MEI or Music Business? | Is MEI right for you? | What You'll Learn | Program Details | Career Possibilities | Outcomes | FAQ
Why a Media and Entertainment Degree at Belmont?
You love entertainment, and you want to lead the business behind it. Belmont’s Media & Entertainment Industries program prepares you to shape the future of the industry across every medium, music, film, television, sports, gaming, streaming and publishing, with a curriculum built to keep pace as the field changes.
You build real business skills. The program blends business fundamentals with hands-on experience, covering copyright and content monetization, branding, audience analytics and the inner workings of studios, networks and agencies. You graduate ready to manage, market and lead creative ventures, whether you are drawn to entertainment operations, media executive roles or the behind-the-scenes work of running creative projects.
You shape the degree around your goals. Because it is a flexible BA or BS, you choose a minor, in public relations, marketing or entrepreneurship, to align your degree with the part of the industry you want to enter.
MEI or Music Business?
Belmont offers two business-of-entertainment paths, and the right one depends on how focused you want to be. Media & Entertainment Industries is a flexible BA or BS spanning the whole creative economy, film, gaming, streaming, sports, publishing and live events. Music Business is an AACSB-accredited BBA focused specifically on the music industry. Choose MEI if you want breadth across media; choose Music Business if you want a business degree centered on music. Compare all Creative Careers programs to see how they fit together.
Request Information
Nashville & Beyond
You study in a thriving entertainment ecosystem with access to top media markets across the country. Nashville’s growing film, broadcast, publishing and gaming sectors give you internships and career connections in media management and entertainment operations, minutes from campus. Through Belmont USA, you can continue your coursework while interning in Los Angeles, New York, Washington, D.C. and Hollywood.
Spend a Semester at Disney
You can apply to the Disney College Program, gaining on-the-job experience at Disney Parks and Resorts while earning academic credit and staying on track to graduate. It is one of several immersive, off-campus programs that put you inside the media and entertainment industries before you finish your degree.
Choose a Minor That Fits Your Goals
You tailor the degree to the career you want. Pursue a focused path in entertainment studies, or pair the major with a minor in public relations, marketing or entrepreneurship. Students aiming for media business or entertainment strategy roles have the flexibility to align their coursework with those goals.
Is a Media and Entertainment Degree Right for You?
This program fits several kinds of students:
- The multi-medium enthusiast who loves entertainment across music, film, gaming and live events, and does not want to commit to a single industry yet.
- The future media leader aiming for operations, strategy or executive roles in studios, networks, agencies or festivals.
- The business-minded creative who wants to manage, market and lead creative projects rather than produce the media itself.
You will thrive here if you want the business side of entertainment and the flexibility to shape the degree around your interests.
Learn the Business of the Creative Economy
In Belmont’s Media & Entertainment Industries degree, you learn to:
- Manage and market entertainment across music, film, TV, sports, gaming and publishing
- Apply copyright, rights and licensing to real creative projects
- Use audience analytics and data to guide media decisions
- Navigate content monetization, branding and distribution
- Lead the operations behind studios, networks, agencies and live events
From music and film to sports and fashion, you build a foundation in the operational, financial and creative dimensions of the media world, then focus it through your minor and hands-on experience.
Curious about your coursework? View requirements for this degree in the course catalog.
In addition to your core coursework, you'll explore required electives that focus on both industry-specific knowledge and professional skill development. Options include:
-
Fairs & Festivals
-
Theme Parks & Attractions
-
Video Game Industry
-
Film Industry
-
Representing Talent in Entertainment
-
Social & Emotional Intelligence
These targeted courses allow you to customize your path and build expertise in areas that align with your career goals in entertainment operations, media management and beyond.
You’ll also benefit from Belmont’s unique hands-on learning opportunities. Through high-impact programs like Service Corps Club, the Disney College Program and Belmont USA, students intern across the U.S. in entertainment hubs such as Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, D.C. and Hollywood. You might find yourself working behind the scenes at the Grammy Awards, assisting talent check-in at the Tony Awards or supporting press teams at CMA Fest and MusiCares — all while earning academic credit and staying on track to graduate.
Become part of the magic that is known worldwide
Media & Entertainment Industry majors and students of the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business also have the unique opportunity to participate in the Disney College Program (acceptance required) and still remain full-time at Belmont University!! Remaining full-time allows students to retain scholarships and financial aid while keeping them on track to graduate ‘on-time’.
Whether deciding to head down to Disney World or Disneyland, students who choose to participate can earn internship credit, take online courses through Belmont and participate in Disney’s unique seminars and professional development classes for credit.
“As a Disney College Program participant, you’ll become part of the magic that is known Worldwide. Gain valuable, on-the-job experience working in our parks and resorts, participate in college coursework, and have the opportunity to meet and live with people from all over the country and potentially the world in company-sponsored housing. This truly unique five- to seven-month program allows participants to network with leaders, take part personal and career development classes, and build transferable skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, guest service and effective communication.” DisneyCareers.com
Disney Parks & Resorts Internships & Programs Education Connection
Backed by 14 years of excellence, MEI was born as a response to Belmont’s popular music business program. For those who wanted to dive into the exciting world of entertainment without the specialization of business courses or complex math, MEI became the solution by paving the way for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree with a minor instead of a BBA.
Beyond academia, we dive into what the world recognizes as the Creative Industries – encompassing video games, television, film, music and more. Originally named Entertainment Industry Studies, our program has evolved to become the launching pad for over 300 students annually.
Career Possibilities
Graduates of the Media & Entertainment Industries program launch careers in:
-
Media operations and strategy
-
Entertainment business development
-
Live event and festival management
-
Media rights and licensing
-
TV and film production companies
-
Digital content distribution
-
Publishing and literary representation
-
Branded entertainment and influencer marketing
You’ll be ready to pursue roles like production coordinator, A&R rep, brand manager, music supervisor, licensing associate, entertainment publicist or creative executive.
Alumni Testimonials
Jordan Zinserling
Media & Entertainment Industries
"I transferred to Belmont as a sophomore, and the MEI program made Belmont my top choice. The classes and professors have provided me with the tools and leadership experience needed to excel in the entertainment industry. They have also encouraged me to pursue my dreams and celebrate my accomplishments when I have achieved them. I have had the privilege of interning for some amazing companies, which would not have been possible without some of my classes, on-campus organizations and the Belmont USA programs. While the program has helped me excel in the entertainment industry, I have also made so many incredible friends through my classes."
Chandel Shanklin
Media & Entertainment Industries
“I’ve always had talents and interests in multiple areas of entertainment. The MEI Major at Belmont University is the only major I’ve seen where an individual can gain industry relevant knowledge in so many different areas. It’s been a blessing to be a part of such an amazing program with so many wonderful instructors!”
Alexa Gorczynski
Media & Entertainment Industries
"As someone with a ton of different interests, MEI was the perfect major because I didn't have to make any decisions right away. Throughout my years, I had the chance to take many different classes to help me zero in on what I wanted to do after graduation. Through the flexibility I had with internships as a MEI major, I was able to figure out which jobs I did and didn't like."
James Shepard
Study: Media & Entertainment Industries | Music Business
Fisher Center student assistant; shadowed the “American Idol” production filmed on Belmont’s campus
"I’m really interested in the creative side of live events.”
Outcomes & Alumni Successes
Graduates of Belmont’s Media & Entertainment Industries (MEI) program have launched thriving careers in every corner of the entertainment business — from streaming giants like Netflix to global media leaders such as CBS, Simon & Schuster, Universal Music Group and The Walt Disney Company.
This entertainment business degree prepares students for success in a broad range of fields including media management, content development, talent representation, publishing, live event operations and more.
Many alumni go on to pursue advanced studies or move into leadership roles within the industry, drawing on the real-world experiences and professional connections they gained at Belmont.
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.
Within six months of graduation, 98% of Mike Curb College graduates are employed, continuing their education or serving in the military, and 89% of employed graduates hold positions aligned with their short- or long-term career goals.
Learn from Experienced Faculty
Our faculty brings deep experience in media research, entertainment innovation, business development and global market trends. Whether you're pursuing media business studies, a media management Nashville focus or aiming for an entertainment operations role, our professors provide the mentorship and insight to help you succeed.
Nate Drake
Email: nathan.drake@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 333
Nadine Perrero
Email: nadine.perrero@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 346
Stephen Rush
Email: stephen.rush@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 345
David Schreiber
Email: david.schreiber@belmont.edu
Office Location: Johnson Center 355
Michael Sloane
Email: michael.sloane@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 344
Ken Spring
Email: ken.spring@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 343
Sarita Stewart
Email: sarita.stewart@belmont.edu
Office Location: Jack C. Massey Center 345
Media & Entertainment Industries is a flexible BA or BS that spans the broader creative economy, including film, gaming, streaming and live event management, while Music Business is an AACSB-accredited BBA focused on the financial and legal specifics of the music industry. Choose MEI for breadth across media, and Music Business for a business degree centered on music.
The core focus of the MEI curriculum is the strategic side of the creative economy, blending business analytics, marketing, entertainment law and organizational leadership. You learn to manage, market and lead entertainment ventures across multiple media.
With a media and entertainment degree, you can pursue careers in talent management, digital content distribution, rights and licensing, brand partnerships and live event or festival management. Belmont graduates have launched careers at companies including Netflix, CBS, Universal Music Group and The Walt Disney Company.
Nashville is a global entertainment hub, which lets Media & Entertainment Industries students intern with major booking agencies, film production houses and festival organizers throughout their four years. The city’s growing film, broadcast, publishing and gaming sectors put career connections minutes from campus.
Yes, the MEI program requires a minor, because it is a BA or BS degree. You choose a minor such as public relations, marketing or entrepreneurship to tailor your skills to the part of the industry you want to enter.
The MEI degree is primarily business-focused, preparing you to manage, market and lead creative projects rather than produce media yourself. It is built for students who want the strategic and operational side of entertainment.
Contact Us
Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business
Emily Reynolds
Admissions Coordinator
615.460.6453
Email Emily
Plan Your Visit
There's no better way to experience Belmont than by visiting campus. Whether you attend an admissions event, take a student-led campus tour or explore Nashville while you're here, a visit helps you picture yourself as part of the Belmont community.