Undergraduate Bulletin

Fall 2024

Requirements for Minor in Jazz Studies

All courses offered for the minor in Jazz Studies must be passed with a letter grade of C or higher. At least 3 credits from Requirement 2 in either track must be at the upper division level. Completion of the minor requires 21 credits. 

The minor is designed for students who are interested in jazz but who do not seek training in more sophisticated aspects of music theory and musicianship.  

1. Theory:
MUS 119 Elements of Music or MUS 130 Sound Structures
MUS 315/316 Structural Principles of Music I and II

Note: Students well versed in music notation and basic theory (demonstrated by the MUS 119 challenge examination) should take MUS 130 Sound Structures 

2. History:
MUS 308 History of Jazz and one of the following:
MUS 304, MUS 310, MUS 311, MUS 313, MUS 319, MUS 320, or MUS 355 (if offered as a jazz-related topic)

3. Performance:
Six semesters (6 credits) in any combination of the following courses:
MUS 189 Beginning Jazz Improvisation
MUS 264 Big Band Jazz Ensemble
MUS 267 Jazz Combo
MUS 269 Introduction to African Drumming
MUS 270 Advanced African Drumming

Note: Students must audition to be accepted to MUS 189, MUS 264, and MUS 267.

If a Music major wants to also do a minor in Jazz he/she must undertake a relevant independent project under faculty supervision, taken as a 3 credit MUS 487 Independent Project.