Next Application Date:
08/21/22
Next Term Starts:
09/10/22
Credit Hours
Month Program
AMS Elementary I Credential
Month Program
AMS Elementary I-II Credential
Month Program
AMS Elementary I-II Credential
Per Credit Hour
Accreditation
Xavier University’s Montessori Teacher Education Program has anchored many of the region’s public schools over the decades, providing whole school solutions as buildings transformed into Montessori Magnet or Community-Based Schools. Most likely, your entire school trained together and Xavier was able to come to you.
However, once established, districts and schools need to maintain a pool of talented and credentialed Montessori teachers. The standard university schedule for classes can leave
teachers with little they can implement at the beginning of their coursework. Additionally, it is difficult for teachers to leave their families to attend classes on campus during the academic year while still focusing on the students in their classrooms.
As a leader in the field of Montessori Teacher Education, Xavier University listened to the challenges licensed teachers face. Xavier’s faculty have created a program specifically oriented to school districts and their Montessori programs while maintaining high fidelity to the Montessori philosophy and pedagogy.
This online program is designed for current state licensed teachers looking to attain the Montessori Elementary-I or Elementary I-II credential. Xavier’s Masters in Montessori degree is easily added on for an additional 12 credits of coursework that can be taken concurrently or at the close of credentialing coursework.
Note: This online Montessori degree program will not provide licensure in any state.
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You’ll get the personal attention and flexibility needed to reach your goals at your pace. Our invested professors and small class sizes will set you up for success.
Our Jesuit Catholic values are based on a vision of a world changed for the better, emphasizing service and community engagement in addition to academics.
We offer exceptional online programs at an affordable cost. Numerous financial aid resources are available for our online students, making education more affordable.
The Montessori Online Blended Delivery Elementary-I Credential Program at Xavier University consists of 39-credit hours over 8 semesters or 31 months.
The Montessori Online Blended Delivery Elementary I-II Credential Program at Xavier University consists of 55-credit hours over 11 semesters or 43 months.
Courses during the academic year are offered 100% online and include topics such as philosophy and observation, curriculum planning, assessment, classroom management and developing teaching material. Summer Intensive Methods Courses take place each summer on campus in our Lab Classrooms. During the final academic year, students participate in a self-directed practicum in cooperation with their University Supervisor.
This program follows a cohort model. As part of a blended delivery learning community, students will collaborate and share ideas with their peers while interacting closely with renowned professors whether online or face to face. Relationships forged from the first class will carry throughout the Montessori coursework at Xavier University.
As part of an online learning community, students will collaborate and share ideas with their peers and interact closely with renowned professors who hold weekly virtual office hours to maintain communication and an ongoing relationship with students.
This course introduces candidates to early childhood development. Content includes basic developmental theory, as well as current research in development and the application of theory in developmentally appropriate classroom curriculum development and instruction.
The Philosophy / Observation of the Lower Elementary Child course provides candidates with the opportunity to study Dr. Montessori’s major philosophical and pedagogical concepts with a particular emphasis on the lower elementary child (ages 6-9). Candidates will encounter the specific social, emotional, physical, and cognitive needs of the elementary child through Dr. Montessori’s writings on the child in the second plane of development. Candidates will examine the role of the enlightened generalist educator as “saint, servant, and scientist” (observer, guide, and evaluator) offering an integrated curriculum to a diverse community of learners. As an online course, candidates will engage in dialogue through spoken and written forms on the principles of Montessori education.
The Montessori Integrated Cultural Studies courses provide candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of History, Geography, Biology, and Physical Science for children ages 5-9. The knowledge of the integrated Montessori Cultural Studies from History, Geography, Government and Economics, as well as Natural Science Studies from Botany, Zoology, Ecology, Earth Science, Physics, and Chemistry will be developed throughout the semester. Lessons are integrated with state and national academic content standards. The Montessori philosophy and cultural studies will build a strong foundation for the Natural Sciences and curriculum grades K-3. Prerequisite course: EDME 584 – Integrated Cultural Studies I.
**Candidates for the AMS Elementary I-II Credential will take an additional 16 credit hours in Philosophy, Observation, and Curriculum Strategies, along with methods courses in Math, Geometry, Language, Cultural Studies, and Creative Development for the upper elementary aged child.
***Candidates wishing to achieve the Masters of Education in Montessori Education will take an additional 12 hours: EDFD 500: History and Philosophy of Education (3 Credits); EDFD 505 Organization of Education Systems (3 Credits); EDFD 507/508: Education Research (2 Credits)/Paper (1 Credit); EDSP 505: Methods in Early Childhood Special Education (3 Credits).
To be considered for admission in the Montessori Online Blended Delivery Elementary-I / Elementary I-II program, applicants must hold a current state teaching license and should submit:
Get Started on Xavier University’s free online application. You can begin the process in just a few clicks.
One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
For electronic transcripts, send to:
xugrad@xavier.edu
Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). (If you already have a master’s degree, you do not need to take either test.)
Test may be waived under one of the following conditions:
Letters of recommendation from professional and/or academic references who are able to assess your potential for success in this program.
Montessori Statement of Purpose and résumé of professional work and volunteer experience.
Partnership tuition rate form (if applicable)
Applications permitted from residents of all states. Please be advised that our educator preparation programs are NOT accredited in Kentucky by the Education Professional Standards Board and are NOT recognized for initial, additional or renewal of certification or salary enhancement (rank change) for K-12 educators in Kentucky. For more information, please visit the Education Professional Standards Board’s website.
Per Credit Hour
Estimated Total Tuition
The amounts listed are for the 2024-2025 academic year, and include classes from Summer 2024 through Spring 2025. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated.
For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.
Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.
Julie Kugler-Ackley, M.Ed is a Senior Teaching Professor at the Xavier University Montessori Teacher Education Program. She has presented at regional, national, and international Montessori conferences and has teaching experience at all levels of Montessori elementary levels. She has developed online coursework and currently teaches courses and is the Field Placement coordinator for the Xavier Montessori Teacher Education program and the online Montessori Master of Education.
In her time away from Xavier, Julie enjoys spending time with her family, reading, attending community arts and music events, discovering new restaurants and neighborhoods in Cincinnati and traveling.
Nico Love Stiles M.Ed. is an adjunct in the Xavier Montessori Teacher Education and is teaching the Math Enrichment course as part of the online degree program.
In addition to teaching in Xavier’s Montessori program, Nico teaches full time for Cincinnati Public Schools at North Avondale Montessori. North Avondale Montessori is a public magnet Montessori School in the Cincinnati Public School district. Prior to her work at North Avondale, Nico taught visual art beginning in 1993 and traditional elementary until 2005. Nico teaches ages 6-9 with 27 students. She has lead Teacher credentials and has served in that role for 12 years. Nico also serves as a credentialing evaluator for the Cincinnati Public School district.
In her time away from teaching, Nico enjoys spending time with her husband and two adult children. Additionally, she enjoys yoga, reading, and snuggling with her cat, Lenny.
No, the degree is from Xavier University and is awarded on meeting coursework standards that are independent of course delivery.
The tuition rate for the online Montessori program is $570 per credit hour. The total cost of the Montessori degree program will vary, depending upon transfer credits awarded, additional fees and the cost of textbooks/materials. See the Tuition page for more information.
No, online courses charge the same rate as all other courses.
Some students believe that online courses will be easier than a face-to-face course. However, that is not true. Each online course at Xavier will have the same academic standards and content as a face-to-face course. You may find online learning to be easier because it suits your learning style, but the course content, the expectations for how much you will learn and the assessment of what you have learned will be just as rigorous as in a face-to-face class.
Students may find that they can get to know their professor/instructor and other students better in an online course than in a traditional face-to-face course. There are many options for interacting with your instructors and classmates in your online program, including discussion boards, video or audio files from your instructor, email and video conferencing. There may be additional opportunities for interaction available based on the course and instructor.
You will need to review the syllabus for your course to determine how to obtain materials (print and digital) you will need for your course. The Xavier Bookstore and/or Library will be happy to assist you in finding course materials. Some readings or media lessons may be posted digitally within the online course itself or in Xavier’s E-Reserves system.
If you are new to online learning at Xavier, we encourage you to go through the student orientation for online courses.
The Technology Services website offers great resources to support online students.
We encourage you to take advantage of the library’s online resources.
Montessori teaching is a non-traditional teaching method that combines education with child development. Montessori teachers foster independent growth in their students, guiding them through self-taught lessons at their own pace as opposed to traditional teaching methods. In order to qualify to be a Montessori teacher, it’s necessary to have a bachelor’s degree before obtaining a Montessori teaching diploma. Aside from meeting the education requirements, some qualities of outstanding Montessori teachers include:
All Montessori teachers may receive specialized training in the Montessori education method. There are many options to receive this Montessori training from, both online and in person. Most Montessori training programs require a bachelor’s degree.