Fencing Masters Program

The Fencing Masters Program at San José State University in California offers formal training and accredited certification for fencing teachers. It is the only university program of its kind in the United States. The program pedagogy is based on the classical Italian system used by the Scuola Magistrale Militare di Roma (Military Fencing Masters School of Rome). Dr. William M. Gaugler founded the program in 1979. Maestro Gaugler holds a fencing master’s diploma from the Accademia Nazionale di Scherma (National Academy of Fencing) at Naples, Italy, in addition to being a Professor Emeritus of Classical Archaeology. The program shares connections with the Italian Fencing Masters Association and the United States Fencing Association Coaches College. As of 1988, certificates awarded by the program are acknowledged by the Italian Fencing Masters Association and carry with them international recognition.

The Fencing Masters Program offers three levels of certification. Each level requires the successful completion of a written, an oral, and a practical examination. For the Master at Arms level, the candidate must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited university and write a thesis on an approved topic. These examination methods are based on the model of the National Academy of Fencing in Naples.

1. Instructor at Arms – 6 semester units (1 year) of work required.
2. Provost at Arms – 12 semester units (2 years) of work required.
3. Master at Arms – 18 semester units (3 years) of work required.

Examinations are given each year at the end of the Spring semester.

Though the Fencing Masters Program’s primary goal is to certify teachers, one is not required to take any of the examinations to be a member of the class. Students who wish to improve only their skills are welcome. Fencing experience is preferred. Acceptance of individuals without prior fencing experience is evaluated on a “case by case” basis. For students over forty years of age, a letter of “good” health from a physician is required.

Class is held on Saturdays from noon to 5:00PM on the San José State University campus, San José, California, during the academic year. Formal group lessons are given in foil, sabre, and épée. Students must be enrolled in the class whether they intend to take the examination or not.

Enrollment

Enrollment forms and course numbers are emailed to students before the start of each semester. To be added to this email list or to receive more information (such as fees, location, equipment availability, etc.) please contact:
Janine M. Sahm, Master at Arms
Assistant Director, SJSU Fencing Masters Program
jmsahm@fencingmastersprogram.com

Syllabus

Course material can be found in William M. Gaugler’s text The Science of Fencing (Bangor, 2004). This text can be purchased through the publisher, Laureate Press (1-800-946-2727). Other recommended texts include Maestro Gaugler’s The History of Fencing (Bangor, 1998) and A Dictionary of Universally Used Fencing Terminology (Bangor, 1997). These can also be obtained through Laureate Press.

Faculty

Ralph K. Sahm, Military Master at Arms - Director
Janine Monteleone Sahm, Master at Arms - Assistant Director
Jennifer Walton, Master at Arms - Faculty Member
Paul Scherman, Master at Arms - Faculty Member

History

Dr. Gaugler was a pupil of Maestro Aldo Nadi, Italian Professional Champion, Maestro Umberto Di Paola, Director of the Fencing Masters Preparatory Course at the National Institute of Physical Education in Rome, and Maestro Giorgio Pessina, President of the Italian Fencing Masters Association.

Visit Maestro Scherman's Web site for more history and selected writings from Dr. William M. Gaugler.
http://www.scherma.org/comunicato/origins.html
http://www.scherma.org/gaugler/archive.html