Mike Curb College of Arts, Media, and Communication

The Department of Art and Design offers a curriculum designed for students who want a liberal arts education in art and design. Emerging artists have numerous opportunities available to them for expressing their creativity and obtaining employment after graduation. Students may explore several areas of art making and choose the field that best fits their …

The Entertainment Media Management option includes the operational and management aspects of independent, studio and network media, including business structures, personnel, budgets, advertising, sales, research and regulation of the entertainment media industries. A minor also is offered in this option.

The Film Production option includes the conceptualization, production, directing, editing and distribution of cinema projects. In order to qualify for the Film Production option, a student must earn the appropriate grades in the designated prerequisite courses for Film Production, submit a portfolio and have that portfolio approved by the Film Production Faculty. Once a student’s …

History, theory and critical analysis of the culture of film and electronic media, providing a background for all professional training, with specific preparation for careers in teaching or research.

The Emerging Media Production option includes the preproduction, production and distribution of digital material for emerging interactive media. Students acquire effective skills to develop, design and create interactive or immersive media in augmented reality, virtual reality and emerging formats.

The Screenwriting option includes the conceptualization, structuring and writing of scripts for film, television and new media.

The Television Production option includes the development, preproduction, production and postproduction techniques for narrative or documentary television formats—encompassing producing, directing and all other creative aspects of studio and field production.

The Department of Communication Studies offers a strong curriculum that embraces a range of traditions in the discipline. Humanistic, aesthetic and social scientific methods are used to examine communication processes and patterns in a variety of contexts and the promises and challenges people experience when they use language and other symbolic systems to work with …

The Public Relations option teaches theory, but it also focuses on how to apply learning to “real world” situations, involving corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and the entertainment industry. Students learn about crisis and strategic communications, audience analysis and social and emerging media as they develop public relations and marketing strategies and plans for clients …

The Broadcast option provides students with training comparable to an entry-level professional position in news and digital media by teaching them to write, edit, report, produce and anchor for campus-based news operations covering the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles and beyond. Operations include television and digital newscasts, such as Matador News, On Point (multimedia …

Journalism prioritizes practical knowledge, experiential learning and media literacy. In this area of interest, students apply the skills they attain in their courses to their positions as journalists in digital and bilingual news operations at The Sundial and El Nuevo Sol, respectively, as well as the Pop-Up Newsroom, SCENE Magazine, and other mediums. Students in the Journalism, B.A. may not …

The Bachelor of Arts in Music option in Music Therapy is designed to prepare students for careers in the therapeutic applications of music (entrance audition required). Capstone experience: internship. Completion of the program qualifies students to take the national examination needed to become a Board-Certified Music Therapist. The Music Therapy program is an evidence-based curriculum that …

The Bachelor of Arts in Music option in Pre-Teaching is designed to prepare students with the skills and knowledge to successfully teach music in K-12 schools (entrance audition required). Students receive a Bachelor of Arts in Music degree that focuses on music education. Completion of this curriculum satisfies the pre-professional academic requirements for the Single …

The Bachelor of Arts in Music option in Music Industry Studies (MIS) prepares students for executive and administrative careers in the music industry (entrance audition required). This option offers a blend of the art of music and the discipline of business. Students not only participate in traditional music courses, such as individual applied music lessons …

The Bachelor of Arts in Music option in Directed Studies is a flexible program with minimum performance requirements that allows students to complete a B.A. in music when they have a clear career goal that cannot be completed or met through one of the other CSUN Music options. An entrance audition is required and students …

The B.A. degree program is designed to enrich the student’s aesthetic and intellectual needs in the areas of performance and theatrical production, theatre history, literature, and criticism, as well as pre-professional training. Productions serve as a lab to reinforce the classroom training. Undergraduate students are required to participate in department-sponsored productions each semester. Eight or …

The B.A. degree program is designed to enrich the student’s aesthetic and intellectual needs in the areas of performance and theatrical production, theatre history, literature, and criticism, as well as pre-professional training. Productions serve as a lab to reinforce the classroom training. Undergraduate students are required to participate in department-sponsored productions each semester. Eight or …

The B.A. degree program is designed to enrich the student’s aesthetic and intellectual needs in the areas of performance and theatrical production, theatre history, literature, and criticism, as well as pre-professional training. Productions serve as a lab to reinforce the classroom training. Undergraduate students are required to participate in department-sponsored productions each semester. Eight or …

The Bachelor of Music option in Jazz Studies includes courses in improvisation, theory, history and composition, with an emphasis in performance (entrance audition required). Capstone experience: one-hour recital. The Jazz Studies option offers a wide range of ensembles, including the Jazz “A” Big Band, Studio Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Big Band, Latin Jazz Ensemble, Vocal …

This Bachelor of Music option is divided into two concentrations: Composition and Commercial and Media Writing (both require an entrance audition). Capstone experience: 45-minute recital. Composition The concentration in Composition is designed for students interested in studying contemporary art music styles and techniques, while writing chamber, symphonic or experimental electronic music. The program is particularly useful for students …

The Bachelor of Music option in Vocal Arts offers classical vocal students a full range of opportunities to develop their singing voices through individual lessons, choral ensemble, opera, oratorio and art song recital (entrance audition required). Capstone experience: one-hour recital. In addition, students take classes in French, German, English and Italian diction, as well as …

The Bachelor of Music option in Keyboard prepares students for a variety of professional activities in piano performance and piano pedagogy (entrance audition required). Capstone experience: one-hour recital. During their studies at CSUN, piano majors are given an opportunity to develop their skills in solo performance, as well as within chamber music and piano ensemble …

The Bachelor of Music option in Percussion (entrance audition required) is designed for those who want to be professional performers or university-level teachers (following the appropriate graduate degree). Capstone experience: one-hour recital. This option is focused in the area of classical music but usually includes study in other areas (jazz vibes, hand percussion, etc.). Students …

The Bachelor of Music option in Winds encompasses the classical study of woodwind and brass instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, euphonium and tuba (entrance audition required). Capstone experience: one-hour recital. The Bachelor of Music option in Winds is a degree program intended for students planning careers as performers, private studio teachers …

The Bachelor of Music option in Strings is divided into two concentrations: Orchestral Strings and Classical Guitar (both require an entrance audition). Capstone experience: one-hour recital. Orchestral Strings The Orchestral Strings emphasis is intended for students planning careers as performers, university teachers or private studio teachers. It is also designed to prepare students to pursue advanced study …

The Theatre Honors Program is a special curricular enhancement for outstanding students in the Theatre major. Students are eligible to participate in the Theatre Honors Program at the beginning of their junior year and will normally complete the program requirements during the ensuing four semesters. The program consists of two major components: Honors Seminars Honors …

The standard Art minor complements many majors, including Cinema and Television Arts (Multimedia Production), Family and Consumer Sciences (Fashion Design and Merchandising, Interior Design), and Chicana and Chicano Studies. It provides a foundation in art history and two- and three-dimensional art and encourages exploration in a variety of media, including animation, ceramics, drawing, painting, printmaking …

The Art Education minor provides solid preparation in the subject matter of Art for: (1) undergraduate students who are considering or planning to enter the Multiple Subject credential program, creating a pathway for those students to add a Supplementary Authorization in Art; Track I is open to all students except Art majors; (2) undergraduate art …

The Art History minor complements many majors, including Anthropology, Asian Studies, Chicana and Chicano Studies, and Sociology. In addition to providing a practical foundation in two- and three-dimensional art, the minor requires 15 to 18 upper division units of art history courses.

The ability to construct, receive and analyze communication is critical for all aspects of human interaction; thus, a minor in Communication Studies provides students with theoretical, analytical and practical approaches to participate effectively in the workplace, in relationships, and in society.

This 18-unit minor provides a focused study of issues encountered in entertainment media management. Advisement Academic advisement is required. The advisor’s signature will be required prior to registration each semester. Students must observe all CTVA advisement dates and check with an advisor on a regular basis. Prerequisites Note that many of the courses in the …

The Journalism minor is designed to enhance career options for students in a wide variety of disciplines, such as political science, sociology, English, languages, ethnic studies, history, anthropology, and gender and women’s studies. Minors complete 9 units of required courses and at least 9 units of elective courses. They also are allowed to follow an …

Mike Curb College of Arts, Media and Communication Minor in Musical Theatre The minor in Musical Theatre is an integrated studies minor in Music and Theatre offered through the College of Arts, Media and Communication. The program offers the opportunity to study basic musicianship skills, applied voice, acting and stage movement. Students will study musical …

The Photography/Video minor allows students to expand their knowledge in and thoroughly explore technology-dependent, art-based fields of study. Analog and digital applications in a variety of photography and video/digital courses prepare the non-Art major for art- and media-related employment and/or graduate study upon completion of a bachelor’s degree.

The Public Relations minor focuses on how to apply learning to “real world” situations, involving corporations, government agencies, nonprofit organizations and the entertainment industry. Students learn about crisis and strategic communications, audience analysis and social and emerging media as they prepare to create public relations strategies and plans for their industry of focus. Not available …

The interdisciplinary minor in Spanish-Language Journalism prepares students to report on Spanish-speaking and Latino communities, and to report on those communities for Spanish-language and English-language media. The minor helps students to better understand both Spanish-language and Latino media and Spanish-language and Latino communities. Contact the advisor, José Luis Benavides, at (818) 677-7242. This minor is available …

The Theatre: Acting and Directing Minor enables students to study techniques of performance including voice, movement, acting and directing. Students enrolled in the minor are encouraged to participate in departmental productions.

The Theatre: Design and Production Minor focuses on the technical aspects of creating theatre. Areas of specialization at CSUN include scenery, costumes, lighting, projection/video, sound, and stage management. Students enrolled in the minor are encouraged to participate in departmental productions.

The Theatre: History and Literature minor enables students to study the words, traditions and cultural perspectives from different time periods and locations that bring theatre to life.

The 30-unit M.A. in Art option in Visual Arts emphasizes the experience and value of visual thinking and creative problem solving in art, as well as recognizing the concurrent importance of critical thinking, experimentation, innovation and perception. Graduate students must understand the history and traditions of art and their cultural, political and social relevance. They …

Notice: Admission to the Art Education option is suspended while the department reconsiders and revises the curriculum. We teach our students to experience and value visual thinking and creative problem solving in art, as well as to recognize the concurrent importance of perception, experimentation, innovation and critical thinking. Our students must understand the history and traditions …

The Master of Arts in Communication Studies provides advanced study of human communication in its various and diverse forms, contexts and processes. The program prepares students to pursue academic and professional career paths such as a Ph.D. in the field, community college instruction or a career in the communication industry. The M.A. in Communication Studies …

The fully online Master of Arts in Design and Innovation (MDI) program aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success in the emerging creative economy. The mission of the program is to advance mid-career professionals to excel in three main areas: Design for Strategy and Systems, Design Experiences and Interactions, and …

The Entertainment Industry Management master’s program prepares students to be the next generation of managers and leaders for the entertainment industry. Students in this program will be taught by experts in the entertainment industry and will be required to take hands on classes in production management, storytelling/script analysis, entertainment law, media analytics, as well as …

The graduate program in Mass Communication allows for development of individual professional skills to produce digital media content, and it also focuses on evaluation of media performance, using analytic and research techniques that culminate in a Thesis, Graduate Project or Comprehensive Examination. Additional information regarding classification standing is available under Graduate Programs.

The Master of Arts degree in Music Industry Administration is an interdisciplinary professional program for students desiring an advanced degree in Music Industry Studies or Music Business. The mission of the program is to prepare students for professional growth by integrating up-to-date knowledge of the music industry’s varied facets with the students’ own career-related experiences. …

Notice: The M.A. in Theatre Arts has been suspended as of Spring 2019. The M.A. degree program is designed to enrich the student’s aesthetic and intellectual needs in the areas of theatrical production, theatre history, literature and criticism, as well as to provide pre-professional training.

The 60-unit M.F.A. in Art option in Visual Arts emphasizes the experience and value of visual thinking and creative problem solving in art, as well as recognizing the concurrent importance of critical thinking, experimentation, innovation and perception. Graduate students must understand the history and traditions of art and their cultural, political and social relevance. They …

The California State University, Northridge Master of Fine Arts in Screenwriting degree is for students who seek a rigorous, professionally oriented education in writing for film and television. The Department of Cinema and Television Arts prepares highly skilled and motivated individuals for careers in the entertainment industry and for careers as artist-teachers in college and …

The Master of Music option in Collaborative Piano Performance provides structured training and performance experience for pianists who want to pursue careers as collaborative artists. Applied study is a balanced exposure to both the vocal (art songs and opera arias) and instrumental (duo sonatas and concerti) collaborative repertoire.

The Master of Music option in Performance offers the opportunity to study the art of classical instrumental and vocal performance at the graduate level. Students in instrumental and vocal performance continue their studies in Music History and Theory and take classes specific to their area such as Pedagogy, Literature, Chamber Music, Ensemble, Advanced Conducting, Opera …

The Master of Music option in Conducting allows students to pursue advanced studies in orchestral conducting, band/wind ensemble conducting, or choral conducting.

The Master of Music option in Composition offers a full range of opportunities to study the art of music composition at the graduate level. The option is designed for students interested in pursuing advanced studies in contemporary music styles and techniques, as well as composers interested in pursuing a teaching career in higher education.

The fully online Design Experiences and Interactions Certificate program is tailored for mid-career professionals with a bachelor’s degree in art, design, engineering, marketing, communications, or other relevant work experience. The program’s courses are strategically designed to center around user-centric design principles, inclusive design, and innovative user research methodologies. Recipients of the Design Experiences and Interactions …

The fully online Design and Leadership Impact Certificate program is tailored for mid-career professionals with a bachelor’s degree in art, design, engineering, marketing, communications, or other relevant work experience. The program’s courses give students hands-on experience in understanding strategies for leading artists and designers in business, intra/entrepreneurship, local and global economies, design ethics, and the …

The fully online Design and Strategy Systems Certificate program is tailored for mid-career professionals with a bachelor’s degree in art, design, engineering, marketing, communications, or other relevant work experience. This program provides a deep understanding of design for strategy and systems, enabling graduates to address complex challenges, grasp creative processes, and maintain competitiveness in various …

The postbaccalaureate certificate in Music Therapy is specifically designed for those who have already acquired a degree in music and who now want to enter the field of music therapy. The coursework is designed to enable the student to be prepared for a six-month internship leading to sitting for the national Board Certification Exam for …