Overview

Music Composition at Portland State University provides a thorough music foundation with specialized coursework in composition, analysis, orchestration, counterpoint, and computer music. You’ll receive individualized instruction in composition lessons and prepare live performances of your music in concerts and recitals.

Completing this degree will give you the necessary skills in composition and supporting curriculum to prepare you for continued graduate study, or to pursue professional work in composition, generally with teaching or performing as a secondary area. Our alumni are accepted into top composition graduate programs and have a wide range of career paths to choose from. Join them in this competitive field.

Career paths

Most of the alumni go on to grad school or combine a career as a freelance composer with teaching, performing, and conducting. Others pursue related careers: arts administrator, arts writer, arts consultant, band manager, choral conductor, music producer, and publisher.

Programme Structure

About courses

Upon acceptance into the program, your study will start with a focus on applied lessons on your instrument. In your second year, you will officially begin learning how to compose music in your classes. Following a successful portfolio submission at the end of your second year, you will receive applied lessons in composition and begin to hear your music performed by peers in concerts.

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-07-22 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-07-05 00:00:00
Starting 2026-09-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-09-01 00:00:00 , International
Starting 2027-01-04 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-12-05 00:00:00
Starting 2027-03-29 00:00:00
- Apply before 2027-03-05 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Portland, United States

Disciplines

Music Composition View 312 other Bachelors in Music Composition in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

2.5

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

PTE Academic

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IELTS

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Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

Trusted by 300k learners
98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

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 Composition.

Available Scholarships

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

About

Overview

Career paths

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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