Frequently Asked Questions

You have access to all modules of the course from Day 1, through 4 weeks after your final grade is posted online in your Teacher Account. By midnight Pacific every Tuesday, you're asked to read a few articles, watch some 3-4 minute videos, submit an assignment, write an original post in the discussion forum, and reply to forum posts from 3 other teachers. Feedback on your assignments and marks for the discussion forum and assignments are generally posted no later than 7 days following the deadline. A summative portfolio is comprised of all the assignments you've submitted and is due in week 10. 

We don't have any time-specific commitments in our courses. You're free to do the work at a time and place that's convenient for you. However, the deadline for each week's work - assignments and discussion forum posts - is midnight Pacific every Tuesday. 

The amount of time you spend depends in part on your experience as a teacher, your comfort with online learning, and the number of hours you choose to invest in completing coursework. Participants have shared with us that they spend, on average, six or more hours each week. 

Our professional facilitators are master piano teachers, and they work hard to ensure you have a meaningful learning experience. Beginning on Day 1, you can view the marking rubrics for every assignment and for discussion forum posts. Each week your facilitator provides personal feedback on your assignment and assigns two grades: one for your assignment and one for discussion forum participation. Your summative portfolio, submitted in week 10, includes every assignment and is marked for completeness. 

Deep insight into physical approaches, musicianship, repertoire, and artistry for three levels of students: Elementary, Intermediate, and Advanced. You'll learn from videos that feature a variety of leading pedagogues and articles by subject matter experts as well as demonstrate an understanding of key concepts through weekly assignments and participation in a discussion forum with professional colleagues.  

Our Piano Teacher Courses are suitable for self-study AND they complement private lessons with pedagogy teachers. 

At this time we only offer Piano Teacher Courses. As our Digital Learning programming develops, we may add more options. If you'd like to send us your thoughts in this regard, please email [email protected]. 

We need to meet minimum enrollment numbers in order to run a course. If we cancel a course due to lack of enrollment, we'll offer you the opportunity to transfer into a future course session within the current academic year or a full refund of your tuition fee. Your choice. 

We understand that life happens! Every situation is different, so we work with you to find the best solution. Depending on when withdrawal is initiated, a partial refund may be given. For more information, please see our Piano Teacher Courses Terms and Conditions. 

Provided you meet pre-requisites for the next course, you're welcome to enroll. If you've already submitted two successful piano practical exam candidates at the required levels and have achieved the RCM Level or equivalent that corresponds with that designation, you'll immediately become an RCM Certified Teacher and receive two years of no-cost access to our complete inventory of professional development programming, resources, and benefits. Renewal requirements apply at the end of the two-year period. You have two years following completion of a course to submit the required two piano practical exam candidates to become an RCM Certified Teacher. 

As long as you meet the pre-requisites for the next course, you're welcome to enroll. 

Teachers may choose to complete the Teaching Advanced Piano course as an alternative to the Advanced Piano Pedagogy Written Examination. A mark of 70 percent or higher must be achieved in the online course in order to receive this exemption. Upon completion of this course, teachers who hold an Advanced Specialist - Piano designation, may also be eligible to receive an ARCT in Piano Pedagogy following successful completion of: 

• Advanced Piano Pedagogy Practical Examination 
• Advanced Piano Pedagogy Interactive (Viva Voce) Examination 
• ARCT History 
• ARCT Harmony & Counterpoint 
• ARCT Analysis 
• all Theory Prerequisites 

Please see the addendum to the Piano Syllabus, 2015 Edition: Associate Diploma in Piano Pedagogy for more information. 

We have no plans to eliminate the ARCT in Piano Pedagogy diploma program.