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Music Transfer Student Advice

Transfer Course Limit for Transfer Students: No Limit

Designated Transfer Adviser

Expected preparation for transfer students wanting to major in Music:

• Transfer students must complete two full years at Occidental, three if they plan to concentrate in composition or music production. 

• Transfer students should come in having met as many Core requirements as possible. However, there are courses required for the major that count toward the major that meet the Arts, Regional Focus, and Pre-1800 Core requirements. Depending on how many music courses they still need to complete, they may not have room for many Core requirement courses while at Occidental.

• Students who wish to concentrate in music production or composition must begin Occidental during the first semester of their sophomore year and must enter in the fall. 

General advice for transfer students wanting to major Music:

• It is not possible to complete the major in two years if a student starts Occidental in the spring semester. For students who do enter in the spring semester, since the theory sequence begins in the fall they will need to wait until the fall to begin most major requirements. 

• The following six courses must be taken at Occidental: Music Theory III (MUSC 251), Music Theory IV (MUSC 351), Western Music and Culture: 1580-1829 (MUSC 261), Western Music and Culture: 1830 to the Present (MUSC 263), Topics in the Critical Study of Music (MUSC 285), and Senior Seminar (MUSC 490)  

What courses should a transfer student take during their first semester at Occidental?

• Junior transfer students should enroll in the following courses: the Music Theory course that they place into (MUSC 101, MUSC 151, or MUSC 251), at least one of MUSC 261 or MUSC 263, and, depending on courses in transfer, either MUSC 231 or MUSC 232. They should also enroll in MUSC 285 if it is offered during their first semester, and depending on their intended focus in the major should take a course in that focus.

• Students starting mid way through their sophomore year should enroll in the Music Theory course that they place into (MUSC 101, MUSC 151, or MUSC 251). They should also enroll in MUSC 285 if it is offered during their first semester, and, depending on courses in transfer, either MUSC 231 or MUSC 232. Those who wish to focus in vocal or instrumental performance should take instrumental and vocal lessons and participate in an ensemble beginning in the first semester.

• Students starting as Rising Sophomores should enroll in the Music Theory course that they place into (MUSC 101, MUSC 151, or MUSC 251). Those who wish to focus in vocal or instrumental performance should take instrumental and vocal lessons and participate in an ensemble beginning in the first semester of their sophomore year.