The characteristic activity of philosophy, from its beginning to the present day, has been reasoned reflection about ourselves, our world, the good life and our relations with one another. Philosophy deals with issues of fundamental human importance—the scope and limits of human knowledge, the nature of reality and truth, what it means to be a person, the relation of mind to body, the sources of value and obligation, the evaluation of social institutions and practices, and the nature of logic and correct reasoning.

The double major is designed for students who choose to major in Philosophy as their second field of study. The 30-31 unit program will acquaint students with the distinctive nature of philosophical activity and help them think critically about matters of fundamental philosophical concern.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students will:

1. Develop a critical understanding of the work of central thinkers in the Western philosophical tradition.
2. Read and comprehend philosophical texts.
3. Respond critically and analytically to philosophical positions, arguments and methodologies, including positions, arguments and methodologies involved in the investigation of significant issues in epistemology, metaphysics and value theory.
4. Defend their own philosophical positions and arguments.
5. Write well-organized philosophical essays in which they clearly articulate philosophical positions and arguments.
6. Write well-organized philosophical essays in which they clearly and effectively present and defend their own philosophical positions and arguments.
7. Apply the basic concepts essential to a critical examination and evaluation of argumentative discourse, where this includes learning how to determine whether an argument is valid and whether it is sound.

This option for earning the B.S.N. is designed for second-degree students who hold a minimum of a B.A. or B.S. degree in any field and who have completed necessary prerequisite courses and admission requirements. The program of study is intense, and nursing courses required for licensure are completed within four semesters. This B.S.N. option builds on previous learning and provides specific clinical education that prepares nursing professionals who can practice in a wide variety of settings. The B.S.N. framework emphasizes the practice of professional nursing, including assessment, promotion, maintenance, restoration and evaluation of the health of individuals, families, groups, communities and populations. Nursing courses include classroom instruction and clinical laboratories in patient-care settings. 

This program is administered through The Tseng College. It is entirely funded by student fees and is offered in the cohort format.

Admission into programs leading to licensure and credentialing does not guarantee that students will obtain a license or credential. Licensure and credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with the CSU, and requirements can change at any time. For example, licensure or credentialing requirements can include evidence of the right to work in the United States (e.g., Social Security number or taxpayer identification number) or successfully passing a criminal background check. Students are responsible for determining whether they can meet licensure or credentialing requirements. The CSU will not refund tuition, fees or any associated costs to students who determine subsequent to admission that they cannot meet licensure or credentialing requirements. Information concerning licensure and credentialing requirements is available from the department. See Notice to Students: Licensure and Certification for more information.

The R.N.-B.S. degree in Nursing program is designed to articulate with community college programs and provide a baccalaureate completion program for licensed R.N.s with an associate degree in Nursing or its equivalent.

The B.S.N. framework emphasizes the practice of professional nursing, including the design of nursing systems to provide assistance to individuals, families, groups, communities and populations that are unable to meet either self-care or dependent-care needs without nursing intervention. Students are individuals already licensed by the state to practice as R.N.s who are seeking to advance their nursing knowledge and education. Baccalaureate education in Nursing prepares for the practice of professional nursing in multiple sites and with a variety of clientele. The curriculum provides students an opportunity to broaden their base of liberal education through upper division General Education and elective courses. In addition, nursing courses will enhance knowledge of human development, assessment skills, theories of nursing, ethics and current issues in the practice of professional nursing, community health, leadership and research. Students may attend full time or part time with nursing courses 1-2 days per week. Several nursing courses combine live and online instruction. Students may take General Education and elective courses as they choose. The program values include integrity, advocacy, excellence, lifelong learning, respect for others and competence.

Academic Policies

1. All upper division Nursing courses must be completed within 5 years after taking the first Nursing course or students may be required to meet current program requirements.
2. A minimum grade of “C” is required in each upper division Nursing course. Students receiving a grade of “C-” or below are required to repeat the course and earn a “C” or better. A course may be repeated only once, with a maximum of 15 repeat units.
3. Students must pass both components of each of the following courses to successfully meet the requirements for the courses: NURS 307/L, NURS 427/L and NURS 428/L.
4. Students are required to maintain current California Registered Nurse licensure while enrolled in Nursing courses. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the program director immediately, in writing, of any changes in licensure status.
5. Due to clinical requirements imposed by clinical affiliates, students are required to obtain and maintain at their sole cost the following clinical requirements: health exams and immunizations; evidence of TB test, titers or other required tests; background check; drug screening; nursing liability insurance; CPR certification; fire safety card; HIPPA and Bloodborne Pathogen training; and any other requirements deemed necessary by the clinical affiliates. Students must complete a preclinical checklist and provide proof that requirements are met 4 weeks prior to the start of their first clinical course. If an affiliating clinical agency notifies faculty that they are refusing clinical placement to a student based on a background check or drug screen, the student will be unable to complete the required clinical laboratory coursework, be unable to progress in the program and, thus, be unable to meet degree requirements.
6. Access to reliable transportation is required for clinical courses off campus.
7. Prior to and during clinical placements, students are required to demonstrate professional maturity and physical, emotional, ethical and moral fitness for clinical practice.
8. The faculty reserves the right to make program modifications as necessary to meet current professional standards and accreditation criteria.
9. R.N.-B.S.N. students may petition for credit by exam in selected courses. See Nursing advisor for challenge exam information and registration.

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 in a graduate degree program. There are many performance opportunities in solo recitals, large and small ensembles, studio classes and master classes. Students also receive an extensive background in literature, pedagogy and performance practice through courses offered. Students graduating with this degree will have developed an understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory, culminating in their capstone experience—a senior recital.

Once admitted to the major by audition, ensemble participation (by separate audition) includes the Symphonic Orchestra and the Goldberg and Sons Honors String Quartet. Enrollment in Chamber Music Techniques does not require an audition. Students also have the opportunity to perform regularly in pit orchestras for operas and musicals and to tour with the orchestra.

The CSUN Music department owns a collection of fine string instruments and bows that are available to students for use upon recommendation from their CSUN applied lesson teacher.

Classical Guitar

In addition to the coursework below, strong emphasis is placed on regular performance for students studying classical guitar. This is achieved through weekly studio classes and chamber coachings. Guitarists also regularly have the opportunity to perform for the student body in Noon Recitals, New Music Concerts and other students’ recitals. Additionally, the CSUN music department holds a yearly concerto competition.

The library at CSUN holds the International Guitar Research Archive (IGRA), one of the largest collections of guitar music and research materials in the world. This collection, which is the result of the dedication to guitar by Professor Emeritus Ron Purcell, is available as a valuable tool to the serious student of the instrument.

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 and university instructors. Students receive a variety of performance opportunities in recitals, large and small ensembles, studio classes and master classes. Students also receive a background in literature, pedagogy and performance practice. Students graduating with this degree will have developed an understanding of the repertory in their major performance area and the ability to perform from a cross-section of that repertory, culminating in a capstone experience—a senior recital.

Ensemble opportunities include the Wind Ensemble, Wind Symphony, Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Music (including the Northridge Flute Quartet and the CSUN Brass Ensemble). Students also have the opportunity to perform regularly in pit orchestras for operas and musicals, and to tour with the Wind Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra.

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 interested in pursuing a career in the jazz/popular music idioms should audition for entrance into the Jazz Studies option instead.

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 settings. The Chamber Music and Piano Ensemble classes culminate in end-of-semester public performances. Piano students also have a variety of other performance opportunities, including the biweekly informal noon recitals, studio classes and during master classes by visiting artists. Additionally, the CSUN Music department holds a yearly concerto competition in which the winners perform concertos with the CSUN Symphony Orchestra.

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 pedagogy, song literature and performance techniques. Operas are fully staged and costumed, and they are performed in the original language with orchestra. Students who audition for the B.M. option in Vocal Arts should possess a strong background in academics as well as in vocal and musicianship training.

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 interested in pursuing advanced studies at the graduate level, ultimately leading to a career in the fields of concert music composition, teaching or academic research. Each semester, composition students have multiple opportunities to perform and record their music on campus, collaborate with professional ensembles and guest artists, and engage in research on contemporary music styles and techniques.

Commercial and Media Writing

The concentration in Commercial and Media Writing is primarily a scoring degree. Students learn songwriting and vocal arranging, but the majority of the work is in instrumental composition and orchestration. As a result, incoming students must have prior training in classical or jazz styles on an instrument or voice.

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 Jazz Ensemble: “Upscale,” and two avant-garde groups: “NuVeau Art Ensemble” and “NuJazz Performance Ensemble,” featuring original student compositions and creative ensemble configurations.