By TED Staff
December 2021
If you’ve been considering a master’s degree in Montessori education, now may be the perfect time to pursue it. Though Maria Montessori opened the first Montessori school back in 1907, the child-led educational philosophy is more popular than ever. Montessori preschools, Montessori subscription boxes, and Montessori-aligned playrooms are all the rage amongst parents in the know. Not surprisingly, parents and teachers see a huge rise in the demand for Montessori educators in the very near future.
Ranking Methodology
That’s why Top Education Degrees went on the hunt for the best master’s degree programs in Montessori education. To come up with our ranking, we began by compiling a list of any and every accredited university offering just such a degree. To narrow down our list to just the top 23, we used the following points-based system.
Annual Out-of-State Graduate Tuition:
$5,000 or Less — 5 points
$5,001 to $10,000 — 4 points
$10,001 to $20,000 — 3 points
$20,001 to $30,000 — 2 points
$30,001 to $40,000 — 1 point
Annual Percentage of 20-Year Return on Investment (ROI):
9%+ — 5 points
7-8% — 4 points
5-6% — 3 points
3-4% — 2 points
1-2% — 1 point
Graduation Rate:
Above 90% — 5 points
Above 80% — 4 points
Above 70% — 3 points
Above 60% — 2 points
Above 50% — 1 point
Student-to-Faculty Ratio:
5:1 and more — 4 points
10:1 and more — 3 points
15:1 and more — 2 points
20:1 and more — 1 point
#23. Sarasota University
Master of Arts in Montessori Education
Sarasota, Florida
Annual Tuition Rate: $15,000
Total Points: 3
Sarasota University offers an M.A. in Montessori Education. This degree is ideal for an educator who has already earned their Montessori credential. To complete Sarasota University’s M.A. in Montessori Education, students must complete 36 credits. Coursework includes Culturally-responsive Education and Montessori Philosophy, to name but two.
#22. Siena Heights University
Master of Arts in Early Childhood Education: Montessori
Adrian, Michigan
Annual Tuition Rate: $12,300
Total Points: 6
Michigan-based Siena Heights University offers an M.A. in Early Childhood Education that emphasizes Montessori education. The degree is offered in partnership with the Adrian Dominican Montessori Teacher Education Institute and Montessori Children’s House. Conveniently, the Institute is located right on campus. Thirty-six credits of coursework are required for graduation. This includes a practicum and a thesis project. Potential classes include History and Philosophy of Ideas, and Individualizing Early Math Curriculum, to name but two.
#21. Taft University System
Master of Education: Montessori Educator Track
Lakewood, Colorado
Annual Tuition Rate: $5,400
Total Points: 6
The Taft University System, known also as William Howard Taft University, is a distance education university. The school offers an online M.Ed. with a Montessori Educator track. To graduate with this degree, students must complete 34 semester units. Potential coursework includes Teaching Reading and Montessori Classroom Leadership, to name but two. Most students graduate from this program in 12 months.
#20. Chaminade University of Honolulu
Master of Arts in Teaching w/ a concentration in Early Childhood Montessori
Honolulu, Hawaii
Annual Tuition Rate: $24,720
Total Points: 7
Chaminade University of Honolulu offers a MAT degree with a concentration in Early Childhood Montessori. The degree may be completed either in person in Hawaii, or in a hybrid format with some online classes. In either scenario, students graduate with both a master’s degree and licensure. Required coursework includes Math & Montessori Methods and Culturally Appropriate Practice & Montessori Methods, to name but two. Two seminars and two student teaching experiences are also required before graduation.
#19. University of Southern Maine
Master of Science in Education in Montessori Early Childhood Education
Portland, Maine
Annual Tuition Rate: $21,348
Total Points: 7
University of Southern Maine offers an M.S. in Education in Montessori Early Childhood Education. The master’s degree prepares students for teacher accreditation by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. Students work closely with the Maine Montessori Institute to complete in-classroom internships for hands-on experience.
#18. Lander University
Master of Education in Montessori Education
Greenwood, South Carolina
Annual Tuition Rate: $16,844
Total Points: 7
Lander University offers an M.Ed. in Montessori Education. Students have the option of further focusing their master’s degree by choosing between two concentrations: Early Childhood or Elementary. Regardless, students are required to complete 36 credits. Potential coursework includes Methods and Materials of Educational Research and Montessori Methods: Language, to name but two. A two-part practicum must also be completed before graduation. Things degree program culminates in national certification.
#17. Campbellsville University
Master of Education in Montessori Teacher Education
Campbellsville, Kentucky
Annual Tuition Rate: $8,473
Total Points: 7
Campbellsville University in Kentucky offers an M.Ed. in Montessori Teacher Education. A teaching certification is not required for admission. Students may complete this degree in a hybrid format by taking some classes online. In this case, a four-week summer institute in Campbellsville is required. Campbellsville University is a private Christian institution, and so coursework is rooted in Christian values. Four practicums taking place in Montessori classrooms are required before graduation.
#16. University of Wisconsin – River Falls
Master of Science in Education in Montessori Early Education
River Falls, Wisconsin
Annual Tuition Rate: $16,771
Total Points: 8
University of Wisconsin, River Falls offers an M.S. in Education in Montessori Early Education. This highly customizable degree program consists of 32 credits. Coursework covers a variety of topics, including Montessori in Philosophy and Pedagogy, and Early Childhood Mathematics, to name but two. A two-part practicum and a research paper are also required for graduation, as is a two-part certification project. The degree program culminates in a Montessori teacher’s credential.
#15. Barry University
Master of Science in Montessori w/ specialization in Early Childhood Education
Miami, Florida
Annual Tuition Rate: $17,820
Total Points: 9
Barry University in Miami, Florida offers a Master of Science in Montessori with specialization in Early Childhood Education. An additional master’s degree specialization is available in Elementary education, while a certificate program exists for Secondary education. To graduate with this degree, students must complete 40 credits. Coursework includes Methodology of Research and Child Study Skills, to name but two. A two-part practicum is also required before graduation.
#14. Chestnut Hill College
Master of Education in Early Education plus Montessori Certificate Preparation
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Annual Tuition Rate: $17,400
Total Points: 9
Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia offers an M.Ed. in Early Education. Specifically, this degree prepares students for the American Montessori Society’s Montessori Certification. To graduate with an M.Ed. in Early Education, students must complete 38-41 credits, depending upon one’s choice of coursework. Required classes include Montessori: Everyday Living and The English Language Learner, to name but two. A Montessori internship and/or seminar is also required before graduation.
#13. St. Catherine University
Master of Arts in Education: Montessori Diploma
Saint Paul, Minnesota
Annual Tuition Rate: $16,740
Total Points: 9
St. Catherine University offers an MAED: Montessori Diploma. This unique degree program guides students through completion of the Association Montessori Internationale certification process. The degree consists of 42 credits. Other courses may be added on to complete a teaching licensure. Potential courses include Early Childhood Science and Introduction to Action Research, to name but two. Observations and practice labs are also included in the curriculum. Typically, this degree takes about two years to complete.
#12. Saint Mary’s College of California
Master of Arts in Montessori Education w/ an emphasis in Early Childhood Education
Moraga, California
Annual Tuition Rate: $33,509
Total Points: 10
Saint Mary’s College of California is well known for its education programs, and its M.A. in Montessori Education is no exception. The degree consists of 38 units. Nine of these units make up two research seminars, and either a thesis or synthesis project. Two field observations and an internship are also required before graduation. Required coursework includes Practical Life Curriculum, and Positive Discipline and Classroom Management, to name but two. Upon graduation, students have also complete the American Montessori Society ECE credential.
#11. Dallas Baptist University
Master of Arts in Teaching w/ specialization in Montessori Education
Dallas, Texas
Annual Tuition Rate: $18,954
Total Points: 10
Dallas Baptist University offers an MAT with specialization in Montessori Education. The degree program consists of 30-33 credit hours, depending on whether a student chooses to focus on early childhood or elementary. Required coursework covers a variety of topics, including Montessori Practical Life and Philosophy, and Montessori Child Development, among other subjects. A Defense of Degree is also required. Note that the Montessori education degree at Dallas Baptist University does not result in certification.
#10. Oklahoma City University
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Annual Tuition Rate: $10,620
Total Points: 10
Oklahoma City University offers an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. Though “Montessori” doesn’t appear in the degree title, this degree program specifically prepares students to take and pass American Montessori Certification in just 13 months. Required coursework includes Psychology and Evaluation of Young Children, and Language and Reading Development, to name but two. Additionally, students must complete two observations and two Montessori Seminars before graduation.
#9. University of Hartford
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education w/ a concentration in Montessori
West Hartford, Connecticut
Annual Tuition Rate: $14,292
Total Points: 11
University of Hartford offers a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education with Montessori concentration. This degree can be completed online from anywhere in the world. In addition to a graduate degree, students graduate from this program with a Montessori teacher training diploma. University of Hartford’s Montessori degree program consists of 33 credits. Classes include Birth-Kindergarten Integrated Curriculum and Perceptual Motor Development, to name but two. A practicum to be completed at any approved Montessori center is also required before graduation.
#8. Endicott College
Master of Education in Montessori Integrative Learning
Beverly, Massachusetts
Annual Tuition Rate: $12,666
Total Points: 11
Endicott College offers an M.Ed. in Montessori Integrative Learning through its The Institute for Educational Studies. This highly respected program can be completed online and does not require time spent on campus in Massachusetts. Students may begin in either April or September. The degree takes 18 months to complete. Coursework is divided into two-week seminars covering a variety of topics. At the end of each semester, students are expected to submit integrative papers called “culminating projects.”
#7. Whitworth University
Master of Education in Montessori, Early Learning
Spokane, Washington
Annual Tuition Rate: $12,312
Total Points: 11
Whitworth University offers an M.Ed. in Montessori, Early Learning. This degree is available online, or in three different cities on the West Coast. Completing the degree requires 36 credits. Coursework varies, but includes a number of hours spent inside a Montessori center. The degree is highly customizable and students have the option of completing just the degree, or a teacher certification as well.
#6. Xavier University
Master of Education in Montessori Education
Cincinnati, Ohio
Annual Tuition Rate: $12,060
Total Points: 11
Xavier University offers a Master of Education in Montessori Education. The degree can be completed online. To graduate with a master’s in Montessori Education from Xavier, students must complete 33 credit hours. Coursework includes Montessori Math Enrichment and Early Cognitive Development, to name but two interesting classes. A research project and paper are also required before graduation. This program is best suited for credentialed Montessori teachers who would like to further their knowledge and skillset. Most students complete the degree program in 18 months.
#5. Goucher College
Master of Education w/ specialization in Montessori Studies
Baltimore, Maryland
Annual Tuition Rate: $8,982
Total Points: 11
Goucher College teams up with the Maryland Center for Montessori Studies to offer a M.Ed. with specialization in Montessori Studies. Based in Baltimore, this degree program emphasizes hands-on research. Thirty-six credits are required to complete the degree. Classes include Contemporary Issues in Education and Research Methods, to name but two. Four clinical courses are also required, as is a research project.
#4. Gordon College
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education w/ an emphasis in Montessori
Wenham, Massachusetts
Annual Tuition Rate: $6,300
Total Points: 11
Gordon College in Wenham, Massachusetts offers an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education. Students may choose to emphasize their degree specifically on Montessori education. This Master of Education degree consists of 36-39 credits, depending on a student’s chosen curriculum. Coursework includes Foundations of Montessori Education and Implementing Literacy Instruction, among others. A Montessori Practicum and Seminar is also required before graduation. Students who complete this degree program have the option of extending their program to qualify for Massachusetts teacher licensure.
#3. Southern Methodist University
Master of Education with Montessori Specialization
Dallas, Texas
Annual Tuition Rate: $40,896
Total Points: 12
Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas offers an M.Ed with specialization in Montessori. The degree consists of 36 credits. This includes 12 credits covering educational research and educational psychology. Southern Methodist University attracts a lot of adult learners, and prides itself on offering a flexible degree program that is ideal for a busy professional. This degree does not lead to certification, so it is recommended for those who are already licensed to teach in the state of Texas.
#2. University of San Diego
Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching w/ specialization in Montessori Education
San Diego, California
Annual Tuition Rate: $27,936
Total Points: 12
University of San Diego offers an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Teaching with a Montessori Education specialization. The degree consists of 39 credits. Coursework includes Research Design and Methodology and Child Neuropsychiatry, to name but two interesting classes. A capstone seminary and classroom fieldwork are also required to complete this degree program. Typically, students graduate with their Master of Education from University of San Diego in about 13.5 months.
#1. Loyola University Maryland
Master of Education in Montessori Education
Baltimore, Maryland
Annual Tuition Rate: $17,910
Total Points: 13
Loyola University Maryland offers an M.Ed. in Montessori Education which can be completed online. This makes it an ideal choice of master’s degree for students from all over the country. To earn the M.Ed. from Loyola University Maryland, students must complete 36 credits. Coursework is divided into an Education Core and Montessori Content. The latter courses are completed through one of Loyola’s many Association Montessori Internationale institutes. Comprehensive written and oral exams are also included in the M.Ed. curriculum.
If you enjoyed our ranking of the best master’s degrees in Montessori education, then you may be interested in these other helpful resources:
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