Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions we’ve received from educators over the years.
General
How much does the program cost?
One of the most unique aspects of our program is that you can Pay as You Go. We’ve found that this payment model makes it more feasible for teachers/schools to fund the entire certification.
Many programs do not publish their tuition online. We do our best to keep costs as affordable as possible for adult learners and their sponsoring schools. Our program costs include providing coursework and weekly live faculty support throughout the program, which takes from 18 months to three years, depending on the certification level sought.
If you’d like to see our program costs, click here.
Which programs are currently MACTE Accredited?
- Early Childhood
- Elementary I
- Elementary I-II
- School Leadership
MACTE's standards for learning environments.
Part of the application process requires proof of an acceptable, age-appropriate Montessori learning environment in a school setting. The environment must have a basic complement of Montessori materials for the certification level sought. We determine this from photographs, videos, video chats with program administration, and/or interviews with heads of school. The environment is also observed throughout the program for continual verification.
How long does it take to get my certification?
Our programs are designed for flexibility; we understand that adults are balancing many responsibilities between family and career.
- The Early Childhood program can be completed in as few as 1.5 years or as long as 3 years.
- Elementary can be completed in 2-3 years, depending on the start date.
- Elementary I-II can be completed in 2 1/2 – 3 1/2 years, depending on the start date.
- The Montessori School Leadership Certificate program can be completed within a year.
- The School Leadership Diploma program can be completed in 1 1/2 – 2 years, depending on the start date.
Will I be working alone to get my certification?
The answer to this question varies from individual to individual. Even though adult learners will complete a program of study within their school setting, Montessori Live faculty guides them every step of the way. Our courses are designed to encourage practice with Montessori materials from the beginning of the program through the practicum. We have filmed over 1200 videos that instruct students on presenting new lessons, working with students of varying abilities, and organizing the learning environment.
Weekly class discussions are held through synchronous and asynchronous group video conferencing chats. Some adult learners work directly with experienced Montessori supervisors in their school setting, and others are self-directed. Our faculty individualizes support depending on the need.
Can I change schools while working toward certification?
Yes, but certain restrictions apply. All changes must be approved by our admissions department and adequately documented.
What kind of credential will I have?
Montessori Live is accredited by MACTE as an independent training center. The MACTE credential is recognized worldwide. Graduates will receive a diploma from Montessori Live with the MACTE seal for Early Childhood, Elementary I, Elementary I-II, and School Leadership.
Technology
What if I'm uncomfortable AI technology?
Our courses are designed for users at all levels of computer technology experience. It is necessary to have a computer purchased within the past 3 years or so to ensure the unit complies with standard internet connectivity requirements. Older computers may be too slow for some components of our program.
What are the minimum technology requirements?
Refer to our E-Learning Environment page for the latest requirements, downloads, tech support and solutions.
Will there be any technical support made available?
Please reach out through our toll free number: 1-833-366-5483 or e-mail: techsupport@montessorilive.org
What if I don't have any Internet access for a period of time during the course?
Online courses are designed to be extremely flexible, allowing assignments to be completed in concert with individual offline responsibilities and schedules. Reviewing chat recordings and submitting to the course assignment area can be completed at any time during the course. Forums, readings, and practice assignments can be completed at different times during the day and week. For short periods, there is little problem working around travel or outages. If you will not have internet access for weeks at a time, we suggest delaying your registration for the course to another cohort.
Here is a Link to the Chat Schedule.
Residency Component
Where are the residencies located?
See our residencies page for the latest information on residencies.
What can I expect at the residency?
Our residencies are designed to give students enough time to get everything done during the day. The learning experience can be intense. It depends on the subject as some topics will include assignments that need to be developed after class. Many adult learns combine a family vacation before and after the residency as well as during break days, so they can all enjoy a mini family vacation.
Do I need to bring my manuals to the residency?
We recommend that adult learners purchase an online subscription to the manuals from Montessori Research & Development to access textbook information virtually at the residency location.
When taking curriculum courses do I need to keep my lesson plans?
Curriculum courses provide additional lesson plans that must be downloaded during each course and stored either physically or digitally. To complete the practicum phase, lesson plans should be downloaded and/or printed for inclusion with purchased manuals and other required resources.
Can I reduce costs by sharing accomodations?
At least for the first few days, make your own plans. However, when you get there, you’ll have the opportunity to meet other participants, and you can better organize among yourselves ways to share cars and accommodations after getting to know each other over the course of a few days.
Newly Enrolled
What if I need to take a break from training?
Montessori Live auto-enrolls in classes. If you need to drop a course or take a break from classes, contact the Registrar to discuss scheduling changes. Our program has been specifically designed with this type of flexibility in mind. Participants pay separately for each course. Montessori Live does not expect payment for the entire program at one time. Montessori Live requires participants to complete their training within three or four years.
What if I'm self-directed during my internship / practicum?
What are the requirements for a self-directed internship?
Self-directed Interns must maintain regular contact with the training center throughout their internship year. The Practicum Instructor will act as the “Field Supervisor”. Self-directed interns participate in the online PRED course with all interns in their cohort. The online course component opens in September each year and closes June 30. Interns must complete all 12 required assignments. Self-directed interns must attend 100% of the live chats (or submit a discussion summary) and complete 100% of the forums throughout their internship year. In addition to the live chats and forums, the self-directed intern must stay in active contact with the Practicum Instructor (aka Field Supervisor) via video conferencing, email, text, or phone. A fourth in-person observation of the intern is required and can be completed by either the practicum instructor or an approved local mentor. Students who indicate they are self-directed during their practicum experience will need to arrange with either a local approved Mentor or the Practicum course instructor to travel to their school site once during the practicum.
Montessori Live On-Site Visit: Montessori Live will charge an extra administrative fee of $250 to travel to the student’s school site. The intern is responsible for paying for and arranging travel, lodging, car rental, and any per diem expenses, such as tolls, parking, meals, and incidentals, for the practicum instructor’s visit to the school site. Students are responsible for these costs and must arrange travel to and from the location.
Mentor Site Visit: Students who indicate they are self-directed during their practicum can arrange for a qualified, approved local Montessori educator to visit their school site at least once. The mentor is responsible for visiting the practicum site, completing a classroom management observation form (R7), and observing one lesson presentation using the Montessori Live form (R11). Any monetary fee arrangements are between the intern and mentor and are not the responsibility of Montessori Live.
MENTOR CRITERIA
- Credentials: The visiting mentor must hold a MACTE-accredited teacher training program credential (or the equivalent) at the same level as the intern seeking and supply a copy to the training program’s registrar.
- Responsibilities:The mentor is responsible for visiting the practicum site at least once, completing a classroom management observation form (R7), and observing one lesson presentation using the Montessori Live form (R11).
- The mentor may provide advice relating to the following areas:
- Preparation and maintenance of indoor environments
- Instructional and behavior strategies
- General advice regarding the Montessori classroom environment
What kind of assignments can I expect in the classes?
You can expect to spend 7-10 hours per week, depending on the course. Course components include forum postings, reviewing video materials, presentations and lectures, weekly chats, materials making, readings, documentation of lesson practice, and observed lesson presentations.
Who are my instructors?
Montessori Live instructors have advanced degrees and years of experience in Montessori education. They are Montessori-certified for the level they teach in our training program. Many faculty members also have state teaching and school leadership certification. Online instructors are graduates of our program or have been with Montessori Live since its inception.
Who is my Student Adviser?
You will be assigned an adviser during the application process.
Will Montessori Live help me get placed into a school for work/practicum?
Montessori Live makes no guarantee regarding job placement as a result of participating in our programs. Placement during the practicum component is your responsibility. Contact your advisor for questions regarding your specific situation.
Do different age level adult learners take classes together?
As Montessori Live has expanded its programs and increased its student population, we are now able to offer some foundational courses to target specific planes of development as Montessori defined them. For example, the Foundations of Montessori Philosophy or the Numerations and Place Value courses contain much of the same content, but instructors can focus support for educators teaching children at specific levels. Participants should work closely with their assigned advisor regarding specific questions or concerns.
Our program is the most adult-centered Montessori training program on the market today, meaning it has been explicitly designed for flexibility and to ensure that each adult learner has the most meaningful and supportive experience for their particular situation.