Programs

New Students

The Department of Music welcomes new students every Fall and Spring and offers generous Music Department scholarship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate applicants (applications open in March/April). With a variety of major area options and flexible repertoire guidelines, you can shape your audition to highlight your strengths.

Our Prospective Students page has audition dates, deadlines, and FAQs.

Our Audition and Placement page has details of audition requirements and placement tests.

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What's Next?

All applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for admission to California State University, Northridge either as a freshman or transfer student. After applying to the university through CSU Apply, you’ll be emailed a link to our Music Department audition application, (currently AcceptD). When you log in and select your program and instrument, you’ll see clear, personalized instructions for your audition. We’ve designed the process to be simple and easy to follow.

• Submit the Music Department audition application including any supplemental materials required for your option.
• If auditioning/interviewing in person: schedule your on-campus audition as soon as possible for best choice.
• If auditioning by video, simply upload your video. Any virtual interview if required, will be scheduled after successfully passing your audition.
• Note: all jazz performance majors and some jazz options must first pass a pre-screen audition round with a firm early deadline.
• Successfully pass the entrance audition and if required, the interview as well.

Once you are accepted and send your intent to register to the Music Department and to CSUN:

• Undergraduate Students
  • Take the online musicianship test and fill out keyboard experience questionnaire so that we can get you placed correctly in your classes.
  • Get required advising from
    • The HUB - Freshman
    • Undergraduate Music Advisor Nicole Hovland - Lower Division Music Students and Transfers
• Graduate students
  • Take entry exams in music history and theory just prior to the start of the semester in which you will start attending.
  • Get required advising from:
    • Graduate Advisor Steve Thachuk - Graduate Students

*Not applicable to new students applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Music Industry Administration (MIA) degree program. Please see the MIA Program Requirements page for more information.