Online Master of Professional Studies in Business for Creatives

Bridge the Gap Between Art and Business

Today’s creative professionals thrive when they augment their artistic talent with business skills. The online Master of Professional Studies in Business for Creatives from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) is designed to accomplish that goal, empowering artists, designers and innovators to successfully launch and grow a creative career.

Request Information

Do You Have a Bachelor’s Degree?(Required)

Select a Program*(Required)

Name(Required)

Company(Required)

Zip(Required)

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

I agree to allow MICA or its third-party designees to send me recurring marketing messages via text message (SMS or MMS) by automated means at the phone number provided above. Consent is not required to attend MICA or to receive information by other means. Messages and data rates may apply. You may opt-out of SMS or MMS messages at any time by replying “STOP” to any message. For information about how we use and disclose your information, please review the privacy policy.

Choose One

I Agree

This field is hidden when viewing the form

TrackId

Learn to build a successful career with a business degree designed for creatives

Program Benefits

Benefit from a 100% online program with flexible scheduling.

A streamlined, 15-minute Easy Apply application, with no need for an essay or letters of recommendation.

Earn 30 credit hours
in as few as 15 months.

Develop business skills you can implement immediately in your creative business venture.

Learn practical career strategies for launching your creative business or advancing your career.

What You Will Learn in the Business for Creatives Degree Program

A lack of business skills shouldn’t become a barrier to creative success. In the M.P.S. in Business for Creatives program, you will learn how to create the ideas that create impact by learning essential skills, including developing business plans, conducting market research and creating financial forecasts. You will also gain hands-on experience through practical coursework, case studies, projects and a capstone.

Whether building a portfolio or launching a new venture, you will gain the knowledge and confidence to take a creative idea from concept to market.

Who Can Benefit From an Online Business Degree for Creatives?

Our graduate program can benefit you no matter what creative field you work in. You may work in the arts and entertainment industry and want to create your own business or product, or as a social media influencer. You may be a recent graduate from a creative discipline, or a graphic designer working in a corporate setting. Whatever the case, the M.P.S. in Business for Creatives can provide you with the skills and knowledge you need to take the next step in your creative career.

Our program also provides important skills if you are a mid-career professional who wants to pivot into creative business management.

Business for Creatives Credential Program

Unable to earn a master’s degree at this time? MICA also offers a Business for Creatives Credential that includes the first four courses of the M.P.S. program.

Unleash ideas and impact your world

Learn to move a creative venture from concept to market using innovative strategies, with the capstone course serving as a springboard for launching or growing your business venture.

Course Sequence

Courses in the M.P.S. in Business for Creatives program include:

Courses

Credits

M.P.S. and Credential

Foundations of Creative Business Strategy

Core Skills

Business planning, market research, value proposition development, financial planning basics, mission and vision development, self-assessment for entrepreneurial drive.

Course Description

This course introduces fundamental business concepts, focusing on business planning, models, and key terms applicable across industries. Students will explore business opportunities, translate creative ideas into actionable plans, and conduct self-assessments to understand their strengths, weaknesses, and entrepreneurial drive. The course covers essential topics such as market research, value propositions, mission and vision development, financial planning, and the demands of small business ownership. Through discussions, assignments, and practical application, students will develop a preliminary business plan and a deeper understanding of how to move a business from concept to market.

M.P.S. and Credential

Financial Literacy for Creatives

Core Skills

Financial accounting principles, financial statement analysis (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow), budgeting, financial forecasting, tax implications for creative businesses, managerial accounting.

Course Description

This course provides students with a foundational understanding of financial accounting and its application to small creative businesses. Students will learn key concepts, terminology, and tools used in business finance, including how to read and analyze financial statements to make informed decisions about cash flow, profitability, and expenses. Topics include budgeting, financial forecasting, investment principles, and entity structures, focusing on the tax implications for various business forms. Students will also study managerial accounting concepts, the creation of the four basic financial statements—income statement, statement of retained earnings, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows—and how to interpret financial data for decision-making. The course covers local, state, and federal tax treatment and multi-state tax issues that may impact creative ventures.

M.P.S. and Credential

Operation Essentials in Creative Industries

Core Skills

HR fundamentals, intellectual property (copyright, trademarks), contract negotiation, licensing, legal and regulatory compliance, operational software applications, professional networking.

Course Description

This course provides a comprehensive overview of essential business operations for creative entrepreneurs, focusing on understanding core concepts that will enable a business owner to interpret and apply counsel from a network of expert advisors in areas such as accounting, human resources, legal matters, and intellectual property as well as comprehensive software to support operations Students will gain a foundational understanding of key concepts needed to interpret and apply counsel from professionals in these fields effectively. Topics include understanding fundamental HR concerns, protecting creative assets through intellectual property, copyrights, and trademarks and strategies for contract negotiation, licensing, and navigating legal and regulatory challenges specific to creative industries. Through case studies and industry connections, students will deepen their legal knowledge, expand their professional networks, and be introduced to core software and applications, equipping them to protect their work and manage the operational complexities of running a successful business.

M.P.S. and Credential

Marketing and Branding Essentials

Core Skills

Marketing strategy development, branding, target market analysis, social media marketing, personal selling, networking, product/service messaging, market research integration.

Course Description

This course provides a comprehensive exploration of marketing, branding, and social media strategy, focusing on developing customer-oriented approaches for creative industries. Students will investigate the essential role of marketing, analyze the marketing process, and learn how to create strategies for engaging target audiences. Topics include branding, personal selling, networking, working with agents and representatives, and refining product/service messaging. Students will learn the essentials of target market identification and analysis and then integrate market research to inform their marketing strategies, helping them develop pricing, promotion, and distribution plans. Particular emphasis is placed on social media marketing for creatives, focusing on strategies to drive consumer engagement.

M.P.S.

Business Management and Leadership for Creatives

Core Skills

Strategic business planning, goal setting, mission statement development, management functions (planning, organizing, leading, controlling), leadership styles, decision-making, team management, communication skills.

Course Description

This course equips students with the skills to start and grow a business while building confidence and strong leadership skills. Topics include creating a strategic business plan, defining your business entity, setting goals and objectives, and crafting a mission statement. Students will study key management functions—planning, organizing, leading, and controlling—along with techniques to improve productivity, morale, and employee development. The course also explores personal and group behavior within organizations, leadership styles, and decision-making, focusing on real-world scenarios that creative entrepreneurs face. By applying management principles and refining their communication abilities, students will gain the tools to lead and manage their businesses in the creative sector successfully.

M.P.S.

Business Communication and Writing

Core Skills

Business writing (proposals, grants, PR materials), media content creation, data organization, public speaking, persuasive communication, journalistic principles, media ethics.

Course Description

This course emphasizes essential business writing skills, from creating media content to drafting proposals, grants, and PR materials. Students will practice gathering and organizing data, meeting deadlines, and developing concise and clear written communication. In addition, students will develop public speaking skills, practicing how to present their ideas effectively, adapt messages to various audiences, and deliver persuasive, engaging communications. Topics include journalistic principles, public relations, media ethics, and the role of effective communication in business success.

M.P.S.

Industry Immersive

Core Skills

Digital leverage (social media, sponsorship), AI application in small business, career advancement strategies, professional networking, industry-specific best practices.

Course Description

As part of your online graduate program, you’ll participate in a 1-credit-hour Industry Immersive course designed to expose you to industry professionals and prepare you for real-world applications in your field. Offered over 8 weeks in an asynchronous format, this course can be completed at your pace within the timeframe the course is open and provides valuable insights and content created by subject matter experts in your specific field.

Through a series of archived workshops and activities, you’ll explore topics which may include digital leverage through social media and sponsorship, and strategies for leveraging AI in small businesses. Career advancement strategies, networking techniques, and industry-specific best practices.

This industry-immersive course offers a unique opportunity to enhance your expertise, expand your professional network, and gain practical skills directly from leaders in your industry.

M.P.S.

Capstone 1: Starting Creative Ventures

Core Skills

Creative entrepreneurial project development, business plan refinement, market research and analysis, project feedback and iteration, actionable marketplace entry steps.

Course Description

Students apply concepts from previous courses to develop a viable creative entrepreneurial project. They refine their business plans, conduct market research and analysis, and prepare for the launch of a creative product or service. This highly collaborative course allows students to provide and receive feedback, refine their projects, and create actionable steps for marketplace entry.

M.P.S.

Capstone II: Creative Business Launch

Core Skills

Business plan execution, investor pitch development, presentation skills, portfolio/pitch deck creation, market launch preparation.

Course Description

The capstone course is a culminating experience where students execute their business plans and apply the skills developed throughout the program. This hands-on course includes presentations, mock investor pitches, and feedback sessions. Students will emerge with a fully developed and market-ready business plan, portfolio, or pitch deck ready for launch.

Why Choose MICA For an Online M.P.S. in Business for Creatives Program?

As the nation’s oldest continuously degree-granting college of art and design, the Maryland Institute College of Art is an epicenter of art and design education for creative leaders. Our fully online Master of Professional Studies in Business for Creatives program is designed for working professionals, providing flexibility without compromising rigor.

Learn from industry-experienced faculty and engage in practical coursework that bridges the gap between creativity and business acumen. Benefit from MICA’s extensive network of creative professionals and resources, including the Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship, dedicated to supporting your entrepreneurial journey.

"This graduate program is a unique curriculum I wish had existed back when I first founded my studio many years ago. My studies not only reinforced what I had been practicing, but also expanded my professional knowledge as I learned how to diversify and scale my illustration business. I am confident that the education that I received at MICA will continue to allow me to grow as an artist and business owner."

Jennifer FairmanM.P.S. Graduate

“At MICA I learned about real life skills and situations that I am now experiencing myself as an entrepreneur. There truly is not a day I do not use skill sets I honed while at MICA. Growing my professional skills and knowledge as a double graduate from MICA has helped me build a growing business in less than two years, while having the skills to do most of the work myself.”

Hunter GroganM.P.S. Graduate

The Ratcliffe Center for Creative Entrepreneurship (RCCE) is a hub of creative applied entrepreneurial support, resources and programming especially designed to help MICA students and Alumni be successful. Learn more about RCCE.

Apply Today

Take the next step at MICA.