i Program Overview
MI Online’s Music Business program features in-depth, interactive learning experiences with seasoned music industry professionals, who bring real-world experience to the classroom. Our courses cover the diverse range of industry areas including Law and Contracts, Music Publishing and Licensing, Artist and Tour Management, A&R and Record Labels, Marketing, Social Media, and more.
MIO’s music business program is an enriching environment for all kinds of students, as many enrolled also study instruments and are performers in their own right. This allows for a diverse and exciting curriculum and network beyond graduation!
Whether you are an aspiring music business professional, an enterprising entrepreneur looking to develop skills to run your own business, or an artist seeking a comprehensive industry education, M OnlineI’s Music Business Program is designed to give you the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to put your career on the fast track and lead you to success!
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
MUBUS-140 – Label Structure & Talent Acquisition
MUBUS-440 – Tour Management
MUBUS-560 – Production Music for Visual Media
DEGREE BY THE NUMBERS
From 10 weeks to 18 months, there’s an option for you!
Associate of Science – 6 quarters, 90 credits
Certificate in Audio Engineering – 2 quarters, 30 credits
Individual courses – 10 weeks in length
i Program Overview
MI Online’s Music Business program features in-depth, interactive learning experiences with seasoned music industry professionals, who bring real-world experience to the classroom. Our courses cover the diverse range of industry areas including Law and Contracts, Music Publishing and Licensing, Artist and Tour Management, A&R and Record Labels, Marketing, Social Media, and more.
MIO’s music business program is an enriching environment for all kinds of students, as many enrolled also study instruments and are performers in their own right. This allows for a diverse and exciting curriculum and network beyond graduation!
Whether you are an aspiring music business professional, an enterprising entrepreneur looking to develop skills to run your own business, or an artist seeking a comprehensive industry education, M OnlineI’s Music Business Program is designed to give you the necessary knowledge, tools and skills to put your career on the fast track and lead you to success!
CURRICULUM HIGHLIGHTS
MUBUS-140 – Label Structure & Talent Acquisition
MUBUS-440 – Tour Management
MUBUS-560 – Production Music for Visual Media
i The MI Online Difference
i The MI Online Difference

Internships: Path to Employment in the Music Industry
MIO Music Business students are required to complete 180 hours of internships for the Associates degree, and top-performing Certificate students are also offered the opportunity to apply for 60 hours of internship experience, at a variety of our partner music industry companies like Warner Music Group, Atlantic Records, ESP Guitars and much more.

FULLY IMMERSIVE CURRICULUM
MI Online Music Business students will be taught by industry- experienced instructors, where they’ll gain practical experience for a successful career in the industry. Some highlights include extensive instruction in the critical areas of Music Law and Music Publishing, guidance in vital networking techniques, experiential learning, and featured guests from across the industry.

Learning Community From Anywhere
MI Online students will receive MI’s unique and innovative curriculum taught in an online environment that is designed to be flexible and engaging, and allows students to study, practice, and learn while managing their work and family obligations.

Tuition Savings
MIO tuition is 18% cheaper than our on-campus tuition, as the online students do not have access to our Hollywood facilities. Students also save because they will not incur any relocation costs, which means more flexibility and cost savings to work from and build their own home studio.

Partnerships
As an MIO student, you become part of a global network of arts, entertainment and educational companies. These partnerships and affiliates can offer students direct access to the music industry and help with their careers after graduation, including but not limited to internships, job placements, gear discounts, and more. Check out our ARTIST & CAREER SERVICES page for more.

Internships: Path to Employment in the Music Industry
MIO Music Business students are required to complete 180 hours of internships for the Associates degree, and top-performing Certificate students are also offered the opportunity to apply for 60 hours of internship experience, at a variety of our partner music industry companies like Warner Music Group, Atlantic Records, ESP Guitars and much more.

Fully Immersive Curriculum
MI Online Music Business students will be taught by industry- experienced instructors, where they’ll gain practical experience for a successful career in the industry. Some highlights include:
- Extensive instruction in the critical areas of Music Law and Music Publishing including copyright law, licensing and agreements, management, touring, booking, distribution, and marketing, as well as entrepreneurial focused courses.
- Guidance in vital networking techniques designed to help procure jobs, gigs and deals, as well as how to handle performance opportunities, touring and concerts at name venues.
- Experiential learning through internships at some of the largest and well-known companies in the music industry while earning course credits.
- Featured guests from across the industry including managers, established executives, and entrepreneurs.

Learning Community from Anywhere
MI Online students will receive MI’s unique and innovative curriculum taught in an online environment that is designed to be flexible and engaging, and allows students to study, practice, and learn while managing their work and family obligations.
We understand that it is important and beneficial for MIO students to feel like they are part of a learning community. The MIO learning methodology includes students taking part in discussions with their peers each week and critiquing the classmate’s performance. Additionally, students may be placed in groups to collaborate on group projects.

Tuition Savings
MIO tuition is 18% cheaper than our on-campus tuition, as the online students do not have access to our Hollywood facilities. Students also save because they will not incur any relocation costs, which means more flexibility and cost savings to work from and build their own home studio.

Partnerships
As an MIO student, you become part of a global network of arts, entertainment and educational companies. These partnerships and affiliates can offer students direct access to the music industry and help with their careers after graduation, including but not limited to internships, job placements, gear discounts, and more.
For a full list of our industry partnerships, please visit our ARTIST & CAREER SERVICES page.
i Faculty
Musicians Institute hosts a highly skilled faculty with extensive experience in the world of contemporary music.
i Faculty
Musicians Institute hosts a highly skilled faculty with extensive experience in the world of contemporary music.

Albert Shaw
GusGus / Högni Egilsson / Juan Atkins / Greg Gow / Doug Rasheed / Whitey / Dust Traxx Distribution

Tim Edwards
Composer / Music Supervisor / Creative Director/Founder of own music licensing company / Keeping Up With the Kardashians / The Bachelor / Sons of Anarchy / NBC/Universal / CBS / ABC / Fox / Warner Bros. / Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks

Ritch Esra
Music Business Registry / The Film and Television Music Guide

Tim Mosher
Composer, producer, and guitarist / Toyota / Diet Dr. Pepper / Coppertone / and Old Navy

Albert Shaw
GusGus / Högni Egilsson / Juan Atkins / Greg Gow / Doug Rasheed / Whitey / Dust Traxx Distribution

Tim Edwards
Composer / Music Supervisor / Creative Director/Founder of own music licensing company / Keeping Up With the Kardashians / The Bachelor / Sons of Anarchy / NBC/Universal / CBS / ABC / Fox / Warner Bros. / Paramount Pictures / DreamWorks

Ritch Esra
Music Business Registry / The Film and Television Music Guide

Tim Mosher
Composer, producer, and guitarist / Toyota / Diet Dr. Pepper / Coppertone / and Old Navy
i Alumni Success Stories
i Alumni Success Stories

Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
“The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered.”

Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
“The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered.”

Derek Keota / Best Engineered Album Grammy Nomination
AUDIO ENGINEERIG PROGRAM
“To say MI has been a life-changing experience would be an understatement.”

MEGAN SANCHES /
Lyric House
MUSIC BUSINESS PROGRAM
“At MI, I was able to meet so many people within the music industry, which led me to where I am today.”

MIGUEL SMITHERS /
Creative Manager, Music Alternatives
MUSIC BUSINESS PROGRAM
“…Now that I’m working in the industry, each one of the subjects I learned at MI have become tangible in my day to day life.”

SVANHILDE SKREDE /
A&R Manager at Sony Music Norway
MUSIC BUSINESS PROGRAM
“The reason why I felt so strongly about MI…was because of all the different classes, [which were] quite different from the classes we had in Norway.”
International Students
International students make up nearly one-fourth of MI’s total student population, representing more than 50 countries throughout the world. The International Student Office is dedicated to making the transition from each student’s home country to MI’s Hollywood campus as smooth and easy as possible.
i CAREER OPTIONS
i CAREER OPTIONS
“What can I do with a degree in Music Business?”
Following in the non-traditional spirit of MI, graduates with a degree in music business have found careers in diverse settings across the music industry. We strive to prepare graduates for mastery in any opportunities that arise in the industry, like:
> MUSIC PUBLISHER
A music publisher acts as the business manager for a song’s composition, ensuring the songwriter gets paid whenever their work is used.
> MUSIC SUPERVISOR
A music supervisor curates and licenses existing songs to weave the perfect musical soundtrack for films, TV, ads, and video games.
> A&R/TALENT SCOUT
Along with being a talent scout (looking for new talent), A&R departments at record labels nurture artists’ careers, from finding them to guiding their sound, recording process, and launch into the music world.
> MUSIC BOOKING AGENT
A booking agent is a music industry professional who secures live performance opportunities for musicians, like gigs, tours, and festivals, by negotiating contracts and connecting them with venues and promoters.
> MUSIC PR & PUBLICITY
Music Publicists act as the voice for musicians and bands, generating buzz and positive media attention to launch careers and propel them to success.
“What can I do with a degree in Music Business?”
Following in the non-traditional spirit of MI, graduates with a degree in music business have found careers in diverse settings across the music industry. We strive to prepare graduates for mastery in any opportunities that arise in the industry, like:
> MUSIC PUBLISHER
A music publisher acts as the business manager for a song’s composition, ensuring the songwriter gets paid whenever their work is used.
> MUSIC SUPERVISOR
A music supervisor curates and licenses existing songs to weave the perfect musical soundtrack for films, TV, ads, and video games.
> A&R/TALENT SCOUT
Along with being a talent scout (looking for new talent), A&R departments at record labels nurture artists’ careers, from finding them to guiding their sound, recording process, and launch into the music world.
> MUSIC BOOKING AGENT
A booking agent is a music industry professional who secures live performance opportunities for musicians, like gigs, tours, and festivals, by negotiating contracts and connecting them with venues and promoters.
> MUSIC PR & PUBLICITY
Music Publicists act as the voice for musicians and bands, generating buzz and positive media attention to launch careers and propel them to success.
i CAREER development
i CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Artist & Career Services
Artist & Career Services (ACS) is an extensive resource center designed to offer students and alumni active professional & personal development to succeed in today’s competitive entertainment industry.
ACS provides help in career development like resume building, workshops, industry mentors, discounted gear, internships and more.
INTERNSHIPS
The ACS Internship Program provides MI students with real-world experience in the music industry through internships in music-related companies. Students in the Music Business Program are required to complete an internship, while Common Course and Audio Engineering majors are able to sign up to be interviewed and considered for the elective program.
INTERNSHIPS
The ACS Internship Program provides MI students with real-world experience in the music industry through internships in music-related companies. Students in the Music Business Program are required to complete an internship, while Common Course and Audio Engineering majors are able to sign up to be interviewed and considered for the elective program.
i SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID
i FINANCIAL AID
Don’t let finances get in the way of your dreams! MI has a range of scholarships and financial aid options available for incoming students of all kinds. Scholarships available to Music Business students include:

MI DEVELOPMENT SCHOLARSHIP
Musicians Institute offers the MI Development Scholarship to newly enrolling students in order to encourage the educational development of musicians and music industry professionals.
MUSIC BUSINESS PROGRAM ENTREPRENEUR SCHOLARSHIP
The Music Business Program Entrepreneur Scholarship was created to recognize and support the creative entrepreneurial ideas and professional aspirations of a newly enrolling student.

Ready to start your Music Business journey?
Ready to start your Music Business journey?
The first step in applying to our on-ground or online program is to complete an Application for Admission, and get started with the best music college!
The first step in applying to our on-ground or online program is to complete an Application for Admission, and get started with the best music college!

Want to study in Hollywood? You can enroll in our on-campus Music Business program in the heart of the music industry!
i UPCOMING EVENTS
i upcoming events

VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, April 12, 2025 at 10:00 AM (Pacific Time)
Find out for yourself why thousands of musicians from all over the world have made MI the launching pad for their careers.

FINANCING YOUR EDUCATION
Thursday, April 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM (Pacific Time)
You’ll learn about everything from an overview of the financial aid process, to key documents you’ll encounter, and different funding sources that can help you manage costs.

ON CAMPUS OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, May 17, 2025 at 10:00 AM (Pacific Time)
Find out for yourself why thousands of musicians from all over the world have made MI the launching pad for their careers.

Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
"The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered."

Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
"The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered."

Nicole Row / Panic! At the Disco
BASS PROGRAM
"The most important thing I took from MI was what you do with what you’re given. I tried my best to absorb everything I heard, and took every gig I was offered."
TURN YOUR PASSION FOR MUSIC INTO A CAREER
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