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. It makes sense... Our state-of-the-art technology, faculty expertise, internship opportunities and one-of-o-kind professional experiences are second to none. This is why Billboard regularly ranks Belmont’s music business degree among the “Top Music Business Schools” in the world. With 50+ years of experience, our reputation speaks for itself.

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.

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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 Management Courses That Power Creative Careers

As a music business major, you'll learn important both vital business basics and the ins and outs of the entertainment industry. You’ll dive deep into with classes like survey of music business, copyright law, live events, music publishing, and how record labels work.
You can also pick from other interesting courses like 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 much more!

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

Business
Legal Studies (including 3+3 Juris Doctor - law school pathway)

This is the only 3+3 BBA program at Belmont, allowing students to complete both a Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctor (law school) degree in six years.

Live Event Management
Music 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

Courses You'll Take

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 Emphasis:
Focus on the core business skills that power the music and entertainment business. Students study such classes as digital marketing, venue management, business management, sync licensing, music supervision, international music business, and music industry contract law. This emphasis is ideal for students who want to lead, manage, or launch businesses in music and entertainment.
Legal Studies Emphasis (including 3+3 Juris Doctor – law school):
Examine the legal and policy framework behind the music and entertainment businesses. Coursework explores entertainment law, copyright, contracts, and artists rights. This emphasis is a strong fit for students interested in Belmont’s 3+3 Juris Doctor (law school) pathway or those who want a deep understanding of how creative work is protected and negotiated.
Live Event Management:
Gain hands-on experience in the live entertainment sector by learning how concerts, tours, and festivals are planned and executed. Courses cover venue operations, touring logistics, event promotion, and artist production, preparing students for careers in live music, events, and experiential entertainment.
Music Production Emphasis:
How about this: Blend creativity with business by exploring how music is created, produced, and brought to market. Students study music production, publishing, studio practices, and collaboration with artists and producers – developing the skills needed to work at the intersection of creativity, 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, Ben Vaughn, 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 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.

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 the world that is accredited by AACSB International for BBA, MBA and accounting programs.

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 the Best

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!