Master of Arts in Entertainment Industry Management

CSUN’s Master of Arts in Entertainment Industry Management program combines business, creative and operational knowledge to prepare students for careers across the entertainment industry. Designed in collaboration with industry experts, the program covers areas such as producing, storytelling and script analysis, entertainment finance, marketing and pitching, production management, audience analytics, industry regulations and emerging production technologies. 

Students also gain practical experience through an industry internship and a graduate project that bring together knowledge developed throughout the program. 

Yes. The program is fully online, providing flexibility for working professionals and others who want to pursue a graduate degree while balancing professional and personal commitments. 

The program is designed to be completed in two years. It consists of 12 courses totaling 36 units.

Yes. Students progress through the program as a cohort, allowing them to build relationships and collaborate with the same group of peers throughout their graduate experience. The cohort is limited to 45 students. 

The program is designed for individuals interested in advancing into management, creative, business and leadership roles within the entertainment industry. 

The curriculum provides students with an understanding of how entertainment projects are developed, financed, produced, marketed and distributed, while preparing them to navigate the business and operational aspects of the industry. 

Yes. Practical application is an important part of the program. In addition to coursework, students participate in simulations, an industry internship and a graduate project. 

Throughout the curriculum, students learn how to evaluate content, develop and pitch entertainment projects, work with budgets and financial information, understand production processes, analyze audiences and apply entertainment industry regulations.

Yes. The curriculum includes an Entertainment Industry Management Internship, giving students an opportunity to apply what they have learned in a professional entertainment industry environment. 

The internship helps connect academic learning with real-world industry experience before graduation. 

Students work on projects and activities that reflect the way the entertainment industry operates, including evaluating creative content, developing projects, creating budgets, analyzing audiences, pitching ideas and understanding production workflows. 

The program culminates in a graduate project in which students develop a proposal for a 10-episode television limited series, including supporting documentation and a marketing plan. Students then present their proposal to executives working in network and cable television and the streaming industry.

Yes. Industry connection is an important component of the program. CSUN is located in Los Angeles, at the center of the entertainment industry, and EIM faculty bring extensive professional experience and industry connections to the classroom. 

Students also gain exposure to the industry through their internship, networking opportunities and graduate project, including the opportunity to present their final proposal to entertainment industry executives. 

The curriculum covers multiple aspects of the entertainment business, including:

• Producing, agencies and management
• Storytelling and script analysis
• Entertainment accounting and budgeting
• Film and television production management
• Entertainment operations
• Marketing, sales and pitching
• Audience and multimedia content analysis
• Innovation and entrepreneurship
• Animation, virtual production and VFX
• Entertainment industry regulations

This broad approach helps students understand both the creative and business sides of bringing entertainment projects to market. 

Students develop skills needed to identify promising content and emerging trends, develop and pitch entertainment projects, manage budgets and financial information, understand contracts and industry regulations, use data to inform business decisions, and understand modern production pipelines. 

The program prepares graduates for a wide range of roles across the entertainment industry. Depending on their experience, interests and career path, opportunities may include roles such as:

• Entertainment Executive
• Producer
• Talent Agent
• Entertainment Marketing Manager
• Studio Manager
• Film or Television Production Manager
• Creative Director
• Content Strategist
• Business Affairs Manager
• Licensing Manager
• Digital Media Manager
• Distribution Manager
• Entertainment Consultant
• Brand Manager

The program’s combination of industry knowledge, practical experience, professional connections and business skills prepares graduates to pursue management and leadership opportunities across the evolving entertainment industry.