The Department of Music offers both liberal arts and professional degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Arts degree in Music, Master of Music, and the Master of Arts degree in Music. Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in other fields may also declare music as a minor. All students at Cal State LA may choose from an array of music courses and ensembles to enrich their general education and cultural life experiences while enrolled at the university.
There are two types of undergraduate degree programs offered at Cal State LA: The Bachelor of Arts degree program and the Bachelor of Music degree program.
- The Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree serves the needs of students whose primary interests are music theory, history and literature, or those who wish to pursue a liberal arts education with an emphasis in music. The final project is a research paper or research-based presentation.
- The Bachelor of Music (BM) degree is a rigorous curriculum for students who wish to prepare for a specific professional career in music. The final project is a recital or recording project, depending on the degree option.
The two graduate degrees offered at Cal State LA are the Master of Arts and the Master of Music.
- The Master of Arts (MA) program is best suited for students interested in music theory, history and literature, musicology, or interdisciplinary work that combines course offerings from our existing MM options. The final project is a research paper, or a research-based presentation.
- The Master of Music (MM) program is a rigorous curriculum for students aspiring for a professional career in music. The final project is a recital, recording project, or other practice-based option, depending on the degree option.
Learn more about different areas of our program via the links below.