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Degree Options

Degree Options
One of the biggest things I wish I would have known before starting my undergrad were all of the possible options for majors. I only really knew about the music education route and had no idea that there were so many other options. It is important when exploring majors to keep an open mind and really think about which major would be something that could create a future you would want. It is also ok to change your mind and choose a different major along the way. The options in the music world are a wide range of exciting fields that each have their own unique rewards.
Music Education - this is created for students who want to be music educators. This could be anything from teaching elementary school music to being a high school music teacher. It could also be a first degree for those who want to pursue graduate degrees to be college level music teachers.

Music Performance - this degree is for those who want to be performers within the music world. It also works as a first degree for those wanting to be studio teachers at the collegiate level. Some people even use this as their bachelor’s degree when they know they wish to pursue graduate degrees in fields like music theory or music history. Those degrees do not have undergraduate programs at most colleges so this gives students the opportunity to get an undergraduate degree in the field.

Music Therapy - this field is for those who want to pursue music as a health profession. There are many different types of work these majors move into. I am not an expert at all in this field and will not pretend to be. If you want more information, please check out their website: https://www.musictherapy.org/

Music Industries - this is another field with a wide range of options. Most people assume that this field is for those who wish to work in recording studios, but there are also administrative and legal sides to this world as well. This field is full of entrepreneurs who build a life within this ever changing environment of the professional music world.

Composition - this major is for those who wish to compose music. This could be for any type of project from writing beginning band music to composing for film and everything in between. It could also serve as an undergraduate degree for those who wish to pursue music theory graduate degrees.

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