Minnesota Music Teachers Association

Membership Certification Overview

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

Requirements for MN state certification:

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.

Official college transcript must be submitted with certification application. Certification will be awarded in the specific music area of degree, diploma or certificate.

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 transcript must be submitted with certification application. Certification will be awarded in the specific music area of degree, diploma or certificate.

MMTA Certification Upgrade (C to MC)

To upgrade from Certified to Master Certified, contact MMTA's Membership Certification Chair, Sue Freeman Dopp, at sue.dopp@schmittmusic.com

MTNA/National Certification (NCTM)

Certification is also offered through the testing programs given by Music Teachers National Association. Go to www.mtnacertification.org to learn more.

New Nationally Certified MMTA Members

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 an MMTA Local Association. A point represents a miminum of 6 hours contact time. For further information, contact the MMTA Certification Chair.

Interested in being certified?

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

For MMTA Certification: Applications are available online, or from MMTA’s Membership Certification Chair.

MMTA Membership Certification Chair:

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