Eastern Washington University

What you'll study

This degree blends core business foundations with specialised courses focused on the arts, media and entertainment sectors. You will study subjects such as introduction to arts and entertainment management, principles of marketing, financial and managerial accounting, event and venue management, audience development and engagement, fundraising and nonprofit management, legal and ethical issues in entertainment, and basic media production and digital content strategies.

• Core business modules: accounting, management theory, marketing, organisational behaviour and business communication.
• Specialist entertainment & media modules: arts administration, event planning and operations, media industries and distribution, music/film/theatre business practices, and publicity/PR for cultural organisations.
• Practical learning: internship or practicum placements with local arts organisations, student-run events, project-based courses and a capstone or portfolio project demonstrating applied skills.
• Electives and cross-discipline study: options in digital media, graphic design, theatre production, music business or nonprofit leadership depending on your interests.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary school qualification equivalent to a high school diploma. Admissions typically consider overall academic performance, relevant coursework in English and mathematics, and any demonstrated interest or experience in arts, media or event planning.

• Standard academic entry will expect completion of general secondary education requirements; specific grade expectations depend on overall applicant competition.
• Domestic applicants may be assessed on high school GPA and preparatory coursework; transfer applicants will provide college transcripts and may be eligible for credit transfer.
• International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements and provide equivalent secondary certification.
• Relevant extracurricular experience, part-time work in arts organisations, a brief personal statement, or references that demonstrate commitment to the field can strengthen an application. A formal creative portfolio is not usually required for the management pathway, though it may be helpful if applying with a specific artistic background.

Career prospects

Graduates launch careers across the arts, entertainment and media sectors where management, marketing and operational skills are needed. Typical roles include arts administrator, venue or theatre manager, event producer, festival coordinator, marketing or audience development manager for cultural organisations, booking agent, tour manager, and development or fundraising officer for nonprofit arts groups.

Other pathways include roles in media companies and digital content firms, artist management, public relations for cultural clients, box office and patron services, or continuing to postgraduate study in arts administration, business or specialised creative industries programmes. The programme’s emphasis on internships and regional partnerships aims to provide practical experience and local industry contacts to support employment entry.

Why study at Eastern Washington University

Eastern Washington University offers a hands-on approach with small classes and access to regional arts and media organisations, giving students opportunities for internships, applied projects and event management experience. The programme emphasises both the business skills needed to run organisations and the sector-specific knowledge necessary to work effectively with creators and audiences.

Students benefit from faculty who combine academic background with professional experience in the creative and cultural sectors, as well as campus resources such as student-run productions and media labs. EWU’s location provides proximity to a lively local arts scene and cultural institutions, supporting networking and placement opportunities that help bridge study and employment in the region’s creative industries.