MM in Jazz Studies

What makes Jazz Studies at UArts distinctive?
The Master of Music in Jazz Studies degree program has its roots in three decades of  The University of the Arts leadership in the field of jazz education, carefully balancing aesthetic goals and a pragmatic approach to vocational responsibility in the context of this American music idiom.

Who is the Master of Music in Jazz Studies program designed for?
Open to a small and highly advanced group of students who have an undergraduate degree in jazz studies or an undergraduate degree in music with significant experience in jazz and contemporary music, or the equivalent thereof, the program—while providing a solid foundation in contemporary music—encourages a primary focus on individual career goals.

What is the MM in Jazz Studies degree program comprised of?
Among the one-year, 32-credit program’s unique curricular components are:
• Advanced private instruction in the major area to develop professional-level artistry and skills
• Hands-on internships
• Ensemble performances
• Arranging, composing, transcribing and analyzing jazz and contemporary music
• Study of MIDI and music technology
• Music journalism, jazz pedagogy
• Final thesis/project/recital that integrates in-depth research on a topic of special relevance with personal musical growth, culminating in a public performance.

How long does the Master of Music program take to complete?
The MM in Jazz Studies can be completed in a one-year, two-semester schedule, provided that all prerequisite skills are satisfied prior to beginning the program.




Performances, internships, private instruction and a final project prepare UArts Jazz Studies students for their musical careers.


The MM program is intended to dramatically increase your performance abilities, as well as provide a diversity of other professional-level competencies, preparing you for a career as a music professional or college-level teacher.