The purpose of the JHUI Teacher Certification Program is to raise the level of ukulele teaching worldwide and to foster an international community of ukulele teachers.

A Teacher Certificate recognizes the attainment of knowledge and performance skills as well as a pedagogical understanding of the James Hill Ukulele Method. While not a qualification per se, certification provides acknowledgement of an ability to teach music literacy through the ukulele, providing tangible evidence of achievement to employers and/or students.

Overview

The James Hill Ukulele Initiative offers three levels of certification: Levels 1, 2, and 3. Each level is delivered in three phases (detailed below) and takes one year to complete.

Phase 1: Two-day Summer Institute.
Phase 2: Study/Practicum. (Self-directed with online support.)
Phase 3: Assessment and Completion.

Note: Level 1 certification is a prerequisite for Level 2. In other words, you must be a Level 1 Certified Teacher (or currently working toward your Level 1 certificate) to be eligible for Level 2 registration. Similarly, you must be a Level 2 Certified Teacher (or currently working toward your Level 2 certificate) to be eligible for Level 3 registration.

Phase 1 is a two-day institute during which candidates participate in workshops, seminars and mentoring sessions with James Hill and JHUI staff. A sample Level 1 schedule is shown below:

Phase 2 is a nine-month study/practicum. The study/practicum is self-directed with online support. During Phase 2, candidates complete the following:

	Professional & Personal Development Portfolio
		- A daily practise log/checklist
		- A reflective teaching journal
	Enrichment Assignments
		- Monthly enrichment assignments (a playing challenge, arranging assignment or selected reading)

Support is provided through on-demand video tutorials and a quarterly series of live, interactive Internet seminars (a.k.a. "webinars"). Each webinar includes a presentation by James Hill and a discussion of the latest enrichment assignments. Webinars are archived for later viewing. Webinar registration fees are included in course fees.

Screenshots from video tutorials:

Screenshots from webinars:

Phase 3, the final phase of the year, includes:

	Written Test
	Submission of Professional & Personal Development Portfolio
	Submission of Performance Recording
	Online Portfolio Sharing Session hosted by James Hill

Phase 3 is completed entirely by proxy using the internet, email and conventional mail. Certificates are awarded and delivered by mail at the end of Phase 3.

1. Written Test

The written test is an online, open-book test completed in June of the program year.

2. Submission of Professional & Personal Development Portfolio

The Professional & Personal Development Portfolio, which includes a Personal Practice Log and a Teaching Practice Journal, should be completed by the end of May and must be submitted (i.e. postmarked) by June 15 of the program year. The Professional & Personal Development Portfolio is a requirement for certification and is evaluated on a complete / incomplete basis.

3. Submission of Performance Recording

Candidates must record (audio only) one selection from each of the four skill/repertoire lists provided. Official skill/repertoire lists are sent out by email near the end of Phase 2. Here are example skill/repertoire lists for Level 1:

C6 Tuning shown (Click here to view in D6 tuning)

4. Online Portfolio Sharing Session

Phase 3 ends with the online Portfolio Sharing Session hosted by James Hill in July of the program year. The Portfolio Sharing Session is powered by GoToWebinar. A computer microphone and headphones are highly recommended.

The prerequisites for each level are as follows (i.e. at each level you must be proficient at the following skills).

The following chart is in C6 Tuning (g, c, e, a)
Click here to view prerequisites in D6 (a, d, f#, b) tuning

Materials required for the JHUI Teacher Certification Program Level 1 are:

• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 1 Student Edition
• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 1 Teacher Edition
• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 1 Companion CD
• Great Popular Songs: 20 Timeless Tunes Arranged for Ukulele
• Access to a high-speed internet-connected computer
• A good-quality soprano, concert, or tenor-sized ukulele

Materials required for the JHUI Teacher Certification Program Level 2 are:

• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 2 Student Edition
• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 2 Teacher Edition
• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 2 Companion CD
• Great Popular Songs: 20 Timeless Tunes Arranged for Ukulele
• Access to a high-speed internet-connected computer
• A good-quality soprano, concert, or tenor-sized ukulele

Materials required for the JHUI Teacher Certification Program Level 3 are:

• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 3 Student Edition
• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 3 Teacher Edition
• Ukulele in the Classroom Book 3 Companion CD
• Great Popular Songs: 20 Timeless Tunes Arranged for Ukulele
• Access to a high-speed internet-connected computer
• A good-quality soprano, concert, or tenor-sized ukulele

Click here for the registration page. Registration for each level (which includes the Summer Institute PLUS the 10-month online course) is $699.00CAD plus applicable taxes. Registration includes:

• Phase 1:
  • Summer Institute Registration (two days)
• Phase 2:
  • Personal and Professional Development Portfolio
  • Fall Webinar Registration
  • Winter Webinar Registration
  • Spring Webinar Registration
• Phase 3:
  • Written Test
  • Online Portfolio Sharing Session

Fees are securely paid by credit card, PayPal, cheque or money order through the Ukulele in the Classroom online store. Click here to register.

General Policies

The JHUI Teacher Certification Program is primarily for adults but musically inclined teenagers may apply.  Acceptance will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Teenagers must have parental approval to participate. If you are between the ages of 13 and 19, please contact us before you register.

If you cancel your registration by June 15 of the program year we will refund all money received less a $50.00 administration fee. If you cancel between June 16 and the day before your Institute begins, we will refund the amount paid less a $150.00 deposit. No refunds will be given once a program has started.

If JHUI has to cancel a course, you will receive a cancellation notice and a full refund at least 60 days prior to the start of your program.

Return to Registration Help

If, for any reason, you need to suspend your involvement in the JHUI Teacher Certification Program you may defer the completion of your certification for a maximum of one year without penalty (e.g. if you registered for the 2012/13 session you may "pick up where you left off" in the 2013/14 session without re-registering). Deferral requests must be made in writing; you will receive written acknowledgement of your request, at which time your deferral is considered in effect. You are entitled to one deferral per level of certification without penalty.

Return to Registration Help

You are welcome to make an audio recording (no video, please) of your Summer Institute classes. However, any audio recordings made during a Summer Institute are to be used only for personal study and may not be distributed (via Internet or otherwise) without consent. Furthermore, the James Hill Ukulele Initiative reserves the right to use a copy of any recording(s) made during class time for promotional and/or archival purposes.

Registration

For detailed information on each of the program locations, click here.

Once you've registered for the JHUI Certification Program, please take a moment to complete this questionnaire. Your responses will enable us to ‘fine tune' the program to your needs.

1. Do you have a refund policy?
Yes. You can read our refund policy here.

2. Do you offer an early-bird rate?
Yes. Early-bird registration is just $549.00 plus applicable taxes (early-bird offer expires May 1st of the program year). Regular registration (after May 1st) is $699.00.

3. Do you have a registration deadline?
Yes. Registrations will not be accepted after July 1st of the program year.

4. Is it safe to use my credit card online?
Registration is processed through the Ukulele in the Classroom online store. The Ukulele in the Classroom servers are SSL encrypted and PCI compliant. Translation: they're really secure. The Ukulele in the Classroom store processes hundreds of credit card transactions annually so you can rest assured: it's safe to use your credit card for registration.

Note: you may also choose to pay by PayPal or cheque on checkout.

5. My credit card has been declined. What can I do?
Please contact us with your name, phone number, time zone, and a good time to call. We'll call you and process your registration manually.

6. Can I pay my registration by cheque or money order?
Yes. When you get to the checkout stage of the registration process, you can choose to pay by cheque or money order. Please note: your registration will take effect only once payment is received.

7. Can I pay using an American Express card?
Not at this time. The Ukulele in the Classroom online store accepts Visa, MasterCard, PayPal, cheques and money orders.

8. Is the JHUI Teacher Certification Program a "learn how to play ukulele" course?
No. There are clearly defined prerequisites for each level of Teacher Certification. Please make sure you have gained proficiency with the appropriate skills before you register. Click here for a pre-Level 1 practise sheet to help you prepare for your first institute (both C6 and D6 tuning included; PDF format).

9. What if I start the program and can't finish. Do you have a deferral policy?
Yes. You can read our deferral policy here.

Other

Click here to read what certification candidates are saying about the JHUI Teacher Certification program.

JHUI is in the process of investigating course credit (i.e. through a college or university) for the Teacher Certification program. Further information about course credit will be posted on this web page as details become available.

Beyond Level 3, further levels of training are planned which may provide opportunities for leadership and employment.

For example, a Teacher Leader certificate program is planned for 2014/15. Teacher Leaders will be positioned to fill leadership roles at their local or regional level and, potentially, may be employed as clinicians at JHUI institutes and/or workshops.