NAPCIS Teacher Certification Program

The NAPCIS Master Teacher Certification Program (MTCP) and NAPCIS Teacher Certification Program (TCP) are programs for certifying Catholic educators working in NAPCIS member schools.

Note: If you are not currently a NAPCIS member school, but wish to participate in the certification programs, visit Become A Member and find out more information about NAPCIS and its many benefits to private Catholic and independent schools.

The NAPCIS Master Teacher Certification Program (MTCP)

Before submitting applicants for TCP, a school must have a NAPCIS Master Teacher on staff. A Master Teacher is an administrator or teacher who has successfully completed the NAPCIS Master Teacher Certification Program. (MTCP) The school’s Master Teacher would mentor the TCP applicants, guide the study sessions and classroom supervision. The Master Teacher would also be responsible for reviews and evaluations of teacher’s progress through the program and administering the certificate examination.

Candidates for Master Teacher Certification have already developed and consistently practice the principles of educational professionalism that are outlined in the NAPCIS Standards of Excellence for Teachers. They are educators who can and will serve their school faculty as leaders and mentors. Prior to their acceptance into the program, Master Teacher candidates must have taught for at least five years (life experience may be considered, if candidate does not meet five-year classroom experience). In addition, candidate must be recommended for the process of Master Teacher Certification by at least three prominent individuals. Educators seeking Master Teacher Certification through NAPCIS must be sponsored by the local NAPCIS member school’s administration.

The program for attaining the certificate of Master Teacher involves:

• the completion of the MTCP application,
• the submission of the fees,
• the delivery of three letters of recommendation,
• the thorough self-guided review of the NAPCIS TCP Manual,
• the completion of the Master Teacher essay on Catholic education and NAPCIS MTCP final examination

Upon completion of the requirements for the MTCP and the self-guided study of the TCP Manual, the candidate would contact NAPCIS and be provided the MTCP final examination (open book).

Upon the successful completion of the final examination and positive evaluation by NAPCIS, NAPCIS will issue the Certificate of Master Teacher to the sponsoring school for their conferral to the candidate.

The NAPCIS Teacher Certification Program (TCP)

The NAPCIS Teacher Certification Program (TCP) is a program for certifying Catholic educators currently working in NAPCIS member schools. Candidates for participation in the TCP profess and practice the Catholic faith, currently teach in a NAPCIS member school, are sponsored in the program by their local administrator, have a local mentor paired with them for the duration of the program and aspire to perfect their practice of the principles of educational professionalism that are outlined in the NAPCIS Standards of Excellence for Teachers. The NAPCIS TCP is a two-year in-house program of study, mentor-based apprenticeship, practice and evaluation that leads to the NAPCIS Plenary Teacher’s Certificate. The TCP curriculum follows the NAPCIS Standards of Excellence for Teachers:

1. A study of the principles of Catholic education.
2. A study of the essential truths of the Catholic faith and moral life.
3. A study of the principles of professionalism and responsibility.
4. A study of the proven methods of teaching and evaluating students.
5. A study of the proven methods of mentoring and motivating.
6. A study of the principles of classroom management and discipline.

The TCP curriculum is covered over the course of the first academic year. It is implemented through an in-house mentoring routine supervised by the school administrator and a special mentor assigned to the teacher(s). The mentor will guide the teacher(s) through the TCP curriculum outline and the corresponding readings in the TCP manual and bibliography. The mentor will also be available for informal, timely discussions as particular circumstances warrant. The program has monthly goals, which are considered usually in two one-and-a-half hour sessions per month.

The TCP Two-Year Plenary Certificate Program

The program for attaining the NAPCIS Plenary Teacher’s Certificate involves:

Year One

• the completion of the TCP application,
• the submission of the fees,
• the assignment of a mentor,
• the thorough one-year study of the NAPCIS TCP materials according to the syllabus and schedule agreed upon the local school and the teacher(s) (generally two meetings per month),
• Mid-and End-of-the-year reviews and written evaluations of the teacher’s progress in the program and application thereof in the professional workplace,
• the successful completion of the NAPCIS TCP Examination (open book) at the end of year one.

Upon completion of the year of formation-on-faculty, a copy of the mid and end-of year reviews and the graded TCP examination(s) are submitted to NAPCIS for review. Upon the successful completion of that review, NAPCIS will issue the Provisional Teacher’s Certificate(s) to the sponsoring school for their conferral to the teacher(s).

Year Two

• the successful completion of the individualized program for maintenance and development based on the previous year’s recommendations and commendations,
• the submission of a copy of the final recommendation for Plenary Certification by the local administrator and mentor, including the final review and evaluation from two in-class observations to NAPCIS.

Upon successful completion of the program and positive review by NAPCIS, NAPCIS will issue the Plenary Teacher’s Certificate(s) to the sponsoring school for their conferral to the teacher(s).