MSUM offers new ENTERTAINMENT DEGREE from BACK OFFICE to CENTER STAGE

Minnesota State University Moorhead is offering a new degree in Entertainment Industries and Technology (EIT) beginning this fall.

“MSUM’s 30-year history of offering entertainment-related programs began in the music industry and has evolved to meet the needs of our students in relation to the direction the industry is moving,” said Ryan Jackson, associate professor and coordinator of the School of Entertainment Industries and Technology (SoEIT).

MSUM is the only program in a five-state region to offer a degree specific to entertainment and is one of very few accredited programs nationally that offers the flexibility of specialization within the entertainment field.

The U.S. media and entertainment (M&E) industry is comprised of businesses that produce and distribute motion pictures, television programs, commercials, music and audio recordings, books and video games. But the field isn’t just for artists, per- formers and musicians. The industry also needs accountants, marketers, managers and designers. “The beauty of MSUM’s program is the dynamic partnerships with the Paseka School of Business, School of Media Arts & Design, School of Performing Arts, and the College of Humanities & Social Sciences that lets students focus on their unique career preparation within the context of the entertainment industry,” Jackson said.

Linsi Boe is double majoring in EIT and accounting to prepare for an accounting career working for a record label or a music nonprofit.

“EIT allows me to explore many areas of the industry,” Boe said. “The core classes are all-encompassing and teach about all aspects under the umbrella of EIT, and the electives allow for individualization by collaborating with other teachers, departments and majors. Personally, it’s perfect for me; I can study the entertainment industry while also taking classes that fulfill my plan to become an accountant.”

The U.S. M&E market, which represents a third of the global industry and is the largest M&E market worldwide, is expected to reach $771 billion by 2019, up from $632 billion in 2015, according to the 2014-2019 Entertainment & Media Outlook by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (Pw).

“This program is designed to advance diversity of people and occupations within the entertainment industry and to promote career paths considered outside the ‘norm,’” Jackson said. “There are numerous pathways for students to pursue careers in this dynamic and growing field that might not always be apparent. Since we work in the industry ourselves, we can help students fine tune their careers to focus on the unique.”

Students can get relevant and professional industry experience in all areas of entertainment through on-campus opportunities such as helping to produce music and theatre productions or university events or working with Dragon Athletics GO! TEAM.

Jenna Wawers discovered her passion for working big events with large audiences through her work with GO! TEAM, a student-run organization that promotes quality experiences at athletics events and gives students hands-on promotion experiences.

“I gained valuable, real-world experience under the mentorship of the GO! TEAM coordinator Jon Wepking,” Wawers said. “He taught me a lot and I feel exceptionally prepared for a career in this field.”

Wawers graduated in May with a music industry degree (now the EIT degree) and is expected to intern this summer with radio host and deejay for the LA Clippers.

For more information about the program, contact Ryan Jackson, Chair, School of Entertainment Industries and Technology at jacksonr@mnstate.edu or 218.477.2001.