Degree Requirements: Catalog Year 23-24 and Prior
Studio (4 credits per semester)
| JS 100 | Studio Jazz Studies (Undergraduate) | 2 |
| Or | |
| As assigned by department | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 32 |
Jazz Studies*
| JS 263 | Introduction to Jazz Improvisation/Ear Training | 2 |
| JS 264 | Introduction to Jazz Improvisation/Ear Training | 2 |
| JS 368 | Jazz Repertoire | 2 |
| JS 378 | Jazz Theory | 2 |
| JS 473 | Jazz Composition & Arranging I | 2 |
| JS 474 | Jazz Composition & Arranging II | 2 |
| CMA 213T/CMA 513T | Advanced Aural Training | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 14 |
As of Fall 2024, JS 264 and JS 263 are no longer offered. Students will take JS 263a and/or JS 264a instead.
Music Theory
| MTHY 101 | Music Literacy and Musicianship I | 3 |
| MTHY 102 | Music Literacy and Musicianship II | 3 |
| MTHY 111 | Analysis and Composition I | 2 |
| MTHY 112 | Analysis and Composition II | 3 |
| MTHY 211 | Analysis and Composition III | 3 |
| MTHY 212 | Analysis and Composition IV | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
As of Fall 2024, MTHY 211 is no longer offered. Students will take MTHY 215 in place of this earlier requirement.
Music History (GE)
| MHST 111 | Introduction to Musical Styles | 2 |
| Jazz Music History Elective | 2 |
MHST
| Electives | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 10 |
Jazz Music History Elective (May not be satisfied by MHST 117)
As of Fall 2024, MHST 111 is no longer offered. Students will take MHST 111a in place of this earlier requirement.
Liberal Arts and Modern Languages (GE)
| LARTS 111 | College Writing | 2 |
| LARTS 221 | Liberal Arts Seminar | 2 |
| LARTS or Modern Languages Electives | 17 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 21 |
As of Fall 2024, LARTS 111 and LARTS 221 are no longer offered. Students who need to fulfill one or both of these requirements will take LARTS 111a instead.
Entrepreneurial Musicianship (GE)
| ENTP 351 | The Entrepreneurial Musician | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 1 |
Small Jazz Ensemble**
| JS ENS | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
General Education Electives (GE)***
Free Electives
Recital or Portfolio Review
JS 499
| | |
| Or | |
JS 407
| | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Total Credit Hours: 120
*Placement by exam; additional remedial work such as JS 131, JS 132, CMA 111T and CMA 181T may be required
**Not required for Jazz Composition; credits not earned in ensemble are earned as electives; Large Jazz Ensemble may also be required
***Additional required Liberal Arts, Music History and approved Music Theory courses
Additional Requirements
- 40 credits of General Education Courses (GE) required
- Promotional at the end of the first, second, and third years (JS 195, 295, 395)
- Recital in fourth year for Jazz Performance majors (JS 499); Portfolio Review or Recital in fourth year for Jazz Composition majors (JS 497 or JS 499)
Degree Requirements: Catalog Year 24-25
Major Area
Studio (4 credits per semester)
| JS 100 | Studio Jazz Studies (Undergraduate) | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 32 |
On occasion, students in the Jazz department may study with faculty in other departments. These decisions should be made in close consultation with your faculty.
Jazz Studies
| JS 263 | Introduction to Jazz Improvisation/Ear Training | 3 |
| JS 264 | Introduction to Jazz Improvisation/Ear Training | 3 |
| JS 368 | Jazz Repertoire | 2 |
| JS 378 | Jazz Theory | 3 |
| JS 473 | Jazz Composition & Arranging I | 2 |
| JS 474 | Jazz Composition & Arranging II | 2 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Based on the results of placement examinations, students may be exempted from one or more of the courses above. While students can be exempted from requirements, the associated credits must still be earned. In most cases, the credits associated with courses from which students may be exempted are earned through free elective courses. In other cases students may be advised to consider major-specific coursework in addition to the courses outlined above. Any such courses take in addition to those listed above would accrue to the students requirements for free electives.
Please note that, as of Fall 2025, JS 378 (Jazz Theory) will be offered as a 3-credit course.
Collaboration
| JS ENS | Jazz Ensemble | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Jazz Performance majors are required to participate in ensemble during all semesters of their full-time residency. Jazz Composition majors do not have an ensemble requirement. Jazz Composition majors who participate in ensembles for credit may apply any such credits to the free elective requirement.
Performance Capstone
| JS 499 | Bachelor of Music Recital | 3 |
| Or | |
| JS 497 | Portfolio Review | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Jazz Performance Majors present a recital (JS 499) in their fourth year. Jazz Composition majors have the option of a recital (JS 499) or a Portfolio Review (JS 497) during their fourth year.
Academic Core
Applied Musicianship
| MTHY 101 | Music Literacy and Musicianship I | 3 |
| MTHY 111 | Analysis and Composition I | 3 |
| MTHY 102 | Music Literacy and Musicianship II | 3 |
| MTHY 112 | Analysis and Composition II | 3 |
| MTHY 211 | Analysis and Composition III | 3 |
| MTHY 215 | Post-Tonal Theory & Practice | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 18 |
Foundations of Informed Artistry
| LARTS 111a | Liberal Arts Seminar: Identity and Communication | 3 |
| MHST 111a | Engaging with Music | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 6 |
Exploration and Specialization
| LARTS or Modern Languages Electives | 15 |
| MHST Electives | 9 |
| General Education Electives | 5 |
| Free Electives | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 33 |
Jazz majors must take at least one course in the Music History department on a topic in Jazz. MHST 117 does not meet this requirement.
Practical Artistry
| CEPS 351 | The Entrepreneurial Musician | 1 |
CEPS xxx
| Any course with prefix CEPS | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 2 |
Integration
INT xxx
| Second Year Learning Community | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 120
Additional Requirements
- 40 credits of General Education Courses (GE) required. General Education Courses meet the learning outcomes as determined by the Conservatory in consultation with our accreditors and include ALL courses in Liberal Arts, Modern Languages, Music History, and other courses as specifically identified as "General Education (GE) Eligible" in the course catalog or the semesterly course schedules. The number of General Education elective credits as set for each major ensures that all students will meet this 40 credit threshold, with GE credits being earned through the fulfillment of requirements in specific areas (i.e. LARTS & MHST), and additional electives that are designated as "General Education (GE) Eligible."
| General Education |
|
| LARTS 111A |
3 |
| MHST 111A |
3 |
| LARTS or Modern Languages Electives |
15 |
| MHST Electives |
9 |
| Practical Artistry |
2 |
| Second-Year Learning Community |
3 |
| General Education Electives |
5 |
| |
40 |
- Promotional at the end of the first, second, and third years (JS 195, 295, 395)