Mapping your Music Major

Your Hood experience is about so much more than just your music major.

The Student Success Center, the Center for Career Development & Experiential Learning, and the Office of the Registrar have teamed up to show you where a music major can take you. They will help you cultivate, engage and prepare during your time at Hood so that you are career ready for your journey beyond Hood.

Additionally, these maps will serve as milestones and guideposts when you meet with your academic adviser. 

Contact

Student Success
301-696-3860		Registrar
301-696-3620

Center for Career Development & Experiential Education
301-696-3583

College CatalogDepartment of MusicMusic (B.A.)

Year One

Fall Semester 

Credits

MUSC 101 (Core-Visual/Perf Arts)

3

FYS 101 First Year Seminar

3

Core- Foreign Language 101            

4

ENGL 100 Elements of Composition

4

Applied Music

1

Ensemble

.5

 

15.5

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 201

3

Core- Scientific Thought, non-lab

3

Core- Foreign Language 102

4

Core- Historical Analysis

3

Applied Music

1

Ensemble

.5

Core- Health & Wellness/PE

1

 

15.5

Year Two

Fall Semester

Credits

MUSC 103 or MUSC 299

3

Core- Social & Behavioral Analysis

3

Core- Scientific Thought, lab

4

Core- Literary Analysis

3

Applied Music
 

1

Ensemble

.5

Core- Health & Wellness/PE

1

 

15.5

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 302 (Core- Global Perspectives)

3

Core- Quantitative Literacy

3

Core- Philosophical Inquiry

3

Elective

3

Elective  

3

Applied Music 

1

Ensemble

.5

 

16.5

Year Three

Fall Semester

Credits

MUSC 301            

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music

1

 

16

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 103 or MUSC 299

3

Elective
 

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music

3

 

16

Year Four

Fall Semester

Credits

MUSC 303

3

MUSC 470 or MUSC 499

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

 

15

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 304

3

Elective, or complete MUSC 499 Dept Hon

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

 

14

 

Total Credits = 124

Requires successful completion of a Piano Proficiency Exam or completion of 4 credits of piano (two of which must be earned at Hood). It is strongly recommended that this exam be taken no later than first semester of the junior year, so that there will be sufficient time left for any remedial piano that may be needed. 

 

Year One

Fall Semester 

Credits

MUSC 101 (Core-Visual/Perf Arts)

3

FYS 101 First Year Seminar

3

Core- Foreign Language 101            

4

ENGL 100 Elements of Composition

4

Applied Music

2

Ensemble

.5

 

16.5

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 201

3

Core- Scientific Thought, non-lab

3

Core- Foreign Language 102

4

Core- Historical Analysis

3

Applied Music

2

Ensemble

.5

Core- Health & Wellness/PE

1

 

16.5

Year Two

Fall Semester

Credits

MUSC 103 or MUSC 299

3

Core- Social & Behavioral Analysis

3

Core- Scientific Thought, lab

4

Core- Literary Analysis

3

Applied Music
 

2

Ensemble

.5

Core- Health & Wellness/PE

1

 

16.5

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 302 (Core- Global Perspectives)

3

Core- Quantitative Literacy

3

Core- Philosophical Inquiry

3

Elective

3

Applied Music 

2

Ensemble

.5

 

14.5

Year Three

Fall Semester

Credits

MUSC 301            

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music

2

Ensemble

.5

 

14.5

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 103 or MUSC 299

3

MUSC 474 Junior Recital

1

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music

1

Ensemble

.5

 

14.5

Year Four

Fall Semester

Credits

MUSC 103 or MUSC 299

3

MUSC 303

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music

1

 

16

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 475 Senior Recital

2

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music 

1

 

15

 

Total Credits = 124

 

Students must audition for the department before declaring a major in music performance; students can major in the following areas of performance: voice, piano, organ, harpsichord, violin, viola, cello, string bass, flute, oboe, English horn, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tuba, French horn, euphonium, guitar, composition, and conducting. Requires successful completion of a Piano Proficiency Exam or completion of 4 credits of piano (two of which must be earned at Hood). It is strongly recommended that this exam be taken no later than first semester of the junior year, so that there will be sufficient time left for any remedial piano that may be needed.

Year One

Fall Semester 

Credits

MUSC 101 (Core-Visual/Perf Arts)

3

FYS 101 First Year Seminar

3

Core- Foreign Language 101            

4

ENGL 100 Elements of Composition

4

Applied Music

2

 

16

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 201

3

Core- Scientific Thought, non-lab

3

Core- Foreign Language 102

4

Core- Historical Analysis

3

Applied Music

2

Core- Health & Wellness/PE

1

 

16

Year Two

Fall Semester

Credits

Core- Social & Behavioral Analysis

3

Core- Scientific Thought, Lab

4

Core- Literary Analysis

3

Core- Health & Wellness/PE

1

Elective
 

3

Applied Music

2

Ensemble

.5

 

16.5

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 103 or MUSC 299

3

Core- Quantitative Literacy

3

Core- Philosophical Inquiry

3

Elective

3

Applied Music 

2

Ensemble

.5

 

14.5

Year Three

Fall Semester

Credits

MUSC 301            

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music

2

Ensemble

.5

MUSE 261

.5

 

15

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 474 Junior Recital

1

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music

2

Ensemble

.5

MUSE 262 

.5

 

16

Year Four

Fall Semester

Credits

MUSC 303

3

MUSC 375

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music

2

 

17

Spring Semester

Credits

MUSC 304

3

MUSC 471 Senior Project

3

Elective

3

Elective

3

Applied Music 

1

 

13

 

Total Credits = 124

Students must be approved by the department before declaring this major. 

Applied Piano: 6 credits must be at the 200 level or above. 

The one credit of ensemble must be in addition to MUSE 261 or MUSE 262. 

 

Learning, Self-Exploration, and Academic Excellence

The Hood College Center for Career Development and Experiential Education is here to support you through your four-year educational journey. Whether you are headed toward additional educational pursuits after graduation or on to the exciting world of work, we recommend that you investigate all your opportunities through three distinct types of exploration. These include Cultivating knowledge of your major and occupations related to your studies, Engaging in activities that give you hands-on experience, and taking practical steps toward Preparing for life after college. Below are three tables that will help you understand these areas and associated activities. Want to know more? Meet with a counselor in the Career Center. Email careers@hood.edu to make an appointment. 

Cultivate

Explore your Major and Related Occupations

Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4

Explore careers in music through the Hood College website. Explore the backgrounds of faculty and learn about course offerings.

Visit with a counselor in the Career Center to update your resume and consider locations for a music specific internship.

Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either internship or employment related.

Update your resume to include classes from the previous year and any experiences, either music internship or employment related. Be sure to include your research skills.

Visit the What Can I Do With the Major?, and the CareerOneStop websites.

Explore club and engagement opportunities related to music.

Obtain an Internship, to gain work experience and college credit.

If you have already completed an internship consider doing a second internship experience, to gain additional work experience and/or college credit.

Take the Focus 2 Career Assessment to learn more about additional areas of career interest.

If eligible, investigate federal work study positions in a department of career related interest.

 

 

Meet with Career Center staff to begin developing a resume.

 

 

 

Engage

Locally and Globally 

Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4

Explore club and engagement opportunities related to music.

Participate in Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and creating a LinkedIn page.

Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the music field.

Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the music field.

 

Conduct informational interviews with Hood College alumni working in the music field.

Update your LinkedIn page to reflect new experiences and coursework.

 

 

 

Attend Career Center workshops on interviewing for success and how to conduct a job search.

 

 

 

Shadow professionals or alumni who work in the music field.

 

Prepare

For Post-Graduation Success

Year 1Year 2Year 3Year 4

Attend the Fall and Spring Community Engagement Fairs to learn more about not-for-profit agencies that provide low or no-cost services to those in need.

Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries.

Attend Chamber of Commerce industry related events. Speak with a Career Center counselor to learn more about these.

Attend the annual Business Etiquette Dinner. Register in advance for this event in Handshake.

 

Regularly check the Handshake events page to see employers providing information sessions on campus.

Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair and/or STEM Career Expo to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries.

Attend the Spring Internship & Career Fair to meet directly with employers from a variety of industries who are recruiting new hires.

 

If considering part-time employment, work with the Career Center and consult faculty to learn about opportunities within the job field.

Attend conferences of professional associations.

Attend conferences of professional associations.

 

Consider taking an exploratory micro-internship in your field of interest. Learn more about the Career Centers partnership with Parker Dewey micro-internships.

Select part-time jobs and internships in your field of interest.

 
  • Utilize resources at the Library and Learning Commons
  • Meet regularly with your academic adviser
  • Work with tutors at the Writing Center
  • Complete the FAFSA and apply for scholarships

Learn more about careers in music: https://whatcanidowiththismajor.com/major/music/

  • Teaching
  • Research
  • Private lessons
  • K-12 schools, public and private
  • Colleges and universities
  • Conservatories
  • Daycare centers
  • Recreation centers
  • Studios
  • Self-employed (private instructor)
  • Children’s music programs:
    • Franchises
    • Local

Explore more career opportunities in music: https://www.onetonline.org/

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