MMus Music: Jazz Studies at University of Oregon

Programme overview

The Master of Music in Jazz Studies has two emphases, Composition-Arranging and Instrumental Performance. Students develop advanced jazz skills in performance, improvisation, composition and arranging, which make up at least one-third of the curriculum, with supporting music studies outside the jazz major making up at least one-third. The culminating requirement is a public performance or an original composition thesis.

Faculty: School of Music and Dance | Department: Music | Duration: Not stated (49-70 credits depending on emphasis) | Intake: Fall; application and jazz pre-screen recording due 10 December | Location: Eugene, OR, United States

What you will study

Both emphases include research methods in music, Jazz Pedagogy Practicum, Jazz Program Planning and Development, jazz ensembles and music courses outside jazz. Composition-Arranging adds Advanced Jazz Arranging and Survey of Jazz Composition; Instrumental Performance adds Advanced Jazz Repertoire I-III and jazz performance studies. Each requires a barrier exam, recital or recording project, public lecture-presentation and final oral exam.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Equivalent of a bachelor's degree. Preliminary audition recording due 10 December; selected applicants may have a second-round audition, and applicants admitted on a recording hold a placement audition on arrival. Three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, resume or CV, scholarly writing sample and transcripts. GRE not required. Application fee $70 domestic, $90 international. Non-native English speakers must meet the University of Oregon minimums (TOEFL iBT 88, IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 120, or an English-speaking-country degree). Fall 2027 application deadline 10 December 2026.

Requirements published at faculty level.

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.

Each graduate programme sets its own application deadlines and required materials.

Graduate application fee: $70 for domestic applicants and $90 for international applicants for degree-seeking programmes (doctoral, master's, graduate certificate); paid online by Visa, Mastercard or Discover when applying. Graduate Microcredential application fee is $35. Applications are submitted through the graduate application portal.

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