MBA — Event Leadership
Degree: MBA
Location(s): Rhode Island
Start Date: Fall & Spring
Length: 1.5-3 years
Cost: $842 per credit*
Credits: 36-42
Master the Business of Live Experiences
Do you love organizing elaborate events? With a JWU MBA with a concentration in Event Leadership, you’ll feel ready to design, plan and execute live events in corporate, private and public sectors around the world.
Event managers are needed to lead teams in numerous sports, entertainment and event industries. Through coursework, you’ll learn to perform event research, select sites and manage venues and multipurpose event spaces — all with an eye on sustainability.
Negotiate professionally and discover the significant elements of event sales, marketing and budgeting with your MBA background. Expand your creative skillset in a variety of settings while supporting your organization’s strategic initiatives. If you have the attention to detail and the drive, JWU’s MBA with a concentration in Event Leadership will propel you to success in the event industry.
The MBA is also offered as a combined BSBA/MBA accelerated master’s degree.
Curriculum
In addition to classes, free elective credit can be applied to a number of options, such as internships, minors or study abroad (contact your advisor before scheduling free elective credits).
Credits Foundation Courses | ||
| BUSN5000 | Business Fundamentals | 3 |
| BUSN5010 | Quantitative Methods in Business | 3 |
| Core Courses | ||
| ACCT5600 | Accounting for Strategic Decision-Making | 3 |
| BUSN5600 | Business Analytics | 3 |
| FISV5600 | Financial Management | 3 |
| MGMT5575 | Operations Management | 3 |
| MGMT5800 | Effective Leadership | 3 |
| MRKT5500 | Strategic Marketing | 3 |
| RSCH5800 | Evidence-Based Research in Management | 3 |
| Event Leadership Courses | ||
| SEE6000 | Event Leadership and Planning | 3 |
| SEE6020 | Event Operations & Risk Management | 3 |
| SEE6040 | Sustainable Event Management | 3 |
| SEE6060 | Negotiations for Event Management | 3 |
| Career Capstone Course | ||
| MGMT6800 | Business Policy and Strategy | 3 |
| Total Credits | 42.0 | |
What Makes JWU’s MBA in Event Leadership Unique?
- Faculty have event industry association accreditations such as Certified Special Events Professional (CSEP) and Certified Meeting Professional (CMP).
- Courses are developed and updated to reflect the latest industry trends.
- Most courses are taught by event practitioners who bring extensive, real-world experience to the classroom.
- JWU Alumni may be eligible to receive a 25% tuition discount through the Wildcat Alumni Scholarship.
Program Outcomes & Structure
Upon graduation, you’ll be fully prepared to:
- Analyze problems from a diverse perspective.
- Propose effective solutions.
- Evaluate the impact of executive decisions.
- Advance organizational objectives.
- Support strategic initiatives through the development and production of events.
Flexibility for you is key. With that in mind, this program is designed as a hybrid study with a mix of online and in-person classes. You can choose a part-time or full-time option as well. Full-time students typically graduate in 1.5-2 years and part-time in 2-3 years.
Total Credits: 36 (undergraduate business students) or 42 (non-business students)
Admissions & Tuition
The average cost per credit is $842*
*The estimated cost per credit rate is effective for the 2026–27 academic year and is subject to change annually. The Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated total amount it will cost a student to attend JWU each year. For more information, contact Student Financial Services.
Learn about the admissions process and tuition for JWU’s graduate programs.
Career Options
Some professions may require additional study, background checks, certifications, licenses, exams and/or experience as required qualifications for employment. Students are responsible for verifying that they can meet the employment requirements of potential employers.
After graduation, you’ll be prepared for careers such as:
- Meeting, convention and event planner
- Corporate event planner
- Nonprofit event manager
- Venue event manager
- Entertainment event manager
- Lifecycle event manager
Faculty Contact
Tim Howes, M.S.
Associate Professor & MBA Programs Director
College of Hospitality & Business
401-598-1404
timothy.howes@jwu.edu