Certification renewal for previous holders of the College Faculty certificate.

Questions arise frequently regarding the current renewal policies of MTNA Professional Certification for holders of the College Faculty certificate. College/university music teachers have tenure, rank and their employer's standards that provide professional status for them. Since this is the situation, the question most often asked by college faculty members is this: Why should we hold and/or continue to hold the MTNA Professional Certification certificate? The reasons go beyond the practical to that of altruism. Music faculties are in a position to set an example of professionalism for the students they are educating, as well as for the practicing independent music teacher. Little effort is needed to recognize that independent music teachers provide the student enrollment for college and university music departments and schools of music faculty to teach.

The independent music teacher has a greater need for the Nationally Certified Teacher of Music (NCTM) designation to provide them professional status than do college professionals. They have no access to tenure or rank, nor do many of them enjoy the support of an institution or educational system. MTNA Professional Certification Standard IV:

Professionalism and Partnerships, A. Contributing to the Profession says:

 
   "Competent music teachers contribute 
   to the professional growth 
   of their colleagues, their studios 
   and schools, their professional associations, 
   and to their profession at 
   large. " 

Fulfilling the above standard by contributing to the professional growth of our colleagues is a necessity for music teachers to reach a high level of professionalism and strength. Helping one another is the appropriate action. In a broad sense, all music teachers are dependent on one another.

Since the time College Faculty Certificates were issued, the MTNA Professional Certification Program has undergone major revisions and changes. Three key points provide the rationale for the MTNA Professional Certification Program's requirement of application, Documentation of Points and a renewal of certification fee from previous holders of the College Faculty Certificate who now hold, or will choose to hold, the Professional Certificate:

1) The MTNA Professional Certification Program now operates under a philosophy that was approved by the MTNA Board of Directors. Among other things the philosophy states: