COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies requires a minimum of 132 credit hours and combines a comprehensive general education with rigorous music training and specialized jazz coursework. Students complete 36 credit hours of general education, including academic foundations, breadth of knowledge courses in arts, humanities, natural and social sciences, diversity studies, and integrated and applied learning. The music core consists of 32 credit hours covering music theory, musicianship, music literature, keyboard harmony, music history, and music software, providing essential skills for advanced study. Applied music and performance courses total 28 credit hours, including private lessons on the primary instrument, participation in major conducted ensembles, jazz ensembles, and chamber music, as well as the Senior Recital, ensuring extensive performance experience. Additional required music courses (8 credit hours) include conducting, analytical techniques, and orchestration, while 19 credit hours of specialized jazz courses focus on jazz improvisation, jazz keyboard techniques, jazz history and literature, ensemble performance and direction, music industry practices, and jazz arranging and scoring. Students also select 6 credit hours of music electives and 3–4 credit hours of additional major electives to complete the degree. This program emphasizes technical proficiency, creative expression, ensemble collaboration, and historical knowledge, preparing graduates for professional performance careers, composition, arranging, or graduate-level study in jazz and related music fields.