Master of Professional Studies (MPS) Requirements
Business for Creatives (BCR) – Creative Leadership and Strategy track

The Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Business for Creatives: Creative Leadership and Strategy track is an interdisciplinary graduate program designed for artists, designers, creative professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking to lead, scale, and innovate in the evolving creative economy. Bridging business acumen with creative thinking, concept with boots-on-the-ground real world practice, the program empowers students to translate vision into strategy, and creative practice into sustainable, high-impact ventures.

Program Overview

The MPS in Business for Creatives: Creative Leadership and Strategy is a 30-credit graduate program designed to prepare students with the business acumen, leadership mindset, and systems-thinking capabilities necessary to build, scale, and sustain creative enterprises in an evolving global economy.

Within the context of the creative industries, the program integrates advanced business education with strategic planning, organizational leadership, financial literacy, and ethical decision-making. Students learn to identify opportunities, articulate a compelling vision, and navigate the complex challenges of a dynamic creative economy.

The Leadership and Strategy track is designed for those aspiring to shape organizations, lead interdisciplinary teams, and influence the future of design, media, arts, and cultural ventures.

Curriculum Highlights

• Project-based learning tailored to the needs of creative professionals

• Applied coursework focused on strategy, brand leadership, innovation, and ethical management

• Work with faculty drawn from industry experts and creative leaders

• Capstone venture project focused on real-world implementation

Core Areas:

• Strategic Planning for Creative Ventures

• Leadership for Creative Organizations

• Business Modeling and Growth Strategy

• Ethics, Equity, and Impact in Creative Leadership

• Innovation, Branding, and Audience Building

What is a Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree?

• Focuses on an applied field of study

• Develops practical skills

• Perfect for current and aspiring professionals

• Delivered online over just 15 months

• Students maintain a work-life balance

Sample Career Pathways

Graduates of the BCR – Leadership and Strategy program are prepared to:

• Lead creative businesses
• Launch entrepreneurial ventures
• Assume strategic roles within cultural, design, and innovation-driven organizations
• Act on vision with purpose and sustainable impact.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:

• Interpret operations and legal structures for a creative business, including finance, marketing, negotiation, management, and communication;
• Create branding and marketing strategies;
• Deploy tools and strategies designed to improve operations for their business and likelihood of success; 
• Determine the appropriate application of ethical business practices
• Develop a comprehensive strategic business plan for a creative industry that envisions new possibilities and innovates within the marketplace.