Career Concentrations

Concentrations are designed to connect the education you receive in your major and core courses to specific skills and experiences you will use after college.

Each concentration contains a number of required and suggested courses, a required internship or practical experience, and an advisor who will work closely with you to guide and personalize the experience according to your specific interests, needs, and goals.

If you are interested in adding a concentration to your education, contact your academic advisor or the advisor of your desired concentration.

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Career Concentrations

  • Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 256R 03 Chamber Music (1) (4 sems.)
     • MUS 347 String Pedagogy (3)
     • MUS 375R Chamber Literature (3)
     • MUS 399 Internship/Practicum (3)

    Program Advisor
     • Megan Mason

  • Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 121 Diction I (3)
     • MUS 340 02 Choral Literature (3)
     • MUS 357 Vocal Pedagogy (3)
     • MUS 367 02 Advanced Conducting (3)
     • MUS 399 Internship/Practicum (4) (4 sems. at 1 unit)

    Program Advisor
     • Prof. Jonathan Clawson

    Open to music majors only.

  • Concentration Requirements
     • BUS 343 Principles of Organization and Leadership
     • PER 143 Health and Wellness
     • PER 203 First Aid
     • PER 275R Successful Coaching
     • PSY 223 Performance and Sports Psychology

    Recommended
     • PER 363 Kinesiology

    Program Advisors
     • Jeff Batis
     • Deidra Dryden
     • Tom Peterson

  • Track I: Commercial Composer/Songwriter

    Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 175R Music Production (3)
     • MUS 175R Song Writing (3)
     • MUS 275R Orchestration & Arranging (3)
     • MUS 275 Studio Recording I (3)
     • MUS 375R Commercial Composition (Film, Video, Advertising (3)
     • MUS 498 Senior Project (0)

    Recommended
     • MUS 399R Internship/Practicum (2)
     • MUS 375R Advanced Studio Recording (3)

    Track II: Producing & Audio Engineering

    Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 175R The Art of Sound (3)
     • MUS 275R Studio Recording I (3)
     • MUS 375R Advanced Studio Recording (3)
     • MUS 375R Advanced Audio Engineering (3)
     • MUS 399 Internship/Practicum (2)
     • MUS 498 Senior Project (0)

    Program Advisors
     • Megan Mason
     • Mackenzie Romriell

  • Concentration Requirements
     • ART 225 Figure Drawing I (3)
     • ART 264 Digital Painting I (3)
     • ART 364 Digital Painting II (3)
     • ART 366 Visual Storytelling (3)

  • Concentration Requirements
     • ART 246 Digital Photography I (3)
     • ART 346 Digital Photography II (3)
     • ART 446 Digital Photography III (3)
     • Internship in Digital Photography (3)

  • Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 249R 10 Applied Music II—Brass Techniques (1)
     • MUS 249R 11 Applied Music II—Percussion Techniques (1)
     • MUS 249R 12 Applied Music II—Woodwind Techniques (1)
     • MUS 249R 13 Applied Music II—String Techniques (1)
     • MUS 367 01 Advanced Conducting (3)
     • One of the following:
      ◦ MUS 375R Orchestral Literature (3)
      ◦ MUS 375R Band Literature (3)
     • MUS 399 Internship/Practicum (3)

    Program Advisors
     • Jakob Hofer
     • Michael Black

    Open to music majors only. Students interning with the orchestra must enroll concurrently in MUS 249R 07 Applied Music II—Conducting.

  • Concentration Requirements
     • One of the following:
      ◦ MUS 249R 10 Applied Music II—Brass Techniques (1)
      ◦ MUS 249R 11 Applied Music II—Percussion Techniques (1)
      ◦ MUS 249R 12 Applied Music II—Woodwind Techniques (1)
      ◦ MUS 347 String Pedagogy (3)
     • MUS 256R 03 Chamber Music (1) (2 sems.)
     • One of the following:
      ◦ MUS 375R Band Literature (3)
      ◦ MUS 375R Chamber Literature (3)
      ◦ MUS 375R Orchestral Literature (3)
     • MUS 498 Senior Performance (0)

    Program Advisors
     • Megan Mason
     • Jakob Hofer

    Open to music majors only.

  • Concentration Requirements
     • POL 203 Human Geography (3)
     • POL 233 Comparative Politics (3)
     • POL 243 International Relations (3)
     • POL 33X or POL 34X (3)
     • Intermediate-level proficiency in a modern foreign language (through completion of a 202 course in a modern language or equivalency exam)

    Program Advisor
     • Professor Jeremiah John

  • Concentration Requirements
     • ART 210 Art History I or ART 215 Art History II
     • ART 375R Museum Studies
     • Internship in museum studies

    Recommended
     • Some course in archiving, material culture, or otherwise in museum studies.

    Program Advisor
     • Barbara Crawford

  • Concentration Requirements
     • BUS 207 Introduction to Business (3)
     • BUS 343 Principles of Organization and Leadership (3)
     • MUS 215 Music in Civilization (3)
     • MUS 375R The Profitable Artist (3)
     • MUS 399 Internship/Practicum (3)

    Program Advisor
     • Megan Mason

  • Concentration Requirements

    Assessments
     • Praxis Core test(s) or equivalent SAT or ACT scores
     • Praxis Music Content Test no. 0113
     • Virginia Communication and Literacy Assessment (VCLA)

    Core (26)
     • EDU 200 Foundations of Education (3)
     • EDU 201 Practicum: Foundations of Education (1)
     • EDU 250 Human Growth and Development (3)
     • EDU 302 The Exceptional Learner (3)
     • EDU 330 Elementary and General Music Methods (3)
     • EDU 331 Practicum: Elementary and General Music Methods (1)
     • EDU 490 Directed Teaching Seminar, Pre-K–12 (1)
     • EDU 493 Directed Teaching, Pre-K–12 (11)

    Instrumental Track (14)
     • EDU 336 Secondary Instrumental Music Methods (3)
     • EDU 337 Practicum: Secondary Instrumental Music Methods (1)
     • MUS 249R 10 Applied Music II—Brass Techniques (1)
     • MUS 249R 11 Applied Music II—Woodwinds Techniques (1)
     • MUS 249R 12 Applied Music II—String Techniques (1)
     • MUS 249R 13 Applied Music II—Percussion Techniques (1)
     • MUS 321 Music Composition I (3)
     • MUS 367 01 Advanced Conducting (3)

    Vocal Track (16)
     • EDU 335 Secondary Vocal Music Methods (3)
     • EDU 337 Practicum: Secondary Vocal Music Methods (1)
     • MUS 121 Diction I (3)
     • MUS 340 [01 or 02] Vocal Literature (3)
     • MUS 357 Vocal Pedagogy (3)
     • MUS 367 02 Advanced Conducting (3)

    Program Advisors
     • Megan Mason

    Open to music majors only. Includes teaching licensure from the Rockbridge Teacher Education Consortium (RTEC). Co-election of concentration in choral conducting, instrumental conducting, or both recommended.

  • Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 330 Music History I (3)
     • MUS 335 Music History II (3)
     • Two of the following:
      ◦ MUS 340 Vocal Literature (3)
      ◦ MUS 375R Band Literature (3)
      ◦ MUS 375R Chamber Literature (3)
      ◦ MUS 375R Choral Literature (3)
      ◦ MUS 375R Orchestral Literature (3)
      ◦ MUS 375R Piano Literature (3)
     • MUS 399 Internship/Practicum (var.)
     • MUS 498 Senior Project (0)

    Program Advisor
     • Michael Black

  • Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 399 Internship/Practicum (3)
     • MUS 498 Senior Project (0)
     • One of the following:
      ◦ PSY 230 Lifespan Development (3)
      ◦ PSY 290 Research Methods (3)
      ◦ PSY 375R Infant Development (3)
     • PSY 345 Abnormal Psychology (3)
     • PSY 440 Counseling Psychology (3)

    Program Advisors
     • Megan Mason
     • Jeff Batis

    Open to music majors only. Students aspiring to full-time clinical work involving music therapy should select PSY 290 Research Methods as their psychology elective with the intention of pursuing graduate study in psychology. Double major with psychology recommended.

  • Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 256 06 Piano Collaboration (1) (2 sems.)
     • MUS 375R Piano Literature (3)
     • MUS 375R Piano Pedagogy (3)
     • MUS 399 Internship/Practicum (3)
     • MUS 498 Senior Performance (0)

    Program Advisor
     • Hyrum Arnesen

    Open to music majors only. Contact Dr. Hyrum Arnesen for questions

  • Concentration Requirements
     • ART 240 Printmaking I (3)
     • ART 340R Printmaking II (3)
     • ART 341 Printmaking II: Relief (3)
     • Internship in Printmaking (3)

  • Concentration Requirements

    Core I (complete all of the following):
     • ENG 310 Modern Usage & Grammar
     • BUS 333 Principles of Marketing or BUS 375R Digital Marketing

    Core II (Complete one of the following):
     • ART 246 Digital Photography I
     • ART 260 Graphic Design I
     • ART 275R Videography I
     • CSC 110 Authoring for the Web
     • ENG 325R Topics in Creative Writing

    Core III (Complete one of the following):
     • WRI 219R Journalism and Public Communication
     • ENG 399R English Internship
     • WRI 399R Writing Internship

    Program Advisors
     • Dallin Lewis

  • Concentration Requirements
     • Three of the following:
      ◦ ENG 375R The Bible as Literature
      ◦ ENG 375R Poetry in the Reformation
      ◦ ENG 375R Religion and Literature
      ◦ ENG 475R Romanticism and Religion
      ◦ GRK 201 Greek III
      ◦ HIS 321 Survey of American Religion
      ◦ HIS 336 The Reformation Era
      ◦ HIS 353 Early Christianities
      ◦ HIS 354 Medieval Christianities
      ◦ HUM 235R History and Culture of Classical Islam
      ◦ PHI 325R Science and Religion
      ◦ PHI 335R Metaphysics: Philosophy of Religion
      ◦ POL 338 Religion and Politics

    Program Advisors
     • Dr. David Cox
     • Dr. Jan-Erik Jones
     • Dr. Andrew Sorber

  • Concentration Requirements
     • PER 275R Intro to Sports Management (3)
     • PER 399R Sports Management Internship (at least 1 semester)
     • Choose from one of the following
      ◦ BUS 343 Principles of Organization and Leadership (3)
      ◦ PER 275R Successful Coaching (3)
     • Choose from one of the following
      ◦ BUS 207 Intro to Business (3)
      ◦ BUS 333 Principles of Marketing (3)
      ◦ BUS 375R Digital Marketing (3)
      ◦ PER 275R Intro to Sports Marketing (3)
      ◦ PSY 340 Performance and Sports Psychology (3)

    Program Advisors
     • Deidra Dryden
     • Jared Covington
     • Todd Brotherson

  • Concentration Requirements
     • MUS 121 Diction I (3)
     • One of the following:
      ◦ MUS 259R Opera Workshop (1)
      ◦ MUS 459R Advanced Opera Workshop (1)
     • MUS 340 01 Vocal Literature (3)
     • MUS 357 Vocal Pedagogy (3)
     • MUS 498 Senior Performance (0)

    Program Advisors
     • Mackenzie Romriell

    Open to music majors only.

Graduate School Preparation

  • Concentration Requirements
     • BUS 201 Intro to Financial Accounting
     • BUS 375R Intermediate Accounting I
     • BUS 375R Intermediate Accounting II
     • BUS 375R Cost and Managerial Accounting
     • BUS 375R Audit
     • BUS 375R Tax

    Program Advisor
     • W. Todd Brotherson

  • Concentration Requirements
     • 2 semesters of General Biology with labs (BIO 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of General Chemistry with labs (CHE 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs (CHE 301/302)
     • 2 semesters of General Physics with labs (PHY 201/202)
     • 1 semester of College Composition (WRI 120)
     • 1 semester of English Literature (LIB 130)
     • 1-2 semesters of Math (MAT 115, 221, or 241)

    Recommended
     • Genetics and Molecular Biology (BIO 340)
     • Biochemistry (CHE 383)
     • Human Anatomy and Physiology I & II (BIO 331/332)
     • Cell Biology (BIO 345)
     • Microbiology (BIO 312)
     • Sculpture (ART 317) and other activities to refine manual dexterity (e.g., playing piano, painting, building models, tying flies for fly fishing, etc.)

    Program Advisor
     • Barbara van Kuiken

  • Concentration Requirements
     • BUS 201 Intro to Financial Accounting
     • BUS 363 Managerial Finance
     • BUS 463 Advanced Financial Management
     • Internship in finance

    Program Advisor
     • Todd Brotherson

  • Concentration Requirements
     • PHI 223 Introduction to Logic (3)
     • POL 223 American Government and Politics (3)
     • POL 366 Law and the Constitution: Pre-Law Seminar (2)
     • POL 368 Introduction to the Study and Practice of Law (1)
     • POL 300-level elective, BUS 301 Business Law, or BUS 375R Negotiations and Dispute Resolution (30
     • POL 300-level course (3)

    Program Advisor
     • Jeremiah John

  • Concentration Requirements
     • 2 semesters of General Biology with labs (BIO 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of General Chemistry with labs (CHE 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs (CHE 301/302)
     • 2 semesters of General Physics with labs (PHY 201/202)
     • 1 semester of College Composition (WRI 120)
     • 1-2 semesters of Math (MAT 115, 221, or 241)

    Recommended
     • Genetics and Molecular Biology (BIO 340)
     • Biochemistry (CHE 383)
     • Physiology and Anatomy (BIO 331/332)
     • Cell Biology (BIO 345)

    Program Advisor
     • Barbara van Kuiken

  • Concentration Requirements
     • 2 semesters of General Biology with labs (BIO 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of General Chemistry with labs (CHE 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs (CHE 301/302)
     • 2 semesters of General Physics with labs (PHY 201/202)
     • 1 semester of College Composition (WRI 120)
     • 2 semesters of Math (usually MAT 221 and 241)
     • 1 semester of Psychology (PSY 105)
     • 1 semester of Microbiology with lab (BIO 312)

    Recommended
     • Biochemistry (CHE 383)
     • Human Anatomy and Physiology I/II (BIO 331/332)

    Program Advisor
     • Barbara van Kuiken

  • Concentration Requirements
     • 2 semesters of General Biology with labs (BIO 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of General Chemistry with labs (CHE 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs (CHE 301/302)
     • 2 semesters of Anatomy/Physiology (BIO 331/332)
     • 1 semester of College Composition (WRI 120)
     • 1 semester of English Literature (LIB 130)
     • 2 semesters of Math (usually MAT 221 and 241)
     • 1 semester of Biochemistry (CHE 383)
     • 1 semester of Economics (ECN 210 or ECN 215)

    Recommended
     • Genetics and Molecular Biology (BIO 340)
     • Cell Biology (BIO 345)
     • Medicinal Chemistry (CHE 481)

    Program Advisor
     • Barbara van Kuiken

  • Concentration Requirements
     • 2 semesters of General Biology with labs (BIO 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of General Chemistry with labs (CHE 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs (CHE 301/302)
     • 2 semesters of General Physics with labs (PHY 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of Anatomy/Physiology (BIO 331/332)
     • 1 semester of College Composition (WRI 120)
     • 1 semester of English Literature (LIB 130)
     • 2 semesters of Math (usually MAT 221 and 241)
     • 1 semester of Biochemistry (CHE 383)
     • 1 semester of Psychology (PSY 105)

    Program Advisor
     • Barbara van Kuiken

  • Concentration Requirements
     • 2 semesters of General Biology with labs (BIO 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of General Chemistry with labs (CHE 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of Anatomy/Physiology (BIO 331/332)
     • 1 semester of College Composition (WRI 120)
     • 1 semester of English Literature (LIB 130)
     • 1-2 semesters of Math (MAT 115, 221, or 241)
     • 1 semester of Biochemistry (CHE 383)
     • 1 semester of Psychology (PSY 105)
     • 15 Credit Hours of Social Sciences/Humanities

    Recommended
     • Organic Chemistry (CHE 301/302)
     • Genetics and Molecular Biology (BIO 340)
     • Cell Biology (BIO 345)
     • General Physics (PHY 201/202)

    Program Advisor
     • Barbara van Kuiken

  • Concentration Requirements
     • BUS 250 Business Analysis with Excel (3)
     • BUS 350 Business Analytics or BUS 355 Data Science (3)
     • MAT 221 Statistics (3)
     • POL 223 American Government and Politics (3)
     • POL 300-level course (3)

    Program Advisors
     • Jeremiah John

  • Concentration Requirements
     • 2 semesters of General Biology with labs (BIO 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of General Chemistry with labs (CHE 201/202)
     • 2 semesters of Organic Chemistry with labs (CHE 301/302)
     • 2 semesters of General Physics with labs (PHY 201/202)
     • 1 semester of Biochemistry (CHE 383)
     • 1 semester of College Composition (WRI 120)
     • 1-2 semesters of Math (MAT 115, 221, or 241)
     • 1 semester of Microbiology (BIO 312)
     • 1 semester of Genetics and Molecular Biology (BIO 340)

    Recommended
     • Physiology and Anatomy (BIO 331/332)
     • Cell Biology (BIO 345)

    Program Advisor
     • Barbara van Kuiken

Try a Professional Track

You may want to explore professional tracks like ROTC and Teacher Licensure, which provide you with an in-depth set of skills, knowledge, and experiences that take you on a clear path to your desired profession.

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