College of Liberal & Creative Arts
A liberal arts degree with a focus on music performance and scholarship. This major provides foundational training for advanced study or careers in music teaching, performance or industry.
Music Student Association and Pep Band are student-lead organizations.
Students may apply for department scholarships by submitting a video audition or portfolio at: https://music.sfsu.edu/online-auditions.
Students should also be proactive in contacting the chair of department to introduce themselves and to make contact with their advisor early in the first semester. Students should complete a written semester-by-semester graduation plan when meeting with the advisor.
Access the list of the major requirements to better understand the structure of the major.
The roadmap puts all of your graduation requirements into an easy to follow semester by semester plan so you know what to take to stay on track. Whether you are a freshman or a transfer student, you'll be able to find a roadmap that best fits you.
Besides your major requirements, students must complete their GE and University requirements. Be sure to make sure you've completed all of these requirements for graduation.
To learn more about this major, check out the major department’s website below. You can also find out how you can access their faculty advisors who can assist you not just with course choices, but also answer questions about the field and discuss your career plans.
School of Music
CA (Creative Arts) Building, Room 141
Phone: (415) 338-7613 or text (510) 342-9787 for quick questions only (M-F; 9am-4pm)
Email: music@sfsu.edu
Website: https://music.sfsu.edu/
Chair: Cyrus Ginwala
Freshmen Student Advising Information
After choosing “Basic Subjects” GE courses in Steps 1-3 of your Orientation process (if you haven’t done so, log onto your Orientation Profile page to follow the “Pre-Orientation Advising Module”), STEP 4 Choosing Major Classes will show you if there are any classes you can take to satisfy major requirements for your first and/or second semester.
Once you have determined your Roadmap above, review the first section below and write down any course recommendations based on your corresponding major roadmap on your Freshmen Class Planner worksheet.
First Semester Course Recommendations — Roadmaps A, B, C & D
|
Major Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
MUS 130/TH A 131 – The Foundations of Music Theory
|
3 units |
Major Core |
|
MUS 201 – Class Piano I |
1 unit |
Major Core (Piano) |
|
Students may also audition to be placed in a class appropriate to their skill level.
New students should schedule a meeting with the department chair around the time of their new student orientation. |
Due to the critical sequencing of major courses and potential auditions, it is recommended students meet with their faculty advisor if they run into problems with the recommended courses.
|
Major Class & Title |
Units |
Other Requirement Area(s) Met |
|
MUS/TH A 221 – Fundamentals of Ear Training and Musicianship I
|
2 units |
Major Core (Ear Training) |
|
MUS 231 - Species Counterpoint or MUS/TH A 234 Modern Musicianship: Theory, Application, and Ear Training I |
3 units |
Major Core (Theory) |
|
Due to the critical sequencing of major courses and potential auditions, it is recommended students meet with their faculty advisor every semester to review and plan for next semester’s major courses.
|
Once you have made your course choices for Steps 1-4, you may already have between 12-15 units chosen for your first semester—about 4 to 5 classes.
If more units are needed, you will proceed to "Step 5 - Choosing GE Courses" from your Orientation Advising Module after considering the following recommendations...
|
GE Area |
Advisor Notes |
|
A1 Oral Communication |
Covered in “Step 3” on Class Planner |
|
A2 Written English Communication |
Covered in “Step 1” on Class Planner |
|
A3 Critical Thinking |
Covered in “Step 3” on Class Planner |
|
B1 Physical Science |
Consider taking a B3 Lab if chosen |
|
B2 Life Science |
Consider taking a B3 Lab if chosen |
|
B3 Laboratory Science |
Make sure this includes a LEC component if chosen |
|
B4 Quantitative Reasoning |
Covered in “Step 2” on Class Planner |
|
C1 Arts |
Choose any |
|
C2 Humanities |
Choose any#1 |
|
D Social Sciences |
Choose any#1 |
|
D US History |
Choose any#1 |
|
E Lifelong Learning & Self-Development (LLD) |
Covered in “Step 1” on Class Planner |
|
F Ethnic Studies |
Choose any#1 |
|
US/CA Government |
Choose any |
#1 Metro Academy students—these areas may be covered in your Metro Ed Plan
Transfer Student Advising Information
Please see the box above labeled “Major Curriculum/Roadmaps & GE/University Requirements” for information on what courses to take in your first semester at SF State. View our Frequently Asked Questions for Transfers for helpful tips and additional information.