Academic Programs - Bachelor of Arts Degree Options

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 Graduate info: david.sannerud@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.