Public school13.2K

Portland State University

Portland, OR

HSITest-OptionalGreek LifeLGBTQ+

Start free

Program

Concentration

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewInternal PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program

Concentration

Quick links

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewInternal PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BA/BS Music Theory

Music Theory

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewInternal PortfolioUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

All-Steinway School designation

PSU is a nationally recognized College of Distinction

Training

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Music Theory within a broad liberal-arts framework

One of the widest selections of course options in the School of Music & Theater

Study popular music alongside canonical composers; learn arranging and recording skills

Flexible final project shaped around your interests

Graduates pursue advanced degrees, teaching, music criticism, and arts careers

Location

Located in the heart of Portland's performing arts district, steps from the Oregon Symphony

Supportive, non-competitive community atmosphere

Weekly studio classes for peer performance and feedback

School Info

Snapshot

3.37

Avg GPA (W)

91%

Admit Rate

school-wide

53%

Grad Rate

13.2K

Enrollment

$58K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,999

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$34,599

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$32,199

Before aid

Average Net Price

$9,552

After aid

Cost Attendance · pdx.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated Aug 22, 8:00 PM

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

All-Steinway School designation

PSU is a nationally recognized College of Distinction

Training

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Music Theory within a broad liberal-arts framework

One of the widest selections of course options in the School of Music & Theater

Study popular music alongside canonical composers; learn arranging and recording skills

Flexible final project shaped around your interests

Graduates pursue advanced degrees, teaching, music criticism, and arts careers

Location

Located in the heart of Portland's performing arts district, steps from the Oregon Symphony

Supportive, non-competitive community atmosphere

Weekly studio classes for peer performance and feedback

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

All-Steinway School designation

PSU is a nationally recognized College of Distinction

Training

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Music Theory within a broad liberal-arts framework

One of the widest selections of course options in the School of Music & Theater

Study popular music alongside canonical composers; learn arranging and recording skills

Flexible final project shaped around your interests

Graduates pursue advanced degrees, teaching, music criticism, and arts careers

Location

Located in the heart of Portland's performing arts district, steps from the Oregon Symphony

Supportive, non-competitive community atmosphere

Weekly studio classes for peer performance and feedback

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

School Website Common App Coalition App

Fee

$60

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Fall 2027 Priority DeadlineMar 1, 2027

First-year applicants

Fall 2027 First-Year Application DeadlineAug 1, 2027

Transfer applicants

Fall 2027 Transfer Application DeadlineSep 1, 2027

Deadlines · pdx.edu

Program AppApplication

Order

The audition may be submitted before the university application.

Apply

Acceptd

Fee

$35

View · drive.google.com

Audition Requirements

These requirements are from the Fall 2026 entry cycle. Fall 2027 requirements are typically posted between August and October and usually change only slightly — confirm on the official source before submitting.

This program has a required admission audition and a separate internal portfolio gate after enrollment. The gateway source documents the post-enrollment gate; admission requirement details may be separate.Gateway source

Portfolio

Portfolio application — submit the portfolio as the application to the Music Theory program

Portfolio DARS report — current DARS report showing a cumulative GPA of 3.0

Portfolio analysis — harmonic and structural analysis of one or more works from the standard literature

View · drive.google.com

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply to PSU via Common App or school website

Submit a secondary application to the School of Music & Theater via Acceptd

Rolling admission — students can apply at any time up until the start of first term

Submit all materials and audition by Audition Weekend (February) for first-round scholarship consideration

Students enter the School of Music via the entrance audition and submit additional materials for Theory area review before officially declaring the major (typically the junior year)

Music theory and aural-skills placement may be assessed at orientation for course placement only — it does not affect admission

Transfer Pathway

PSU publishes a Music Transfer Advising Guide with direct core-music course equivalencies from regional community colleges. Music Theory transfer students consult the program coordinator and submit the required theory portfolio after PSU admission.

Music Transfer Guide · pdx.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

Upload a recorded audition (video preferred) with the School of Music & Theater application, or request an in-person audition

Applicants requesting an in-person audition are scheduled for the next quarterly audition round after submitting a complete School of Music & Theater application

Attend Audition Weekend in person for first-round scholarship consideration (February 7-8, 2026)

Applicants are not admitted to the School of Music & Theater until they pass the entrance audition

Submit the Music Theory portfolio ideally before spring term of the sophomore year; transfer students consult the Program Coordinator about format and timing

Eligibility includes a 3.0 cumulative GPA and grades of B or better in Music Theory I and II and Sight-Singing/Ear Training I and II

Contact

Music Theory Program Coordinator: Brad Hansen (hansenb@pdx.edu)

Scholarship Info

Music Scholarships

Over 150 music scholarships totaling more than $400,000

Awards range from $1,500 to full tuition

Available for both in-state and out-of-state music majors

Students accepted to the School of Music & Theater are automatically considered

Scholarship Timeline

Must submit all application materials and audition by Audition Weekend (or earlier) for first-round awards

Complete FAFSA and PSU Scholarship Universe application

School Info

Snapshot

3.37

Avg GPA (W)

91%

Admit Rate

school-wide

53%

Grad Rate

13.2K

Enrollment

$58K

Earnings

10yr after

Costs & Aid

In-State Tuition

$12,999

Before aid

Out-of-State Tuition

$34,599

Before aid

Cost of Attendance

$32,199

Before aid

Average Net Price

$9,552

After aid

Cost Attendance · pdx.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

NASM-accredited (National Association of Schools of Music)

All-Steinway School designation

PSU is a nationally recognized College of Distinction

Training

Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Music Theory within a broad liberal-arts framework

One of the widest selections of course options in the School of Music & Theater

Study popular music alongside canonical composers; learn arranging and recording skills

Flexible final project shaped around your interests

Graduates pursue advanced degrees, teaching, music criticism, and arts careers

Location

Located in the heart of Portland's performing arts district, steps from the Oregon Symphony

Supportive, non-competitive community atmosphere

Weekly studio classes for peer performance and feedback

Updated Aug 22, 8:00 PM

Building your audition college list?

Save Portland State University, track every prescreen and audition deadline, and compare programs side by side — all in one place.

Start free

No credit card required. Your account stays on Free after the Premium trial.