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Other Certifications
Various other certificates are
available to all martial artists that are approved for certification by the SMAA.
In the past there has been a great deal of controversy over the use of
some titles in the martial arts. In the last few years it has become
fashionable to apply academic titles to the martial arts…a practice that
is questionable at best. Several of our top SMAA leaders who legitimately
hold advanced academic degrees have expressed their concern over this
trend and in response; the SMAA has adopted the following policy:
No academic titles or titles outside the realm of the
martial arts will be awarded or utilized with regard to certifications.
“Professor”, “Doctor”, “PhD” or other such titles or credentials will be
not applied to martial arts certifications.
There are several titles that have traditionally been common in the martial arts, however.
The granting of many of these titles is not necessarily directly related to rank
(although in some cases they are similar), but is more a function of an individual’s
strength of character and their service and contributions to the martial
arts at various levels. All titles will only be awarded to those who meet SMAA guidelines
for outstanding and unquestioned technical ability, character, service and
contributions to the arts. The common titles used in the most popular martial
arts are:
Sensei, Sabumnim,
Sifu, Sigung, Guru, Renshi, Kyoshi, Hanshi, Shihan, Founder, Master,
Grandmaster, etc.
Registration fee for all titles is $25 and must be approved by
SMAA Yudansha Taigu or Kyoju
Dairi.
Contact us if you are interested in such
certification.
PLEASE NOTE:
We do not wish to circumvent
the traditional teacher/student relationship in any way. If an
individual is currently under the guidance of an instructor, the SMAA
will only work with that individual once we have the express consent and
blessing of his/her instructor.
The SMAA encourages the highest level of loyalty to one's instructor and seniors.
Please don't ask us to undermine this loyalty by going behind your instructor's back
to explore possible rank evaluation, promotion and certification - we
will never knowingly work with another instructor's students unless
given permission to do so by that instructor.
Donn Schucker, Executive Director
P.O. Box 2171
Florissant, MO 63032-2171
Phone: (314) 606-7306
Email: ds@smaa-martialarts.com
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