Master of Arts in Faith-Based Music Business, Management

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.A. in Faith-Based Music Business, Management

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced Faith-Based Music Business, Management core

27 credit hours

Research, assessment, and program evaluation

12 credit hours

Professional application and field experience

12 credit hours

Graduate capstone requirement

9 credit hours

The Master of Arts in Faith-Based Music Business and Management at HBI University is an advanced graduate program designed for professionals seeking to integrate professional business acumen with the strategic needs of the faith-based music and entertainment industries. The curriculum focuses on the complexities of copyright law, artist management, digital distribution, and financial stewardship, all viewed through a lens of ethical integrity and servant leadership. Students are challenged to bridge the gap between commercial viability and organizational mission, ensuring that artistic endeavors remain aligned with principles of virtue and long-term sustainability.

Throughout the program, students examine the music industry's evolving landscape through rigorous theoretical and practical modules. The program emphasizes administrative excellence, resource optimization, and leadership development, equipping graduates to serve as effective administrators and advocates within music-focused ministries and creative enterprises. By fostering a culture of academic inquiry and professional rigor, HBI University prepares students to serve with distinction and intentionality in diverse creative environments.

The 60-credit master's program provides advanced preparation in faith-based music business, management theory, human behavior, ethics, assessment awareness, research, program evaluation, crisis response, leadership, referral, and faith-based music business, management-support services.

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based music business, management-support program; A professional training manual; A program-development and evaluation project; Another faculty-approved scholarly project.

The program is designed for completion within two academic years by students maintaining the University's prescribed full-time course load. Part-time students may require additional time.

Florida establishes a minimum of 24 semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree for a master's program. The University's 60-credit requirement is an institutional academic standard that exceeds that minimum.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 60
• Duration: 2 years
• Degree Level: Master

Capstone: Strategic Music Business Project

• 4
• RES 570
• MGT 640
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• 4
• None
• BUS 650
• Advanced Strategic Management
• 3
• MGT 550
• CHR 660
• Servant Leadership in Practice
• 3
• MGT 500
• CAP 690 — Capstone: Strategic Music Business Project: The culminating project where students design and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for a music-based organization. This includes professional presentation of research, fiscal modeling, and mission alignment. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT 640 — Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Focuses on launching new creative initiatives and managing organizational change. It explores agile methods for sustained innovation in a competitive market. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS 650 — Advanced Strategic Management: Integrates all aspects of management, law, and finance into cohesive high-level strategy. Students practice long-term visioning and executive planning. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR 660 — Servant Leadership in Practice: Focuses on practical applications of servant leadership within professional teams and communities. It stresses the importance of humility, integrity, and ethical influence. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Thesis or Capstone Project

• The Capstone Project serves as the final, integrative experience for the Master of Arts program, requiring students to synthesize their learning across financial management, legal theory, and organizational leadership. Students are tasked with developing a comprehensive business model or strategic organizational plan that addresses a real-world problem within a music-based organization. This project must demonstrate rigorous academic research, innovative problem-solving, and professional-grade implementation strategies.
• Beyond technical competence, the capstone provides a vital space for students to apply faith-informed character development, addressing themes such as stewardship, integrity, and social justice. Students must demonstrate how their proposed solutions reflect biblical values and advance the mission of their chosen organization, effectively balancing commercial requirements with vocational calling. This culminating work certifies that the student possesses the leadership, moral character, and analytical skills necessary for professional excellence in a faith-informed context.

Career Opportunities

• Non-profit Arts Administrator
• Music Ministry Director
• Record Label Operations Manager
• Artist Management Consultant
• Digital Distribution Coordinator
• Performing Arts Strategic Planner
• Music Copyright and Licensing Specialist

Important Notices

• The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
• HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
• HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
• Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
• The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
• Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
• Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
• This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
• Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
• Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
• Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
• Degree abbreviation | M.A. in Faith-Based Music Business, Management
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced Faith-Based Music Business, Management core | 27 credit hours
• Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
• Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
• Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT 500 | Foundations of Organizational Leadership | 4 | None
• BUS 510 | Financial Stewardship for Music Enterprises | 4 | None
• HUM 520 | Ethical Reasoning in Creative Industries | 3 | None
• COM 530 | Strategic Communication for Nonprofits | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS 540 | Music Industry Legal Frameworks | 4 | MGT 500
• MGT 550 | Operations and Project Management | 4 | MGT 500
• BUS 560 | Digital Distribution and Platform Strategy | 3 | None
• RES 570 | Research Methods for Creative Administration | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT 600 | Advanced Leadership and Human Capital | 4 | MGT 500
• BUS 610 | Global Music Marketing and Branding | 4 | COM 530
• SOC 620 | Sociology of Creative Labor and Professional Identity | 3 | None
• BUS 630 | Advanced Licensing and Royalty Administration | 3 | BUS 540
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP 690 | Capstone: Strategic Music Business Project | 4 | RES 570
• MGT 640 | Entrepreneurship and Innovation | 4 | None
• BUS 650 | Advanced Strategic Management | 3 | MGT 550
• CHR 660 | Servant Leadership in Practice | 3 | MGT 500