Music, B.A.

Program of Study

The Music major presents all aspects of music as integral parts of a complete music education; students in the major are expected to learn the language of music through the study of theory, history, performance, composition, and technology. While doing so, they will investigate various musical cultures, create their own original music or interpretations of others’ music, communicate with an audience to present their completed work, and archive their work. Music is placed in a societal context and students will participate in their local music community.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in Music will have the following competencies:

1. Knowledge - Students will demonstrate proficiency in music fundamentals.
2. Create - Students will demonstrate an ability to play, compose, or improvise music.  
3. Perform - Students will present or produce music in a public forum.
4. Respond and Connect – Students will articulate the historical and cultural context of music.

The curriculum is designed with maximum flexibility and allows the student to create their own course of study under advisement from one of the music faculty. Music majors might emphasize one of several areas, including performance, music technology, composition, and world music, or a combination of two or more of these areas. After completing a core of lower-division courses, the student becomes more focused in upper-division coursework. All students present a capstone project in their last semester of the senior year.

Educational and Career Opportunities

The Music major is designed so that graduates will be adequately prepared to pursue careers in music or to enter graduate school. Students graduating with a B.A. in Music have numerous employment opportunities upon graduation. These include private music teaching, sound or recording technology, performance, composition, teaching in primary and secondary school, or work in the music industry.

Admission to the Major

Entering first-year students are expected to develop proficiency on piano, voice, or an orchestral/band/jazz instrument. These skills will be acquired through participation in performance ensembles and through private instruction. Basic knowledge of music fundamentals and the ability to read standard music notation is expected. 

Students entering at the junior level must have completed the lower-division core coursework before pursuing upper-division coursework at CSUSM.  Contact the Music Department Chair for additional information regarding performance proficiencies and/or course-work.

Special Conditions for the Bachelor of Arts in Music

All courses counted toward the major, including Preparation for the Major courses, must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.

General Education (43 Units)

General Education Requirements  

Preparation for the Major (10 Units)

• MUSC 101  - Music Theory I Units: 4
• MUSC 120  - Introduction to Music Units: 3
• MUSC 145  - Beginning Piano Units: 3

Major Requirements (40-42 Units)

It is recommended that all lower-division courses be completed before enrolling in upper-division music courses.

Students must complete at least forty (40) units of upper-division coursework to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Music majors may be required to complete additional upper-division coursework outside of the major to satisfy this requirement.

Students in the Music Major must work with a faculty advisor to design a plan of coursework that addresses their individual needs. Courses are selected from the broad categories listed below. In some cases, independent study work may be substituted for courses not offered (under advisement).

Minimum Total (120 Units)

Students must take a sufficient number of elective units to bring the total number of units to a minimum of 120