Montessori Education, Credit for Prior Learning Pathway, MEd

The Montessori M.Ed. program brings together graduate students from across the globe to analyze, synthesize, and actualize their pathway towards continuously shifting and strengthening the methodology of Montessori education. Through this unique Credit for Prior Learning pathway, students enter the program with 15 credits recognized within one of the program's existing areas of concentration and engage in the additional 18-credit core course sequence to earn the 33-credit degree.

The M.Ed. in Montessori Education aims to develop strong outcomes for children, families, and communities in Montessori education. Our graduate program emphasizes a commitment to inclusive teaching practices in Montessori environments, with a focus on critical analysis of educational literature and continuous innovation. Students learn to cultivate collaborative learning environments, reflect on their professional growth, and utilize data-driven insights for effective teaching. Additionally, they are prepared for leadership roles through active engagement in professional collaborations within the Montessori community.

Admissions Criteria:

Candidates who meet all admissions criteria for the master's degree and possess a credential from a Montessori Accreditation Council of Teacher Education (MACTE) accredited training at either the Birth to Three (I&T), Early Childhood Education (EC), Elementary Education (EL I-II), or Professional (Admin) level may be eligible to receive 15 graduate credit hours towards the M.Ed. Montessori Education. Note that the Elementary credential must include levels I & II, not one or the other.

Candidates must submit their credentials from a MACTE-accredited I&T, EC, EL I-II, or Admin training program during the admissions process for evaluation. Upon assessment, qualifying candidates may be granted 15 graduate credit hours towards the M.Ed. in Montessori Education. A non-refundable fee is charged at the time of admission for the evaluation of the MACTE credential and must be paid prior to entering the program.

Degree Requirements

The program sequence is thirty-three (33) credits in total. Based on their MACTE-accredited training diploma, M.Ed. students admitted to the Credit for Prior Learning pathway can be granted 15 credits in one of the following Areas of Concentration:

Birth to Three (I&T)
Early Childhood Education (EC)
Elementary Education (EL 1-2, both levels)
Professional (Admin)

Montessori Core (18 Credits)

Practicum

All students must successfully complete a semester-long practicum in a professional setting local to the student and agreed upon by the academic advisor. Access to a professional setting is required for the practicum component and must be arranged prior to enrolling in MO 667 .

Credit for Prior Learning (15 credits)

A non-refundable fee is charged at the time of admission for the evaluation of the MACTE credential and must be paid prior to entering the program.

MACTE-accredited Birth to Three (Infant and Toddler)

MACTE-accredited Birth to Three (Infant and Toddler) training may apply for 15 credit hours towards the following courses:

MACTE-accredited Early Childhood Education (EC)

MACTE-accredited Early Childhood Education (EC) training may apply 15 credit hours towards the following courses:

MACTE-accredited Elementary Education (EL I-II)

MACTE-accredited Elementary Education (EL I-II) training may apply 15 credit hours towards the following courses:

MACTE-accredited Administrators (Admin)

MACTE-accredited Administrators (Admin) training may apply 15 credit hours towards the following courses:

Notes:

All courses are offered fully online.
A master's degree in Montessori education does not lead directly to teacher certification in Maryland. In the state of Maryland, this program pathway may prepare students for a Montessori Professional Certificate (MPC) if the certification is in 0-3, EC, or EL I-II. To find out more about the Maryland Professional Certificate, please visit the Maryland State Department of Education website. Out-of-state students should submit official transcripts and course descriptions directly to their respective State Departments of Education to determine if courses satisfy specific certification requirements.