About AMS-Affiliated Teacher Education Programs
Montessori training for teachers of infants through adolescents, and administrators.
Teacher education programs (TEPs) affiliated by the American Montessori Society provide comprehensive courses of study that prepare the adult learners of today to be the highly skilled, highly qualified Montessori teachers and leaders of tomorrow via the awarding of AMS credentials.
Affiliation by the American Montessori Society is a voluntary process. In the United States, all free-standing teacher education programs who choose AMS affiliation are also required to seek MACTE accreditation as part of the affiliation process. AMS values the accreditation process and supports the quality assurance that accreditation provides.
While each AMS-affiliated TEP is unique—with its own academic schedule and tuition—all are rigorously designed based on AMS standards, with the goal of ensuring that you will receive an education of consistent high quality, for entry into practice at your chosen level.
You will gain connections and join a community of passionate educators who seek to give back to the world through their creativity and investment in children.
Earn a Montessori Credential
AMS issues Montessori credentials to successful graduates of AMS-affiliated TEPs who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university, or its equivalent. An associate credential for Infant & Toddler and Early Childhood levels is awarded to those who have completed high school but do not hold a bachelor’s degree.
The following credentials are awarded upon graduation from an AMS-affiliated TEP:
- Infant & Toddler (birth – age 3)
- Early Childhood (ages 2 1/2 – 6)
- Elementary I (ages 6 – 9)
- Elementary II (ages 9 – 12)
- Elementary I – II (ages 6 – 12)
- Secondary I (ages 12 – 15)
- Secondary I – II (ages 12 – 18)
- Administrator
Earning Degrees & College Credit through AMS TEPs
There are 2 types of AMS-affiliated programs: college/university programs and free-standing programs. University programs enable you to earn bachelor’s or master’s degrees, while select free-standing programs allow you to earn credits toward bachelor’s or master’s degrees via partnerships with higher learning institutions.
Whichever type of program you choose, you will receive high-quality Montessori teacher education. All AMS-affiliated programs result in an AMS credential upon successful course completion, a signifier of quality that will open a range of job opportunities and more professional growth to you.
