How to Train for a Karate Instructor Certification
Karate is an ancient form of martial arts that originated in Japan. It is an art form used for self defense and is the root of many other forms of martial arts, such as Taekwando and even Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). To be a student, you must possess the abilities of concentration, hard work and discipline. To be a teacher, however, requires much more than that.
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Instructions
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Level One: Certified Instructor
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Enroll in a recognized karate course. Find a local karate class by looking in the phone book or using an online martial arts school directory such as dojolocator.com. Sign up for classes and begin taking lessons. Karate is an art form that requires discipline, and, to become an instructor, you must lead by example. Practice disciplining yourself while you are a student by showing up early for all classes and following your instructor's orders without question.
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2
Graduate karate class and earn your black belt. Instructors must maintain at least a 2nd dan ranking in a recognized system. Dan is the ranking or level of a belt that is earned in karate. A first level black belt is a first dan ranking, a second degree black belt is a second dan ranking and so on.
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3
Apply to become an assistant instructor and practice teaching techniques with a certified instructor. You must log 156 hours of instructor time in your first year and your hours must be witnessed by a certified instructor. You must also participate in volunteer programs during each year as a certified instructor to keep your certification. A karate program is considered "volunteer" if it pays no monetary funds for your services.
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Enroll in college-level courses to meet instructor requirements. Courses include basic fitness, basic anatomy and martial arts history of the 1900s.
Level Two: Certified Senior Instructor
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Earn 3rd dan ranking or higher in a recognized karate system.
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Log at least 468 total hours of instructor time, including the hours accumulated during your first year. All hours must be witnessed by a certified instructor.
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Sit on the panel for at least 3 rank tests and at least one black belt test per year. Verification is required by the head official of each test.
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Enroll in college-level courses to meet certified senior instructor requirements. Courses include sports nutrition, Japanese and history. The history course you are required to take must be in relation to the country of origin for the form of karate you practice.
Level Three: Certified Head Instructor
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Earn 4th dan ranking or higher in a recognized system.
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Log at least 780 total hours of instructor time, including the hours you have previous accumulated. All hours must be witnessed by a certified instructor.
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Sit on the panel for at least 3 formal rank exams for 3rd dan or higher. The head official of the test must verify your participation.
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Run a formal black belt test as the head official. Speak with the head officials at your testing panels to inquire about specific information in regards to becoming a head official.
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Enroll in college-level courses that are the equivalent of class instruction/teaching, martial arts and the law & human body motion.
Level Four: Certified Master Instructor
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Earn 5th dan ranking or higher in a recognized system.
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Log at least 1,248 total hours of instructor time, including hours from previous years. All hours must be witnessed by a certified instructor.
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Run at least 3 formal rank exams as the head official. Rank exams must be 3rd dan or higher.
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17
Write a thesis on the "Commitment and Responsibility of the Professional Martial Arts Instructor." Your thesis must be at least 35 pages in length and in APA format.
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Tips & Warnings
Apply for certification online at the USCMAS website.
References
- Photo Credit arts martiaux 3 image by danimages from Fotolia.com
