Business and Management of Entertainment Certificate Program

Get a thorough understanding of the entertainment business – from film industry principles to legal and financial affairs.

PLAN YOUR STUDIES

Courses

6 Required

3 Elective

Methods

In Person

Online

F-1 Visa Eligible

Yes

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This program is perfect for...

Aspiring Hollywood executives

Entertainment professionals seeking to expand their expertise

Individuals interested in business with an emphasis on entertainment

Creatives exploring filmmaking careers

What you can learn.

Get a primer on entertainment business and legal affairs

Study film industry foundations, including pre-production, production and post-production

Become familiar with entertainment-focused finance and accounting

Explore entertainment-focused marketing and distribution

Preparing future managers, moguls and mavericks.

The Business and Management of Entertainment Certificate program is designed for aspiring mainstream Hollywood executives, as well as those interested in the world of independent filmmaking.

Students gain an understanding of industry business practices by taking foundation courses – pre-production, production and post-production – as well as courses covering business and legal affairs, finance and accounting, and marketing and distribution.

Formats: Online or In-Person
Duration: 9 months (full-time) to 3 years
Unit Requirement: 36
GPA Requirement: minimum 3.0 for certificate completion

This certificate is approved for international students to study full time in the U.S. on an F-1 visa.

International students must meet English language proficiency requirements for admission into the program.

While most certificate programs begin each quarter, some have limited intakes for students studying on F-1 visa. Find this program on the Browse Certificate Programs page to confirm entry quarters before applying.

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Get Started

Step 1: Enroll in a Course

Courses in this program are open enrollment and paid for individually. You may take courses without committing to the program.

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Step 2: Become a Candidate

Establish candidacy in the program to receive tailored information, lock in course requirements, and access exclusive student benefits. Registration fees vary by program and are listed under Cost and Fees.

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Important Note for International Students: Candidacy fees are included in your program fees and do not need to be paid separately.

View Dates & Program Fees for International Students

Cost and Fees

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application and Candidacy Fee

$200

Estimated Textbooks and Materials

$550

Estimated Program Tuition

$7515

International Student Fees

Payment Options

Eligible for VA Benefit
Federal Financial Aid is not available

Required Courses

The Business of Entertainment

This introductory course examines the changing business issues associated with the entertainment industry through lectures, discussions with industry guests, and case studies.

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Pre-Production and Production for Film and Television

This survey course presents an overview of the real-world aspects of producing as practiced in the various sectors of filmed entertainment from script development through pre-production and production.

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Post-Production for Film and Television

Emphasizing how new technologies continue to impact post-production, this course examines the post-production process for film and television. May include guest speakers.

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Legal Primer for the Entertainment Business

Explore key legal principles and contractual relationships within film and television. Develop a core understanding of subjects including idea protection, copyright, defamation, privacy, and the right of publicity.

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Entertainment Financing: From First $ to Distribution of Profits

This course covers the financial aspects of each step of the motion picture value chain (from development through profit participation) and considers the implications of financial choices.

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Marketing Entertainment: Strategies for the Global Marketplace

Learn the global strategies and platforms necessary to successfully profit from a film such as branding your property effectively, distribution procedures, and the power of cutting-edge social media outreach and research.

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Elective Courses

Customize your experience

Complete 3 electives (12 units) from courses numbered X 400-499 in Business and Management of Entertainment, Producing, or Film and TV Development. Below is a list of suggested electives.

Suggested Electives

Advanced Entertainment Financing

Learn to apply advanced financial structures in support of profit optimization and risk mitigation. Participants leave the class ready to strategically secure financing for their projects, craft compelling pitch decks, and pitch at film markets.

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Marketing and Distributing Independent Films Across All Platforms

Learn how to find domestic and overseas distribution for theatrical, television, DVD, and alternative markets by gaining knowledge on how to craft a distribution strategy from the earliest stages of project development.

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Independent Film Financing

Gain an understanding of a wide variety of financial models for funding an entertainment project, exploring the advantages and disadvantages of each.

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Copyright Law in the Entertainment Industry

A general overview of intellectual property rights with a focus on copyright law and its role in the film, music, and digital online industries, including such related areas as celebrity endorsements and branding.

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Building an Online Audience

Learn how to create a public face and promotional platform for your creative content using relevant video platforms, social media, and available website creation tools. The goal is to create an individual presentation plan.

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Movie Magic Budgeting

Delve into the industry standard producing software Movie Magic and explore how to effectively create real production budgets, schedules, and other organizational procedures necessary for physical production

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Starting Your Own Entertainment Production Company

A practical primer on starting a business, staying in business, and thriving, whether in motion pictures, television, or another entertainment industry venture.

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Production Accounting for Film and Television

Learn what it takes to handle all the financial controls of a film and television production including setting up accounts and purchase orders, accurate reporting of finances, and knowledge of signatory guilds and unions.

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A World of International Filmmaking

Learn the elements and stages to producing films outside of the U.S. Topics include: film commissions, financing, locations and climate, facilities, budgets, unions and working practices, co-production treaties, and local partners and distributors.

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Inside the World of Film Acquisitions: How to Sell Your Project to Hollywood

Learn the art of selling your project to studios, production and sales companies, indie distributors and the like through understanding how buyers, known as acquisitions execs, evaluate the "worth" of your project.

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Film and Television Internship

Gain firsthand experience in the entertainment industry through an internship in your chosen field. Only candidates in certificate programs are eligible for internship credit.

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An internship in film and television can provide you with practical experience in a variety of job functions. Certificate students must complete a minimum of 12 units of program curriculum (3 courses) before completing the application for approval to enroll in an internship.

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