Oct 10, 2024  
2019-20 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-20 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Music, Jazz Studies Specialization, M.M.


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Paul West Osterfield, Program Director
(615) 898-5293
paul.osterfield@mtsu.edu

The School of Music  offers a Master of  Music degree with specializations in collaborative piano, conducting, jazz studies, music composition, music composition for contemporary media, music education, musicology, and performance.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the Master of Music degree program requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree in Music from an accredited university or college;
  2. an acceptable grade point average in all college work taken (at least 3.00).

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
  2. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  3. submit three letters of recommendation.

Additionally, those seeking a specialization in jazz studies must complete an audition. Applicants who do not pass the audition may be allowed, at the discretion of the faculty, to be admitted with probationary status for one semester and must register for MUAP 5020 - Private Instruction . They must re-audition at the end of their first semester of study. Students who do not pass the audition on their second attempt will be excused from the program.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Music degree in Music with a specialization in jazz studies requires completion of a minimum of 32 semester hours.

Candidates must

  1. complete the curriculum with 70 percent of the total degree hours at the 6000 level (see Curriculum section below for specifics);
  2. successfully complete both written and oral comprehensive examinations no earlier than the student’s last semester of study. Comprehensive examinations may be repeated once.

Additionally, those with a specialization in jazz studies must establish proficiencies in music history and music theory*.

*NOTE: Diagnostic examinations in music theory and music history will be scheduled during the first week of the first semester of study. Students who do not pass the diagnostic examinations should consult with the graduate coordinator to plan how to meet the requirements. Additional courses may be required to satisfy these proficiency requirements.

Curriculum: Music, Jazz Studies


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements.

Core Courses (9 hours)


Specialization Courses (14 hours)


  • MUAP 668_ - Private Instruction, 3 credit hours
  • MUAP 669_ - Private Instruction, 3 credit hours
  • MUAP 670_ - Private Instruction, 3 credit hours
  • 3 credit hours
  • Two ensembles (Jazz Ensemble or Jazz Combo) 1 credit hour each, 2 credit hours

Guided Electives (9 hours)


Three courses to be selected from the following:

Proficiency Courses Determined by Placement Examination (0-6 hours)


Either or both of these courses may be required based on the results of the student’s diagnostic examinations in music history and music theory:

Program Notes


Candidate must

  1. file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior entry into the program;
  2. file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.

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