- What: Belmont University Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business
- Where: Nashville, TN, USA
- Degrees Offered: Variety of options depending on field of study. More information below
Founded in 1971, Belmont University's Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business is one on the most lauded music business programs in the US. The department offers several different tracks of study to prepare students for work in varying sectors of the music industry, and the faculty is similarly made up of people with experience in different music fields. Unlike some music business degree programs, Belmont does not require students to be music performers to seek a music business education, which is a distinct advantage for students who know they want to work exclusively on the business side of things.
The Belmont music internship program is one of the biggest selling points of the degree and is one of the things for which the school is most well known. Virtually any student who wants to perform an internship gets the chance to do so, starting in their junior year, and these internships can range from local jobs to internships around the world. Students can perform up to ten internships for academic credit during their time at Belmont.
Belmont takes full advantage of its Nashville location, and students get plenty of opportunities to experience the music industry first hand locally. The college runs the Belmont Cafe, which host an open mic night for Nashville artists as well as putting on local and touring bands.
Belmont also operates two recording studios - the Belmont Studio, which is both a learning ground for students and a fully functioning studio where artists such as Sheryl Crow and Dave Matthews have recorded. They are also work with the Country Music Hall of Fame to run RCA Studio B, where Elvis and others have recorded.
Mike Curb College of Music has a few different degree options students can choose, each linked to a specific field of study:
- Music Business - Bachelor of Business Administration (with a business emphasis or product emphasis) and Master of Business Administration with a music emphasis
- Entertainment Industry Studies - Bachelor of Science (BS) or Bachelor of Arts (BA)
- Songwriting - BS or BA
- Audio Engineering Technology - BS or BA
Admission to the Mike Curb College of Music and Entertainment is through the general admission process of Belmont University. A high school diploma is required, but the school welcomes applications from both traditional and non-traditional students. You can find applications forms and information about transcripts, SATs, and other supporting material requirements on the Belmont University website admissions page.
Belmont is a private university, and it can be pricey. Your best source of help for figuring out how to cover the costs at the university is the Belmont financial aid office. They can walk you through the process of applying for federal and private funding for US students and provide international students with guidance about their options as well.
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