Leadership for Creative Enterprises

Students in the MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises program acquire the knowledge + skills necessary to become successful leaders in Entertainment, Media and the Arts. We connect students to a wide array of professionals and organizations to expose them to current trends and career opportunities. Key features of the MS in Leadership for Creative Enterprises include:

• A curriculum focused on areas such as marketing, finance, entrepreneurship, leadership, and law specifically designed for the creative sector
• An annual trek to a media capital + monthly site visits and professional speakers
• A summer internship, bridging the program curriculum to a real-world setting
• Rolling admissions and matriculation – Start the program in the fall or winter quarter
• Earn your master’s degree in one year

The curriculum is designed to help you acquire the knowledge and skills needed to lead creative people, projects, and teams. Core courses teach you the principles that are essential for creative projects. Elective courses allow you to more fully understand the demands, opportunities, and challenges of leadership that arise within and across particular creative genres and to focus on additional skills that you deem important for your career. Full-time students are registered for three to four credits of courses each quarter, which are a mix of the core and elective courses listed below and the professional development course. During the summer, students are enrolled in an online, three-credit internship course. Where an internship may not be feasible for a student, a thesis option is available.

Core Courses

• Understanding the Creative Industries 
• Organizational Processes in Creative Enterprises 
• The Business of the Creative Sector 
• Professional Development
• Marketing Strategies in Creative Industries 

Elective Courses

• Understanding Media Markets 
• Arts and Entertainment Law and Ethics
• Digital Television
• Business Models in Creative Enterprises 
• Leading Creative Teams
• Entrepreneurship in the Creative Industries
• Pitching Creative Projects
• Culture and Globalization

Requirements

• Completed online application form
• Statement of Purpose
  • Why does the MSLCE program appeal to you and what makes you a strong candidate? How will the MSLCE program further your career goals?
  • Approximately two pages, double spaced
• Resume
• Transcripts or Transcript Evaluation from ECE or WES if degree is earned outside the US
  • Transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. See instructions below.
• Three letters of recommendation
  • Recommendations from individuals who are familiar with your academic or professional work and can comment meaningfully on your potential as a graduate student
  • Recommenders are emailed directly by the online application once contact information has been entered.
• Official TOEFL score
• $20 application fee

GRE/GMAT scores are not required and will not be reviewed by the admissions committee.

A minimum overall score of 100 is required with a minimum score of 26 on the “Speaking” section. Students with TOEFL scores below these standards will not be accepted. The test must have been administered no more than two years prior to the application date. The TOEFL code is 5956. The program does not accept the IELTS  or other tests.

The TOEFL may be waived for applicants who earned their bachelor’s or graduate degree from a university where English was the primary language of instruction.

Scholarships

• Program-based Funding. Merit-based grants are available from the MSLCE program. If the applicant is selected for a grant, it will be included in the admission offer letter. Scholarships are not currently available for international applicants. 
• University-based Funding
• Global Education

The Leadership for Creative Enterprises program at Northwestern University is designed to cultivate innovative leadership skills among professionals in the creative industries. This program emphasizes the development of strategic thinking, entrepreneurial mindset, and management capabilities tailored specifically for creative entrepreneurs, arts administrators, and cultural leaders. Through a combination of coursework, practical projects, and interactive sessions, participants gain a comprehensive understanding of how to launch, sustain, and grow creative enterprises in today's dynamic market environment. The curriculum covers key topics such as creative business models, funding and financing arts initiatives, marketing and branding for creative enterprises, digital strategies, and organizational leadership. Participants also have opportunities to collaborate with industry experts, engage in networking with peers, and participate in real-world projects that address current challenges faced by creative organizations. The program aims to empower participants to lead with vision and innovation, fostering resilience and sustainability within their ventures. Delivered by experienced faculty from Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, the program combines academic rigor with practical application. It is ideal for emerging leaders looking to refine their skills, entrepreneurs seeking to expand their creative business horizons, and established professionals aiming to innovate within their organizations. The program's flexible format includes online modules, workshops, and in-person seminars, allowing participants to balance their professional commitments while enhancing their leadership capacities. Graduates of the program leave with a robust toolkit, strengthened leadership capabilities, and a renewed confidence to drive positive change in the creative sector. Overall, Northwestern University’s Leadership for Creative Enterprises program stands out as a comprehensive platform to foster creative leadership, innovation, and sustainable enterprise development in the arts and cultural fields.