Judging Credentials NDCA National Dance Coaches Association

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WHAT IS IT?

The NDCA Judging Credential Program offers a unique place for a wide range of members to train, connect and support the role of the dance team adjudicator. We act as an impartial national resource.

WHO CAN TAKE the courses?

Anyone who wishes to learn more about effective adjudication is welcome to participate. This includes people who wish to become a judge, experienced judges, coaches, choreographers, and others who wish to develop their skills and knowledge, network, and earn credentials. Participants must be NDCA members.

If your association would like to participate in the Judging Credential Program as a group, please contact us! We may be able to offer a group discount.

NDCACredential@gmail.com

how does it work?

Once a course opens, participants work their way through the course material at their own pace. They read material, review scoresheets and other documents, watch videos, evaluate performances, and take notes to prepare for the virtual class meeting. Each Level ends with a class meeting hosted on Zoom by members of the Judge Credential Team, where participants share and discuss the information they have in their notes. Participants who have taken all three levels and need to renew should retake the Level 2 course.

All online coursework is completed on the CoreAchieve platform.

WHEN ARE courses OFFERED?

You may register for fall courses now. You will be given access to course materials on August 1, or within 24 hours of registration if after August 1. You need to complete most of the coursework before the Zoom meetings listed below.

Fall 2025 Mandatory Zoom Meetings:
Level 1 - September 9, 2025 - 5:00 pm PST
Level 2 - September 23, 2025 - 5:00 pm PST (scoring lab homework due by September 20)
Level 3 - October 7, 2025 - 5:00 pm PST

Judge Credential Co-Authors Joni May and Kelly Berheide.

LEVEL 1 Judging Credential

4 Professional Development Hours
$50

Register & Pay for Level 1

You will get access to this class on August 1.

This course has three modules. The first is an introduction to judging in which participants will be exposed to several different scoring systems from around the country.

The second focuses on giving feedback. It covers best practices and techniques for both verbal and written feedback.

The third is a practical guide on the important skills of recognizing and separating artistic and technical expression/elements.

After completion of all three modules, everyone participates in a virtual class meeting with instructors Kelly Berheide and Ebony A Johnson. Attendance is mandatory.

Level 1 was formerly Proficient Judging

LEVEL 2 JUDGING CREDENTIAL

3 Professional Development Hours
$45

You will get access to this class on August 1.

This course consists of two modules. In the first module, participants explore and develop their skills related to scoring and feedback.

The second module covers more in-depth information related to scoring and includes a scoring lab. For the scoring lab, participants view and score performances, turn in their scores to NDCA and then discuss the performances and learn from each other during the virtual class meeting. Anonymous group scoring range information will help judges understand how their scoring compares to others and lead to professional development.

Scoring lab homework must be turned in before the virtual meeting so all scores can be complied for comparison. Attendance at the virtual meeting with instructors Kelly Berheide and Ebony A Johnson is mandatory.

Level 2 was formerly Advanced Judging

LEVEL 3 JUDGING CREDENTIAL

3 Professional Development Hours
$40

You will get access to this class on August 1.

This course focuses on judging bias, which can and does also exist in competition.

This course is designed to identify, understand and control judging biases.

Participants listen to a podcast, then discuss their learning, reflections, and observations in a virtual class meeting. Attendance at the virtual class meeting is mandatory.

Instructors for this course: Kelly Berheide, Ebony A Johnson, Lindsey Lococo, and Chelsea Pierotti

Level 3 was formerly High Level