MARYLAND CENTER FOR MONTESSORI STUDIES

Alisa Anania, Program Director

The Maryland Center for Montessori Studies is operated by the Montessori Society of Central Maryland, Inc., a non-profit organization founded to further the teaching principles and philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori. Successful completion of this program results in certification by the American Montessori Society (AMS). MCMS is affiliated with the American Montessori Society, accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education and certified by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

The main goal of the MCMS Early Childhood Teacher Certification Program is to help interested individuals become effective Montessori teachers. The program focuses on the spiritual preparation of teachers as well as on the importance of the prepared environment. We hope to instill in students a deep respect for children and a sensitivity to their inner needs and styles of learning.

The program content includes Montessori philosophy, theories of child development, the use of didactic materials, early childhood curricula, observation and record keeping, classroom management, science, geography and multicultural education.

To achieve the program's goals and objectives, students should be able to demonstrate:

• Awareness of the Montessori philosophy as applied to children 2-1/2 to 6.
• An ability to be a trained observer.
• An ability to perceive children's needs and different styles of learning.
• Knowledge of human development.
• An ability to prepare an environment which maximizes the child's cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth.
• Awareness of strategies for good classroom management incorporating Montessori's philosophy of education for peace.
• Practical ability in using Montessori materials.
• The importance of developing good communication skills with children's parents and families.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

Those individuals who meet the following criteria are eligible for admission to the program:

1. Candidates who hold a bachelor's degree from a recognized college or university will be admitted and awarded an AMS early childhood teacher certification upon satisfactory completion of all requirements of the MCMS.
2. An AMS Associate Early Childhood Credential is awarded to students who do not have a four-year college degree from an accredited U.S. institution, but hold either an Associate's Degree and/or a high school diploma. Candidates for an AMS Associate Early Childhood Credential must complete all requirements for the program in which they are enrolled, and may not represent themselves as holding an Early Childhood credential. Holders of the AMS Associate Early Childhood Credential are strongly encouraged to submit proof that they are in process toward attaining their four-year college degree. Teachers with an Associate Credential are eligible for an AMS Early Childhood Credential when the four-year college degree requirement has been completed, the required documentation being submission of an official college transcript from an accredited U.S. college or university to AMS.
3. Candidates must submit a completed application form; a personal statement of not more than 500 words explaining their interest in obtaining Montessori certification; and three letters of recommendation.
4. Candidates must be prepared to undertake a demanding course load due to the nature of the course cycle.
5. Candidates will be interviewed by the Program Director and/or Program Coordinator either in person or by telephone before acceptance to the program.
6. Evaluations of previous work will be done by the Program Director to determine if all or any part meets the criteria of the training center. For an applicant seeking advanced standing or re-admission, credit can be given if the applicant has successfully completed all course assignments, oral and written exams. The hours attended in the classroom must be the same as those currently offered at the Training Center. Tuition will reflect the reduction in hours.
7. MCMS reserves the right to make the final decision concerning an applicant's admission to the program.
8. Applications will be taken up to June 1 prior to the start of the program.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS/ACADEMIC PHASE

The Maryland Center for Montessori Studies Early Childhood Teacher Certification Program offers a comprehensive course of study consisting of both an academic phase (320 hours of lecture/lab) and an internship (a minimum of 640 hours of supervised classroom work). The maximum student/instructor ratio for lecture/lab is 15:1. The outline of course content for the academic phase is as follows:

INTERNSHIP

In addition to the academic program, all students are required to complete a minimum of 640 hours of classroom work under the supervision of a certified Montessori teacher in an approved school. It is the student's responsibility to find an internship site approved by MCMS and affiliated with AMS unless a request showing sufficient cause for an exception is made to and granted by AMS. Applicants are asked to provide internship information on their application. A list of names of participating schools and potential internship sites is available from MCMS upon request. It is suggested that the student has an intern site selected before the summer academic phase begins. The internship may not preclude the academic phase of the program. The student must work with children 21/2 to 6 years of age and must not assume full responsibility for the class. The internship is based on four hours daily, five days a week for a full academic year. Waivers for a self-directed internship must be approved by the Program Director and the Vice President for Professional Development of the American Montessori Society.

Students will be observed and evaluated three times annually by an MCMS staff member or a consultant approved by the MCMS. Students serving a self-directed internship will be observed six times during the academic year. Students will be graded on their ability to integrate Montessori theory and methodology, child development principles, observation, instructional and classroom management techniques, and preparation of environment. If an intern receives an unsatisfactory evaluation, one or more additional observations will be scheduled by the field supervisor to review progress. Every effort will be made by MCMS to provide the additional support that may be needed. If another site is suggested, it will be the responsibility of the intern to make those arrangements.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The requirements for graduation include attendance for all scheduled hours (both required classes and practice teaching sessions), satisfactory completion of all oral, practical and written examinations, satisfactory completion of the internship and fulfillment of all assignments and financial obligations to the MCMS.

MASTER OF EDUCATION PROGRAM, GOUCHER COLLEGE

Interested students who complete the Early Childhood teacher certification program of MCMS are eligible for a Master of Education through Goucher College.

Goucher College is located on 287 wooded acres in Towson, about 8 miles north of downtown Baltimore. Since its founding in 1885, Goucher has been committed to offering an excellent liberal arts and science education. Goucher has been involved in teacher training since 1915 and now offers a Master of Education degree in collaboration with Sheppard Pratt.

In addition to the course requirements of the Maryland Center for Montessori Studies, students are required to complete the following courses in order to receive a Master of Education degree with specialization in Montessori Studies.

Core Courses (15 credits)

601. Theories of Development (3 credits)

Discussion of the major theories of development and their application to child rearing, education and teaching: cognitive, social cognition, moral, psychoanalytic, humanistic, behavioristic, maturational, ecological and social learning theories.

602. Education: A Sociological Perspective (3 credits)

A study of the sociological forces prevalent in today's world and the effects of these forces on children and adolescents. Review and critique of solutions proposed for social problems, including community agencies, health systems, social services, the homeless and out-of-home placements.

603. Personality Development and Self-Esteem (3 credits)

An exploration of the relationship between personality development and self-esteem. Implications for learning, motivation and creativity. Specific strategies and practical methods of enhancing self-esteem.

604. Contemporary Issues in Education: A Look at the Twentieth Century (3 credits)

A study of contemporary issues in context of historical and philosophical developments during the twentieth century. The impact of Dewey, Bestor, Illich and Bloom on contemporary educational approaches, methods and practices.

605. Research Methods (3 credits)

Basic principles of research methodology, design and analysis of data. Evaluation of methodology and design. Application to education.

Clinical Courses (3 credits)

651. Values (1.5 credits)

An exploration of the concepts that support the teaching of values in the classroom. The class will examine value theories and incorporate them into practical applications for students.

One additional clinical course from Goucher (1.5 credits)

Action Research (3 credits)

606. Action Research/Special Project (3 credits)

Implementation of an action research or a special research project. Choice is made individually in consultation with a member of the faculty.

For more information about the Master of Education program, please call Goucher College, (410) 337-6058.

PROGRAM SCHEDULE OPTIONS

Two Year Program: Sept. 2008 through May 2010; Evening Academic Phase and Internship

TUITION & FEES

Tuition for the Early Childhood training program is $5,000.00, payable upon acceptance into the program. Tuition fees cover the cost of instruction and all hand-outs for teaching manuals. In addition, there are two fees non-refundable after seven days of signing the Enrollment Agreement:

• $150.00 application fee
• $100.00 tuition deposit fee due upon acceptance into the program (waived if paid by April 1)

Deferred Payment Plans

Arrangements may be made to spread your tuition payments over a period of time in increments of five payments beginning June 1.

• Application and deposit fees due as stated above.
• $980 per month plus service charges of 1.5% per month on the unpaid balance. All bills are due and payable upon receipt of statement. Service charges are calculated on the unpaid balance of the account on the last day of the month in which the bill is due. This charge reflects an annual percentage rate of 18% per year.

Your deferred payment plan constitutes a Consumer Credit Contract. The rights of any holder of said contract to collect from you is subject to all claims, setoffs and defenses which you could assert against the original seller of goods or services, however, your recovery shall not exceed any amounts paid by you under said contract.

An alternative arrangement may be made with FACTS Management Company, an outside service, which provides an interest free monthly plan. There is a $38 application fee. Payments begin by June 1. Information on this plan is available from MCMS.

Additional Expenses

• AMS: Student fee of $115 payable to the American Montessori Society on acceptance to the program.
• Self-Directed Internship: $300 fee for supervising students doing a
• self-directed internship.
• Penalty: See attendance.
• Housing: Housing is not provided by the Center. We will be glad to furnish names of hotels and motels in the immediate vicinity.
• Materials Fee: $100 (waived if paid by April 1)
• Continuation fee: $250 per annum if work goes beyond the completion date.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For an application form for the Training Center (in PDF format), click here.

Alisa Anania, Program Director

Please direct all inquiries to:

Alison Bourdelais, Program Coordinator

Maryland Center for Montessori Studies
10807 Tony Drive,
Lutherville, MD 21093

The Maryland Center for Montessori Studies welcomes all students regardless of race, religion, national origin, gender or disability.