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Introduction
Rutgers offers two distinct programs of study in music. Students can pursue a Bachelor of Arts degree (B.A.) in music through one of the liberal arts colleges. This is a generalist liberal arts major. A Bachelor of Music degree (B.M.), offered through the Mason Gross School of the Arts, is more specialized and is oriented towards professional careers in performance, jazz, or music education. Both degree programs provide a thorough study of music theory and music history. While some performance is also included in the B.A. program, the B.M. program offers much more intensive training in this area.
Some students pursue careers closely related to music, such as performers, educators, songwriters, conductors, arrangers, composers and actors. Others choose careers behind the scenes, or in the business area of music in careers such as producers, engineers, managers, agents, and in publishing and sales. Many careers do not require a specific major but rather a wide range of demonstrated skills and accomplishments. Thus, some graduates pursue careers in fields quite unrelated to music. Regardless of your career choices, increasing your marketability to employers through internships, responsible work experience, good grades and involvement in college activities is important. A bachelor's degree is sufficient for many entry-level positions, but for advancement in an area of specialization, an advanced degree may be required.
A Sample of Related Occupations
| Advertising Specialist | Instrument Design/Restoration | Public Relations Specialist |
| Art Director | Lawyer - Music Industry | Publications Specialist |
| Artist & Repertoire (A&R) Person | Lobbyist | Publicist |
| Band Leader | Manager | Recording Technician |
| Composer/Arranger | Music Attorney | Sales/Marketing Representative |
| Concert Promoter | Music Critic | Singer/Performer |
| Copy Writer | Music Publisher | Special Events Coordinator |
| Copyright Specialist | Music Software Programmer | Studio Musician |
| Critic | Music Teacher | Talent Agent |
| Disc Jockey | Music Therapist | Teacher/Professor |
| Editor | Musician | Technical Writer |
| Engineer/Mixer | Orchestra Librarian | Tour Manager |
| Film Music Director/Editor | Promoter | Writer/Music Journalist |
Types of Employers
| Private & Non-profit Organizations | ||
| Advertising Agencies | Law Firms | Newspapers |
| Armed Forces | Magazines | Orchestras and Bands |
| Booking and Talent Agencies | Media Firms | Performing Arts Centers |
| Colleges and Universities | Music and Film Studios | Production Companies |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | Music and Video Stores | Public Relations Firms |
| Entertainment Companies | Music Companies | Publishing Firms |
| Industry Trade Papers | Music Industry Associations | |
| Government Agencies | ||
| Cultural Affairs | National Endowment for the Humanities | Smithsonian Institution |
| Department of Education | Office of International Education | Travel and Tourism Department |
| National Archives | Peace Corps | Voice of America |
| National Endowment for the Arts | ||
Jobs Obtained by Rutgers Graduates
| Account Agent, Allstate Insurance Companies | Manager, Sam Ash Music |
| Administrative Specialist, The Mather Foundation (BA) | Music Teacher, East Brunswick Bd. of Ed. (BM) |
| Asset Project Coordinator, Omnipoint Communications (BA) | Music Teacher, Performing Arts High School |
| Assistant U.S. Attorney, U.S. Attorney's Office (JD) | Musician, Savannah Symphony Orchestra |
| Assoc. Professor of Music, Rockhurst College (PhD) | Musician, Self Employed (BA) |
| Attorney, Office of the Public Defender (JD) | Opera Singer, National Opera Company (BM) |
| Band Director, Lenape Valley High School | Operations Manager, Educational Testing Service (MBA) |
| Bass Player, Dallas Opera (BA) | Pianist/Teacher, Monmouth Conservatory |
| Case Manager/Social Worker, Catholic Charities | Piano Tuner, Self Employed |
| Conference Coordinator, Rutgers University (BA) | Professional Oboist, Self Employed (BM) |
| Customer Service Rep., Chase Manhattan Bank | Publicity Dir., Herbert Barrett Management (BM) |
| Director, Campus Services, Fairleigh Dickinson Univ. | Sales Representative, Sam Ash Music |
| Elem. Teacher, Berlin International School (M.Ed.) | Song Writer/Manager, Furigus Productions (BA) |
| Elementary Music Specialist, E. Brunswick Bd. of Ed. | Tech. Consultant, Computer Horizons Corp. |
| Graphic Artist, Christian Century Foundation | Video Editor, The Montel Williams Show (BA) |
| Legal Administrator, Viera Finance | Voice Teacher, Harbor Conservatory of Music (BM) |
| Librarian, Rutgers-Newark Library (MLS) | Webmaster, US West, Inc. (BA) |
Graduate Schools Attended
| Boston University, M.Ed, Education | New York University, M.Ed, Education |
| Emory University, JD, Law | Syracuse University, MA, Music |
Additionally, you may:
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Last Updated: 05/10/2009