Bachelor of Arts Options
Music Industry Studies
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Music Therapy
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Breadth Studies in Music
Music Education
About the Degrees Offered
The Music Department at California State University, Northridge offers two degree programs with several options for the undergraduate student, and two graduate degrees.
BACHELOR OF ARTS
A BACHELOR OF ARTS degree is given with emphasis in Music Education, Music Industry Studies, Music Therapy, and Breadth Studies in Music. The latter degree, a flexible program with a minimum performance requirement, allows students to combine studies in music with other fields of interest. Entrance auditions are required for all BA options.
BACHELOR OF MUSIC
The BACHELOR OF MUSIC degree is intended for students planning careers as performers, conductors, composers & arrangers, and university teachers. Areas of emphasis include Orchestral Strings, Classical Guitar, Winds, Percussion, Keyboard (piano and organ), Vocal Arts, Composition, Commercial and Media Writing, and Jazz Studies. Entrance auditions are required for all BM options.
The Department of Music also offers two graduate degrees: a MASTER OF ARTS in Music Education, and a MASTER OF MUSIC in Composition, Conducting (choral or instrumental), or Performance (guitar, organ, percussion, piano, strings, winds, voice). For those students anticipating study beyond the master's level, the Master of Arts normally leads to the Ph. D. or Ed. D. degrees, and the Master of Music normally leads to the D.M.A. degree. Graduate study may include intensive work in the performance area, continuing development of knowledge in music history and music analysis, philosophical and pedagogical training, and opportunities for electives and independent study in various areas of interest.
The Department of Music is fully accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. For further information, please consult the requirements listed in the current CSUN catalog. You can also request information by sending an e-mail to the Music Department at music@csun.edu (undergraduate programs), or gmusic@csun.edu (graduate programs).
New Students
The Department of Music admits new students to the program every Fall and Spring semesters and offers a wide range of scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students. All students are required to pass an entrance audition, and all undergraduate students must also complete a Musicianship and Keyboard placement exam. Here at CSUN Music Department, we offer several entrance audition dates throughout the calendar year, as well as scholarship auditions for incoming freshman and transfer students during the Spring semester auditions.
For more information, please download the Prospective Music Student Handbook (in PDF format), or visit the CSUN Prospective Students/Parents Page.
ALL APPLICANTS TO THE MUSIC PROGRAM ARE REQUIRED TO:
Meet all eligibility requirements for admission to California State University, Northridge either as a freshman or transfer student. Deadline for freshman applicants is November 30th.
Submit a Music Department audition/scholarship application (found under audition dates).
Successfully pass the performance entrance audition.
Take the musicianship and keyboard placement exams (tests are offered once per semester).
Meet with faculty area coordinators to discuss course selection.
MUSIC INDUSTRY STUDIES -- GENERAL INFORMATION
Mission Statement
(“WHY an M.I.S. Degree?)
The Music Industry Studies (M.I.S.) major at California State University, Northridge was created to serve the needs of students wishing to pursue executive and administrative careers in the Music Industry.
In addition, however, many M.I.S. majors do intend to perform professionally as well and indeed, some are already have recording contracts. Those students enter the M.I.S. major for a slightly different reason: (a) to launch performing careers (b) to understand the inner workings of the Music Industry in order to help accelerate and facilitate those careers.)
Why Pursue Your M.I.S. Degree at CSUN?
Some universities offer “Music Business” degrees that interestingly enough, contain no music! Those with such degrees often find very limited job opportunities.
On the other hand, we learned from our professional friends in the Music Industry that a degree that combines music and business is highly valued by Music Industry-based businesses. And that translates into the fact that graduates of our Music Industry Studies program are qualified for a wider variety of career choices and opportunities.
Another benefit for CSUN graduates is location, location, location! If you want to be in the music business, Hollywood/Los Angeles is the best place to be. Today, virtually all motion picture and television music is produced in here. The same goes for nearly all Pop and most Jazz. Simply stated, the heart and soul of the Music Industry is located in Los Angeles –– just minutes from the CSUN campus. As a result, our students begin networking in the Music and Entertainment Industries the day they are admitted to the major. And when they graduate, most transition smoothly right into the Music Industry work force.
And let's not forget to mention the weather! Southern California’s weather trumps that of New York City, Nashville, Miami, Boulder and virtually all other cities where Music Business programs are offered.
Our Faculty Consists of Music Industry Professionals
Faculty members who are actively involved in various aspects of the Music Industry staff our program. Students learn from those who know the industry inside out.
Required Coursework
All M.I.S. majors must complete study in the three required components of the degree:
- General Education & Title V courses required of all college students
- Music courses required of all B.A. degree students
- Music Industry Studies option requirements
- MUS 213 Harmony [3 units]
- MUS 210B Keyboard Musicianship IV [1 unit]
- MUS 293/L Early Field Experience in the Music Ind. [2 units]
- MUS 302 Jazz History [2 units]
- MUS 303 History of Pop and Rock Music [2 units]
- MUS 391/L MIDI-Sequencing Technology[ 3 units]
- MUS 393 Music Industry Studies [3 units]
- MUS 397AB Recording [2 units]
- MUS 493 Music Production [3 units]
- Individual Lessons [4 units]
- Ensembles [8 units]
- BLAW 280 Business Law [3 units]
- MGT 360 Management & Organizational Behavior [3 units]
- MUS 494 Internship [6 units]
