Whitworth’s Montessori Teacher Certification, Early Childhood Education Certificate program can help you reach your career goals to obtain the certification level you need.

In this program, you will earn 12-15 credits towards your Early Childhood Education requirements in your state by completing a portion of your AMI diploma program for academic credit.

Enroll for credit in:

• EDT 501 Montessori Foundations (Child Development)

• EDT 513 Autonomous Child: Child, Family and Community

Primary Track (select two)

• EDT 517 A/B: Emergent Literacy Instructional Methods

• EDT 518: Mathematics and Science Instruction for Young Children

• EDT 516: Early Childhood Instructional Methods for the Arts

• EDT 514: Creativity and Critical Thinking in Young Children

Assistants to Infancy Track (select two):

• EDT 519 Human Growth and Development for Infants

• EDT 520 Human Growth and Development for Toddlers

• EDT 521 Integrated Methods for Infants (recommended for instructional methods requirements)

• EDT 522 Integrated Methods for Toddlers (recommended for instructional methods requirements)

Three credits of supervised practice teaching can be added to your program if it is needed for a higher level of certification for your state OR if your state will accept this in lieu of one of the courses listed in your track. You can enroll in this course (EDT 509 Student Teaching Practicum) to coincide with your practice teaching for your AMI diploma.

Minimum Degree Requirement for Enrollment: High School diploma or GED

Cost: $400 per credit. This program is not financial aid eligible.

Interested in enrolling? You can apply for this program here:

https://www.whitworth.edu/cms/academics/graduate-studies-in-education/montessori/how-to-apply/.

Select the ‘Montessori Teacher Certification/Non-degree’ program option. Please make a note in your application that you are interested in the Early Childhood Education Certificate program. Complete the application for Whitworth at no cost and request your application records on file with your training center be sent to us. Your essay, recommendation letters, transcripts, and resume submitted with your application to your training center will complete our application.

Questions? Contact Kathryn Picanco, Director of Montessori Programs (509) 777-3459 or kpicanco@whitworth.edu or Nikki Yohe, Assistant Director, at nyohe@whitworth.edu.

MNW Learners can also work toward completing their bachelor’s degree. Whitworth Online has pre-approved the AMI diploma for up to 22 semester credits towards a 90-credit accelerated degree program of your choice (Humanities, Interdisciplinary Studies or Education). Talk to the Whitworth advising team to learn more at online@whitworth.edu!

Montessori Northwest has partnered with Whitworth University in Spokane, WA to offer a Master of Education in Montessori degree that recognizes the work involved in Montessori training and provides additional coursework to enhance training in the complexities of classroom instruction. Your AMI Diploma will count for 26 credits toward an M.Ed. Additional online Montessori Surround Courses focusing on working with special populations, social and emotional needs, and classroom management cover the remaining 10 credits.

Please note: AMI Diploma Tuition is paid to Montessori Northwest. M.Ed. Program tuition is separate and paid to Whitworth University. While work on the AMI Diploma Program counts toward the M.Ed. Program’s credits, learner’s must still pay Whitworth for all 36 credits (see Tuition Details below).

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Apply to a Montessori Northwest AMI Diploma Program. Learners must be accepted into a MNW program before their application to the M.Ed. program will be considered.

2. Apply to Whitworth’s Graduate Studies in Education and select: “Graduate School of Education” then select the M.Ed. in Montessori program level you’re applying to.

3. If you didn’t indicate permission for MNW to share you application documents with Whitworth in your MNW application, please submit a Release of Records to MNW. The same transcripts, transcript evaluations, recommendations, essays, and resume/CV for both applications. Please note that Whitworth University does require transcripts from all institutions of higher education you've attended, not just those you received a degree from. 

4. Additional application steps required for international students. Whitworth University requires an international student transcript evaluation approved by a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) agency. Please see Whitworth's International Students Admissions site for additional information.

PROGRAM DETAILS

• This degree option requires concurrent enrollment in an AMI Diploma program at MNW.

• Average of 2 year completion time

• 0-3 (A to I) M.Ed. Program

• 3-6 (Primary) M.Ed. Program

• 6-12 (Elementary) M.Ed. Program

TUITION DETAILS

• Assistance to Infancy (0-3)

• Primary (3-6)

• Elementary (6-12) - West Coast Cohort (Spokane, WA)

• Elementary (6-12) - East Coast Cohort (Riverdale Park, MD)

Earn a Washington State teaching credential at the Early Childhood Education (P-3) or Elementary (K-8) levels in combination with your master’s program. The extra semester of coursework beyond the master’s and AMI diploma work opens the door to Montessori programs across the country! WA State Teaching Credential reciprocal in most states.

• WA Teaching Certification program details

For those who already have their AMI Montessori Diploma, this program allows you to apply your Montessori knowledge to a master’s degree. Whitworth will waive 8 credits of electives in this program in recognition of the hard work you already put in when earning your AMI Diploma. The remaining 26 credits cover topics such as curriculum development, educational research, technology in the classroom and student assessment. All coursework is available online. Speak with one of the Whitworth academic advisors who can answer questions based on you situation. Call 509.777.3222 or email gradamissions@whitworth.edu, and they’ll help you get started.

• This program does not require concurrent enrollment with Montessori Northwest.

• Average of 2-3 year completion time

• Outline of credits needed to complete Teaching & Learning, M.Ed.

• Teaching & Learning, M.Ed. Program details

Already have an AMI Diploma? Earn a Washington State teaching credential at the Early Childhood Education (P-3) or Elementary (K-8) level. We’ll work with you determine prior experience and course work that can be used toward certification requirements. WA State Teaching Credential reciprocal in most states. Contact Kathryn Picanco at kpicanco@whitworth.edu or 509.777.3459 and she’ll help you get started.

• WA Teaching Certification program details