How to Apply

MA, Music Business

You are required to upload a copy of your most recent résumé or curriculum vitae as part of your application.

This requirement is for Fall 2025 applicants. New requirements and the essay topic will change for future semesters. The new requirements are typically posted at the end of August, so please be sure to check back if you plan to apply for a future semester. 

Write a topical 800-word essay (not including bibliography) based on the prompt below. It should be double-spaced and cite all sources used in a bibliography.

The live performance sector of the music industry encompasses everything from small clubs and theaters to stadia and multi-day festivals. In many ways the live business has bounced back strongly from the global pandemic, but significant challenges remain. Among these are long-standing issues around ticketing, extra fees, and the secondary ticketing market; the struggles of small venues to stay in business; and the cancellation of numerous high-profile tours for a variety of reasons, from lower than predicted ticket sales to performing artists’ physical and mental health struggles. In the meantime, festivals such as Coachella and Glastonbury drive media attention for a variety of up-and-coming and legacy acts, and major international tours by performers such as Taylor Swift and Bruce Springsteen make headlines around the world. Drawing on your own subjective experiences of live music gigs and events that you have attended, write an 800-word essay that explores opportunities and threats that you consider significant in the live music space and are interested in researching. Applicants from outside of the US are encouraged to write about the live music business in their own countries or regions. Please also note that you should not use ChatGPT or other GAI in writing this essay. Please emphasize your own personal reflections about your live music experiences.

Please provide this data in a narrative form, single-spaced, not to exceed 4 pages total.

A. Professional Overview: What are your goals in this field? Other than studying at NYU, outline at least three steps you plan to take to reach those goals. Why do you wish to study in this field at the graduate level?

B. Self-Appraisal: What major assets do you present to support your selection for training in this program? What are your present weaknesses and limitations? In what ways do you think NYU may help you? What other steps have you taken or do you plan to take to improve yourself academically, vocationally, personally, or otherwise?

C. Research Ideas: Cite several current business topics related to the present state of any sector(s) of the music industry. Select one topic and suggest how you would research it on the graduate level.

D. For the concentration in Music Technology, please include the following:

• A description of your academic and/or professional experience in music and business/database technology
• A list of the music and business and database technology tools you are familiar with, both hardware and software, and links to samples of your work if available
• How this concentration will further your career goals

Submit two letters of recommendation. Be sure to request them well in advance of the deadline. Read detailed instructions.

These letters should attest to your strengths, weaknesses, potential to succeed in a rigorous academic program, and potential for management.

Upload one official copy of transcripts from every postsecondary institution (college/university) you have attended or are attending. Please note: This includes transcripts from institutions where you received transfer credits or did not complete a degree.  Make sure to request an official copy of the transcript(s) in advance of the deadline.

Transfer Credits

We understand accepted transfer credits may be clearly listed on your degree awarding institution’s transcript. The Office of Graduate Admissions still requires a transcript from the initial credit-granting institution where you took the course(s). Delay in listing and uploading these transcripts can significantly delay the application review process.

Institutions Outside the US or Canada

If you completed or are completing a degree at an institution outside of the US or Canada, you are required to provide a WES or ECE international credentials evaluation. Please review our requirements for translation and a course-by-course evaluation of your transcripts.

See detailed instructions on submitting transcripts.

Not required.

See testing requirements.

Start your application now

After you fill in and upload the required information, you can submit your completed application. Your application must be completed, dated, electronically signed, and submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST of the stated deadline.

You will be prompted to pay a $75 application fee, payable by major credit card only. After submitting your payment, you will see your application status change from “saved” to “submitted.” Please print this screen for your records, as it confirms that your application has been successfully sent to our school. If you have problems submitting your payment, please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions. Learn more about our fee waiver policy.

If any application materials need to be mailed to our office, mail the materials to NYU Steinhardt, Office of Graduate Admissions, 82 Washington Square East, 3rd Floor New York, NY 10003-6680.  Please do not mail your materials in binders or folders. Any mailed materials must be received by, not postmarked by, the stated deadline. Only completed applications will be considered and reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt of mailed materials.

You will be notified about your decision by email. Typically, decisions will start going out in late November for Spring semester enrollment and in late March or early April for Summer or Fall enrollment. You may learn of your decision before or after this timeline.