Course Offerings
Educational Psychology in the Music Classroom: This course provides students with the conceptual basis for making professional decisions regarding learning and teaching music. (3 semester hours)
Research in Music and Education: This course offers students an introduction to basic research materials and practices to build a background in making professional decisions regarding conducting research related to learning and teaching in music. (3 semester hours)
Jazz/American Music Literature in the Music Classroom: This course provides an overview of information and materials pertinent to jazz and other American musical styles, as well as a conceptual basis for understanding and employing the context of jazz and American music in performing groups or the classroom, in accordance with National Standards for Arts Education. (3 semester hours)
Seminar in Jazz/Contemporary Theory/Aural Skills: This course provides an overview of techniques and practices frequently used in the context of jazz and contemporary music. It enables students to better understand and continue the analysis of music for school jazz groups, in addition to allowing them to present jazz and contemporary, or commercial styles appropriately. (2 semester hours)
Seminar in Musical Leadership: This course provides an overview of standard conducting skills and rehearsal techniques and practices specific to instrumental jazz/contemporary ensembles. (2 semester hours)
Seminar in Rhythm-Section Techniques: This course expands the knowledge of rhythm section instruments and the specific techniques and methods for instructing students on keyboard, guitar, bass, and drum set performance, and how to bring those instruments together as a unit. (2 semester hours)
Ensemble: All students participate in an ensemble each summer. The purpose of the course is to develop understanding of musical style, reading skills and application of aural skills - as related to jazz/contemporary musical styles through rehearsal and performance of music at an adult level, coached by a musical director. (1 semester hour)
Seminar in Jazz Improvisation: This course provides an overview of improvisational concepts and skills, as well as techniques for practicing and teaching jazz improvisation. (2 semester hours)
Seminar in Musical Styles and Application: This course provides an overview of specific musical style as component styles, related styles, or extensions of jazz, and enables application of the awareness of specific musical traits to one's teaching and in rehearsing a school ensemble. (1 semester hour)
Special Topics in Jazz Pedagogy: This course allows students to focus on musical areas of special interest to them that are not a part of the regular program offerings. Students wishing to use this course option must develop a strong rationale for acceptance of their special topic and present it to the Director of Graduate Studies and degree coordinator for approval. A formal paper (10-15 pages in length, with proper research citations) will be required as a final project. This course option may be applied no more than twice for a total of no more than four credits toward the degree. (2-4 semester hours)
Seminar in Jazz Composition: This course provides an overview of compositional techniques and practices frequently used in writing for various types of instrumental or vocal jazz ensembles. (2 semester hours)
Seminar in Jazz Arranging: This course provides an overview of arranging skills and orchestration techniques and practices frequently used in writing for various types of instrumental or vocal jazz ensembles. (2 semester hours)
Seminar in Arts Business and Administration: This course provides discussion on topics and examples of situations and challenges faced in the administration of arts-based programs. Students learn about the skill sets necessary for success: interpersonal skills, leadership, financial concepts as applied to non-profit organizations, tactical areas, such as concert production, engaging artist/contract negotiations, music licensing issues, etc. (2 semester hours)
Seminar in World Music: This course is designed to provide students with an overview for understanding and appreciating music styles of non-western cultures. This multi-cultural perspective is provided through performance-based instruction on percussion instruments from Africa, South and Central America, and the Far East. (2 semester hours)
Applied Instrument or Voice Studio Instruction: This course is designed to provide students with advanced, professional-level instruction on their primary instrument with emphasis on repertoire from the jazz idiom. Pedagogical techniques and practices frequently used in the instruction of younger music students also will be covered. (1-2 semester hours)
Thesis: This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity to employ their research skills and practices to a new topic while providing the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the profession, through research related to learning and teaching in music as related to jazz/contemporary music. (4 semester hours)
Remedial Courses
Credit for these two-semester-hour courses may not be applied to completion of the degree.
Jazz/Contemporary Theory and Aural Skills: This course is a comprehensive review of basic harmonic, melodic, and rhythmic knowledge, skills and nomeclature as applied in jazz and contemporary music idioms and prepares students to pass the required diagnostic exam.
Jazz History and Literature: This course is a comprehensive review of the development of jazz and American popular music from its earliest dates to the present. The course includes readings and directed listening for developing a broader persective as well as knowledge of specific periods or trends, major artists, and significant information sources.
Jazz/ Contemporary Improvisation: This course is a comprehensive review of basic skills for improvisation in jazz/contemporary musical idioms. The course includes application of basic theory skills with an emphasis on using the ear and internalization. Emphasis is on jazz rhythms, harmony, and melody, and includes solo analysis, examination of standard repertoire, group, and individual playing.
Program Requirements
Comprehensive Examination: The faculty will prepare this examination specifically based on the student's course of study. The questions or topics will be provided in advance, and the student will be expected to address each question or topic in detail during the specified examination period without the use of any prepared notes.
Transfer Credit: Students may transfer a maximum of six semester hours of equivalent quality and content from other NASM-accredited institutions. Credit will be accepted upon the recommendation of the department and the approval of the dean.
Admission requirements: Applicants must achieve passing grades on the Capital University jazz/contemporary music history, theory/audiation, and improvisation skills graduate entrance exams. Applicants who do not perform at the required level on these tests must pass the remedial courses in order to qualify for full admission into the program. Credit for these remedial courses does not apply toward the graduate degree.
An applicant must have achieved a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (A=4.0). Applicants with undergraduate GPAs of less than 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis.
Because applicants may come from foreign countries as well as throughout the United States and teach throughout the academic year, application materials are reviewed by the program director to determine prediction of success in the program, in lieu of on-campus interviews. Any questionable application materials are reviewed by the program director and the dean. Letters of acceptance into the program are sent after materials are reviewed. Students whose work indicates future difficulties in completing the program will meet with the program director for consultation and receive a letter of academic concern.
International students must demonstrate language proficiency by meeting one of the following requirements: a TOEFL score of 550 (paper), 213 (computer), or 80 (internet-based), or an IELTS score of six or higher.
Note: This degree does not include teacher licensure. Additional course work would be needed for licensure in Ohio.