The Bachelor of Arts in Music

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree: 120 units

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

A suggested Major Academic Plan (MAP) has been prepared to help students meet all graduation requirements within four years. You can view MAPs on the Degree MAPs page in the University Catalog or you can request a plan from your major advisor.

General Education Pathway Requirements: 48 units

See General Education in the University Catalog and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education Pathway Requirements and course offerings.

This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).

• MUSC 304 is an approved major course substitution for Arts (C1).

These modifications apply to The Option in Music Education only.

• MUSC 302W is an approved major course substitution for Humanities (C2).
• EDTE 451 is an approved major course substitution for Learning for Life (E).
• ENGL 471 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Arts/Humanities.
• EDTE 302 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Social Sciences.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

See Diversity Requirements in the University Catalog. Most courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education .

Upper-Division Writing Requirement:

Writing Across the Curriculum (Executive Memorandum 17-009) is a graduation requirement and may be demonstrated through satisfactory completion of four Writing (W) courses, two of which are designated by the major department. See Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning and Writing Requirements in the University Catalog for more details on the four courses.  The first of the major designated Writing (W) courses is listed below.

• Any upper-division Writing (W) course.

The second major-designated Writing course is the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) (Executive Order 665). Students must earn a C- or higher to receive GW credit. The GE Written Communication (A2) requirement must be completed before a student is permitted to register for a GW course.

Grading Requirement:

All courses taken to fulfill major course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as Credit/No Credit grading only.

For those courses taken for a letter grade, students must earn a grade of C- or higher.

Course Requirements for the Major: 50-102 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Additional required courses, depending upon the selected option are outlined following the major core program requirements.

Performance Attendance

Students are required to attend four performances per semester, of which they cannot be a performer or crew participant. To validate attendance students will complete a survey, which will be accessible through Blackboard Learn.

Major Core Program: 13 units

7 courses required:

Major Option Course Requirements: 37-89 units

The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are required dependent upon the option chosen. Students must select one of the following options for completion of the major course requirements.  Use the links below to jump to your chosen option.

• The Option in General Music
• The Option in Music Education
• The Option in Recording Arts
• The Option in Music Industry

The Option in General Music: 37-40 units

This option is a flexible program designed to serve students who wish to study music as the focus of a broadly based liberal arts education. Students interested in this option may pursue one or more areas of study, including: jazz studies, keyboard, vocal, instrumental performance, composition, ethnomusicology, and music history.

5 courses required:

4 units selected from:

4 units selected from:

Students who want to do recital must do at least 2 units of studio instruction at the 310 level.

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

10 units selected from:

Select courses in consultation with an advisor

The Option in Music Education: 89 units

This option satisfies the requirements for the single subject credential in music.

16 courses required:

6 units selected from:

At least 2 units must be at the 310 level. MUSC 110 and MUSC 310 may be repeated for credit.

4 units selected from:

These courses may be repeated for credit. See No. 4 under "Special Music Requirements."

1 course selected from:

Credential Courses: 44 units

Education: 35 units

9 courses required:

Must be taken concurrently:

Must be taken concurrently:

Additional Requirements: 9 units

The Option in Recording Arts: 41 units

Notice to Prospective Applicants:

In recent years there has been high student demand for the Option in Recording Arts. Students interested in this program should apply to the University during the initial filing period of the admissions cycle (October 1-November 30 for any fall semester; August for any spring semester). A supplemental Recording Arts application must be submitted in April of the spring semester. Information on any current enrollment restrictions is available from the Admissions Office and from the department office sponsoring the major.

10 courses required:

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

2 courses selected from:

These courses may be repeated for credit. See No. 4 of "Special Music Requirements" under the BA in Music.

1 course selected from:

Note: MUSC 489 must be taken for 3 units

Studio instruction is available to students in the Option in Recording Arts who can qualify by audition.

The Option in Music Industry: 45 units

12 courses required:

Note: MUSC 489 must be taken for 3 units.

1 course selected from:

1 course selected from:

2 courses selected from:

These courses may be repeated for credit. See No. 4 of "Special Music Requirements" under the BA in Music.

1 course selected from:

Note: MUSC 489 must be taken for 3 units.

Special Music Requirements:

1. Advising is required each semester for all Music students.
2. All entering Music majors, freshmen and transfer students, must take the diagnostic examination in theory and ear training to determine placement.
3. Before gaining acceptance as a Music major, each student (including transfer students) must be interviewed and/or auditioned by an appropriate faculty committee. Consult with the Music and Theatre Department office for details. A Music major wishing to change option or emphasis must also be interviewed and/or auditioned by an appropriate faculty committee.
4. Students must participate in a least one ensemble using their performing medium when enrolled in Studio Instruction. Ensembles are chosen in consultation with the option advisor. Substitutions may be made with departmental approval. Consult the option advisor or the Music and Theatre Department office for details.
5. Before gaining admittance to upper-division status in Studio Instruction, students must demonstrate appropriate competence in their major performing medium before a faculty committee. Standards are available in the Music and Theatre Department Office.
6. Admission procedures for the Option in Recording Arts include applying to the University during the initial filing period, being placed in a Pre-Recording Arts option, and passing supplemental Recording Arts criteria. Consult with the Music and Theatre Department office for details.

Electives Requirement:

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. You should consult with an advisor regarding the selection of courses which will provide breadth to your University experience and possibly apply to a supportive second major or minor.

Advising Requirement:

Advising is mandatory for all majors in this degree program. Consult your undergraduate advisor for specific information.