Certification Program

The Early Childhood Music and Movement Association (ECMMA) views teacher certification as a process of continued growth in knowledge concerning music and movement education for young children. It provides a fair, systematic method of teacher recognition; encourages continued participation in conventions, workshops, seminars, and other training events; and encourages the growth of professional skills and abilities. Certification also assists teachers in self-evaluation, provides a means for feedback from parents of their classes, and helps assure the general public of teachers’ credentials. 

Read the certification requirements listed below, then apply for the certification level that best fits your experience.

Level 1: Collegiate

The Level 1 Collegiate Path is an alternative avenue for students currently in school who have access to early childhood music and movement courses in a college setting.

REQUIREMENTS:
Cost for Level 1 Certification: Collegiate Path is $25.00, U.S. currency.

1. Current ECMMA Membership.
2. 30 hours of coursework in early childhood music and/or movement education. See the Approved Coursework that meets this requirement. Keep track of needed documentation i.e., workshop certificates, course transcripts, conference sessions attended, etc. Documents can be uploaded on the Application Form.
3. 15 hours of fieldwork observations or supervised participation in a structured ECMMA program. This can be met if you have more than 30 hours from programs/coursework you took to meet option #1, or through observation/participation in an early childhood studio that is taught by a teacher with a minimum of 5 years of teaching experience. If the latter option is chosen, a letter documenting your observation/participation must be submitted by the teacher.
4. Minimum of 1 year teaching experience (or equivalent) in early childhood music/movement, ages 0- 7. This can be documented through a letter written by a professor, a parent in your studio, or an early childhood music and movement colleague. The letter must be signed in writing by this person.

NOTE: Applicant must seek institutions that have prequalified a program of coursework/fieldwork with the ECMMA Certification Committee.

Prequalified Preparation Programs
Several universities now offer dedicated early childhood music/movement courses with pre-service, guided teaching opportunities:

• Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
• Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Watertown, Wisconsin
• Pasadena Music College, Pasadena, California

NOTE: Please see additional approved coursework in Level 1: Standard Path information.

DURATION of Level 1 Certification: Collegiate Path.
The Level 1 certificate is valid for five years. There is no renewal of the Collegiate Path. Applicant must renew with Level 1 Certification: Standard Path, or move on to Level 2 Certification.

Level 1: Standard

REQUIREMENTS: 

Cost for Level 1 Certification is $25.00, U.S. currency.

1. Current ECMMA membership.
2. 30 hours of basic-level training workshops or courses in early childhood music and movement education from an approved training program (see information below). If workshops or courses are less than 30 hours, CEUs or their equivalents may be submitted to complete the hour requirement. Please submit copies of the document of completion for workshops or courses (i.e. letter or certificate). Hours must be listed on the document. If not listed, the applicant will need to provide other documentation showing hours or a letter from an organization/workshop offering the program.
3. One (1) additional Continuing Education Unit (see description below) (or it’s equivalent) related to music and/or movement education for children ages 0-7.
4. A minimum of one-year of teaching experience in early childhood music and movement, ages 0-7. This can be verified with a letter from a parent in your studio or by a colleague in the early childhood music and movement field. The letter must be signed in writing by such a person.

Workshop credits and CEUs must be earned within the ten years previous to the certification application date. The Certification Committee must approve any exceptions to this requirement.

Already Level 1 certified? Scroll down for renewal requirements.

Approved Preparation Programs
(Bold text represents organizations that feature specific ECMM training and licensure.)

• American Orff-Schulwerk Association (AOSA)
• Come Children Sing Institute (online training and curriculum with Mary Ellen Pinzino)
• Dalcroze Society
• Education through Movement
• Gordon Institute for Music Learning
• Harmony Road
• Kids Music Round
• Kindermusik, International
• NAfME (National Association for Music Education)
• Music for Young Children (MYC)
• Music Rhapsody (Lynn Kleiner)
• Music Together
• MusicPlay
• Musikgarten
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
• Nurturing Pathways
• Organization of American Kodaly Educators (OAKE) – preschool level
• Suzuki Association of the Americas (SAA)

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) One CEU equals 10 contact or class hours. Examples include:

• Ten hours guided observation of three classes of young children (0-7 years) equals one CEU. Teachers of these classes shall have a minimum of five years teaching experience. Applicant must submit a 500 word written evaluation of the classes observed. The paper should include the teaching setting, name of teacher, dates and a brief summary of each session.
• Applicant should express how ideas, concepts, or research from the session might be incorporated into his/her teaching or practice, along with any meaningful critiques of the session.
• The teacher/professor that you have observed must sign and date the written paper before submission.
• Attendance at additional workshops, trainings, conferences or seminars related to early childhood music and movement. One CEU equals 10 hours of attendance at an event. For instance, a workshop of 13 hours is equal to 1.3 CEUs and the extra hours can be used for future certifications or renewals.
• Semester credits granted by colleges or universities in Early Childhood Music and Movement Courses carry one-for-one value: 1 credit = 1 CEU. Please submit transcript and information on course title and description.

Note: CEUs used on one level’s application may not be resubmitted on subsequent levels or renewal applications.

DURATION & RENEWAL of Level 1 Certification: The Level 1 certificate is valid for five years. Progression to the next level or renewal of the current level is necessary at that time. If a member chooses not to renew, and after six months wishes to be re-certified, they must satisfy all requirements for Level 1 again.

RENEWALS for LEVEL 1 Certification: A reminder notice will be sent 6-12 months in advance of the renewal date. Keep track of needed documentation, i.e. workshop certificates, course transcripts, conference sessions attended, etc. If an extension is needed, contact the chairperson of the level for which you are applying. There is a possibility that you will need to complete additional hours for renewal at the discretion of the committee.

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS for Level 1: The fee for RENEWAL is $25.00 US currency.

• Membership in ECMMA for at least three of the past five years.
• Documentation of actively teaching early childhood music and movement classes for children ages 0-7 for at least two consecutive years of the past five years (in the form of a letter from an administrator, parent of a student, studio affiliate, etc.).
• Documentation of Two Continuing Education Units (CEUs), ( i.e, twenty hours, including at least one live regional conference, or live national convention, related to early childhood music and movement.
• One (1) additional Continuing Education Unit, (CEU or ten hours, related to music and/or movement education for children ages 0-7. Renewal applicants may view the 2010 virtual convention or any subsequent ECMMA Virtual Conventions to meet the ten-hour requirement. Should the applicant choose to apply for Level 2 certification, rather than renewal, this virtual CEU may be applied to Level 2 requirements.
  • When viewing a Virtual Convention, at least 1 keynote/general Session and a variety of breakout sessions should be selected for viewing. The applicant should then write a 300-word paper on the keynote/general session viewed, and a 150-word paper on each breakout session viewed. The papers should include the session title, speaker, date, and a brief summary of each session. The applicant should express how ideas, concepts, or research from the session might be incorporated into his/her teaching or practice, along with any meaningful critiques of the session.

Level 2: Advanced Professional

Level 2 is for those applicants who have completed Level 1 of this certification program.

REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW LEVEL 2 CERTIFICATION:
The fee for NEW Level 2 Certification is $40.00 US currency. NOTE: You must have attained Level 1 ECMMA certification and provide documentation of this certification (send a scanned copy of your Level 1 certificate).

• Current membership in ECMMA and prior completion of Level 1 Standard or Level 1 Collegiate Path.
• 4 additional Continuing Education Units (CEUs) related to Early Childhood Music and Movement for children ages 0-7, with the following provisions:
  • 1 CEU must include either a national convention of a music-related organization directly related to the study of early childhood music and movement or an advanced level training workshop that furthers early childhood music and movement training (an in-depth training in a specific area, i.e. methodology, pedagogy).
  • 3 additional CEUs are required in training related to early childhood music and movement.
• Minimum 4 years of teaching experience (within the last ten years) in early childhood music/movement, ages 0-7 (in the form of a letter from an administrator, parent of a student, studio affiliate, etc.). The letter must be signed in writing by this person.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs).
One CEU equals 10 contact or class hours. Examples include:

1. Ten hours of guided observation of three classes of young children (0-7 years) equals one CEU. Teachers of these classes shall have a minimum of five years of teaching experience. Applicant must submit a 500-word written evaluation of the classes observed. The paper should include the teaching setting, name of the teacher, dates, and a brief summary of each session.
   • Applicant should express how ideas, concepts, or research from the session might be incorporated into his/her teaching or practice, along with any meaningful critiques of the session.
   • The teacher/professor that you have observed must sign and date the written paper before submission.
2. Attendance at additional workshops, trainings, conferences or seminars related to early childhood music and movement. One CEU equals 10 hours of attendance at an event. For instance, a workshop of 13 hours is equal to 1.3 CEUs and the extra hours can be used for future certifications or renewals.
3. Semester credits granted by colleges or universities in Early Childhood Music and Movement Courses carry a one-for-one value: 1 credit = 1 CEU. Please submit the transcript and information on the course title and description.

Note: CEUs used on one level’s application may not be resubmitted on subsequent levels or renewal applications.

DURATION & RENEWAL of Level 2 Certification:
The Level 2 certificate is valid for five years. Progression to the next level OR renewal of the current level is necessary at that time. If a member chooses not to renew, and after six months wishes to be re-certified, they must satisfy all requirements for Level 2 again.

RENEWALS for LEVEL 2 Certification: A reminder notice will be sent 6-12 months in advance of the renewal date. Keep track of needed documentation, i.e. workshop certificates, course transcripts, conference sessions attended, etc. If an extension is needed, contact the chairperson of the level for which you are applying. There is a possibility that you will need to complete additional hours for renewal at the discretion of the committee.

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS for Level 2:
The fee for RENEWAL is $40.00 US currency.

• Membership in ECMMA for at least three of the past five years. (membership must be current)
• Documentation of actively teaching early childhood music/movement classes for children ages 0-7 for at least two consecutive years of the past five years (in the form of a letter from an administrator, parent of a student, studio affiliate, etc.). The letter must be signed in writing by this person.
• Three Continuing Education Units (CEUs), including at least one regional conference, national convention, or equivalent event related to early childhood music and movement.
  • Renewal applicants may view the 2010 virtual convention or any subsequent ECMMA Virtual Conventions to meet the ten-hour requirement. When viewing a Virtual Convention, at least 1 keynote/general Session and a variety of breakout sessions should be selected for viewing. The applicant should then write a 300-word paper on the keynote/general session viewed and a 150-word paper on each breakout session viewed. The papers should include the session title, speaker, date, and a brief summary of each session. The applicant should express how ideas, concepts, or research from the session might be incorporated into his/her teaching or practice, along with any meaningful critiques of the session.

Level 3: Senior & Honorary Professional

REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL 3: SENIOR PROFESSIONAL

The fee for Level 3 Senior Professional Certification is $70.00 US currency.
NOTE: You must have attained Level 1 and Level 2 ECMMA certification and provide documentation of this certification (send a scanned copy of your Level 1 and Level 2 certificates).

• Current membership in ECMMA.
• A Bachelor’s degree (documented by a transcript from an accredited college or university).
• 3 additional Continuing Education Units (CEUs) (30 hours) related to early childhood music and movement for children ages 0-7. 4)
• Minimum 8 years of teaching experience in early childhood music and movement, ages 0-7 (documented in the form of a letter from an administrator, parent of a student, studio affiliate, preschool director, etc.). The letter must be signed in writing by this person.
• Video of one complete class lesson, along with a detailed lesson plan for this class. The video should be in a digital format. You also need to submit the Teacher’s Self-Evaluation Form for that class lesson and an Evaluation form by a Parent or Colleague of the videotaped class. NOTE: All documents and videos should be sent to the Level 3 Chair.

Already Level 3 certified? Scroll down for renewal requirements.

REQUIREMENTS FOR LEVEL 3 HONORARY PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
(applicants who wish to be LEVEL 3 certified without Level 1 and Level 2 prerequisites): The fee for Honorary Professional Certification is $135 US currency.

• Active membership in ECMMA for the past three years.
• A master’s or doctorate degree in music/music education or early childhood education or early childhood music and movement education. The status will be determined by the certification committee prior to approval.
• Minimum 10 years of teaching experience in early childhood music and movement, ages 0-7 (documented in the form of a letter from an administrator, parent of a student, studio affiliate, preschool director, etc.).
• Curriculum vitae or résumé, plus at least one of the following: a video of teaching, portfolio, or publications.

DURATION & RENEWAL of Level 3 Certifications: The Level 3 certificate is valid for five years. Renewal of the current level is necessary at that time. If a member chooses not to renew and, after six months, wishes to be re-certified, they must satisfy all requirements for Level 3 again.

RENEWAL INFORMATION for LEVEL 3 Certification: A reminder notice will be sent 6-12 months in advance of the scheduled renewal date. Keep track of needed documentation, i.e., workshop certificates, course transcripts, conference sessions attended, etc. All material, including the video and evaluation, must be received in one package by the scheduled renewal date. If an extension is needed past the scheduled renewal date, you must contact the Level 3 chairperson. Extensions are at the discretion of the committee.

RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS for Level 3:
The fee for RENEWAL is $70.00 US currency.

• Membership in ECMMA for at least three of the past five years.
• Documentation of actively teaching early childhood music/movement classes for children ages 0-7 for at least two consecutive years of the past five years (in the form of a letter from an administrator, parent of a student, studio affiliate, preschool director, etc.).
• Three Continuing Education Units (CEUs), including at least one regional conference, national convention, or equivalent event related to early childhood music and movement, ages 0-7.
  • Renewal applicants may view the 2010 virtual convention or any subsequent ECMMA Virtual Conventions to meet the ten-hour requirement. When viewing a Virtual Convention, at least 1 keynote/general session and a variety of breakout sessions should be selected for viewing. The applicant should then write a 300-word paper on the keynote/general session viewed and a 150-word paper on each breakout session viewed. The papers should include the session title, speaker, date, and a brief summary of each session. The applicant should express how ideas, concepts, or research from the session might be incorporated into his/her teaching or practice, along with any meaningful critiques of the session.

Have all documentation ready to submit at the time of application. Attach all documents to the application before submitting.