State Certification is available to all MMTA members. Certification gives advanced professional standing on the basis of continued achievment and high professional standards in the field of music pedagogy. Certification is maintained through continuing education, performance, and professional involvement, which are the key features of the certification program.
The application fee for certification is $80
CERTIFICATION PROCESS
1. To request a Certification Information Packet ($5), contact the Certification Committee Chair, Debra Culver at 248-793-3060 or CulverPianoStudio@gmail.com. The packet will include instructions for compiling information needed to begin the certification process (e.g. teaching history, professional involvement in music teacher organizations, performance history, musical training, your student activities).
2. When you have returned the necessary information to Debra Culver, you will be sent a written examination, which will cover topics of pedagogy, music history, technique, form and analysis, literature, and theory. This examination should be completed and returned to Debra Culver prior to the final step on the certification process, which is student auditions.
3. Three of your students will appear before MMTA judges (at a time and location to be announced each year). Each of your students will perform three pieces before the judges. If possible, these students should represent a beginner, intermediate and advanced level from your studio
For more information on certification, please contact Debra Culver, Certification Chair. 248-793-3060, CulverPianoStudio@gmail.com.
National Certification is a process that validates an individual's qualifications for a specific field of professional practice. It demonstrates to employers, clients, and peers that which the individual knows and is able to do. It signifies commitment to continued excellence in professional practice. In addition, it increases visibility, builds credibility, provides a goal for personal professional achievement and validates expertise for the individual and to those outside the field.
The MTNA Professional Certification program exists for teachers who teach music to students of any age level in private or group settings. The program is based upon a set of five standards defining what a competent music teacher should know and be able to do:
- Standard I: Professional Preparation
- Standard II: Professional Teaching Practices
- Standard III: Professional Business Management
- Standard IV: Professionalism and Partnerships
- Standard V: Professional and Personal Renewal
Upon fulfillment of these standards, applicants are granted the MTNA Professional Certification credential with the designation, Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM).
APPLICATION PROCESS
Prior to January 1
Those interested in becoming a Nationally Certified Teacher of Music should begin the application process by completing and submitting the following materials.
1. Application form with appropriate fee 2. Copies of official college/university transcript(s)
3. Transcript Evaluation Form
4. Proficiency Examination Request Form, if needed
5. Performance Competency validation with one of the following, if needed
MTNA Repertoire Selection Form and Performance Competency Verification Forms
MTNA Official Jury Evaluation Form
Letter from music teacher, signed and dated, with a list of repertoire studied and/or performed
6. Three Letters of Reference Forms and letters
7. Teaching Experience Evaluation form with documentation
Once your application is approved, a candidate will have the option of taking the Certification Examination, submitting a Portfolio or obtaining Administrative Verification.
Beginning in 2009, teachers must renew their certification annually. The yearly renewal will begin at the end of the certified teacher's five year renewal cycle and continue every year thereafter. Those officially certified on or after September 1 will not pay a renewal fee the first year and are not required to submit any documentation of points.
TEACHER PROFILE PROCESS
Apply after January 1
The Teacher Profile Process is a two-step process:
Step I: The candidate completes a Certification Application and submits the application and fees to MTNA Certification, 441 Vine St., Ste. 3100, Cincinnati, OH 45202.
Step II: The candidate completes the five Teacher Profile Projects.
- Candidates will have one year from the time the application and fees are received to complete the Teacher Profile Projects.
- Two hard copies of the completed Projects and two copies of the video recordings will be sent to MTNA headquarters.
- Applicants will receive written notification from MTNA when the certification process is successfully completed. A certificate and the guidelines for the renewal of MTNA Professional Certification will accompany the written notification.
- If some part of the Teacher Profile is evaluated as insufficient, certification will be deferred until that Project is evaluated as sufficient.
Application Time Limit Policy
The MTNA Professional Certification process must be completed within one-year from the date the application and fees are received at MTNA Headquarters. If the process is not completed within one year, the applicant may request, in writing, a single one-year time extension, after which an application extension fee will be assessed. (See Fee Schedule.)
For more information visit www.mtnacertification.org