Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Academic Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, Composition Concentration, BM


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors and Programs by College

SJSU’s Composition program, offered by the School of Music and Dance , provides a thorough and diverse exposure to the art of music composition and includes studies in electro-acoustics, recording technology, and scoring for film. Private composition lessons are at the heart of this degree program, with many opportunities for students to hear their works performed by students, faculty, and professional musicians. Composition students also meet regularly as a group with faculty and guest composers to hear and discuss their compositions. Students in this program complete both junior and senior projects in addition to the regular course of study.

Summary of Degree Units

University Graduation Requirements 36
Major Preparation 11-14
Major Requirements 46
Concentration Requirements 24
University Electives 0-3
Total 120

Program Roadmaps

The 4-Year Roadmap is available online. Roadmaps should be used in consultation with the catalog and your advisor to identify additional requirements for completing the major (for example, course grade minimums). Associate Degrees (ADT) Pathways are also available online.

Major-Specific Graduation Requirements

All courses in the preparation and major (all courses in preparation, and core) must be completed with a grade of “C or better”.

University Requirements


Students must satisfy all of the major and Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements , which includes unit, GPA, and residency requirements as well as the below identified General Education , American Institutions, Graduation Writing Assessment and Physical Education requirements. Courses that meet Undergraduate University Graduation Requirements are noted with an area designation (see Course Abbreviations ).

Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements  apply to this major. 

Core Lower Division General Education (24 units)


Of the 39 units required by the university, 15 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Courses that meet GE Areas A1, A2, A3 or B4 must be passed with a “C-” or better to meet the requirement. Consult with major advisor for details.

Upper Division General Education (6 units)


Of the 9 units required by the university, 3 units may be satisfied by coursework outlined below. Consult with major advisor for details.

American Institutions (6 units)


Complete one 6 unit sequence of American Institutions (US123) courses, which also satisfies GE Area D. Students may also satisfy the American Institutions Requirement  with other courses, but these may not satisfy other GE areas.

The American Studies (AMS 1A /AMS 1B ; 12 units) and Humanities Honors (HUM 1A /HUM 1B /HUM 2A /HUM 2B ; 24 units) sequences satisfy the American Institutions Requirement and additional GE Areas (see the course description for details).

Consult with a major advisor to select the appropriate sequence.

Physical Education


The Physical Education Requirement is waived for this major. See the Exceptions for University Graduation Requirements .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement


At SJSU, students must pass both the SJSU Writing Skills Test (WST) and a 100W course. Exceptions to the GWAR may be found at Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) .

A grade of C or better (C- not accepted) is required to meet graduation requirement.

Piano Proficiency (0-3 units)


Students must also satisfy piano proficiency; this requirement may be satisfied with completion of:

Major Requirements (70 units)


Complete Eight Units From:


Complete Eight Units From:


University Electives (0-3 units)


Total Units Required (120 units)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors and Programs by College