Montessori Teacher Education Program

Montessori education has a philosophy of child growth and learning that focuses on:

designing an environment in which young children may live, learn, and develop at their own pace
developing a curriculum that adapts to the individual needs of young children while fostering creativity, personal responsbility, and community participation
preparing teachers to gain specific insights and sensitivities toward a child's total development: mind, body, and spirit

Why Study Montessori at CHC?

At Chestnut Hill College, specializing in a Montessori credential allows individuals an alternative educational path for those who desire to work with young children. Courses on the philosophy and educational theory of Dr. Maria Montessori and the application of her method prepare adult learners for an internship in a Montessori classroom and beyond. Chestnut Hill College, which is one of only 11 colleges/universities in the U.S. offering a Montessori Early Childhood program as part of a Bachelor's or Master's degree, is an affiliate of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

Chestnut Hill College offers several options to pursue Montessori education, in both the School of Graduate Studies and Accelerated Adult Degree Program:

School of Graduate Studies Programs
- M.Ed. in Early Education with a Montessori Early Childhood Credential
- Montessori Early Childhood Credential (non-credit)
Accelerated Adult Degree Programs
- B.S. in Early Childhood Studies with a Montessori Early Childhood Credential (AADP)
- B.S. in Early Childhood Studies with a Montessori Infant Toddler Credential (AADP)
- Montessori Infant Toddler Credential, non-credit (AADP)
Note: Courses may be taken for undergraduate elective credits with approval from the student's advisor

Montessori Early Childhood Credential Students holding a Bachelor’s degree or higher will be awarded a full Early Childhood Credential from the American Montessori Society upon successful completion of all program requirements. Students who are high school graduates but do not have a four-year college degree will receive an Associate Early Childhood Credential from the American Montessori Society. If later, these students earn a bachelor’s degree, the American Montessori Society will convert their credential to a full Montessori Early Childhood Credential. As a prerequisite or co-requisite, the Credential requires a college level course in child development. More information can be found here.

Program Format

Designed for the working adult, this program is offered in the following format:

Classes meet in the evenings once a week for 3 hours
Courses are offered in a face-to-face or online delivery format during the fall, spring and summer semesters
Master's degree or non-credit options can be completed in two years
Bachelor’s degree completion time is dependent upon available transfer credits