Kogod School of Business

Info For

Our Approach to Learning

MBA

BS in Business and Entertainment

At a Glance

There's no business like show business—emphasis on "business." The entertainment and media market in the US is worth $717 billion, and it’s only expected to keep growing. Kogod’s business and entertainment major is an innovative program that prepares you for business careers in the entertainment sector through classes taught by industry professionals, hands-on coursework, and exciting internship opportunities.

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Credits Required for Major

You'll take 34 credit hours in business core courses, 13 credit hours in entertainment core courses, and 12-15 credit hours in a specialization.

November 15
Freshman Early Decision

Apply by November 15 to be considered for early decision or by January 15 for the second early decision round.

93%*
Working, Grad School, or Both

Top employers include Amazon, NBC Page Program, CAA, SONY, WMG, WB/Discovery, 9:30 Club, Paramount+, UTA, UMG/Bravado, Concord Music Group, Lee Daniels Productions and WME. 

*Results are for May 2018, 2019, and 2020 graduates whose status was confirmed as of six months after graduation.

We Know Success
97% of Business and Entertainment Students Participated in an Internship

Companies where students have interned include UTA, 9:30 Club, SoundExchange, CAA, WME, Sirius/XM, the Recording Industry Association of America, LiveNation, Nue Agency, SONY, the Daily Show, Viacom and EPIX.

Career Outcomes

Why major in business and entertainment at Kogod?

Pursue a Unique Program

The BS in Business and Entertainment is unique to American University and is the only major of its kind in the DC area. Studying in the city's first accredited business school means you'll receive a solid foundation in accounting, finance, management, marketing, operations management, information technology, and business strategy as it relates to the entertainment industry. From music and film to sports and TV, BAE students have the opportunity to learn about all aspects of the entertainment industry.

Study in One of the Country's Cultural Centers

Not only is Washington, DC, a global political center, but it's also a well-renowned cultural hub. Tap into the city's networking and internship opportunities, and take advantage of its thriving cultural life to take your education beyond campus.

What You'll Learn

The business and entertainment major gives you a solid grasp of business functions and offers specific training in the economic, legal, and business aspects of the entertainment industry.

Core

You will cover topics in:

  • Entertainment law
  • Marketing
  • Content management
  • Business law
  • Music publishing and copyright

Required courses include those in economics, analytics, and statistics. You will take 34 credit hours in business core courses that cover topics like accounting, finance, management, and marketing.

You will also complete an entertainment core that covers the entertainment industry, entertainment law, and content management. A required for-credit internship gives you the opportunity to apply your hard-earned skills in a real-world setting.

Specialization

The entertainment sector covers a wide array of industries, each with its own unique challenges and regulations. To round out your degree, you will choose one of the following specializations:

  • Agency
  • Audio technology
  • Film
  • Music performance

You can also self-design a specialization with the approval of your academic advisor.

Degree Requirements

Program Highlights
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Treks to Los Angeles, New York, Nashville and SXSW 

Our LA, Nashville and Austin treks are multi-day experiences while our New York trek is typically a one-day immersive experience. We visit film studios, record labels, management companies, agencies, promoters, business managers, streaming services and much, much more. 

Students watching a musician performing a concert

Global Learning

The entertainment industry reaches across the world. Studying abroad is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture and hone your skills in a different context. We offer semester and year-long study abroad programs, international summer internships, and short study tours through the International Management Practices course.

Two students walking together on campus

Combined Bachelor's and Master's Degrees

Earn both an undergraduate and graduate degree in five years through our combined bachelor's/master's program. Take graduate-level courses and apply up to 9 graduate credit hours earned as an undergraduate toward the requirements for both degrees.

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Expert Faculty

Our faculty are renowned experts in their field and have extensive experience in the entertainment industry. As mentors, they are invested in your professional and academic success.

Students outside WME

For-Credit Internship

One of the program requirements is a for-credit internship in a corporation, organization, or institution in the entertainment industry.

Class Profile
57%
Women
32%
Underrepresented Minority
5%
International
Career Success

As a BS in business and entertainment student at Kogod, you’ll have a dedicated career advisor at our Office of Career Engagement who will help you realize your unique career vision. Our advisors can connect you with opportunities at some of the largest organizations in the world, including 400 international associations and 1,000 internationally-owned companies in Washington, DC.

93%
Working, in School, or Both

Within six months of graduation, 93% of our BS in business and entertainment graduates are working, in grad school, or both. Top employers include:

Amazon 
American Alliance for Theatre and Education 
SONY 
NBC/Universal 
9:30 Club 
Paramount+ 
UMG/Bravado 
WB/Discovery 
WME
Washington Nationals
Major League Soccer

97%
Participated in an Internship

97% of our BS in business and entertainment students participated in an internship.

Top internships for credit include:

NBC/Universal
Viacom
UTA
CAA
WMG
Paramount Network
UMG
WME

 

47%
Studied Abroad

47% of our BS in business and entertainment students took advantage of studying abroad. Top countries include:

Belgium
Italy
Kenya
Spain
United Kingdom
Contact Our Expert Faculty
John Simson
Program Director
Linda Bloss-Baum
Assistant Program Director
Stacy Merida
Professorial Lecturer and Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion