Music with a Concentration in Jazz Studies (BA)
As of Fall 2026, this program is no longer accepting applicants.
A Major in Music with a concentration in Jazz Studies is a performance degree that prepares students to perform jazz music. Students will take courses in jazz improvisation, jazz music history, and jazz composition and arranging.
Related Programs
Curriculum
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Music Theory | ||
| MUSC 144 | Music Theory I 1, 2, 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 145 | Musicianship Lab I 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 244 | Music Theory II 1, 3 | 3 |
| MUSC 245 | Musicianship Lab II 1 | 1 |
| MUSC 344 | Music Theory III | 3 |
| Music History | ||
| MUSC 256 | Jazz Music History | 3 |
| MUSC 353 | Music History II | 3 |
| Applied Music | ||
| Select six (6) credits of Applied Music Lessons 4 | 6 | |
| Jazz Ensemble | ||
| Students need 6 total Jazz Ensemble Credits. 5 | 6 | |
| Jazz Ensemble (1 credit each) | ||
| Senior Capstone Experience | ||
| MUSC 387 | Solo Recital: MUSC Capstone | 1 |
| Required Jazz Studies Courses | ||
| MUSC 185 | Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| MUSC 248 | Jazz Composition and Arranging | 3 |
| MUSC 385 | Jazz Improvisation | 3 |
| Electives 6 | ||
Additional MUSC Ensemble of your choice. (One Each) | ||
Additional general 3 credits MUSC Course of your choice | ||
| Total Hours | 39 | |
- 1
Must be taken concurrently.
- 2
Students receiving a 3 or 4 on the AP Music Theory Exam are eligible to receive credit for MUSC 144 Music Theory I.
- 3
Students receiving a 5 are eligible to receive credit for MUSC 144 Music Theory I and MUSC 244 Music Theory II.
- 4
It is preferred that students complete Applied Music credits on the same instrument, though multiple instruments are approved on a case-by-case basis.
- 5
If necessary - and with approval from the Director of Music - students may fulfill some of their Ensemble credits with MUSC 290 Jazz Combo.
- 6
Students may choose to take one three-credit class or a combination of one-credit classes to fulfill the elective requirement.
Applied Music Lessons
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MUSC 280A | Applied Music: Clarinet | 1 |
| MUSC 280AA | Applied Music: Conducting | 1 |
| MUSC 280B | Applied Music: Percussion | 1 |
| MUSC 280BB | Applied Music: Improvisation | 1 |
| MUSC 280C | Applied Music: Oboe | 1 |
| MUSC 280E | Applied Music: Trumpet | 1 |
| MUSC 280F | Applied Music: Saxophone | 1 |
| MUSC 280G | Applied Music: Guitar | 1 |
| MUSC 280I | Applied Music: Organ | 1 |
| MUSC 280J | Applied Music: Piano | 1 |
| MUSC 280K | Applied Music: Voice | 1 |
| MUSC 280L | Applied Music: Violin | 1 |
| MUSC 280M | Applied Music: Flute | 1 |
| MUSC 280N | Applied Music: Cello | 1 |
| MUSC 280O | Applied Music: Double Bass | 1 |
| MUSC 280P | Applied Music: Viola | 1 |
| MUSC 280Q | Applied Music: Horn | 1 |
| MUSC 280R | Applied Music: Trombone | 1 |
| MUSC 280S | Applied Music: Harp | 1 |
| MUSC 280U | Applied Music: Drum Set | 1 |
| MUSC 280V | Applied Music: Low Brass | 1 |
| MUSC 280Y | Applied Music: Bassoon | 1 |
| MUSC 280Z | Applied Music: Composition | 1 |
| MUSC 380A | Applied Music Advanced: Clarinet | 1 |
| MUSC 380AA | Applied Music Advanced: Conducting | 1 |
| MUSC 380B | Applied Music Advanced: Percussion | 1 |
| MUSC 380BB | Applied Music Advanced: Improvisation | 1 |
| MUSC 380C | Applied Music Advanced: Oboe | 1 |
| MUSC 380E | Applied Music Advanced: Trumpet | 1 |
| MUSC 380F | Applied Music Advanced: Saxophone | 1 |
| MUSC 380G | Applied Music Advanced: Guitar | 1 |
| MUSC 380I | Applied Music Advanced: Organ | 1 |
| MUSC 380J | Applied Music Advanced: Piano | 1 |
| MUSC 380K | Applied Music Advanced: Voice | 1 |
| MUSC 380L | Applied Music Advanced: Violin | 1 |
| MUSC 380M | Applied Music Advanced: Flute | 1 |
| MUSC 380N | Applied Music Advanced: Cello | 1 |
| MUSC 380O | Applied Music Advanced: Double Bass | 1 |
| MUSC 380P | Applied Music Advanced: Viola | 1 |
| MUSC 380Q | Applied Music Advanced: Horn | 1 |
| MUSC 380R | Applied Music: Advanced Trombone | 1 |
| MUSC 380S | Applied Music Advanced: Harp | 1 |
| MUSC 380U | Applied Music Advanced: Drum Set | 1 |
| MUSC 380V | Applied Music Advanced: Low Brass | 1 |
| MUSC 380Y | Applied Music Advanced: Bassoon | 1 |
| MUSC 380Z | Applied Music Advanced: Composition | 1 |
College of Arts and Sciences Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences are required to take two Writing Intensive courses (6 credit hours) as well as complete a foreign language requirement at 102-level or higher (3 credit hours) or a language competency test. More information can be found here.
Additional Undergraduate Graduation Requirements
All Undergraduate students are required to complete the University Core, at least one Engaged Learning course, and UNIV 101. SCPS students are not required to take UNIV 101. Nursing students in the Accelerated BSN program are not required to take core or UNIV 101. You can find more information in the University Requirements area.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will demonstrate:
- a thorough understanding of the basic elements related to music theory: rhythm, melody, and harmony.
- an understanding of musical forms, processes, and structures; and the ability to employ this understanding in written and verbal analyses.
- proficiency in the basic areas of musicianship: keyboard, aural skills, and sight-singing.
- a basic knowledge of music history resulting, in part, from score analysis, dedicated listening, and concert attendance.
- the ability to apply critical thinking towards music and its contextualization.
- the technical skills requisite for artistic self-expression.
- the knowledge and skills necessary to work collaboratively as part of a musical ensemble.
- the development of metacognitive skills.
- a working knowledge of the artistic considerations necessary to produce and perform a solo recital (capstone project)