Become an SEI-Certified SOA Instructor

SEI-Certified SOA Instructors are trained in Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) and the mechanisms that can help organizations achieve systems interoperability and make decisions about reusing legacy systems in SOA environments. Two certifications are available:

• Service-Oriented Architecture: Best Practices for Successful Adoption Instructor
• Service-Oriented Architecture: Legacy Systems Migration Instructor

Steps for earning the Certifications

1. Meet prerequisite experience criteria
   
   Before applying to become an SEI-Certified SOA Instructor, you must meet the following experience criteria:
   
   • hands-on experience with SOA implementation technologies, products, and standards such as those supporting Web Services; knowledge of SOA trends, market analysis, and products; or proven software development and maintenance experience
   • at least 10 years of overall work experience and at least two years of experience working in SOA implementation technologies and/or Web services 
   • facilitation/instructor skills to include:
     
     • basic skills such as timekeeping, following an agreed-upon agenda, and keeping clear records
     • a minimum of one team building, coaching, or consulting skills training course to establish the ability to work with customers by encouraging full participation, promoting mutual understanding, and cultivating shared responsibility
     • BA or BS degree in Computer Science or related academic discipline
     • ability to speak and write fluent and clear English
2. Prerequisite Training:
   Candidates must have attended the course in which certification is to be earned:
   
   • Service-Oriented Architecture: Legacy Systems Migration Course
   • Service-Oriented Architecture: Best Practices for Successful Adoption Course
3. Commit to the SEI Code of Professional Conduct
   Candidates must commit to the SEI Code of Professional Conduct for SEI Services by completing the Code of Professional Conduct Commitment form. Attach a signed form to application upon submission.
4. Obtain SEI Partner sponsorship
   SEI Partner organizations are licensed to provide SEI training courses through sponsored individuals who hold SEI Certifications. SEI Certification is the official mechanism to confirm the skills of professionals who are presenting SEI services. SEI-Certified SOA Instructors are required to be sponsored by an SEI Partner. An SEI Partner organization must submit a Partner Candidate sponsorship form to the SEI. This form will be submitted by the SEI Partner's business point of contact to the SEI Partner Network.
   
   Please send questions about the SEI Partner Network to Stacie Blakley at scollins@sei.cmu.edu.
5. Apply
   
   Complete and submit the application for approval to enter one or both programs. An SEI-Certified SOA Instructor panel will review your application to determine eligibility. Your application package must include the following items:
   
   • Completed and signed SOA Instructor application
   • Signed Code of Professional Conduct Commitment Form
   • Resume outlining education and work experience to meet prerequisites as listed above
     
   
   Submit all documents by mail, fax, or email to
   Software Engineering Institute
   Carnegie Mellon University

   Room 2408
   
4500 Fifth Ave.
   Pittsburgh, PA 15213
 
   Fax: 412-268-5758
   
Email: Certification-Info@sei.cmu.edu
   
   Applicants will be notified via email on the status of their application review. Instructors who later decide to pursue the 2nd certification can simply notify SEI Certification of their intent.
6. Course Presentation and Observation
   
   Once approved, Instructor candidates will be provided with relevant courseware for self-study and practice after entry to the program is approved. Candidates will coordinate their teaching observation with the SEI. Candidates have the opportunity to review questions and answers about the courses with SEI Instructors. SEI Instructor contact information will be provided upon acceptance of an individual’s application.
   
   Within 12 months of successfully receiving approval to enter the Instructor program, the candidate must demonstrate the ability to teach the appropriate course with an SEI SOA Instructor Observer in an official course offering. Candidates seeking to earn both certifications will repeat this step for the second certification as coordinated with the SEI.
   
   Guidelines are listed below:
   
   1. The candidate's partner organization sponsors the relevant course offering, determines the location, registers and supports the course offering, and requests an SEI-authorized observer to conduct the observation. The SEI Partner will submit the Observation Request Form to the SEI Partner Network.
   2. SEI-authorized observers can observe up to two candidates per offering provided that the observer is informed at least three weeks prior to the offering which modules each candidate will present. The training delivery must be shared equally by candidates in both the amount of material presented and the difficulty in materials delivered.
      
      The observer will provide the candidate with feedback at the conclusion of the observation and provide required information to the SEI for the candidate observation package. The SEI will notify the candidate of certification status and complete the certification process. Any exceptions to the instructor certification process will be considered and granted at the sole discretion of the SEI.
7. Receive your certification
   
   After the Review Board approves your performance, you will receive a welcome kit that contains a certification diploma and other information about SEI Certification.
   
   If at any time your performance during qualification is unsatisfactory, the SEI will provide you with feedback and, if necessary, steps for remediation. Any additional SEI support for remedial work will be billed in accordance with your sponsoring SEI Partner’s license agreement.
   
   
8. Maintenance/Renewal
   Your SEI-Certified SOA Instructor certification is valid for a period of two years from the award date.
   
   To maintain certification to teach either SOA course, certified individuals must:
   
   1. instruct at least three courses within your three-year certification cycle and receive satisfactory course evaluations for each course offering taught
   2. provide the SEI with all attendee lists and course evaluations within the guidelines of the license agreement within 30 days of the completion of each course
   3. provide the SEI with a log of professional development activities including, at a minimum, of two of the following activities during the three-year certification cycle:
      
      • attending or giving presentations at conferences on SOA-related topics
      • attending or teaching courses on SOA-related topics
      • continuing education by attending courses that contribute to in-depth knowledge in software architecture and SOA
      • successfully complete SEI-required course upgrades, exams, and instructor workshops
   4. Instructors will accept and utilize upgraded training materials when released by the SEI.
   5. Instructors who allow their certification to lapse will have to do one or more of the following to reinstate their certification:
      
      • attend training as designated by the SEI.
      • be re-evaluated by the SEI program manager.