The undergraduate certificate in Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem is a fully online and asynchronous credential that consists of four 0.5 credit courses (2.0 credits total). You'll receive a comprehensive understanding of the music industry, enabling you to use your knowledge and talents as a musician, composer or creator to monetize your work and build a successful career, as well as to contribute to the strength of the economic impact of the music industry globally.
We make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors. Here are a few things you can count on:
Here are just a few examples of the experiences you’ll have access to in this program:
This course provides students with a foundation to establish the components of an entrepreneurial business that is structured around the business operations of the music industry. Throughout the course, the key learning will be understanding the business model structure, financial literacy, and business affairs necessary to run a successful business when it comes to musical performance and creation.
Topics include: understanding the music industry ecosystem, business model structure, financial framework, business managers and agents, legal and business affairs, and grants and free money.
In this modern age of digital technology and globalization, there are many different ways in which music is consumed and utilized. This course will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the different types of royalty and licensing revenues and how to ensure they are compensated for the use of their musical performance, composition and songwriting in all music listening platforms.
Topics include: copyright, flow of revenues in music publishing, performance, mechanical, online and streaming, sync and other uses, how to register a work, royalty calculations, and royalty accounting software platforms.
This course will provide students with an overview and structure of a record deal and what is involved with music production. What major points need to be considered and agreed upon to benefit the creator for their work and how it is sold? The course content on record deals will lead into the structure and execution of music production that supports the record deal.
Topics include: record deals and distribution, advances and recoupment, major deal points, and production.
There are many elements to being a professional musician. This course will provide students with the many aspects of being a professional musician and managing the business lines that are available for a fully rounded musician in all sectors of the music industry. The key learning points will be to ensure there is a comprehensive understanding of the entire cycle for a professional musician when they compose, perform and sell their work.
Topics include: touring, performing/concert, merchandising, advanced royalty computations, songwriting, co-publishing and administration, and content music.
Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to international@wlu.ca.
Laurier's language of instruction is English, and so we may require you to provide evidence of your English proficiency to help make sure you are successful in your academic courses.
Your three most recent years of full-time education must be in English without taking any ESL (English as a Second Language) courses. If you do not meet this requirement, you must provide evidence of your English proficiency.
We reserve the right to request an English-language test from any applicant.
If you do not meet Laurier's English proficiency requirement but are academically qualified for your program, you may be eligible for a conditional offer of admission.
The Academic Transition Pathway (ATP) program is offered through our affiliated institution, Wilfrid Laurier International College, and provides an option for meeting our English-proficiency requirement. If you have received an offer to Laurier with a condition to meet our English-proficiency requirement, you can meet that condition by successfully completing the ATP program.
Visit our admission requirements section to find specific requirements for transfer students, indigenous applicants, mature learners, homeschooled applicants, senior citizens, refugees, and more.
It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.
Note: Additional training and education may be required.
Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.
Want to know what it’s really like to be in this program? U Community is our Discord server where future Golden Hawks like you can connect with current students to get their first-hand stories and tips on living and learning at Laurier.
Questions? Email choosemusic@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all Music faculty and staff.
Think this program might be the perfect fit for you and your future?
