Certificate in Management of Creative Industries
The School of Communication is partnering with the Kellogg School of Management to offer students a unique academic experience. The Management of Creative Industries (MCI) Certificate connects a world-class education in business administration with robust development skills applicable to a wide variety of creative enterprises and industries. Students who complete this course of study will be well equipped for leadership roles in entertainment, media, and the arts.
The School of Communication is already home to distinguished faculty with expertise in the creative industries. Through this partnership, both Kellogg and SoC faculty will provide instruction, combining Kellogg’s specialized management curriculum with SoC’s deep knowledge of the creative sector. This collaboration offers Northwestern undergraduates a rare opportunity to explore an intersection of disciplines typically reserved for the graduate level.
Students who complete this program are expected to have accomplished the following learning goals, as demonstrated by the associated learning objectives.
- Students will analyze situations in creative industries and craft solutions using relevant theories and perspectives on organizations.
- Students will develop an understanding of key institutions and strategic factors that affect cultural production and mediation.
- Students will evaluate accounting data and use the financial reporting process to drive decision-making in creative enterprises.
- Students will understand the vital role that marketing plays in creative enterprises.
- Students will develop and practice negotiation skills necessary to succeed in creative industries.
The MCI certificate is open to Northwestern undergraduate students from all schools and departments. Any Northwestern undergraduate student interested in the unique blend of management and creative enterprises is encouraged to apply.
During early Fall of their sophomore or junior year, interested students can apply to participate in the MCI Certificate. Seniors are also welcome to apply, but should consult with their advisors to ensure that their schedule will allow flexibility to complete all program requirements prior to graduation. Approximately 40-50 students per year will be selected to start. You are required to have a combined 3.0 average among all Certificate Program prerequisite courses in order to be eligible for application. It is acceptable to receive below a “B” in any individual prerequisite course, but the average of these courses must be 3.0 or higher to be considered for admission. Certificate Program students will typically receive a “B” or better in their prerequisite and related courses, and courses used toward the certificate may not be taken P/N.
Prerequisites
- ECON 202 (or AP/IB equivalent)
- STAT 202, STAT 210, IEMS 201, IEMS 302, IEMS 303, POLI SCI 312, PSYCH 201, or CHEM_ENG 312 (or AP/IB/Transfer equivalent)
- COMM_ST 274-0: Power in Entertainment, COMM_ST 272-0: Creativity and the Business of Entertainment, or RTVF 330-0 Culture Industries
To make an admissions decision, we review:
Prerequisite courses and grades, overall academic achievement, level of academic challenge of current courses of study, faculty member's recommendation, essay strength, and other metrics as determined by the MCI Certificate Advisory Committee.
How to apply:
Applications will open in Fall of 2026. Join our interest list in the meantime to receive timely MCI updates.
Contact us:
For questions, contact MCI@northwestern.edu
The certification requirements include 3 prerequisite courses, 4 core courses, and 2 electives. For detailed requirements, visit the certificate's Academic Catalog listing.
Core Courses
While MCI 301 should be taken the first quarter after program admittance, the other courses may be taken in any order.
- MCI 301: Accounting & Finance in the Creative Industries
- MCI 302: Business Strategy in the Creative Industries
- MCI 303: Marketing Management in Creative Industries
- MCI 304: Leadership in Creative Industries
Electives* (2 Units from the following)
COMM_ST 302-0: Law of the Creative Process
COMM_ST 352-0: Social Network Analysis
COMM_ST 370-0: Ethnographies of Culture
COMM_ST 372-0: Creativity in Context
COMM_ST 374-0: Interactive Museum Exhibit Design
COMM_ST 375-0: The Sociology of Online News
COMM_ST 376-0: Contemporary Television
COMM_ST 377-0: Communication, Innovation and Leadership
COMM_ST 392-0: Global Culture, Commerce and Communication
RTVF 314-0: History of the Recording Industry
RTVF 316-0: Media and Cultural Theory
RTVF 321-0: Radio/Tv/Film Authorship
RTVF 330-0: Culture Industries
RTVF 353-0: Film, Media, and Globalization
THEATRE 392-0: Advanced Stage Management
THEATRE 396-0: Theatre Management and Arts Leadership
*Additional courses may count toward electives pending approval by the Program.