Music – Diploma in Jazz Studies


  • Program Length 
    2 Years
  • Credential 
    Diploma
  • Location Offered 
    Nanaimo

The Jazz Studies Diploma Program

The Jazz Studies program will foster the acquisition of professional skills in a variety of performance genres. It will offer hands-on experience of group music-making through ensembles and promote skills in the fields of: music performance and its study; musical theory and composition; library and Internet research; theoretical and applied keyboarding; theoretical and applied computer technology, multi-track recording and film scoring; theoretical and applied sound recording; techniques and practices fundamental to the music and entertainment industries; music history in general and jazz history in particular; and music as a business.

The program is modular in structure. Students select Music elective courses on the basis of their musical needs, progressing from course module to course module and from year to year. The structure offers students considerable choice and flexibility in fulfilling program requirements. It is supportive of the development of primary musical skills, but flexible and adaptable, and conducive to effective use of space and time.

The program includes an academic component that requires home assignments, self-discipline and good time management skills. Becoming an accomplished musician requires practice, and students should be prepared to work long hours practicing their music.

Year 1

Credits

MUSC 100 - (Intro. to Musical Theory I)

3

MUSC 101 - (Intro. to Musical Theory II)

3

MUSC 103 - (Basic Musicianship I)

1

MUSC 104 - (Basic Musicianship II)

1

MUSC 115 - (Survey of North American Music Styles I: 1619-1900)

3

MUSC 116 - (Survey of North American Music Styles II: 1900-Present)

3

MUSC 125 - (Computers and Music I)

2

MUSC 143 - (Keyboard Musicianship I)

1

MUSC 144 - (Keyboard Musicianship II)

1

MUSC 145 - (Private Music Instruction I)

2

MUSC 146 - (Private Music Instruction II)

2

MUSC 181 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation I)

2

MUSC 182 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation II)

2

Select a minimum of two credits (two courses) from the following list of Ensemble and Workshop courses:
MUSC 151 - (Choir I)
MUSC 152 - (Choir II)
MUSC 153 - (VIU Singers I)
MUSC 154 - (VIU Singers II)
MUSC 155 - (Vocal Jazz I)
MUSC 156 - (Vocal Jazz II)
MUSC 163 - (Wind Ensemble I)
MUSC 164 - (Wind Ensemble II)
MUSC 171 - (Guitar Ensemble I)
MUSC 172 - (Guitar Ensemble II)
MUSC 173 - (Jazz Ensemble I)
MUSC 174 - (Jazz Ensemble II)

2

Degree English Requirement

6

Credits

34

Year 2

Credits

MUSC 107 - (Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills I)

1

MUSC 108 - (Aural, Solfege and Conducting Skills II)

1

MUSC 121 - (Musical Theory I)

3

MUSC 122 - (Musical Theory II)

3

MUSC 215 - (History of Music I)

3

MUSC 216 - (History of Music II)

3

MUSC 243 - (Keyboard Musicianship III)

1

MUSC 244 - (Keyboard Musicianship IV)

1

MUSC 245 - (Private Music Instruction III)

2

MUSC 246 - (Private Music Instruction IV)

2

MUSC 281 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation III)

3

MUSC 282 - (Jazz Theory, Aural Skills and Improvisation IV)

3

MUSC 283 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire I)

1

MUSC 284 - (Jazz Workshop and Repertoire II)

1

Select a minimum of two credits (two courses) from the following list of Ensemble and Workshop courses:
MUSC 251 - (Choir III)
MUSC 252 - (Choir IV)
MUSC 253 - (VIU Singers III)
MUSC 254 - (VIU Singers IV)
MUSC 255 - (Vocal Jazz III)
MUSC 256 - (Vocal Jazz IV)
MUSC 263 - (Wind Ensemble III)
MUSC 264 - (Wind Ensemble IV)
MUSC 271 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble I)
MUSC 272 - (Advanced Guitar Ensemble II)
MUSC 273 - (Jazz Ensemble III)
MUSC 274 - (Jazz Ensemble IV)

2

Credits

30

Total Credits

64
Updated 
Saturday, June 3, 2023

Notes on Admission

  • Indigenous students can apply for reserve seats by submitting the Access Initiative for Indigenous Students form.
  • Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
  • Applicants are encouraged to apply early. Seats in the program are offered as follows: first qualified applications are given first offers until all seats are filled.

Domestic Fees | International Fees

Domestic Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees - 33 credits*

Amount

Tuition (32 credits x $163.14 per credit)

5,220.48

Student Activity fee (4% of tuition)

208.82

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month)

212.72

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies

700.00

Total

6,607.02
Notes

* Students taking private music instruction courses should add additional tuition, Student Activity fees, and possibly Student Union fees. Please refer to the Private Tuition schedule.

The above table is based on 33 credits. Students taking more than, or less than, 33 credits should adjust the fee total accordingly.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

International Fees

Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees

When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.

When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.

Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.

Fees - 33 credits*

Amount

Tuition (2 semesters x $10870.72 per semester)

21,741.44

Ancillary Fee (2 semesters x $463.40 per semester)

926.80

VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $26.59 per month)

212.72

Health and Dental Plan fee ($265.00 per year)

265.00

Approximate yearly cost for books and supplies

700.00

Total

23,845.96
Notes

Tuition in the above table is based on $776.48 per credit, up to a maximum of $10,870.72 per semester for 15 credits; $776.48 per credit beyond 15 credits. Ancillary Fees in the above table are based on $33.10 per credit, up to a maximum of $463.40 per semester for 15 credits; $33.10 per credit beyond 15 credits.

* Students taking private music instruction courses should add additional tuition, Student Activity fees, and possibly Student Union fees. Please refer to the Private Tuition schedule.

The above table is based on 33 credits. Students taking more than, or less than, 33 credits should adjust the fee total accordingly.

The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.  

All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.

Updated
Monday, April 3, 2023

Domestic (Canadian)

Program Start Date Accepting Applications Location
Next Intake(s)

The Jazz Studies diploma has one program start date each year in Fall.

Application Fee
$44.27
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
No
Admissions Assistant

Name: Helene Viau
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2040
Email: Helene.Viau@viu.ca

Chair Contact

Name: Brent Jarvis
Phone: 250.753.3245 ext. 2471
Email: Brent.Jarvis@viu.ca

Documentation Deadline

If an interim transcript was submitted, an official final transcript must be submitted by July 31, 2024.

Comments

Applicants are encouraged to apply early.

Seats in the program are offered as follows: first qualified applications are given first offers, until all seats are filled

Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies (Art, Design and Performing Arts)