Receive intense, specialized training and define who you are as a musician in one of the nation's most competitive programs.
Why Earn a M.M. in Music?
A master's in music gives you the opportunity to develop professional competence as a musician. Elevate your techniques and approach your work with rigor and sophistication. Immerse yourself in music history, theory and pedagogy. Grow with the individual mentorship of seasoned musicians. Expand your repertoire and take your performances to new heights.
Why Study Music at CSUN?
Nationally Recognized
Members of our faculty hold prestigious careers in their own right and our alumni have reached professional success in academia and the music industry. Our ensembles routinely tour and compete nationally, bringing a high level of recognition to our program.
Professional-level Facilities
Our campus is home to a variety of performance spaces fit for symphonies and orchestras. The Soraya boasts a 1,600-seat performance hall that our ensembles play in each year. The hall bring in international guest artists who frequently hold master classes for our students. The 500-seat Plaza del Sol is also home to many of our ensemble performances. Finally, the Cypress Recital Hall is the home for over 150 student and faculty recitals every year!
Performance Opportunities
Perform extensively on campus and on tour with our ensembles. Collaborate with guest artists who frequently visit our campus because of our Los Angeles location. Compete in our annual concerto/aria competition in order to perform with our symphony orchestra.
Financial Support
We offer scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 for many incoming and continuing students. Additionally, students find part-time employment by supervising the computer lab or teaching basic music courses.
What You'll Learn
As a graduate student, CSUN gives you the opportunity to truly focus in your specific area of interest. You will develop a stronger foundation in music history and analysis while also being exposed to the amazing diversity that our department and the world of music has to offer.
Whether you choose to focus on composition, conducting, performance or collaborative piano performance, you will finish your studies with a culminating experience. This includes a thesis, performance or graduate project and a comprehensive oral exam.
Additional coursework will depend on the option you choose.
Further your artistry and find new composing approaches. Learn research techniques and analytical skills related to music expertise. Take courses in the musical developments of specific time periods. Deepen your understanding of composition, orchestration, conducting, and pedagogy.
Acquire the professional building blocks you need to conduct orchestras, band/wind ensembles, and choirs. Learn research techniques and analytical skills related to music expertise. Take courses in the musical developments of specific time periods. Gain a solid understanding of the specific approaches that orchestral, band/wind ensemble, and choral conducting require.
Study the art of classical instrumental and vocal performance at a high level. Learn research techniques and analytical skills related to music expertise. Take courses in the musical developments of specific time periods. Choose strings, harp, woodwind and brass, percussion, guitar, vocal, piano or organ performance as your area of specialization. Develop technical and pedagogical skills in your discipline and hone your talent through private lessons.
Receive structured training and performance experience required for pianists who want a career as a collaborative artist. Learn research techniques and analytical skills related to music expertise. Take courses in the musical developments of specific time periods. Develop technical and pedagogical skills in your discipline and hone your talent through private lessons.
Careers & Outcomes
Alumni of our programs have gone on to have successful careers as professional musicians, conductors, composers, and educators. Many have also pursued doctoral programs in their chosen disciplines or have continued their studies with prestigious musicians.
Recent alumni have been accepted to graduate programs in the following institutions:
- IRCAM
- San Francisco Conservatory of Music
- University of Utah
- UC Riverside
- Butler University
- University of Oregon
- UCLA
- Manhattan School of Music
- University of California Berkeley
- Rice University
- University of Southern California
Common careers include:
- Professional performer
- University music professor
- Music accompanists
- Vocal coach
- Staff pianist
- Private music teacher
Admission Information
To be considered for admission to CSUN as a master’s student, you will need to:
- Meet university requirements.
- Meet department requirements for the Master of Music.
- Apply to both the university and the specific graduate program of interest.
Learn more about applying for a master's program at CSUN
Learn more about the Department of Music's audition process and requirements