School of Education: Montessori

The Montessori program supports the fundamental tenet that a child learns best within a social environment that supports each individual’s unique development. At Xavier, the Montessori teacher learns to be a scientific observer and facilitator. The educator provides an environment for children that is developmentally appropriate and supports the areas of social, cognitive, emotional, spiritual, and physical domains.

The philosophy of education taught in the Montessori program was researched by Dr. Maria Montessori, the first Italian woman to graduate from medical school in Rome in 1896. It is a philosophy and pedagogy in practice for over a century. The Montessori philosophy and its method of educating children is based on the premises of respect for the child and for one another, freedom within limits, order, nature and reality, the sensitive periods, movement, and peace.

Multi-age groupings in each class promotes peer learning and a sense of community. The children work in a prepared learning environment that is child centered and beautifully arranged with learning materials to aid the child in exploring and discovering through multi -sensory activities.

The Montessori teacher learns to be a scientific observer and facilitator. The educator provides an environment for children that is developmentally appropriate and philosophically rooted.

The Montessori teacher education undergraduate program is based on a strong foundation in liberal arts and child development. The Montessori program prepares the student with an understanding of Dr. Montessori’s philosophy in light of the education of the past and present. The Montessori curriculum prepares the students to teach practical life, art, music, movement, sensorial, math, language, geography, science and history.

Students who major in Montessori education can be certified according to the American Montessori Society to teach children either two and a half to six years old or six to nine years old using the Montessori philosophy.

To major in Montessori education, Xavier University requires 64 hours of core curriculum, including natural sciences, English, mathematics, communications, a cultural diversity elective, theology, business, philosophy and fine arts.

In addition, the Montessori major requires 66 hours of education courses. See the recommended course sequences for detailed information.

Please contact the director of the Montessori program for more information at montessori@xavier.edu

The Xavier University Montessori teacher education programs grant certification in the following areas:

American Montessori Credential for Early Childhood or Elementary I or Elementary I & II
Ohio State Early Childhood Licensure for Pre-K to 3rd Grade.

Graduates will be certified to teach in public or private Montessori schools. Graduates will also be certified to teach in public or private traditional schools from Pre-K to 3rd Grade. The program is MACTE accredited and American Montessori affiliated.

The Master of Education degree is available in many concentrations. See the “Master of Education” section for the list of options. Students who do not meet acceptable performance standards in coursework or field experiences may be excluded from specific programs.

The following pages outline the requirement for these licenses. Specific brochures on these programs are available and give suggested sequences of courses and rules for admission to the program. Please note that courses required for licensure which are more than 10 years old may need to be repeated.

Note: The University is not obliged to recommend licensure of any type on the basis of the completion of a Master of Education degree or specific course work in education. Students must also meet leadership, communication, and character requirements and pass the required Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) tests of the State Department of Education for each specific license.

Teacher Education Program Steps for Admission and Continual Progress for Licensure for candidates in the Montessori Program

Xavier University candidates for initial licensure in early childhood and Montessori education must meet specific standards for entrance into the University, the major, student teaching, and the provisional license for the teaching profession. Steps must be successfully completed sequentially for licensure recommendation by the School of Education.

Step One: Admission to Xavier University

Student is accepted into the University: Grade point average and ACT or SAT scores considered.
Student declares major as early childhood education or middle childhood education.
When field experience placements begin and annually thereafter, a BCI/FBI background check and TB (Tuberculosis Skin Test) test are required.

Step Two: Admission to Program

Completion of Step One.
Student completes EDEL 100, Introduction to Education, with grade of B or higher.
ENGL 101, English Composition, completed with grade of B or higher.
Overall grade point average of 2.5.
Statement of Moral Character Notarized and on file in Department of Childhood Education and Literacy office.
Completed “Application for Admission” form on file in Department of Childhood Education and Literacy office. (Both forms noted are received and returned during semester of EDEL 100.) Student receives acceptance letter from the department chair confirming acceptance or rejection for chosen major.
One of two required mathematics courses completed with grade of C or higher (after fall semester of sophomore year for undergraduate students)
Annual BCI/FBI background check on file in Department of Childhood Education and Literacy.
TB (Tuberculosis Skin Test) test results available.

Step Three: Pre-Internship Requirements

Completion of Step Two.
Student maintains grade point average of 2.5 overall, 3.0 in major.
Student must receive “B” or higher in courses prefixed EDEC, EDMC, EDRE, or retake in subsequent semester. Students must receive B or higher in courses prefixed EDME, EDEC, EDRE, EDSP or retake in subsequent semesters.
Second mathematics course complete with C or higher.
Early childhood candidates complete either EDEC 330 or EDEC 335 with EDEC 325
Middle childhood candidates complete EDMC 340, EDMC 345, and two of the following courses: EDMC 351, EDMC 352, EDMC 353, or EDMC 354.
Annual BCI/FBI background check on file in Montessori Program offices .
TB (Tuberculosis Skin Test) test results available.
Evaluation forms completed by University personnel and field work cooperating teachers indicating progress in knowledge, performance, and necessary dispositions on file in the Department of Childhood Education and Literacy office. To complete this phase, student registers for an advisory day at the end of the appropriate semester; meet with a faculty team to present evidence of knowledge, dispositions and performance via discussion and portfolio content. Faculty team indicates to student, and in writing, that all requirements for progression in program have been met.

Step Four: Admission to Internship

Completion of Step Three.
Application for internship approved.
All foundation, methods, content area courses, and majority of concentration courses must be complete for commencement of internship semester.
One of two required Ohio Assessments for Educators (OAE) exams for Early Childhood Education must be passed prior to internship. “Early Childhood Education” must be passed prior to internship. Another OAE exam is required for licensure and may be completed during the internship.
Annual BCI/FBI background check on file in MOntessori Program office .
TB (Tuberculosis Skin Test) test results available.

Step Five: Resident License Approval

Completion of Step Four.
Successful completion of internship in early or middle childhood classroom, with goals, midterm appraisal and final letters of evaluation on file in Montessori Program office.
Presentation and submission of exit portfolio.
All Ohio Assessments for Educators exams passed and official results on file in Xavier University Certification Office.
Online application process completed and all license application materials on file with Xavier University Certification Office.

*See “Handbook for Early and Middle Childhood Education” for further information. Available on the program website.