Elementary Program

Elementary Program Options

1. Montessori Elementary I Credential program (age 6-9)
   (Graduate AMS credential only, no degree, no teaching license)
2. Montessori Elementary I-II Credential program (age 6-12)
   (Graduate AMS credential only, no degree, no teaching license)
3. MAED degree program with Montessori Elementary I-II Credential (age 6-12)
   (Graduate AMS credential and master’s degree, no teaching license)
4. MAED degree program with Montessori Elementary I-II Credential (age 6-12) and Initial Minnesota State Licensure in Elementary Education with Pre-primary Specialty
   (Graduate AMS credential, master’s degree and initial Minnesota teaching license)
5. MAED degree program with Montessori Elementary I-II Credential (age 6-12) and Initial Minnesota State Licensure in Elementary Education with Middle-Level Specialty
   (Graduate AMS credential, master’s degree and initial Minnesota teaching license)

The MAED option for Elementary requires 6 additional credits in education along with the AMS credential in Elementary I-II for the full 6-12 age range. A MAED cannot be granted unless an AMS credential has been earned.

Length of Program
The Elementary I-II credential and MAED programs are two-year programs. The programs offered by the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs are Elementary (ages 6-9 and 6-12) Montessori teacher education programs.

The Elementary initial licensure programs require 64 to 84 credits depending on which licensing option you choose. These lead to the Elementary Montessori credential as well as initial state licensure. No correspondence courses are available.

Elementary Curriculum/Courses

View an extensive list of all core and additional courses for the Elementary program.

Prerequisites for Continued Study
To continue with the second year, a student must be in the process of completing an Elementary program through the Center for Contemporary Montessori Programs and have fully completed the first year of the program with an overall grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Students who have previously completed an AMS or equivalent Elementary I credential from another accredited institution also may apply to complete Elementary II.

Initial Licensure Programs
Program options 4 and 5 above are Initial Licensure Programs.

The length of time needed to complete the Initial Licensure Early Childhood (birth-grade 3) option depends on how many prerequisites and courses in Early Childhood or Elementary Education you have completed before beginning the MAED program. (This program is pending approval by the Minnesota Board of Teaching.)

The Initial Licensure Elementary (Kindergarten-Grade 6) with pre-primary or middle level specialty options are also offered at the Montessori Center, with additional classes in a weekend format throughout the academic year. The length of time needed to complete the option will be dependent on how many prerequisites and courses in the Early Childhood or Middle School specialty the student has completed before beginning the MAED program.

Praxis I (PPST) must be taken during the first term in the licensing program. Praxis II tests must be taken before student teaching in all Initial Licensure programs.