Sep 06, 2025  
Butler University Bulletin 2025-2026 
    
Butler University Bulletin 2025-2026

Jazz Studies, BM


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  • Applicants are admitted to the program on the basis of academic acceptance by the University and an audition. Visit https://www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/admission/ for details.
  • The BM in Jazz Studies requires the completion of 124 credit hours; 40 hours must be at the 300-level or above.
  • A grade of C or higher is required for all JCA courses.
  • Jazz Studies majors may choose to complete one or more areas of Emphasis, which will be noted on the transcript. Emphasis requirements are listed below for Music Composition, Music History, Music Performance (Instrumental, Piano. or Vocal), Music Theory, and Piano Pedagogy.
  • All Music majors are required to attend Arts Events; see www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/current-student-resources/ for details (JCA Arts Event Attendance Requirements).
  • For detailed degree requirements, including an eight-semester suggested sequence of courses, see www.butler.edu/jordan-arts/undergraduate-programs/music/majors-minors/
  • Music majors may choose to complete an emphasis. Emphasis requirements are listed below.

Required Courses in Music (84 credits)


University Core Curriculum (27 credits)


FYS 101 and FYS 102, First Year Seminar 6 (3,3)
GHS, Global and Historical Studies (2 courses)    6 (3,3)
AR, Analytic Reasoning 3
NW, The Natural World 5
SW, The Social World 3
TI, Texts and Ideas 3
WB, Well-Being 1

Music majors fulfill the following requirements of the University Core Curriculum: Perspectives in the Creative Arts (because they take nine credit hours in the arts) and the Butler Cultural Requirement.

Free Electives (13 credits)


Recommended:

Emphasis in Music Composition


The Emphasis in Music Composition is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Music Composition will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Emphasis in Music History


The Emphasis in Music History is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Music History will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses (15 credits)


Emphasis in Music Performance - Instrumental or Piano


The Emphasis in Music Performance - Instrumental or Piano is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Music Performance - Instrumental or Piano will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses - 16 credits


Emphasis in Music Performance - Vocal


The Emphasis in Music Performance - Vocal is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Music Performance - Vocal will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Emphasis in Music Theory


The Emphasis in Music Theory is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Music Theory will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses (15 credits)


Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy


The Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy is not a stand-alone degree; it is to be completed along with another music degree program (usually the BA Music degree) or the BS in Arts Administration-Music degree. Students may elect to complete one or more areas of Emphasis. At least 50% of the credits in any Emphasis must be unique to that program and may not overlap with another Emphasis, major, or minor (except as free electives). Adding an Emphasis requires an audition and/or interview, as well as the approval of the appropriate music faculty. A grade of C or higher is required for all coursework. Completion of the Emphasis in Piano Pedagogy will be shown on the student’s transcript upon graduation from Butler.

Required Courses (19 credits)


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