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Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business Degree

Bachelor of Science in Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business

Rowland School of Business

Among the Most Innovative Business Programs in the Country

Point Park University's Sports, Arts, Entertainment and Music Business (SAEM) major in Downtown Pittsburgh is among the most innovative business programs in the United States.

In our program, you earn a Bachelor of Science business degree while focusing your studies in the thriving industries of sports, arts, music and entertainment marketing management.

Being located in Downtown Pittsburgh puts our students in the heart of the SAEM industries — making some of sports' most-admired teams, world-class arts and cultural organizations and nationally acclaimed entertainment venues — within walking distance. 

We offer the perfect setting for SAEM majors to network with professionals and land outstanding internships and careers in Pittsburgh and beyond. From the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, our SAEM students complete multiple internships — both local and national — before they graduate.

We have academic partnerships with Stage AE, iHeart Media, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Pittsburgh Penguins, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Cavaliers and Red Caiman Studios through our student-run record label, Pioneer Records.

Additionally, there are more than 100 organizations we partner with to offer our students a variety of shadowing and internship opportunities. View our partners.

Explore Our Focus Areas

Explore the specific courses you will take if you choose to focus your sports, arts, entertainment and music business degree in one of the following areas:

Sports Management Arts Management Entertainment & Music Business

News & Features

Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business Program Blends On-Campus Experiences, Real-World Opportunities to Prepare Students for a Dynamic Industry
Point Park University Launches Second Year of $4,000 Visit Scholarship for Students Who Visit Downtown Campus
Sports Business Camp Goes Behind the Scenes of Working for the Steel City's Beloved Teams
Point Park's On-Campus Record Label Produces Annual Artist Showcase with Four Dynamite Acts
Students Share Takeaways from Disney Leadership Seminar
Students Make Industry Connections at 2024 TeamWork Online Sports Sales Workshop and Job Fair
Alumnus Carlos Polanco is a Baseball Operations Analyst for the Cincinnati Reds
Get Career-Ready with: Devon McGee '25, Transfer Psychology Major and Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business Minor
Point Park University’s Rowland School of Business to Receive $150,000 Gift from Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters
Get Career-Ready with: Brandon Cunningham '23, Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business Major
Students Network, Explore Music and Live Entertainment Industry at IEBA Conference in Nashville
Point Park University’s Pioneer Records Opens Official Headquarters on Downtown Pittsburgh Campus, Announces 2023-24 Pioneer Stars
Get Career-Ready with: Nila Payne '26, Sports, Arts & Entertainment Management Major
Students in Marketing Course Collaborate with Point Park Alumni at Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
Student Q&A: Inaugural SAEM Pittsburgh Penguins Events Team Reflects on Semester of Hands-On Experience
SAEM Sports Sales Course, Teams Prepare Students for Success
SAEM Major Lacey Muto '24 is a Creative Services Intern at KDKA
Get Career-Ready with: Sandamini Sinley '25, SAEM and Broadcasting Major
Rowland School of Business Launches 4+1 Master's Program
With Pioneer Records Release Show, Students Acquire Authentic Industry Experience

Courses & Topics

You will receive a well-rounded education through our University's core curriculum, the Rowland School of Business curriculum and the various SAEM courses including (but not limited to):

  • Amateur Athletics
  • Digital Marketing
  • Emerging Trends in the Music Industry
  • Esports
  • Facility and Venue Design/Management
  • Fundraising from Crowdfunding to Proposal Writing
  • Sports Sales
  • Pioneer Records
  • Production Tour Management
  • Sports Agents
  • Talent Booking Management
  • Ticketing 

Fast-Track Bachelor's to Master's Program

This degree program is included in our Fast-Track Bachelor's to Master's Program, through which students have the option to take two core classes from one of our master's programs. This program enables students to earn a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree from Point Park in as little as five years. Visit our Fast-Track Bachelor's to Master's Program webpage for more information.

Meet Our Industry-Experienced Faculty

Steve Tanzilli, J.D., SAEM program co-founder and dean of the Rowland School of Business

Tanzilli's previous experience includes running his own sports talent agency, Sports Legends Group, a full-service marketing, finance and law firm for professional athletes.

Faculty Bio
Robert Derda, M.S., associate professor and chair of the Department of Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business

Professor Derda's connections across the sports industry in Pittsburgh and beyond provide SAEM students with hands-on opportunities to explore careers in sports.

Faculty Bio
Paige Beal, MBA, associate professor of SAEM

Professor Beal leverages her vast network of marketing, media and entertainment contacts to bring real-world client projects and guest speakers into the classroom.

Faculty Bio
Melinda Colaizzi, assistant professor of SAEM

Professor Colaizzi is the founder of Women Who Rock and Pitch Consulting and has been a leader at global companies like Live Nation/Ticketmaster and ShowClix.

Faculty Bio
Ed Traversari, MBA, professor of SAEM

Professor Traversari has spent decades working in live music and is known for incorporating fascinating stories from the industry into his courses.

Faculty Bio

Career Options

Point Park University's Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business program will prepare you for a wide variety of exciting careers, such as:

  • Sports agent
  • Artist manager
  • Box office manager
  • Sales and sponsorship executive
  • House management
  • Marketing director
  • Talent manager
  • Event manager
  • Promotions director
  • Social media coordinator

Student & Alumni Success Stories

Get Career-Ready with: Daniel Salas '25, Sports, Arts, Entertainment & Music Business Major and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Partnership Activations Coordinator

"What I love most about living in Pittsburgh is the variety of entertainment the city offers. There’s always something to do, and I never get bored. I also love learning here because the opportunities are endless, no matter what you’re studying."

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Women Who Rock Concert Provides Alumna, Students with Meaningful Live Entertainment Experience

"Working with women who do not apologize for taking up space and who have a commitment to making a change in our society is something that the younger me would have never imagined I could achieve."

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Pioneer Careers: Lydia Grimenstein '20 is the Senior Manager of Donor Engagement for the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

"The meaningful connections you make at Point Park have a real impact on your life. You'll find no better place than Pittsburgh to start your journey, whatever that may look like."

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Alumnus Carlos Polanco is a Baseball Operations Analyst for the Cincinnati Reds

"Point Park's supportive faculty, diverse opportunities and vibrant campus community truly shaped my journey and prepared me for success in the sports industry."

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Pioneer Careers: Sports, Arts & Entertainment Management Alumnus Brandon Moon is an EDM Tour Manager

"The SAEM program really did more for me than just provide a degree. It's real-life scenario-based learning, thanks to the professors who have actually lived and excelled in their respective industries."

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SAEM Alumni Thrive in Nashville Entertainment Industry

"I landed multiple internships and jobs throughout my career because of the connections I made and the opportunities I was given at Point Park."

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Point Park University's SAEM Program Celebrates 20th Anniversary

"It's not just learning from a book. It's always been about adaptability and learning new skill sets. That mentality is something I take into my job now. I love that I have a degree in SAEM from Point Park and I'm proud to be an alumna."

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SAEM Alumnus Max Kovalchuk '14 is a Manager of Artist Development at 300 Elektra Entertainment

"All of my professors had a positive impact on me. In particular, I reached out to Professor Traversari when I was in high school to schedule time to talk about the music business. That conversation ultimately led to my decision to attend Point Park."

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SAEM Alumnus Travis Johnston '15 Lands Role with the NCAA

"The SAEM program is an excellent fit for students who wish to learn by doing."

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After Roles with Facebook, Clif Bar and Twitter, SAEM Alumna Christine Schell Catalyzes Crowdfunding Success

"The SAEM program prepared me for success by incorporating internships into the curriculum my junior and senior year."

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SAEM Alumnus Matthew Uzar '20 is the Events Coordinator for the Pittsburgh Penguins

"Point Park’s nontraditional campus atmosphere in Downtown Pittsburgh is truly its greatest strength. The urban location places students within walking distance of nearly every major entertainment venue in the city."

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SAEM Alumnus Greg Fedor '21 Lands Job with the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association After Successful Internship

"I would recommend Point Park because having Downtown Pittsburgh as your campus is unlike any other college experience. The location allows the University to foster great connections with businesses and organizations that hold significant value for students starting their careers."

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SAEM Alumnus Julio Sepúlveda is an International Development Fellow for the Pittsburgh Pirates

"Point Park has a very special campus in Downtown Pittsburgh, and the location allows its students to explore jobs or internship opportunities all around the city."

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Rowland School of Business Alumna Livia Rice Works in Pittsburgh's Growing Robotics Industry

"I graduated from Point Park with several job offers. Point Park truly prepares you for your future career and will help you discover your passion. The Downtown Pittsburgh location is also unmatched."

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SAEM Alumna Nicole Lakovic Works for the Pittsburgh Penguins

"The SAEM faculty are so knowledgeable and have great industry experience to share. One of my favorite things was listening to their real-world stories. The coursework was all relevant, and I use skills that I’ve learned in classes in my job every day!"

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Point Park University

201 Wood Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1984

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