Frequently Asked Questions
Latest update: November 13, 2025.
Latest update: November 13, 2025.
You will need to submit an application to CSULB during the application period of October 1-November 30 for Fall admission and August 1-31 for Spring admission. Apply to CSULB using CalStateApply.
Please see Admissions for admission requirements for first-time, first-year students and transfer students including transfer major specific requirements and supplemental application criteria (auditions).
Yes, all prospective music majors must submit a prescreen recording to be considered for an in-person audition. Please see the Undergraduate Admissions page for specific requirements. All prescreen recordings must be submitted with the BCCM Application.
Audition requirements vary by area. Please visit the Undergraduate Admissions page to view the specific requirements for your instrument/voice.
Auditions are held in February for students entering the Fall semester and October for students entering in Spring semester (Spring admission is for transfer students only and is subject to the Chancellor’s Office opening admissions). Specific dates and/or deadlines for submission are updated on the Undergraduate Admissions page. Students should audition the semester before they intend to enroll as a music major. Auditions for our Jazz Studies and Graduate programs are only held once a year for admittance in the Fall semester.
Your prescreen recording can last anywhere from 8-15 minutes depending on the area for which you are auditioning. Check for specific requirements for your instrument/voice on the Undergraduate Admissions page to ensure you cover everything in your prescreening recording.
If you miss the deadline for prescreen audition submission, you must contact the Area Director of your instrument. If you have questions please contact the BCCM office at 562-985-4781 or cota-music@csulb.edu.
Acceptance to the BCCM does not guarantee acceptance into the University. You must also be admitted by the University in order to enroll at the BCCM. If you have questions regarding your application to the University please contact the BCCM office 562-985-4781 or Beach Central 562-985-5471.
Most of our classes are only available to our declared music majors—those who have successfully completed an in-person audition. There are, however, some classes open to the entire student population. Please check the course catalog and schedule of classes to view the courses being offered.
Courses taken at a California Community College (CCC) that are articulated with CSULB will only be counted for credit for lower division courses (100 and 200 level courses at CSULB). Courses that are considered upper division at CSULB (300 and 400 level) cannot be transferred for credit. Refer to Assist.org for articulation with specific CCCs.
Assist.org will identify any California Community College course and its articulation with a CSULB course.
Please contact Beach Central.
Time to degree depends on many factors including units transferred to CSULB, music theory placement (based on the placement exam), GE course completion, units completed each term, and overall musical achievement in applied lessons and ensembles. Most BCCM options take 6 semesters to complete after transfer. Music education has very sequenced courses and cannot be completed in fewer than 6 semesters. The BA may be done in 4 semesters.
Yes, there are university scholarships and financial aid available for incoming students with financial need and talent scholarships for incoming students by audition for the Conservatory. Talent scholarships are determined at the audition. Most scholarships are renewable: renewals require you to be in good standing, making satisfactory progress toward your degree, and maintain the appropriate GPA required for your particular scholarship. You must also perform in ensembles as determined by the Conservatory. Scholarships are credited to your university account.
Unlike most other universities, we charge no additional fees for private lessons. They are a part of your acceptance package.
Students must submit the FAFSA annually to be eligible for any scholarships.
All prospective students who submit the BCCM Admission Application and complete an in-person audition are considered for a music scholarship.
Prospective students will be notified if they have received a music scholarship 4 to 6 weeks after in-person auditions.
Yes, all scholarships in music are reserved for music majors.
Visit the Financial Aid pages.
Eligibility requirements can be found on the Financial Aid Policies page.
Visit the How To Apply page.
Frequently used forms are available at the Enrollment Services > Forms page.
Filing for graduation tells the University that you believe you will have completed all of your degree requirements by the term you indicate. You must meet the criteria to file to graduate. This is different from participating in commencement ceremonies. Applying to graduate is done in myCSULB. Students must apply by October 15 of the preceding semester to graduate in spring/summer. Students must apply by March 1 of the preceding semester to graduate in Fall/Winter.
Students must apply by October 15 of the preceding semester to graduate in spring/summer. Students must apply by March 1 of the preceding semester to graduate in Fall/Winter.
CSULB holds commencement ceremonies in May. If you are completing your degree within the academic year, you are welcome to participate in spring ceremonies. Fall graduates may choose to participate in the ceremony the previous or the following May from their degree completion term.
The BCCM is in the College of the Arts. See the Commencement website for the date and time.
Post-Baccalaureate Single Subject Music Credential students who need permission to add specific Music Education undergraduate courses, please fill out this form (you must login to SSO to access it):
If you have any further questions, please contact the SSCP Advisor, Tamara Thies, at tamara.thies@csulb.edu