Studying Music Marketing: Degrees at a Glance
Music marketing professionals use advertisements, merchandising and distribution to spread the word about musical acts or products. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), all marketing managers, including those in the music industry, tend to have at least a bachelor's degree in marketing, sales or a similar field. An associate degree in these areas can prepare you for entry-level positions in marketing. According to the BLS, marketing managers in general were expected to see a 13% increase in employment over the 2010-2020 decade, which is about average for all occupations during this period.
If you want to focus your marketing skills and education on musical products specifically, you should have an understanding of the music industry, including online music distribution and music retail outlets. You can gain these skills through internships and professional experience, but you might also consider enrolling in a degree program that focuses on the business side of the music industry.
Associate | Bachelor's | |
---|---|---|
Who is this degree for? | Individuals who want to learn basic marketing skills to gain an entry-level job in the business side of the music industry | Individuals who want upper-level or management positions in music marketing |
Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Product promoter ($28,000)* - Retail sales supervisor ($41,000) | Marketing manager ($126,000)* |
Time to Completion | About two years | About four years |
Common Graduation Requirements | - Core business courses - General education courses - Potential requirement of a 'C' or higher | - Business and marketing courses - Internship |
Prerequisites | High school diploma or GED | - High school diploma or GED - ACT or SAT scores |
Online Availability | Yes | Yes |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2011 figures.