Are you curious about new sounds, contemporary styles, and exploring your own musical voice? A music degree in composition through PSU's School of Music & Theater will give you the individualized instruction and community collaboration crucial to building your skills as a composer.
The Bachelor of Music in Composition 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.
Prospective music majors must apply to PSU, submit a secondary application to the School of Music & Theater, and pass the entrance audition. Learn more about our application process.
Bachelor of Music: Composition at Portland State University
The Music: Composition is a Bachelor degree offered by Portland State University at its main campus in Aberdeen, United States of America. The program is delivered on campus as a Full Time course in English and requires approximately 4 years to complete. Students study at the university's main campus while gaining the knowledge and practical experience expected for this area of study. The next intake is available from September 26, 2026.
About Bachelor of Music: Composition
Disciplines
Requirements and Admission Criteria for Bachelor of Music: Composition at Portland State University
Entry Requirements
General Secondary Education Certificate/Exam (Tawjihi), Overall average greater than 80%
English Requirements
- PTEMin 53
- IELTSMin 6
- TOEFLMin 71
Career Opportunities after Completing Bachelor of Music: Composition
Most of our 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.
Recent graduates have been accepted to graduate programs at Portland State, University of Missouri, Syracuse University, Bard College's Longy School of Music, Queen's College, University of Oregon, and other universities across the country.
Tuition and Fee Information for Bachelor of Music: Composition at Portland State University
How to Apply for Bachelor of Music: Composition at Portland State University
Submit Your Application and $60 Application Fee
Go to Portland State University's online application system and select Create Account. If you have already started an application, or created one for a past term, select Log In.
Submit Academic Records
You are required to submit complete academic records. We accept high school transcripts, grades and other relevant academic records along with your graduation certificate, diploma or exam results or certificates. If you have taken any college or university classes, submit transcripts from all colleges or universities attended. You can submit unofficial transcripts from non-U.S. institutions for review of your application and to receive an admission decision. Official transcripts are required for enrollment, see our official records policy for details.
Electronic Submission: Transcripts may be submitted via Parchment or sent directly from a school official to [email protected].
In Person Submission: You can bring these directly to our office upon arrival to Portland State.
Mail Submission: Submit official transcripts in their original sealed envelopes from all schools attended and mail them to PSU at the address below.
Portland State University
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
PO Box 751
Portland OR 97207-0751
Submit Evidence of English Language Proficiency
Request official test results to be sent directly to Portland State University by ETS (TOEFL), PTE, or IELTS. Students who meet the academic requirements for admission to PSU, but have not yet met English proficiency requirements, will be admitted to PSU and placed into one of our ESL programs. Review PSU’s English Language Proficiency Requirements for more details.
- TOEFL Code: 4610, department code 00
- SAT Code: 4610
Check Your Application Status
If you have submitted an application to Portland State University, you can log in to PSU's application portal to review the status of your application. You will be notified via email for each document you submit and your admission decision.
If you are not receiving email communications from Portland State University, be sure to check your @pdx.edu email account. Once you set up your student account all communications will be sent to that email address. If you are not receiving information from us in any email inboxes, please contact us at [email protected].
United States of America, Aberdeen