Overview

The Music Theory BSc program from Portland State University provides a strong music foundation with an emphasis on theory. You’ll take advanced coursework in music theory and receive direct mentorship from faculty as you complete a final analytical or creative project. You’ll receive individualized applied lessons in performance, participate in ensembles, and have multiple opportunities to study alongside our composition majors.

Completing this degree will give you the necessary skills in music theory and a supportive curriculum to prepare you for graduate study in the discipline, along with the breadth of knowledge, critical thinking, and expressive skills that can be translated to a wide variety of music-related fields and occupations.

Career opportunities:

Most of our alumni go on to graduate school or pursue work in music arranging, music criticism, publishing, or related music careers. Depending on your interests, your options in the music field are wide open with this broad and flexible music degree.

Recent graduates have forged their own paths in pursuit of graduate degrees, creative work in the music industry, arts administration, and related work.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Music Theory

Sight-Singing/Ear Training

Music History: Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque

Form & Analysis

Orchestration

Counterpoint

Music of Asia

Analytical Techniques

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-09-30 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-01 00:00:00 , International
- Apply before 2026-08-01 00:00:00 , National
Starting 2027-01-06 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-31 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

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Credits

180 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Music Musicology View 380 other Bachelors in Musicology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

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TOEFL^® IBT

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PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Other requirements

General requirements

You must have a cumulative (overall) grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 when converted to the U.S. 4.0 grading scale.
Meet the English Language Proficiency Requirement. You may be admitted to Portland State University and an Intensive English Language Program (IELP) pathway if you do not meet PSU's English Language Proficiency Requirement. Learn more about PSU’s English language programs.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Out-of-State

34599 USD / year

≈ 34599 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12999 USD / year

≈ 12999 USD / year

Living costs

Portland

United States

1271 - 2262 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Music Theory.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Career opportunities:

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Portland

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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