KMTA Professional Certification Guidelines
Brenda Kee, Chair
(Click here to download and print this document.)
A. PURPOSE
B. AUTHORITY
At its 1963 convention in Lexington, the Kentucky Music Teachers Association
voted acceptance of the basic framework of certification and authorized the president
to appoint a Certification Board to administer and implement the plan.
At its 1973 convention in Richmond, the Kentucky Music Teachers Association
voted approval of changes and additions to the certification plan, and subsequent
revisions have been approved by the KMTA Executive Board in 1991, 1997, and
2003.
C. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Membership in the Music Teachers National Association, the Kentucky Music
Teachers Association, and the local KMTA chapter is required of candidates for all
certificates. Membership must be maintained for continued validity of
certification.
1. ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
.
D. RECIPROCITY
The Certification Committee shall recognize certificates issued by other state
associations that maintain the same or similar standards as set forth in this plan.
Upon application and evaluation, the Committee will issue a KMTA Certificate
equivalent to the one issued by another state association.
E. APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION
F. RENEWAL OF KMTA CERTIFICATES
Certification is subject to renewal every five years and will become permanent on the
third renewal. The renewal application should be obtained from the Certification
Chair, and must be returned with a $10.00 renewal fee prior to the expiration date.
The renewal applicant must demonstrate evidence of ongoing professional
development, continued involvement in professional activities, and student
accomplishments.
If the renewal application is submitted after the expiration date, but within one year of
the expiration date, a $20.00 late fee will be assessed.
If certification is not renewed within one year of the expiration date, reinstatement
procedures will be determined by the KMTA Executive Board and a $50.00 late fee
will be assessed.
G. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CERTIFICATION CHAIR
SUMMARY OF FEES
All fees are non-refundable. Checks made payable to KMTA should be sent to the
Certification Chair.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
* Applicant sends a request to the State Certification Chair for information and an official application form.
* Applicant returns the completed application form, $5.00 application fee, official transcripts, and other supporting
materials to the Certification Chair.
* Certification Chair processes the application and supporting documents to determine eligibility and the type of
certificate. The application must be evaluated by at least one other KMTA or MTNA certified member.
* If the credentials are approved, the Certification Chair requests that the applicant submit the $45.00 pupil
demonstration fee if a pupil demonstration is warranted.
* Upon receipt of the pupil demonstration fee, the Certification Chair makes arrangements for a KMTA or MTNA
certified teacher to adjudicate the pupil demonstration.
* Certification Chair sends four adjudication forms to the applicant, who completes the preliminary information and
gives the forms to the adjudicator at the pupil demonstration. The adjudicator evaluates each pupil and returns the
completed adjudication forms along with a final report form to the Certification Chair.
* Once all of the requirements have been met, the Certification Chair requests that the applicant send the $5.00 final
fee so that the appropriate certificate may be issued to the applicant.
For information and questions regarding KMTA or MTNA Certification, contact the State Certification Chair:
Brenda Kee, State Certification Chair
2904 Carlingford Drive
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 426-2050
BrendaEKee@aol.com
For complete information on national MTNA Certification and an application packet,
visit the MTNA website: www.mtna.org.
Brenda Kee, Chair
(Click here to download and print this document.)
A. PURPOSE
- 1. To serve as an evaluation by which the prestige of the Kentucky Music Teachers
Association is added to the local reputation of independent and college teachers
of applied music.
2. To motivate and inspire teachers to set for themselves a high professional
standard as expressed by the Kentucky Music Teachers Association.
3. To recognize publicly those who are granted certificates.
B. AUTHORITY
At its 1963 convention in Lexington, the Kentucky Music Teachers Association
voted acceptance of the basic framework of certification and authorized the president
to appoint a Certification Board to administer and implement the plan.
At its 1973 convention in Richmond, the Kentucky Music Teachers Association
voted approval of changes and additions to the certification plan, and subsequent
revisions have been approved by the KMTA Executive Board in 1991, 1997, and
2003.
C. CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Membership in the Music Teachers National Association, the Kentucky Music
Teachers Association, and the local KMTA chapter is required of candidates for all
certificates. Membership must be maintained for continued validity of
certification.
1. ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
- a. Teaching Experience
- The applicant must have at least five years of teaching experience in the field for which certification is
sought.
- b. Education
- The applicant may fulfill the education requirement in one of the following two ways:
- 1) A diploma or Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school with a major in the field for which
certification is sought. An official transcript must be submitted.
- 2) Completion of college level course work at an accredited school, verified by official transcripts,
in Applied Music, Pedagogy/Teacher Education, Music Theory, and Music History/Literature as
specified below, or completion of the examination options specified below.
- a) Applied Music: two years (4 semesters/6 quarters) of study at a college or
university, or the equivalent study and attainment certified with a signed and dated
evaluation by a jury of college or university faculty.
- b) Pedagogy/Teacher Education: one year (2 semesters/3 quarters) of course work, or
successful completion of the MTNA Professional Certification Proficiency Examination in
Pedagogy/Teacher Education.
- c) Music Theory: one year (2 semesters/3 quarters) of course work, or successful
completion of the MTNA Professional Certification Proficiency Examination in Music
Theory.
- d) Music History, Music Literature, or Music Appreciation: one year (2 semesters/3
quarters) of course work, or successful completion of the MTNA Professional
Certification Proficiency Examination in Music History/Literature.
- c. Professional Activities
- The applicant must demonstrate active professional involvement through contributions to
KMTA/MTNA activities or through performances as a soloist, accompanist, or ensemble participant.
- d. Pupil Demonstration
- After the requirements in teaching experience, education, and professional activities have been
satisfied, the applicant must have a pupil demonstration with four students, all of whom must have
studied a minimum of two years with the applicant. Each student must be examined for all of the
following:
- 1) Performance: three compositions, two from memory.
2) Sight Reading: material commensurate with the student’s level of advancement.
3) Musicianship: an adequate understanding of the musical materials found in the pieces
performed by the student.
4) Technique: scales, arpeggios, chords, and ear training commensurate with the student’
s age and level of advancement.
- 2. MASTER CERTIFICATE
- a. Teaching Experience
- The applicant must have at least five years of teaching experience in the
field for which certification is sought.
b. Education
- The applicant must have a Master’s degree from an accredited school with a major in the field
for which certification is sought. An official transcript must be submitted.
c. Professional Activities
- The applicant must demonstrate active professional involvement through contributions to
KMTA/MTNA activities; or through professional performance as a soloist, accompanist, or
ensemble member; or through published compositions or articles.
d. Evidence of Student Accomplishments
- The applicant must show evidence of student accomplishments through student awards,
participation in KMTA competitions and auditions, and/or tapes of student recitals.
.
D. RECIPROCITY
The Certification Committee shall recognize certificates issued by other state
associations that maintain the same or similar standards as set forth in this plan.
Upon application and evaluation, the Committee will issue a KMTA Certificate
equivalent to the one issued by another state association.
E. APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATION
- 1. KMTA members seeking certification must request an application form from the Certification Chair.
On the form the teacher will list full information regarding experience, education, and musical activities. The
application form, accompanied by a non-refundable application fee of $5.00, should be returned to the
Certification Chair along with official transcripts and other supporting documentation. These materials are
evaluated by the Certification Chair and at least one other KMTA or MTNA certified member.
2. If a pupil demonstration is required, the Certification Chair will request that the applicant submit a
pupil demonstration fee of $45.00. Upon receipt of the pupil demonstration fee, the Certification Chair will
make arrangements for a KMTA or MTNA certified teacher to adjudicate the pupil demonstration and will
send four Pupil Demonstration Adjudication Forms to the applicant for preliminary information. The
adjudicator, in consultation with the applicant, will arrange a time and place for the pupil demonstration and
will return the completed adjudication forms along with a final report form to the Certification Chair.
3. When the applicant has successfully completed all of the requirements for certification, the
Certification Chair will issue the appropriate certificate, for which a final fee of $5.00 will be charged.
F. RENEWAL OF KMTA CERTIFICATES
Certification is subject to renewal every five years and will become permanent on the
third renewal. The renewal application should be obtained from the Certification
Chair, and must be returned with a $10.00 renewal fee prior to the expiration date.
The renewal applicant must demonstrate evidence of ongoing professional
development, continued involvement in professional activities, and student
accomplishments.
If the renewal application is submitted after the expiration date, but within one year of
the expiration date, a $20.00 late fee will be assessed.
If certification is not renewed within one year of the expiration date, reinstatement
procedures will be determined by the KMTA Executive Board and a $50.00 late fee
will be assessed.
G. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE CERTIFICATION CHAIR
- 1. The Certification Chair shall oversee and coordinate all steps involved in the process of KMTA
Certification and Certification Renewal.
2. The Certification Chair shall appoint an ad-hoc committee of two or more KMTA or MTNA certified
members to evaluate the credentials submitted by applicants. All statements and documents must be
approved by this committee PRIOR to the pupil demonstration.
3. The Certification Chair shall select a KMTA or MTNA certified teacher to adjudicate the students
participating in the pupil demonstration.
SUMMARY OF FEES
All fees are non-refundable. Checks made payable to KMTA should be sent to the
Certification Chair.
1. $5.00 fee required with the initial application.
2. $45.00 fee required for those applicants whose certificate requires a pupil demonstration.
3. $5.00 final fee for issuance of the appropriate certificate.
4. $10.00 fee for renewal.
5. $20.00 fee for late renewal.
6. $50.00 reinstatement fee.
APPLICATION CHECKLIST
* Applicant sends a request to the State Certification Chair for information and an official application form.
* Applicant returns the completed application form, $5.00 application fee, official transcripts, and other supporting
materials to the Certification Chair.
* Certification Chair processes the application and supporting documents to determine eligibility and the type of
certificate. The application must be evaluated by at least one other KMTA or MTNA certified member.
* If the credentials are approved, the Certification Chair requests that the applicant submit the $45.00 pupil
demonstration fee if a pupil demonstration is warranted.
* Upon receipt of the pupil demonstration fee, the Certification Chair makes arrangements for a KMTA or MTNA
certified teacher to adjudicate the pupil demonstration.
* Certification Chair sends four adjudication forms to the applicant, who completes the preliminary information and
gives the forms to the adjudicator at the pupil demonstration. The adjudicator evaluates each pupil and returns the
completed adjudication forms along with a final report form to the Certification Chair.
* Once all of the requirements have been met, the Certification Chair requests that the applicant send the $5.00 final
fee so that the appropriate certificate may be issued to the applicant.
For information and questions regarding KMTA or MTNA Certification, contact the State Certification Chair:
Brenda Kee, State Certification Chair
2904 Carlingford Drive
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 426-2050
BrendaEKee@aol.com
For complete information on national MTNA Certification and an application packet,
visit the MTNA website: www.mtna.org.
Kentucky Music Teachers' Association
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