Florida State University

What you'll study

The Bachelor of Music programme at Florida State University combines core musicianship training with specialisation in areas such as performance, music education, composition, music theory, and musicology. Core coursework typically includes aural skills/ear training, harmony and counterpoint, music theory, music history and literature, applied lessons (private instruction), and regular ensemble participation (orchestra, band, choir, chamber groups and contemporary ensembles).

Specialist modules vary by track. Performance students undertake advanced applied study, solo and ensemble repertoire, and recurrring juries and recitals; music education students study pedagogy, curriculum design, and supervised student teaching; composition students take courses in orchestration, contemporary techniques and electroacoustic composition; musicology/theory tracks emphasise research methods, analysis and advanced theoretical studies. Students also access courses in music technology, conducting, rehearsing techniques, improvisation, and interdisciplinary collaborations with theatre and dance.

The degree features practical milestones such as juries, studio recitals and a capstone project or senior recital. There are also electives across the university to broaden skills in business, languages or the arts.

Entry requirements

Applicants typically need a secondary-school completion credential (such as a high-school diploma or international equivalent) and academic transcripts. Admission to degree programmes in the College of Music usually requires an audition or submission of performance recordings; composition applicants submit portfolios or scores and recorded examples; some tracks require interviews or placement examinations in theory/aural skills.

Florida residency and national/international applicants should check standard university matriculation requirements. International students are required to meet English language proficiency standards. Candidates for the music education pathway should be prepared to meet state teacher certification requirements, which include additional professional education coursework and practicum placements.

Career prospects

Graduates of FSU's music programmes move into a range of careers including classical and contemporary performance, K–12 music teaching (with further certification as required), composition and arranging, arts administration, orchestral and choral conducting, and graduate study in music. Other common pathways include music technology and production, scoring for media, community and outreach music roles, festival direction, and roles in cultural organisations and non-profit arts management.

Alumni also often pursue postgraduate training such as master’s and doctoral degrees for careers in university teaching, advanced performance fellowships or specialised clinical fields such as music therapy (which may require specific additional qualifications).

Why study at Florida State University

Florida State University’s College of Music is accredited by national music accrediting bodies and offers intensive applied instruction, ensemble opportunities and access to dedicated performance venues and practice facilities. Students benefit from a strong faculty of active performers, scholars and composers, regular concert seasons, visiting artists and collaborative projects with the university’s theatre and dance programmes.

Located in Tallahassee, FSU provides a lively college arts scene and regional connections for internships and community engagement. The programme emphasises both professional preparation and academic study, giving students frequent performance experience, pedagogical training and opportunities to develop entrepreneurial and leadership skills relevant to today’s music careers.