Music, Bachelor of Arts

Requirements

Total Course Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree

See the "Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree" in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 40 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

Elective Requirements

Completion of elective courses (beyond the requirements listed below) to reach a total of a minimum of 120 units.

General Education Requirements (43 units)

See the "General Education" requirements in the University Catalog or the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (3 Units)

See the "Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement" section in the University Catalog.

Statutory Requirements: United States History, Constitution and American Ideals (6 Units)

See the "Statutory Requirements" section in the University Catalog. 

Minor Requirements

No minor is required.

Major Requirements (60-72 units)

Students who major in Music must select one of three options: Music Liberal Arts, Music Education, or Music Performance. The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are recommended or required of all candidates for this degree.

Recommended Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Lower Division Courses
MUS 101	Introducing Music	3
MUS 122	Beginning Guitar Class	1
MUS 181	Introduction to Piano I	1
MUS 182	Introduction to Piano II	1
MUS 183	Piano I	1
MUS 184	Piano II	1
MUS 222	Intermediate Guitar Class	1

Upper Division Courses

Music majors are encouraged to broaden their knowledge of music by taking a variety of upper division electives in music. Courses beyond the minimum requirements will give a broader base for later professional development.

Common Core Requirements (24 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Lower Division Required Courses
MUS 106	Musicianship Skills I 1	1
MUS 112	Music Theory I	3
MUS 113	Music Theory II	3
MUS 180	Individual Lessons 2	1
MUS 206	Advanced Musicianship Skills I 3	1
MUS 212	Advanced Music Theory I	3
MUS 213	Advanced Music Theory II	3
MUS 280	Individual Lessons 4	1
Select 100-level and 200-level ensemble courses in consultation with faculty advisor: 5		4
MUS 167	Latin American Regional Music Ensemble
MUS 168	Pep Band
MUS 169	Early Music Collegium
MUS 170	Chamber Music
MUS 171	Chamber Singers
MUS 172	Jubilee Choir
MUS 173	Jazz Ensemble
MUS 175	Band
MUS 176	Orchestra
MUS 177	Chorus
MUS 178	Guitar Ensemble
MUS 267	Latin American Regional Music
MUS 268	Pep Band
MUS 269	Early Music Collegium
MUS 270	Chamber Music
MUS 271	Chamber Singers
MUS 272	Jubilee Choir
MUS 273	Jazz Ensemble
MUS 275	Band
MUS 276	Orchestra
MUS 277	Chorus
MUS 278	Guitar Ensemble
Upper Division Required Courses
MUS 301	Music In World Cultures	3
MUS 386	Music History I: Medieval to Renaissance	3
MUS 485	Music History II: Baroque to Romantic	3
MUS 486	Music History III: 1880 to Contemporary 6	3
Select 300- level and 400-level ensemble courses in consultation with faculty advisor: 7		4
MUS 370	Chamber Music
MUS 371	Chamber Singers
MUS 372	Jubilee Choir
MUS 373	Jazz Ensemble
MUS 376	Orchestra
MUS 377	Chorus
MUS 378	Guitar Ensemble
MUS 470	Chamber Music
MUS 471	Chamber Singers
MUS 472	Jubilee Choir
MUS 473	Jazz Ensemble
MUS 475	Band
MUS 476	Orchestra
MUS 477	Chorus
MUS 478	Guitar Ensemble

¹

Students required to complete MUS 106 once in a fall semester and a spring semester.

²

Students required to complete MUS180 once in a fall semester and a spring semester.

³

Students required to complete MUS 206 once in a fall semester and a spring semester.

⁴

Students required to complete MUS 280 once in a fall semester and a spring semester.

⁵

Students required to complete a lower division ensemble course at the 100-level and 200-level in a fall semester and a spring semester. 100-level ensembles to be chosen from: MUS 167, 168, 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 175, 176, 177, and 178.

⁶

Satisfies GWAR requirement.

⁷

Students required to complete a lower division ensemble course at the 300-level and 400 level in a fall semester and a spring semester in consultation with the faculty advisor. 

Options

Music Liberal Arts Opton (72 units)

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Recommended Courses
MUS 101	Introducing Music	3
MUS 111	Intro. To Music Theory	3
Common Core Requirements
Complete common core courses		40
Lower Division Required Courses
CHS 125	Chicano/Latino Musical Culture	3
MUS 122	Beginning Guitar Class	1
MUS 201	Music in Film: From the Silent Era to The Lord of the Rings	3
MUS 222	Intermediate Guitar Class	1
MUS 250	History of Rock	3
Upper Division Required Courses
APP 325	Asian Pacific Art, Music and Literature	3
MUS 302	African American Music	3
MUS 312	The Jazz Age	3
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
MUS 325	Instrumental Conducting	3
or MUS 326	Choral Conducting
MUS 345	Global Popular Music: Identity and Social Change	3
MUS 499	Senior Project	3

Music Education Option (71 units)

Single Field Major - no minor required.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Recommeded Courses
MUS 101	Introducing Music
MUS 111	Intro. To Music Theory
Common Core Requirements
Complete common core courses		40
Lower Division Required Courses
MUS 122	Beginning Guitar Class	1
Upper Division Required Courses
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
MUS 325	Instrumental Conducting	3
MUS 326	Choral Conducting	3
MUS 333	Foundations in Music Education	3
MUS 380	Individual Lessons 1	1
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 421	Instrumental Methods: MUS ED	3
MUS 433	Contemporary Pedagogy	3
MUS 441	Marching Band Techniques	1
MUS 445	String Instruments	1
MUS 446	Woodwind Instruments	1
MUS 447	Brass Instruments	1
MUS 448	Percussion Instruments	1
MUS 449	Vocal & Choral Techniques	1
MUS 480	Individual Lessons 2	1
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 493	Recital	1
Total Hours		71

¹

Students required to complete MUS 380 once in a fall semester and a spring semester. 

²

Students required to complete MUS 480 once in a fall semester and a spring semester. 

³

Students required to complete MUS 493 once in a fall semester and a spring semester. 

Music Performance Option (60 - 79 units)

Students who major in Music must select one of three options: Music Liberal Arts, Music Education, or Music Performance. The following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, are recommended or required of all candidates for this degree.

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
Recommended Courses
MUS 101	Introducing Music
MUS 111	Intro. To Music Theory
MUS 181	Introduction to Piano I
MUS 182	Introduction to Piano II
Common Core Requirements
Complete common core courses		40
Lower Division Required Courses
MUS 122	Beginning Guitar Class	1
MUS 222	Intermediate Guitar Class	1
MUS 290	Music Industry I: Survey of the Music Industry	3
Upper Division Required Courses
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
MUS 325	Instrumental Conducting	3
or MUS 326	Choral Conducting
MUS 380	Individual Lessons 1	1
MUS 390	Music Industry II: Music Marketing, Media and Management	3
MUS 480	Individual Lessons 2	1
MUS 493	Recital 3	1
Total Hours		57

¹

Students required to complete MUS 380 once in a fall semester and a spring semester. 

²

Students required to complete MUS 480 once in a fall semester and a spring semester. 

³

Students required to complete MUS 493 once in a fall semester and a spring semester. 

Repertory Requirements in Major Performance Area

Before being approved for graduation, students must perform at a certain level of advancement and proficiency. A detailed list of representative repertory is available from the Music Department.

Summative Exam

Every graduating student is required to pass a summative pedagogy skills exam. A detailed study guide is available for the Music Department. 

• Music students acquire the cultural knowledge and the professional skills necessary for a career in music.
• Each music student will demonstrate a broad knowledge of music history and theory.
• Each music student will demonstrate musicianship skills adequate to support the performance and pedagogy of music.
• Students will acquire hands-on experience with current music and media-related technologies
• Students will demonstrate the skill set needed of music teachers for studios and private and public schools
• Music students will perform music from the standard repertoire related to their major area of study as soloists and as ensemble members.

General Music Option

4-Year RoadmaP

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
MUS 17X Ensemble 1		1
MUS 180	Individual Lessons	1
GE Area 4A Perspectives on Individuals, Groups, and Societies		3
GE Area 4B Global and Historical Perspectives		3
GE Area 6 Ethnic Studies		3
GE Area 1A English Composition		3
	Hours	14
Spring
MUS 180	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 17X Ensemble 1		1
GE Area 3B Humanitites		3
GE Area 5A Physical Sciences OR 5B Biological Sciences		3
GE Area 2 Mathematical Concepts & Quantitative Reasoning		3
GE Area 1C Oral Communication		3
GE Area 5C Laboratory		1
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
MUS 122	Beginning Guitar Class	1
MUS 112	Music Theory I	3
MUS 280	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 27X Ensemble 2		1
CHS 125	Chicano/Latino Musical Culture	3
MUS 106	Musicianship Skills I	1
GE Area 5B Biological Science		3
HIS 101	History Of United States	3
	Hours	16
Spring
MUS 222	Intermediate Guitar Class	1
MUS 113	Music Theory II	3
MUS 107	Musicianship Skills II	1
MUS 280	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 201	Music in Film: From the Silent Era to The Lord of the Rings (may satisfy GE Area 3A)	3
MUS 27X Ensemble 2		1
GE Area 1B Critical Thinking		3
POL 101	American Institutions	3
	Hours	16
Third Year
Fall
MUS 37X Ensemble 3		1
MUS 250	History of Rock (may satisfy GE Area 3A)	3
MUS 302	African American Music	3
MUS 212	Advanced Music Theory I	3
MUS 206	Advanced Musicianship Skills I	1
MUS 386	Music History I: Medieval to Renaissance	3
	Hours	14
Spring
MUS 312	The Jazz Age	3
MUS 213	Advanced Music Theory II	3
MUS 207	Advanced Musicianship Skills II	1
MUS 301	Music In World Cultures	3
Elective		2
MUS 37X Ensemble		1
	Hours	13
Fourth Year
Fall
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
MUS 325 or MUS 326	Conducting or Choral Conducting	3
MUS 485	Music History II: Baroque to Romantic	3
MUS 47X Ensemble		1
APP 325	Asian Pacific Art, Music and Literature	3
GE Area 5 UD Integrative Studies in the Physical and Biological Sciences		3
	Hours	16
Spring
MUS 486	Music History III: 1880 to Contemporary (meets GE 3UD & GWAR requirement)	3
MUS 499	Senior Project	3
MUS 345	Global Popular Music: Identity and Social Change	3
MUS 47X Ensemble		1
Elective		3
GE Area 4 UD Integrative Studies in the Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
	Hours	16
	Total Hours	120

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
B.A. Option Music Liberal Arts
MUS 250	History of Rock	3
MUS 302	African American Music	3
MUS 212	Advanced Music Theory I	3
MUS 206	Advanced Musicianship Skills I	1
MUS 37X Ensemble 1		1
MUS 386	Music History I: Medieval to Renaissance	3
	Hours	14
Spring
MUS 312	The Jazz Age	3
MUS 213	Advanced Music Theory II	3
MUS 207	Advanced Musicianship Skills II	1
MUS 301	Music In World Cultures	3
CHS 125	Chicano/Latino Musical Culture	3
MUS 37X Ensemble 1		1
	Hours	14
Second Year
Fall
APP 325	Asian Pacific Art, Music and Literature	3
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
MUS 325 or MUS 326	Conducting or Choral Conducting	3
MUS 485	Music History II: Baroque to Romantic	3
MUS 47X Ensemble 2		1
GE Area 5 UD Integrative Studies in the Physical and Biological Sciences		3
	Hours	16
Spring
MUS 201	Music in Film: From the Silent Era to The Lord of the Rings	3
MUS 345	Global Popular Music: Identity and Social Change	3
MUS 486	Music History III: 1880 to Contemporary (meets GE 3UD & GWAR requirement)	3
MUS 47X Ensemble 2		1
MUS 499	Senior Project	3
GE Area 4UD Integrative Studies in the Social and Behavioral Sciences		3
	Hours	16
	Total Hours	60

¹

Students required to complete a upper division ensemble course at the 300-level in a fall semester and a spring semester.

²

Students required to complete a upper division ensemble course at the 400-level in a fall semester and a spring semester.

Music Education Option

4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
MUS 122	Beginning Guitar Class	1
MUS 180	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 106	Musicianship Skills I	1
Lower Division Ensemble		1
GE AREA 3A OR 3B		3
GE AREA 1A		3
GE Area 4A		3
GE Area 6		3
	Hours	16
Spring
MUS 180	Individual Lessons	1
POL 101	American Institutions	3
Lower Division Ensemble		1
MUS 107	Musicianship Skills II	1
GE AREA 5A OR 5B		3
GE AREA 2		3
GE AREA 4B		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
GE AREA 1C		3
GE AREA 5A OR 5B		3
GE AREA 5C		3
MUS 112	Music Theory I	3
MUS 206	Advanced Musicianship Skills I	1
MUS 280	Individual Lessons	1
Lower Division Ensemble		1
	Hours	15
Spring
MUS 113	Music Theory II	3
MUS 207	Advanced Musicianship Skills II	1
MUS 280	Individual Lessons	1
Lower Division Ensemble		1
GE AREA 1B		3
HIS 101	History Of United States	3
GE Area 3A or 3B		3
	Hours	15
Third Year
Fall
MUS 212	Advanced Music Theory I	3
ELECTIVE		1
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 447	Brass Instruments	1
MUS 326	Choral Conducting	3
MUS 301	Music In World Cultures	3
MUS 446	Woodwind Instruments	1
Upper Division Ensemble		1
	Hours	14
Spring
MUS 213	Advanced Music Theory II	3
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
Elective		1
MUS 333	Foundations in Music Education	3
MUS 421	Instrumental Methods: MUS ED	3
MUS 386	Music History I: Medieval to Renaissance	3
	Hours	14
Fourth Year
Fall
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
MUS 433	Contemporary Pedagogy	3
MUS 485	Music History II: Baroque to Romantic	3
MUS 493	Senior Recital	1
MUS 441	Special Music Ensemble Techniques	1
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
Upper Division Ensemble		1
GE AREA 4 UD OR 5 UD		3
	Hours	16
Spring
MUS 325	Conducting	3
MUS 445	String Instruments	1
MUS 449	Vocal & Choral Techniques	1
MUS 448	Percussion Instruments	1
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 486	Music History III: 1880 to Contemporary (meets GE Area 3 UD & GWAR requirements)	3
MUS 493	Senior Recital	1
Upper Division Ensemble		1
GE AREA 4 UD OR 5 UD		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	120

2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
MUS 212	Advanced Music Theory I	3
MUS 301	Music In World Cultures	3
MUS 326	Choral Conducting	3
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 447	Brass Instruments	1
MUS 446	Woodwind Instruments	1
Upper Division Ensemble		1
ELECTIVE		2
	Hours	15
Spring
MUS 213	Advanced Music Theory II	3
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 333	Foundations in Music Education	3
MUS 421	Instrumental Methods: MUS ED	3
MUS 386	Music History I: Medieval to Renaissance	3
Upper Division Ensemble		1
	Hours	14
Second Year
Fall
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 433	Contemporary Pedagogy	3
MUS 485	Music History II: Baroque to Romantic	3
MUS 493	Senior Recital	1
MUS 441	Special Music Ensemble Techniques	1
Upper Division Ensemble		1
GE AREA 4 UD OR 5 UD		3
	Hours	16
Spring
MUS 448	Percussion Instruments	1
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 493	Senior Recital	1
MUS 325	Conducting	3
MUS 486	Music History III: 1880 to Contemporary (meets GE Area 3UD & GWAR requirement)	3
MUS 449	Vocal & Choral Techniques	1
MUS 445	String Instruments	1
Upper Division Ensemble		1
GE AREA 4 UD OR 5 UD		3
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	60

Music Performance Option

4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
MUS 180	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 106	Musicianship Skills I	1
Lower Division Ensemble (MUS 17X)		1
GE AREA 1A		3
GE AREA 3B		3
GE AREA 4A		3
GE AREA 6		3
	Hours	15
Spring
MUS 180	Individual Lessons	1
LOWER DIVISION ENSEMBLE (MUS 17X)		1
MUS 107	Musicianship Skills II	1
GE AREA 5A		3
HIS 101	History Of United States	3
GE AREA 4B		3
GE AREA 2		3
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
LOWER DIVISION ENSEMBLE (MUS 27X)		1
MUS 206	Advanced Musicianship Skills I	1
MUS 280	Individual Lessons	1
GE Area 1C		3
GE AREA 5B		3
GE Area 5C		1
MUS 122	Beginning Guitar Class	1
MUS 112	Music Theory I	3
	Hours	14
Spring
MUS 113	Music Theory II	3
MUS 207	Advanced Musicianship Skills II	1
MUS 222	Intermediate Guitar Class	1
MUS 280	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 290	Music Industry I: Survey of the Music Industry	3
GE Area 1B		3
POL 101	American Institutions	3
LOWER DIVISION ENSEMBLE (MUS 27X)		1
	Hours	16
Third Year
Fall
MUS 212	Advanced Music Theory I	3
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 386	Music History I: Medieval to Renaissance	3
ELECTIVE		2
UPPER DIVISION ENSEMBLE (MUS 37X)		1
MUS 390	Music Industry II: Music Marketing, Media and Management	3
Elective		3
	Hours	16
Spring
MUS 213	Advanced Music Theory II	3
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 301	Music In World Cultures	3
GE Area 5 UD		3
GE Area 3A Arts		3
UPPER DIVISION ENSEMBLE (MUS 37X)		1
	Hours	14
Fourth Year
Fall
MUS 325 or MUS 326	Conducting or Choral Conducting	3
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 485	Music History II: Baroque to Romantic	3
MUS 493	Senior Recital	1
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
ELECTIVE		3
UPPER DIVISION ENSEMBLE (MUS 47X)		1
	Hours	15
Spring
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 493	Senior Recital	1
UPPER DIVISION ENSEMBLE (MUS 47X)		1
MUS 486	Music History III: 1880 to Contemporary (meets GE Area 3UD & GWAR requirement)	3
GE Area 4 UD		3
Elective Course		6
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	120

¹

Proficiency and/or placement exams are required in Musicianship, Theory, and Piano. Depending on entrance exam results, 100-level theory, musicianship, and piano may be required to prepare students for 200 and 300-level courses. Please contact department chair for details. 

2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid

First Year
Fall		Hours
B.A. Option Performance
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 212	Advanced Music Theory I	3
MUS 386	Music History I: Medieval to Renaissance	3
MUS 122	Beginning Guitar Class	1
MUS 37X ENSEMBLE		1
MUS 290	Music Industry I: Survey of the Music Industry	3
Elective Course		3
	Hours	15
Spring
GE AREA 5UD		3
MUS 380	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 213	Advanced Music Theory II	3
MUS 301	Music In World Cultures	3
MUS 37X ENSEMBLE		1
ELECTIVE		3
MUS 222	Intermediate Guitar Class	1
	Hours	15
Second Year
Fall
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 493	Senior Recital	1
MUS 316	Instrumentation	3
MUS 485	Music History II: Baroque to Romantic	3
MUS 47X ENSEMBLE		1
MUS 390	Music Industry II: Music Marketing, Media and Management	3
MUS 325 or MUS 326	Conducting or Choral Conducting	3
	Hours	15
Spring
MUS 493	Senior Recital	1
MUS 486	Music History III: 1880 to Contemporary (meets GE Area 3UD & GWAR requirement)	3
MUS 480	Individual Lessons	1
MUS 47X ENSEMBLE		1
GE AREA 4UD		3
ELECTIVE		6
	Hours	15
	Total Hours	60