B.A. in Music

Students graduating with a B.A. in Music from Cal State East Bay will be able to:

  • Aurally identify common rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic patterns; demonstrate pitch and rhythmic accuracy through singing and rhythm vocalization.
  • Demonstrate stylistically appropriate sound quality, technical skills, and expression within their primary performance and/or creative area.
  • Apply critical and creative thinking and analytical reasoning to address complex challenges in the theory, history, and performance of music of many cultures.
  • Create, perform, and respond to musical works and ideas, and relate them to societal, cultural and historical contexts.
  • Demonstrate the ability to work collaboratively and respectfully with others in classroom and performance settings.
  • Demonstrate an ability to integrate musical ideas, methods, theories, and practices, and communicate them to others clearly and persuasively.

The B.A. in Music degree requires a total of 120 units:

  • The major requirements consists of 54 units (see below).
  • General Education (GE) & Graduation Requirements (GR) consists of 57 units. For more information on the GE/GR requirements, see the General Education section of the University Catalog, and, most importantly, the GE/GR Checklist.
  • Free Electives may consist of 9 units (actual number of free elective units may depend on your choice of GE/GR units).

Note: It is possible to double-count units within the graduation requirements. A course may satisfy both a graduation requirement and a major requirement.

Private Lessons in ...

  • Music Composition/Music Production
  • Instrumental Performance (Classical/Jazz)
    • Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, Bassoon; Saxophone(s); French Horn, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba; Harp, Violin/Viola, Cello; Piano, Guitar (Acoustic, Electric), Bass (Acoustic, Electric); Percussion; Jazz Drums.
  • Vocal Performance (Classical)
How To Apply
4-Year Roadmap
2-Year Roadmap

Music Major Specific Requirements (54 units)

Navigate to the catalog details for the Bachelor of Arts in Music Program  

 

Lower Division Required Courses (15 Units)

  • MUS 111 - Music Theory I Units: 2
  • MUS 112 - Music Theory II Units: 2
  • MUS 115 - Aural Skills I Units: 1
  • MUS 116 - Aural Skills II Units: 1
  • MUS 118 - Keyboard Musicianship I Units: 1
  • MUS 119 - Keyboard Musicianship II Units: 1
  • MUS 202 - Writing About Music Units: 3 G.E./G.R. Area: Writing II
  • MUS 211 - Music Theory III Units: 2
  • MUS 215 - Aural Skills III Units: 1
  • MUS 218 - Keyboard Musicianship III Units: 1

Upper Division Required Courses (21 Units)

  • MUS 304 - World Music & Culture Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C
  • MUS 312 - Form and Analysis Units: 3
  • MUS 321 - Western Music History I Units: 3
  • MUS 322 - Western Music History II Units: 3
  • MUS 324 - History of American Music Units: 3 : Breadth Area: Diversity
  • MUS 381 - Essentials of Music Technology Units: 3
    • Students pursuing the Certificate in Music Education may substitute MUS 335 Technology for Music Educators for MUS 381 Essentials of Music Technology.
  • MUS 410 - 20th and 21st C Styles and Techniques Units: 3

Applied Music and Ensembles (8 Units)

  • Take 4 units of Applied Music Study (MUS 261 - 269, or MUS 461-469) in an instrument, voice, composition, music production or conducting. Placement in applied study courses (except for group applied study) is determined by audition. Students must complete these units in residence at CSUEB.
  • Take 4 units of Major Performing Ensembles (MUS 351-359).  Placement in Major Performing Ensembles is determined by audition.

Music Electives (10 Units)

These 10 units of Music Electives differ from the Free Electives (9 units) which are also part of the B.A. in Music degree requirements. Music Majors can use their Free Elective units for music courses if they so wish.

  • MUS 108 - The Language of Music Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-C1
  • MUS 180 - Composers Workshop Units: 1 (repeatable)
  • MUS 305 - Global Hip-Hop Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C
  • MUS 317 - Improvisation Techniques Units: 1 (repeatable)
  • MUS 341 - Basic Conducting Units: 3
  • MUS 441 - Intermediate Conducting Units: 3
  • MUS 412 - Contrapuntal Techniques Units: 3
  • MUS 414 - Contemporary Orchestration and Arranging Units: 3
  • MUS 415 - MIDI Orchestration Units: 3
  • MUS 445 - Piano Pedagogy. Units: 2 (repeatable)
  • MUS 446 - Vocal Pedagogy Units: 2 (repeatable)
  • MUS 485 - Sound Design I: Sampling, Editing, and Mixing Units: 3
  • MUS 486 - Sound Design II: Synthesis, Modulation & Creative Digital Signal Processing Units: 3
4 additional units of Applied Music Study (MUS 261 - 269, MUS 461 - 469) beyond the 4 required units may be counted as electives. See above Applied Music Study for additional requirements.
4 additional units of Major Performing Ensembles (MUS 351-359) beyond the 4 required units may be counted toward electives.  See above Major Performing Ensembles for additional requirements.
4 units of Chamber Ensembles (MUS 360-370) may be counted toward electives.  As with Major Performing Ensembles, placement in Chamber Ensembles is determined by audition.