Syracuse University

What you'll study

The AEMM curriculum combines management fundamentals with sector-specific applications for the creative and media industries. Core modules typically cover strategic management, financial and budgetary principles for creative organisations, marketing and audience development, legal and ethical issues in media and entertainment, and organisational leadership.

• Strategic Management for the Arts and Media – planning, competitive analysis and business modelling for cultural and media organisations.
• Finance and Budgeting – financial statements, budgeting, revenue models, and fundraising/earned-income strategies relevant to arts organisations and production companies.
• Marketing, Branding and Audience Development – market research, digital promotion, ticketing strategies and community engagement.
• Media Law and Ethics – intellectual property, contracts, rights management and ethical considerations in content distribution.
• Production and Project Management – practical processes for staging events, film/TV production workflows and project scheduling.
• Digital Strategy and New Platforms – monetisation, distribution and analytics for streaming, social and other digital channels.
• Experiential Learning/Internship – placements with arts organisations, media companies or production houses to apply classroom learning in a professional setting.
• Capstone or Applied Project – team-based consulting projects, business plans or production-focused projects that address real industry problems.

Electives and seminars allow specialisation in areas such as arts fundraising, talent management, festival programming, or entertainment production. Teaching is commonly a mix of case studies, guest lectures by industry professionals, group work and practicum projects.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Admissions decisions consider academic records, professional and creative experience, and a demonstrated interest in the arts, media or entertainment sectors.

• Academic transcript from an accredited institution showing completion of a bachelor’s degree.
• Personal statement outlining career goals, relevant experience and reasons for pursuing the AEMM degree.
• Curriculum vitae or résumé detailing education, work experience and any relevant creative projects or internships.
• Letters of recommendation (typically one or two) from academic or professional referees who can speak to the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.
• Portfolio or examples of work may be requested or recommended for applicants with creative backgrounds (e.g. producing credits, marketing campaigns, event portfolios), though a portfolio is not always mandatory.
• English language proficiency – for international applicants whose first language is not English, an accepted test score (such as TOEFL or IELTS) or equivalent proof of proficiency is required.

Some applicants enter with prior professional experience in arts/entertainment; while experience can strengthen an application, the programme also admits recent graduates with strong academic records and clear professional objectives. GRE requirements vary by programme intake and should be checked with admissions.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a broad range of roles across the creative economy, leveraging both management skills and industry-specific knowledge. Typical career paths include:

• Arts administrator or executive director in museums, theatres, orchestras and cultural centres.
• Production manager or line producer in film, television and live events.
• Marketing, audience development or digital strategy roles at media companies, streaming services and performing arts organisations.
• Talent management, artist services and booking agent positions within music, theatre and multimedia sectors.
• Festival and event director, programming manager or operations lead for cultural festivals and conferences.
• Consultant or strategist for creative start-ups, non-profits and commercial media enterprises.

The programme’s practicum and internship components help build professional networks and practical experience that employers seek in the arts and media sectors.

Why study at Syracuse University

Syracuse offers this programme within an environment known for strong connections to the media and communications industries. Students benefit from faculty with professional backgrounds in arts management and media, regular guest speakers from industry, and access to on-campus production facilities and labs that support practical learning.

• Industry engagement – frequent events, internships and partnerships with regional and national arts organisations, production companies and media firms.
• Professional development – career services, alumni networks and mentoring that help translate classroom learning into employment opportunities.
• Practical resources – studios, editing suites and exhibition spaces that allow students to develop real-world projects and portfolios.
• Location and networks – proximity to major cultural centres and a large alumni base in media and entertainment that supports placements and career advancement.

Combined, these elements create an applied, career-focused pathway for graduates aiming to lead organisations at the intersection of art, entertainment and media.