Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there an age requirement to participate in classes?
A: There is not a strict age minimum; however, we prefer that potential students not be much under the age of 12.

Q: Do I have to sign a contract?
A: No, Dentokan Dojo does not require students to sign any sort of contract whatsoever. We prefer that our students pay their tuition because they value the lessons and wish to continue training, not because they're contractually bound and are afraid of legal action. If, at any point, a given student decides to discontinue his training, there is no further financial obligation.

Q: What kind of uniform would I need to have in order to participate?
A: As a beginner, you may start taking classes wearing a set of comfortable street clothes, e.g., T-shirt and sweat pants. Once you have decided to continue training past the beginner stage, proper attire would need to be worn. The standard uniform is the traditional white karatedogi [karate uniform].

Q: What are the costs involved in training at Dentokan Dojo?
A: Monthly tuition is $72.00.

The total cost of the uniform, which includes the top, bottoms, belt, and patch, is anywhere between $75.00 and $110.00 (depending on which uniform is chosen).

The testing fee for mudansha (those who do not hold a black belt) is $40.00–$50.00 (depending on the specific rank) and includes both the certificate and the belt.

The testing fee for yudansha (black belt holders) starts at $100.00 (certificate included; belt not included) and increases in increments of $50.00 for each successive level of black belt. Keep in mind that testing at the black belt level only occurs once every few years, so this is an extremely infrequent expense.

Q: I understand that tuition is a monthly fee and that the uniform is a one-time expense, but how often should I expect to have to pay testing fees?
A: This really depends on the student's current rank and rate of progress. However, assuming that the student is mudansha (does not hold a black belt) and is in the habit of training regularly and practicing between classes, a general rule would be to count on taking a test about every 3–6 months. There are seven tests that are taken before arriving at black belt, and the interval between the tests increases as the student advances in rank. Yudansha (black belt holders) have much longer intervals between tests.

Q: How do I get started?
A: Just e-mail or call (765) 242-7988, and we'll schedule an interview.