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California State University - Sacramento

Sacramento, CA

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

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Program

Concentration

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ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Browse programs

Quick links

BA Music

General

ProgramOfficial Program Page

Program snapshot

Admissions

No PrescreenAudition RequiredNo InterviewUniversity App Required

Audition format

In-Person or Virtual

Program profile

Transfer In Friendly

Program Recognition

Part of the NASM-accredited School of Music at Sacramento State

The Bachelor of Arts is a flexible liberal-arts music degree (40 units in the major) for students who want broad musical study alongside a wider course of liberal-arts and sciences

Training

Private applied study, theory and musicianship, music history and literature, and ensemble participation

Four semesters of large-ensemble participation, then optional ensembles thereafter

Festival of New American Music, Piano Series, and World Music Series enrich campus musical life

Degree Flexibility

40-unit major within a 120-unit degree leaves room for minors, double majors, and electives

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.41

Admit rate

94%

school-wide

Grad rate

56%

Enrollment

28.4K

Earnings

$65K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,656

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$23,786

Before aid

Average net price

$9,338

After aid

Western Undergraduate Exchange · csus.edu College Scorecard

Program info updated 1d ago

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Part of the NASM-accredited School of Music at Sacramento State

The Bachelor of Arts is a flexible liberal-arts music degree (40 units in the major) for students who want broad musical study alongside a wider course of liberal-arts and sciences

Training

Private applied study, theory and musicianship, music history and literature, and ensemble participation

Four semesters of large-ensemble participation, then optional ensembles thereafter

Festival of New American Music, Piano Series, and World Music Series enrich campus musical life

Degree Flexibility

40-unit major within a 120-unit degree leaves room for minors, double majors, and electives

Program Highlights

Program Recognition

Part of the NASM-accredited School of Music at Sacramento State

The Bachelor of Arts is a flexible liberal-arts music degree (40 units in the major) for students who want broad musical study alongside a wider course of liberal-arts and sciences

Training

Private applied study, theory and musicianship, music history and literature, and ensemble participation

Four semesters of large-ensemble participation, then optional ensembles thereafter

Festival of New American Music, Piano Series, and World Music Series enrich campus musical life

Degree Flexibility

40-unit major within a 120-unit degree leaves room for minors, double majors, and electives

Key Info

Enrollment Term

University AppApplication

Apply

Cal State Apply· Only option

Fee

$70

Opens

Aug 1, 2026

Deadline

Application DeadlineDec 15, 2026

Freshman Process · csus.edu

Program AppApplication

Apply

School Website

Admissions · csus.edu

Audition Requirements

Repertoire List

Entrance/placement audition on your declared instrument or voice using the Bachelor of Arts repertoire for that area (see the per-instrument lists on the School of Music admissions page)

Typically lighter than the Bachelor of Music (performance) requirement — for example, strings prepare one Major and one Minor scale and arpeggio (two or three octaves) plus a piece of the candidate's choice

Admissions · csus.edu

Verified for Fall 2027 entry

Good to Know

Application Logistics

Apply through Cal State Apply for university admission

After applying, submit the School of Music audition application for the correct semester of entrance

You may audition before acceptance to Sacramento State

Audition on or before the February audition date for scholarship consideration

University Scholarship Application opens October 1 and is due February 1

Program Requirements

All entering undergraduate music majors must take theory, musicianship, and piano placement exams before initial enrollment — for course placement only, not admission

Theory and musicianship placement exams may be taken only once

Transfer Pathway

The 2026–27 catalog publishes a Music BA two-year roadmap, and Sacramento State lists AA-T Music as a similar transfer pathway. Transfer applicants still complete the School of Music entrance-audition process for placement and music-major admission.

Ba In Music · catalog.csus.edu

What's The Process

Audition Process

An entrance/placement audition before the applied-area faculty is required; upon entering, each student declares a major performance medium (instrument or voice) and performs a placement audition

Applicants may audition before university acceptance; on-campus and recorded/video auditions are both accepted

Sight-reading may be evaluated as part of the audition

Contact

Mark Allen, Music Admissions: mallen@csus.edu / (916) 278-6543

Submit the School of Music's Spring/Fall 2027 Audition Application for the correct semester of entrance; audition dates and any final make-up video option are announced inside that application

Scholarship Info

Scholarships awarded based on strength of entrance audition. Must audition on or before February audition date to qualify for scholarship consideration. University Scholarship Application required — available October 1, deadline February 1.

School info

Snapshot

Avg GPA (W)

3.41

Admit rate

94%

school-wide

Grad rate

56%

Enrollment

28.4K

Earnings

$65K

10yr after

Costs & aid

In-state tuition

$9,656

Before aid

Out-of-state tuition

$23,786

Before aid

Average net price

$9,338

After aid

Western Undergraduate Exchange · csus.edu College Scorecard

Program Recognition

Part of the NASM-accredited School of Music at Sacramento State

The Bachelor of Arts is a flexible liberal-arts music degree (40 units in the major) for students who want broad musical study alongside a wider course of liberal-arts and sciences

Training

Private applied study, theory and musicianship, music history and literature, and ensemble participation

Four semesters of large-ensemble participation, then optional ensembles thereafter

Festival of New American Music, Piano Series, and World Music Series enrich campus musical life

Degree Flexibility

40-unit major within a 120-unit degree leaves room for minors, double majors, and electives

Updated 1d ago