Music, B.A. Degree Requirements

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Music, B.A. ~ Degree Requirements

Credits Required

Total credits

  • Concentration in Contemporary Music Studies~ 55-58 credits
  • Concentration in Jazz Music Studies ~ 55 credits
  • Concentration in Music Recording & Technology ~ 56-60 credits
  • Concentration in Vocal Music Studies ~ 54 credits
Outcomes, Courses, and Assessment

You officially begin the major by enrolling in the MPA 300 Major ProSeminar where you work with the instructor to create or revise your Individual Learning Plan. That ILP maps out how you will achieve each of the Major Learning Outcomes designated below by successfully completing the listed courses or alternative assessment options. You conclude the major by completing your Capstone, a publicly presented project that displays your cumulative learning in the major. [Learn more at CSUMB.EDU/capstone].

MPA MLO 1 Historical and Theoretical Analysis ~ Students identify genres from different periods and integrate historical and theoretical perspectives in analyzing contemporary styles.

Concentration in Contemporary Music

  • Complete one of the following: MPA 335 Reflections on American Music; and MPA 360 Survey of World Music; and 
  • Complete both MPA 337  Music History  I 500-1750 and MPA 338  Music History II 1750-1900

Concentration in Jazz Studies

  • Complete one of the following: MPA 335 Reflections on American Music;  MPA 336 Jazz History; MPA 360 Survey of World Music; and 
  • Complete both MPA 337  Music History  I 500-1750 and MPA 338  Music History II 1750-1900

Concentration in Music and Recording Technology

  • Complete MPA 335 Reflections on American Music, and 
  • Complete both MPA 337 Music History  I 500-1750 and MPA 338  Music History II 1750-1900

Concentration in Vocal Music Studies

  • Complete one of the following: MPA 335 Reflections on American Music;  MPA 339 History of Song; and 
  • Complete both MPA 337  Music History  I 500-1750 and MPA 338  Music History II 1750-1900

MPA MLO 2 Community Issues Analysis ~ Students understand and analyze societal issues associated with the production, dissemination, and consumption of music.

  • Complete MPA 317 Community Research Service Learning

MPA MLO 3 Comparative Analysis ~ Students understand compositional processes, aesthetic properties of style, and the ways these shape and are shaped by artistic and cultural forces.

  • Complete two of the following: MPA 334 Survey of Electronic Music;  MPA 341 Sight Reading for Singers; MPA 342 Score Reading; MPA 370 Composition/Arranging I; MPA 371 II Composition/Arranging II; MPA 400 Jazz Harmony and Theory

MPA MLO 4 Moral and Ethical Analysis ~ Students understand and address moral and ethical issues.

  • Complete HCOM 403 Ethical Issues in the Professions or CHHS 350 Personal and Professional Ethics

MPA MLO 5 Performance Skills ~ Students express themselves artistically in at least one major performance area at a level appropriate for the particular music emphasis.

  • Complete one of the following core courses for at least two consecutive semesters: MPA 315 Performance Study; MPA 415 Performance Study ; MPA 410 Instrumental (Applied Music) AND
  • Complete at least two courses from the following: MPA 309 Global Percussion Ensemble; MPA 310 Gospel Choir; MPA 320 Chorale; MPA 330 Voice Training I;  MPA 332 Voice Training II; MPA 340 Music Production and Artistic Development; MPA 345 Improvisation; MPA 350 Performing Band; MPA 405 Jazz Ensemble I; MPA 406 Jazz Ensemble II ; MPA 420 Advanced Voice Ensemble

MPA MLO 6 Technological Skills ~ Students understand how technology serves music and use the technological tools applicable to a specific area of concentration.

  • Complete MPA 306 Music and Computers