Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem Certificate

May 30, 2023
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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) which will be offered in the intersession and summer terms.

The certificate provides foundational knowledge, financial literacy, and a full understanding of royalties, licensing, sync licensing, production, publishing, touring, networking, law, marketing and more.

This credential will provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the music industry to use their skills, knowledge and talents as a musician, composer and creator to monetize their work and build a successful career in the music industry and to contribute to the strength of the economic impact of the music industry globally.

Program Highlights

  • Courses may count as electives toward any BMus concentration and may be taken by any Laurier student with an interest in learning how the Music Industry Ecosystem works.
  • Working professionals may apply for the Certificate as a part-time Laurier student.
  • The certificate is offered in partnership with Music Canada and CONNECT Music Licensing.
  • The certificate is part one of a two-part suite of related offerings. Part two will be a distinct, non-credit certificate completed largely online, with an in-person component that offers deeper knowledge and practical skills through case studies, networking and internship opportunities in the music industry.

Program Details

Each of the four courses in the certificate program are self-standing, without pre-requisites. The courses may be taken in any order. Two courses of the program will be offered, consecutively, in each Intersession and Summer term as 6-week intensive online courses. Students may complete all four courses over two summers or may complete them one at a time. If enrolment is capable of sustaining all courses in every summer, the Faculty may offer them more regularly.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of copyright and ownership of creative works, including: performances, recordings, and compositions; the steps required to copyright a work; and the role of legal representation in asserting and sustaining revenue in copyright matters;
  2. Explain the role of music royalties, licensing, synchronization, and their intersection in the music industry;
  3. Register a creation or piece of work to generate revenue;
  4. Develop a business that accommodates the music industry structure including, but not limited to, financial framework, legal contract structure, grant application and where to find support funds;
  5. Navigate sound recording deals, distribution, and production of works, including a comprehensive overview of the structure of a recording deal to ensure a creator is properly compensated for their work;
  6. Monetize the performance sector of the music industry in relation to touring, concerts, other performances, merchandising and brand partnerships.

Course Offerings

MU225 - Entrepreneurship in the Music Industry: 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.

MU226 - Monetizing your Musical Creations: Royalties and Licensing 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: What is Copyright? Flow of Revenues in Music Publishing, Performance, Mechanical, Online and streaming, Sync & Other uses, How to Register a Work, Royalty Calculations, and Royalty Accounting Software platforms.

MU227 - Record Deals and Music Production: 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.

MU228 - The Business of Being a Professional Musician: 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.

Admissions Requirements

This program was designed to either be taken concurrently with an undergraduate degree as part of your elective courses, or independently as a stand-alone credential and therefore has flexible admission requirements.

Honours or general undergraduate Laurier students from any campus or program may enrol in these courses as electives. When all requirements are satisfied, students may submit an application to receive your certificate form. Students from other universities may enrol in the courses using a Letter of Permission from their home institution. Working professionals may apply through Laurier’s part-time application form. Contact choosemusic@wlu.ca. 

Flexible Online Learning

Our courses are all online and are half of a regular course weight (six weeks). With a full credential in 2.0 credits, you can fit this certificate into your life and studies.

  • Working professionals find an online, part-time program fits with their personal and employment schedules and can continue to develop professional experience while studying.
  • Even our most extroverted students have been thrilled with the level of engagement, sharing, bonding and fun they have in our online classes.