Graduate Certificate in Music Career Development

The College of Music’s Certificate in Career Development is designed for graduate students to explore the interdependent relationship between their creative practices and their business practices, helping prepare students to effectively operate as an independent contractor in the US arts ecosystem, including understanding how to create a DBA, LLC, 501C3, or other organization. Students will construct goals related to their graduate experiences and career objectives and implement project management tools to effectively execute these goals. Coursework includes students’ selection of classes on topics of Music Entrepreneurship and Music Business, Arts and Cultural Management, Music Advertising, Composition, Music Preparation, and Chamber Music, and concludes with an internship or capstone experience.

Certificate in Music Career Development Application

• Graduate students wishing to apply should download and complete this application for the Graduate Certificate in Music Career Development.
• Send completed applications to Christine Beamer (beamerch@msu.edu) and Susan Hoekstra (shoekst@msu.edu).
• The deadline to apply for the certificate is same as the drop/add deadline of the applicant's second semester of graduate school (typically, January of the first year of a graduate program).
• Following the submission of the application, each graduate student applicant needs to book a meeting with Christine Beamer via Handshake to discuss their plan for the certificate.

Requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Music Career Development

It is best if students who wish to complete the certificate make that decision by end of their first semester. Please consult the Graduate Advisor to understand how it can best work with your degree requirements.

Detailed requirements for Certificate in Music Career Development