Bachelor of Music

College of Liberal & Creative Arts

A professional preparation degree for careers in performance, composition, music education and music history.

Includes advanced study (MM, DMA, Phd), CA State Teaching Credential in Music, Performance, Composition (incl. games and film), Music History.

Students interested in department scholarships should submit a portfolio at: https://music.sfsu.edu/online-auditions.

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.

Major Class & Title  

Units  

Other Requirement Area(s) Met  

MUS 201 – Class Piano I 

1 unit 

Music Core  

MUS/TH A 221 – Fundamentals of Ear Training and Musicianship I  

   

2 units  

Major Core  

MUS 231 Species Counterpoint or MUS/TH A 234 Modern Musicianship: Theory, Application, and Ear Training I  

3 units  

Major Core  

  

Students entering the Bachelor of Music program are required to audition. Please see the auditions page for more information.  

 

New students should also 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 202 – Class Piano II 

   

1 unit 

Major Emphasis (Check Emphasis) 

MUS 222 – Fundamentals of Ear Training and Musicianship II 

2 units 

Major Core 

MUS 232 - Diatonic Harmony 

3 units  

Major Core  

  

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

Area will be Met in Major

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.