Requirements for 4th Degree
Promotion to 4th Degree is considered to be the master level in the art of American Tang Soo Do. This mastery must be presented to the Black Belt Council for its review and consideration before the rank can be conferred. The presentation will be in the form of a prepared word processed package, physical demonstration and personal interviews. Five copies of the written package must be submitted to the Black Belt Council.
Membership Requirement
Members seeking promotion must be a member in good standing with the Tang Soo Do Karate Association (TKA).
Time Requirement
Candidates must have been a 3rd Degree Black Belt for at least 4 years prior to the date of testing for 4th Degree.
Letter of Application addressed to the Black Belt Council
Thesis: Topic to be chosen by the promotion candidate and approved by the Association President. The topic must be martial arts related. The topic should be of sufficient scholarship as to require outside research as well as a measure of personal introspection. The paper should demonstrate academic knowledge of the martial arts as well as the application of this knowledge.
Physical Requirements
Candidates should be able to demonstrate previously taught techniques and be able to demonstrate proper teaching methods of those techniques. Additionally, the candidate must be able to demonstrate the following hyungs:
Pyong Ahn Sam Dan
Pyong Ahn O Dan
Naihanji Ee Dan
Naihanji Sam Dan
Sip Soo
You will be interviewed by members of the Black Belt Council