Membership Certification

Certification advances the professionalism of our field. For the individual teacher, it represents
a level of competence and accountability within the field. People looking for a teacher are
more likely to be drawn to, and willing to pay appropriately, one who is certified than one who
is not. For the organization, certification of a healthy percentage of our members represents
a commitment to excellence and professionalism.

MMTA Membership Certification (For an application, click here...)
Requirements for each of the two levels of MN state certification:

1.  MMTA Master Certified (MC)
Minimum of a master’s degree in music. The certificate will be issued in the specific music
area of the master’s or doctoral degree.

2.  MMTA Certified (C)
Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in music, an artist diploma in music, a pedagogy certificate,
OR completion of the following courses for college credit:

• Applied Music: 6 semesters or 9 quarters on the instrument for which you wish to
  be certified
• Music Theory: 2 semesters or 3 quarters
• Music History/Literature: 2 semesters or 3 quarters
• Pedagogy: 1 semester or 2 quarters on the instrument for which you wish to be
  certified

Official college transcripts must be submitted with your application. The certificate will be
issued in the specific music area of the degree, diploma, or certificate.

To upgrade from Certified to Master Certified, contact MMTA's Membership Certification Chair (See below). To obtain an upgrade request form, click here...

MTNA/National Certification (NCTM) (For more information, click here... )
Certification is also offered through the testing programs given by Music Teachers National Association.

What are the differences between state and national certification?

• For candidates submitting college coursework towards certification, MTNA is slightly more stringent than individual states regarding numbers of college credits required
  in music history/literature, music theory and pedagogy. However, it is possible to
  become nationally certified without a college degree, artist diploma, or pedagogy certificate in music.
• National certification is valid in any state.
• State paperwork is slightly less involved than National.

Recertification
All certified members must recertify every five years. State–certified members recertify through
the state; Nationally–certified members recertify through MTNA. Contact MTNA or MMTA’s Membership Certification Chair for more information on recertification requirements.

For MMTA recertification, documentation of 10 points is required. A minimum of 2 points must
be in continuing education, and a minimum of 2 points must be in volunteer service to MTNA, MMTA, or a MMTA Local Association. A point represents a miminum of 6 hours contact time. For further information, contact the MMTA Certification Chair.

For more information on points, click here...

To complete a survey about volunteer activities, click here...

Interested in being certified?

For National Certification: Contact MTNA at 1-888-512-5278 or www.mtnacertification.org.

For MMTA Certification: Applications are available online (click here...); or from MMTA’s Membership Certification Chair.

Sue Freeman-Dopp
MMTA Membership Certification Chair
2821 Highlands Road
Brooklyn Park, MN 55443
(763) 493-5152
sue.dopp@schmittmusic.com