Curb College graduates are employed, pursuing continuing education, or enlisted in the military within 6 months of graduation and 85% of employed graduates are in positions that align with their short or long term career goals.

Learn more about Career & Professional Development

Jacob Hicks

Class of 2023

“My situation for coming to Belmont is a little more unique than most of the students. After changing from a career on the opposite end of the spectrum (veteran) to the music industry, I chose Belmont's Music Business program because I wanted to learn about an industry I knew nothing about before trying to find my way in it. The classes offered in this program and the opportunities Curb College offers give you the basic knowledge needed and experiences that you can't find anywhere else. It's just on you to take advantage of it!”

Learn from Industry Experts

Our accomplished faculty represent the best of the best. They are experts in what they teach as each of them has worked in the music and entertainment field – as record label executives, publishing company leaders, artists and performers, entertainment lawyers, to concert promoters, marketing/social media experts, venue owners and so much more. They share their expertise through their gift of storytelling!