Admission to CSUSB's music program

Any student accepted to attend CSUSB can declare music as a major.  As a result, the Music Department does not require an "entrance audition."  However, the department does require students to complete placement tests in music theory, class piano, and applied lessons.  In each area, a student could be placed in courses that do not count toward degree requirements but that are prerequisites to courses required for a music degree.  In the case of applied lessons, some students are placed in "preparatory" or remedial lessons, courses that do not count count toward a CSUSB degree of any kind.  More than half of entering freshmen music majors, and even some transfer students, spend at least a quarter in remedial coursework.  Conversely, students who have advanced experience in one the three areas -- for example, AP Music Theory, multiple years of private lessons on an instrument or voice, or equivalent coursework at another college or university -- can often skip ahead in class piano, music theory, and applied lesson course sequences.

Assumptions and preparation

The following things are typical of lower-division transfer students who want to major in music at CSUSB:

LD transfers have already completed most of CSUSB's General Education requirements.  However, CSUSB generally requires all transfer students to complete our General Ed "capstone" courses in social and behavioral sciences, natural sciences, and the humanities.  Some transfers also have to complete a course in the multicultural/gender category, although note that MUS 350, a requirement for all music majors, satisfies that requirement.  Transfer students also sometimes have to complete the upper-division writing requirement.  Note that it is possible to satisfy the writing requirement by passing the Writing Requirement Exemption Exam (WREE).

LD transfers have completed only limited music coursework.  However, LD transfers should take all available music placement tests in the effort to earn advanced placement in music theory, class piano, and applied lessons.  The more advanced a student's placement in those areas, the quicker he or she can complete a music degree at CSUSB.

LD transfers have had no or very limited private lessons on their major instrument or voice, and many are initially assigned to "preparatory" applied lessons that do not count toward a music degree.  However, exceptional students who have taken private lessons for a year or more almost always avoid preparatory lessons, and they sometimes are able to place even as high as the 200-level on an applied placement audition.  LD transfer students who would like to explore options for private lessons prior to attempting an applied placement audition should contact CSUSB's Music Department for advice and referrals.

LD transfers often still have only a hazy idea of their career plans even though they are sure they want to major in music. However, even if you already know you want to major in music, you should to examine the large variety of career paths open to you to develop some firm career plans.  Students who enter college not sure just of a major, but also with a specific career path in mind, are even more likely to complete a degree in a timely fashion.  Click here for more information about possible careers in music.

LD transfer students usually apply for admission at CSUSB only a few months before enrolling in classes.  As a result they often do not know about special music scholarships available to all music majors, have never examined a copy of CSUSB's academic catalog to read in detail about important topics like scholarships and financial aid, and, even if they are planning to major in music education, do not know about California's single-subject credential requirements for music teachers.

How "typical" you are, how well the above description fits you, will have a major impact how quickly you can complete a music degree at CSUSB.  LD transfers students typically take nine quarters, or three years, to complete a CSUSB music degree.  However, by considering the advice above and preparing accordingly, LD transfers can often trim their stay at CSUSB by a quarter or more.

First-year courses at CSUSB

All new music majors must select a major instrument or voice and must complete an Applied Placement Audition.  New majors with prior experience in music theory and/or in playing piano should also take placement tests in those areas.  Click here for more information about music placement tests.

The Music Department offers applied lessons on piano, voice, harp, guitar, percussion, and all standard brass, woodwind, and orchestral string instruments.  Unless an Applied Placement Audition indicates otherwise, new music majors must sign up for preparatory or "prep-level" lessons in their first quarter at CSUSB.  The Music Department does not offer applied lessons to students other than declared music majors, and music majors may only take applied lessons on their major instrument.  Click here for more information about music classes you should take in your first quarter, including applied lessons.

Picking a music degree emphasis

Lower-division transfer students should enter CSUSB with a firm idea of which degree emphasis they wish to pursue.  Delay or indecision in selecting an emphasis usually results in an extension of a student's stay at CSUSB.  LD transfers are encouraged to contact the Music Department as soon as possible for assignment to a music advisor.  In consultation with an advisor, and using the appropriate "degree roadmap" below, you can plot out what courses to take and when, something that will greatly aid you in timely completion of a degree.

Below are short descriptions of CSUSB's music degree emphases, including a link to corresponding degree roadmaps.  All of the roadmaps are designed for a "typical" LD transfer.  They will fit your situation only as well you as you fit the definition of "typical."  Most importantly, the roadmaps assume you will be initially assigned to 100-level applied lessons. For a complete description of the BA in Music degree, and the courses listed in the roadmaps, download the Music Department's entry in CSUSB's academic catalog posted on the Music Department's website.

Music Education. Students in this emphasis plan to pursue careers as elementary or secondary school music teachers. In addition to completing a music degree, students interested in earning a California teaching credential must complete a year of "single-subject" credential coursework. Students typically begin credential coursework immediately after completion of their BA in Music. Click here for more information about CSUSB's Single Subject Credential Program. For information about the courses required by the Music Education Emphasis, click here to see a Music Education "degree roadmap" that outlines the music courses a music education major should take each quarter.

Performance/Composition. Students in this emphasis plan to pursue careers as professional singers or instrumentalists, or as composers. This is not intended as a "default" emphasis for students unsure about their musical aspirations. Music majors in this emphasis are typically among the most skilled instrumentalists and singers, and many will continue into graduate school to further refine their performing or composition skills. Click here to see a Performance/Composition "degree roadmap" that outlines the music courses a performance or composition major should take each quarter. Note that after they complete 100-level applied study on an instrument or voice, composition majors switch to applied composition at the 200-level.

Music Technology. Students in this emphasis plan to pursue careers in recording technology, sound design, film scoring, or other fields that require electronic creation and processing of music or sound. Click here to see a Music Technology "degree roadmap" that outlines the music courses a music technology major should take each quarter. Note that after they complete 200-level applied study on an instrument or voice, music technology majors switch to applied technology at the 300-level.

Music History and Ethnomusicology. Students in these emphases plan to pursue careers in musicological research, possibly involving teaching of musicological subjects. Most music graduates in these emphases will continue into graduate school. Music History is a more general emphasis, while Ethnomusicology is more specialized, concentrating on the ethnological foundations of music traditions from around the world. Click here to see Music History and Ethnomusicology "degree roadmaps" that outlines the music courses a music history or ethnomusicology major should take each quarter.

Music Theater. Students in this emphasis plan to pursue careers as singers and actors in musical theatre. In addition to music classes, the emphasis requires significant study of dance and acting. Click here to see a Music Theater "degree roadmap" that outlines the music courses a performance or composition major should take each quarter.

General Music. This emphasis is intended for two different types of students. Some students have specialized career plans that are not addressed by other available music emphases, such as someone interested in a career in music therapy or entertainment law. Other students who pursue the general music emphasis simply want a bachelors degree, and they prefer music to other majors available at CSUSB. This emphasis contains a lot of elective units, allowing students to select courses, from music or other disciplines, that will best prepare them for their chosen career paths. Click here to see a General Music "degree roadmap" that outlines the music courses a general music major should take each quarter.

Additional Required Music Classes

When you are registering for classes, remember to keep in mind the courses listed below. Not only are music majors encouraged to apply their studies in a practical environment as often as possible, but they are required to do so in the following ways.

Concert attendance. Sign up for MUS 998 Concert Attendance (0).

UD transfer music majors must complete three quarters of MUS 998. The course requires students to attend eight collegiate-level musical performances per quarter.


Major ensemble. Sign up for MUS 380 Chamber Orchestra (1), MUS 381 Symphonic Band (1), MUS 385 Concert Choir (1), or MUS 386 Chamber Singers (1).

Participation in a major performing ensemble most appropriate for a music major's primary applied instrument is required each quarter in residence as a full-time student. String music majors must enroll in MUS 380, wind and percussion majors must enroll in MUS 381, and vocal majors must enroll in MUS 385 or MUS 386. Piano and guitar majors lacking the requisite instrumental skills to participate in MUS 380 or MUS 381 should enroll in MUS 385. Students enrolled in preparatory-level lessons are not required to enroll in a major ensemble and may only do so if they successfully audition into one of those groups.


Other ensembles. All music majors are encouraged to participate in ensembles other than major ensembles, but must audition for those groups. Possibilities include MUS 386 Chamber Singers, MUS 389 Chamber Winds, MUS 391 Jazz Ensemble, MUS 392 Vocal Jazz, and various chamber music ensembles for woodwinds, brass, percussion, and guitar (MUS 382A – MUS 382F).