Take your love of music and transform it into a career you love. Learn about the music industry or become a music teacher or music therapist.
Why Study Music?
Music is a beautiful art that helps us to feel, connect and dream. By studying music, you will grow in your skills while also preparing for a career related to music. You will learn music theory and perform in ensembles. At the same time, you will see the transformative power of music as it impacts people in their daily lives—from education to therapy to streaming it on their mobile devices.
Why Study Music at CSUN?
Multiple Options
We can impact so many people through the power of music. This is why we offer so many options leading to different career opportunities. We offer B.A. options in pre-teaching, music industry studies, music therapy and breadth studies. If you are interested in performance, composition and jazz, visit our B.M. in music page.
Quality Education
CSUN's music program has been ranked as one of the best music schools in the world. In addition, our music therapy program is one of the top ten most affordable in the country. Finally, CSUN's Department of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). You'll be sure to receive the best education while studying with our 80-plus faculty members.
Scholarship Availability
CSUN's music department offers scholarships on a yearly basis. Many scholarships are open to all music majors. There are also specific scholarships for the music industry, pre-teaching and music therapy options. We offer scholarships based on financial need and merit. Learn about our different scholarship opportunities.
What You'll Learn
To work in a music related-field you need to be passionate and dedicated. As a Music B.A. student, you will take courses on music theory and keyboard skills. You will grow musicianship skills, such as ear training and sight-singing. You will also take lessons on your chosen instrument and perform in CSUN ensembles.
In your upper-division coursework, you will take classes on a global perspective of music and music entrepreneurship. Depending on your option, you may perform in a senior recital or complete a senior project.
The remainder of your courses will be determined by your chosen option.
This option is a flexible program made for students who do not fit into the traditional music options. It allows you to combine your music studies with other fields of interest to prepare for a specific career. Rather than having a set list of courses, you will choose from a pool of upper-division units to craft a degree road map. You might also add courses outside of the Department of Music to achieve your goals. This program requires a capstone project, which will prove your readiness for your future career path.
In your upper-division classes, you can choose from:
- Introduction to jazz
- Music of the United States
- Understanding world cultures through music
- History of performance practices
- Vocal literature
- Symphonic literature
- Wind literature
- Keyboard literature
- Chamber literature
- Choral literature
Be prepared for executive and administrative careers in the music industry. You will learn about business practices in the music industry. You will also complete a music industry internship experience or work at our student-run record label.
In your classes, you will learn:
- The history of popular music in America
- Musicianship skills, such as score reading, sight-reading and improvisation
- Musical harmony theory and practice
- Music technology skills, such as creating music with computer software and sampling
- The theory and practice of sound recording using industry-standard hardware and Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) software
- Copyright law, music publishing, music licenses and music industry contracts
- The distribution and promotion of music in streaming services and public social media platforms
- Business law
- Management and organizational behavior
Learn to inspire young people by pursuing a career teaching the schools. You will take the standard music major curriculum including musicianship and keyboard classes and later take classes in instrumental and choral methods, administration and conducting.
By completing this option, you will satisfy the pre-professional academic requirement for the Single Subject Teaching Credential in Music. Visit CSUN's Credential Office for information on how to apply for the credential program.
In your classes, you will learn:
- The philosophy and history of school music programs
- How to plan and teach general music classes
- Basic playing knowledge of stringed, woodwind, brass and percussion instruments
- Jazz improvisation
- Musical harmony theory and practice
- Musicianship skills, such as rhythmic and harmonic dictation and conducting exercises
- Choral and instrumental conducting and arranging
You will also choose from two sets of emphasis courses that will help you focus your studies.
- Choral Emphasis
- Instrumental Emphasis
Learn the skills you need to start a career in music therapy. While you will learn in the classroom, we also emphasize experiential learning. You will work through hypothetical cases in your classes and real cases at clinics. You will also complete an internship as your capstone experience. Earning this degree will qualify you to take the national examination needed to become a Board-Certified Music Therapist.
In your classes, you will learn:
- Music therapy utilization skills, including song materials and song-leading activities
- Models of improvisation in music therapy
- Approaches and techniques of music therapy in mental health programs and other uses
- Psychology of music and abnormal psychology
- Developmental differences and implications for educating students with disabilities
- Keyboard skills, including score reading, sight-reading and improvisation
- Musicianship skills, such as rhythmic and harmonic dictation and conducting exercises
- Diatomic and chromatic harmony, voice leading, modulation, harmonization and simple accompaniments
Careers & Outcomes
Upon graduating, you will be qualified to find a career in a variety of music-related roles. You can become an entry-level worker at a record label, a music teacher at a K-12 school or a music therapist.
Common career paths for graduates include:
- Music teacher
- Music therapist
- Music industry executive
- Recording studio technician
- Music law
- Arts administration
- Music agent
- Performing artist
Find new talent while developing yours.
Learn the ins and outs of the music industry on campus. Join the student-run Five of Five Entertainment (VOVE) record label to grow your skills. You'll market artists, produce their music, book venues and track financial transactions.
Admission Information
In addition to meeting all the requirements for admission to CSUN as a freshman or transfer student, music majors must submit complete an audition application. You will be sent an audition application from the Office of Admissions and Records once you apply CSUN.
Should You Get a B.M. or B.A. in Music?
Both the B.M. and B.A. in Music will help you combine your love of music with a career you're passionate about. You can choose which one you would like to major in based on your future plans.
For a career as a performer, university teacher or private studio teacher, choose the B.M. degree. During your time at CSUN, your courses will concentrate on performance and theory. You will hone your instrument skills, play in ensembles and improve through lessons with instructors.
For a career in music-related industries—such as music education, music industry or music therapy—choose the B.A. degree. You will still take lessons and perform with our ensembles to increase your music skills. But you will also take classes that focus on your potential career. You can learn about the psychology of music and sound recording techniques.
Learn more about our B.M. program