Early Childhood Studies with a Montessori Credential

Montesorri toys

The Accelerated Adult Degree Program of Chestnut Hill College's (AADP) Early Childhood Studies program offers a Montessori Credential. Courses on the philosophy and educational theory of Dr. Maria Montessori and the application of her method prepare students for the internship in a Montessori classroom.

Chestnut Hill College is one of only eleven colleges/universities in the U.S. offering a Montessori program as part of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. Chestnut Hill College’s program is an affiliate of the American Montessori Society (AMS) and is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE).

AADP Program Options:

B.S. Degree in Early Childhood Studies with a Montessori Early Childhood Credential
Montessori Early Childhood Credential, non-credit

The Program Description

The B.S. degree in Early Childhood Studies with a Montessori Early Childhood Credential requires 122 credits including the 29 credits in Montessori courses plus a seminar and a year-long internship. A course in Child Development/Psychology is required, if not previously taken at a college level.

Major Core Requirements

In addition to Core Liberal Arts, 65 credits are required in the major. The Major Requirements are:

UEP4 201 – Developmental/Early Years
UEP4 203 ECE Foundations/Observation
UEMN 220 Montessori Philosophy & Educational Theory
UEMN 221 Montessori Everyday Living/Art
UEMN 222 Montessori Sensorial/Music
UEMN 223 Montessori Mathematics
UEMN 224 Montessori Language & Literacy
UEMN 230 Montessori Natural and Social Science
UEMN 226 Montessori Education for Peace
UEMN 407 Montessori Fall Seminar
UEMN 405 Montessori Fall Internship
UEMN 408 Montessori Spring Seminar
UEMN 406 Montessori Spring Internship
UEP4 301 Health and Safety Methods
UEMA 156 Math for Early Education
UESO 128 Diversity Issues or UEMG 315 Cultural Competence
UESP 312 Reading Interventions/Diverse Learners
UESP 340 Introduction to Special Education
UESP 390 ESL Foundations and Methods

Major Elective Requirements

Any four of the following courses are required as major electives:

UEP4 314 Creative Arts Methods
UEP4 207 Early Literacy
UEP4 202 Educational Psychology
UEED 226 Issues in Supervision of Programs for Young Children
UEED 227 The Business of Childcare
UEED 228 Leadership and Administration of Programs Young Children
UEPS 207 Infant/Toddler Development
UEED 246 Educational Technology
UEP4 320 PreK-4 Assessment

Location

Montessori courses are held in the Montessori practice lab classroom located in Logue Library at Chestnut Hill College’s main campus.

Career Opportunities

Completion of this program qualifies a student for an Early Childhood Credential from the American Montessori Society (AMS), entitling the graduate to work with children from the ages of two and a half to six years of age in a Montessori environment.

According to the American Montessori Society, 2017 Compensation and Benefits Survey Report, the average salary for an Early Childhood Montessori Teacher with a Bachelor’s degree is $42,000. Other career opportunities include: Montessori Guide (teacher), Head of School, Educational Coordinator, Private Tutor and Montessori Adult Instructor.