Become an SEI-Certified Instructor for Software Architecture: Principles and Practices (SAPP)

SEI-Certified SAPP Instructors are professionals who are trained and qualified to present the SEI foundational software architecture course—Software Architecture: Principles and Practices (SAPP). A system's software architecture is widely regarded as one of the most important software artifacts. It provides the basis for communicating design decisions, establishing effective work breakdown structures, and creating software product lines. The quality of a system emanates in large part from the software architecture. The SAPP course is the first in a sequence of SEI software architecture courses that together provide practitioners with both breadth and depth in software architecture concepts and practices.

Steps for Earning Your SAPP Instructor Certification

1 Learn

Before applying to become an SAPP instructor, you must successfully complete the following five-course sequence from the SEI or an authorized SEI course provider:

• Software Architecture: Principles and Practices

• Documenting Software Architectures

• Software Architecture Design and Analysis

• Software Product Lines

• ATAM Evaluator Training

2 Successfully complete the SAPP exam requirement.

Information on the exam, registration, and procedures are located on the SAPP Exam page.

3 Obtain sponsorship

An SEI Partner must recommend/sponsor you as a candidate instructor and sign the associated license agreement. [more information about the SEI Partner opportunity for SAPP]

4 Apply

Submit an application with a resume or curriculum vitae to show evidence that you meet the instructor qualification criteria.

Send your application and resume by mail or fax to

SEI SAPP Instructor Certifications
Room 2300A
Software Engineering Institute
Carnegie Mellon University
4500 Fifth Ave.
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Fax: 412-268-5758

Education and Experience Qualification Criteria

• BS or BA degree from an accredited or recognized college or university

• at least five years of experience working in a software engineering environment, including two years experience in the construction of software systems as a designer or architect and two years experience writing software

• classroom teaching experience in an engineering or technical discipline. (Please list the relevant information that describes your training experience.)

5 Agree to the SEI's Code of Professional Conduct

Sign the SEI’s Code of Professional Conduct.

6 Present selected modules for observation

If your application is accepted, you will receive a set of SAPP Train-The-Trainer self-study materials. After you complete the self-study and individual practice phase, you will be asked to present selected training modules under the observation of an SEI SAPP Instructor Evaluation Team at the SEI’s Pittsburgh office. Evaluations will be scheduled four times per year (one opportunity per quarter).

You should be prepared to teach any part of the course during the four-hour evaluation. The SEI will use a checklist of competencies to rate your performance as an instructor.

You must complete this step within 12 months of the acceptance of your application. After your observation, the SEI's SAPP Instructor Evaluation Board will notify the Certification office of its recommendations. The Certification office will notify you of your certification status within 30 days of your observation.

For observations that are unsatisfactory, the SEI will provide candidates with feedback and, if necessary, steps for remediation. Any additional SEI support for remedial work will be billed in accordance with the Partner Network rates. Candidate instructors must satisfactorily complete any required remedial work within 12 months of assignment or other time requirements defined by the SEI. Candidate instructors have the opportunity to be evaluated a total of 4 times within the 12-month window. Applicable fees apply to each presentation session that is provided by the SEI for a candidate instructor.

7 Receive your certification

You will receive a welcome kit that contains your certification diploma and other information about your certification. Your name will be listed on the SEI web site in 2-3 weeks after notification is sent.

8 Maintain your certification

The SEI requires that you keep your certification up to date by meeting the certification renewal requirements for SAPP.