Montessori Blended Elementary Program
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Program at a Glance
Credit Hours - AMS Elementary-I Credential
Month Program - AMS Elementary I Credential
Credit Hours - AMS Elementary I-II Credential
Month Program - AMS Elementary I-II Credential
Per Credit Hour (subject to change)
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 program will not provide licensure in any state.
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 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.
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.
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 Montessori Early Childhood Overview course provides an overview of the Montessori philosophy of education, particularly as it pertains to the 3-6-year-old child. The Early Childhood overview course offers the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of the Montessori curriculum for 3-6 year-olds while obtaining a “real world” feel of the workings of the Montessori early childhood classroom with a particular focus on how these classrooms lay the essential foundation for the Lower Elementary experience.
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 Mathematics Methods courses provide candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of Mathematics for children ages 5-9. The knowledge of the Montessori Mathematical numeration concepts and operations, algebraic reasoning, and problem-solving will be developed throughout the course. Lessons are integrated with state and national academic content standards. The Montessori philosophy will build a strong foundation for the Mathematics curriculum grades K-3. This course is paired with Mathematics Curriculum & Instruction II and is intended to be taken prior to EDME 579.
The Montessori Geometry Methods courses provide candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of Geometry for children ages 5-9. The knowledge of Montessori Geometry constructs, transformations within the plane, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving will be developed throughout the semester. Lessons are integrated with state and national academic content standards. The Montessori philosophy and Mathematics will build a strong foundation for the Geometry curriculum grades K-3. This course is paired with Geometry Curriculum & Instruction II and is intended to be taken prior to EDME 581.
The Montessori Language Methods courses provide candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of literacy for children ages 5-9. The knowledge of the oral language, reading and writing, the function of words, phonogram study-spelling, word study, mechanics, sentence analysis, and library/reference and research skills will be developed throughout the semester. The Montessori philosophy will build a strong foundation for the language curriculum grades K-3. This course is paired with Language Curriculum & Instruction II and is intended to be taken prior to EDME 583.
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 course. Lessons are integrated with state and national academic content standards. The Montessori Philosophy and Mathematics will build a strong foundation for the integrated cultural studies curriculum grades K-3. This course is paired with Integrated Cultural Studies II and is intended to be taken prior to EDME 585.
Creative Development I focuses on Health and Physical Education as well as Practical Living Skills as embedded in the classroom setting. This course provides candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of the care of self and practical living skills for children ages 5-9 in the Montessori classroom. The knowledge of the Health, Physical Education (along with creative movement) and Practical Life in the Lower Elementary 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 arts and movement curriculum grades K-3. This course is paired with Creative Development II and is intended to be taken prior to EDME 587.
The Montessori Classroom Methods course provides candidates entering the classroom in the Fall semester with opportunities for preparation through a Montessori lens. In this course, candidates will have the opportunity to investigate and develop initial strategies for designing a Prepared Environment, and utilizing previous methods course content to initiate the implementation of the 'Cosmic Curriculum'. Candidates will explore the 'three-year cycle' spiraling curriculum model and create a preliminary scope and sequence for the school year.
The Curriculum Strategies course provides the candidate with strategies and content to support their professional work in the classroom by integrating previous course work with further approaches to managing curriculum, lesson content, documentation, and student engagement.
The Montessori Global Leadership course provides students with research-based practices for engaging diverse cultural communities involving all stakeholders for the benefit of the elementary aged child. Candidates will explore issues concerning developmentally appropriate practices for Montessori schools, with special attention paid to the elementary years. This course will empower candidates to advocate for high fidelity Montessori practices which embrace issues impacting children’s physical, social, and emotional development.
The Montessori Mathematics Methods courses provide candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of Mathematics for children ages 5-9. The knowledge of the Montessori Mathematical numeration concepts and operations, algebraic reasoning, and problem-solving will be developed throughout the course. Lessons are integrated with state and national academic content standards. The Montessori philosophy will build a strong foundation for the Mathematics curriculum grades K-3. Prerequisite course: EDME 578 - Mathematics Curriculum & Instruction I.
The Montessori Geometry Methods courses provide candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of Geometry for children ages 5-9. The knowledge of Montessori Geometry constructs, transformations within the plane, algebraic reasoning, and problem solving will be developed throughout the semester. Lessons are integrated with state and national academic content standards. The Montessori philosophy and Mathematics will build a strong foundation for the Geometry curriculum grades K-3. Prerequisite course: EDME 580 - Geometry Curriculum & Instruction I.
The Montessori Language Methods course provides candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of literacy for children ages 5-9. The knowledge of the oral language, reading and writing, the function of words, phonogram study-spelling, word study, mechanics, sentence analysis, and library/reference and research skills will be developed throughout the semester. The Montessori philosophy will build a strong foundation for the language curriculum grades K-3. Prerequisite course: EDME 582 - Language Curriculum & Instruction I.
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.
Creative Development II focuses on Music and Art in a Montessori context, providing candidates the opportunity to explore, discover, and develop a solid understanding of the performing and visual arts for children ages 5-9. The knowledge of the integrated Montessori Arts and Music 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 arts and movement curriculum grades K-3. Prerequisite course: EDME 584 - Creative Development 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:
Xavier University's free online application.
Fill out application completely
- Program select:
- "Degree Seeking Student" if interested in MEd in Montessori Education as well as the credential
- "Non-Degree Licensure Student" if only interested in credentials
- Select the fall of the current year for the term
- Program is "Montessori Education", If attending under an existing partnership, the program focus be the initials of your school district (CPS, DPS, CMSD, ISD)
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.
Xavier University
ATTN: Admission Processing Center
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
For electronic transcripts, send to:
xugrad@xavier.edu
Official test scores from the 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:
- Licensed teacher
Three 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).
State Authorization – Montessori Education
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.
Students enrolled in Xavier’s online Montessori program take classes with the same world-class faculty as our traditional students. Our exceptional faculty members include:
Julie Kugler-Ackley, M.Ed
Senior Teaching Professor and Field Experience Coordinator
Lesley Roth, M.Ed
Teaching Professor and Director of the Xavier Montessori Teacher Education Program
Vanessa Rigaud, Ed.D
Assistant Professor and Montessori Elementary Level Coordinator
Rosemary Quaranta, M.Ed
Teaching Professor
Lisa Blackford, M.Ed
Teaching Professor
Beth Smiley, M.Ed
Teaching Professor
Mike Flohr, M.Ed
Adjunct Professor