Jazz Studies (Master's) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The Master of Music in Jazz Studies is a non-thesis (Plan B) degree in the College of Music covering advanced jazz performance, improvisation, arranging, composition, history and pedagogy. Students perform a master's recital and complete a final oral certifying examination.

Faculty: College of Music | Duration: 35 credits | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Students complete 35 credits, including jazz arranging and composition, jazz pedagogy, advanced jazz improvisation, graduate jazz history, advanced jazz styles and analysis, MUS 896 Master's Recital Performance and a seminar in college music teaching, 4 credits of applied jazz instruction (piano, strings, woodwinds, brass or percussion), a music education seminar, and participation in jazz band, octet or combo over four semesters.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A bachelor's degree in jazz studies, music performance or music education; a live performance audition demonstrating technical and improvisational skill equivalent to MUS 304 Advanced Jazz Musicianship IV, on bass, drums, guitar, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet or voice; and a grade of 3.5 or better on the Jazz Musicianship Proficiency Examination (jazz theory and jazz piano). Applicants submit both the MSU Graduate Application and the College of Music Supplemental Application, both due December 1; unofficial transcripts may be uploaded for review, with official transcripts required on admission; personal statement of 300-500 words; three letters of recommendation (submitted through the Graduate Application); a curriculum vitae is required for fellowship or teaching assistantship consideration. International applicants complete the MSU international applicant checklist.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Graduate applicants can start in fall (late August), spring (January) or summer (May) in the MPH programme; intake terms for other graduate programmes are set by each department or program.

The graduate application fee is $75 for domestic and international applicants, with one fee per application; applicants may submit up to two applications to different graduate majors per semester. Applications are reviewed by the department or program, which sets its own deadlines.

MPH application deadlines (SOPHAS completion): fall May 18, spring October 18, summer February 15; MSU supplemental application: fall June 1, spring November 1, summer March 1.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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