AMI Concurrent M.Ed. in Montessori Education

Loyola’s Center for Montessori Education prepares individuals to direct Montessori classrooms and/or schools and to assume positions of leadership in the field of Montessori Education.

The AMI Concurrent M.Ed. course of study incorporates in its entirety the teacher training course of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) plus additional graduate course work in educational research, special education, and current educational trends.

Important Note: Students must apply for the concurrent graduate program and enroll in Loyola credits at the start of their AMI training through one of our partner institutes. Credit cannot be granted retroactively for coursework completed prior to enrolling at Loyola.

Program Overview

Credits: 36
Class Duration: Varies by term
Delivery: Hybrid
Format: Academic Year or Multi-Summer
Next Admission Term: Spring 2024
Time of Completion: 1-4 years

Program Requirements

The concurrent Master of Education degree (M.Ed.) consists of 36 graduate credits plus comprehensive written and oral exams. The coursework is divided into two parts:

The Montessori Content courses total 27 credit hours and comprise the requirements for the AMI diploma. These courses are taken simultaneously through an eligible AMI Course at one of our partner AMI institutes. Students must also be admitted and enrolled separately at the partner training institute. Although the Montessori Content courses are listed as discrete courses for purposes of registration, the actual instruction is presented as an integrated, interdisciplinary program of child development, methodology, practice, observation, and practice teaching.

The Education Core courses total 9 credit hours and are taken during the summer following completion of the AMI diploma. Students take ED 600 - Foundations of Research in Education, SE 761 - Introduction to Special Education, and ED 625 - Montessori Capstone. These courses are designed to broaden the student’s knowledge of research and trends in the field of education, and are offered in a unique 8-week fully online summer session that typically begins in mid-June. Final capstone projects are due in mid-August to complete the degree.

Loyola offers three training specializations:

Infant (birth – age 3)
Primary (ages 3 – 6)
Elementary (ages 6 – 12)

Program Format

Depending upon the choice of partner institute, programs are typically offered in one of the following formats:

Academic Year Format: students take the AMI course work over two consecutive semesters (Fall and Spring) at the partner institute and then complete capstone graduate course work online or in residence at Loyola.
Multi-Summer Format: students complete the AMI course work over two or three consecutive summers at the partner institute and then complete capstone graduate course work online or in residence at Loyola.
Blended Format: students complete the AMI course work in a hybrid schedule, including a "blend" of virtual modules and in-person sessions over one or two years at the partner institute, then complete the capstone graduate coursework over a final summer (online or in residence) through Loyola.

Hear from Greyhounds

I have been so thankful for the M.Ed. in Montessori program during the last year. The program has connected me with Montessorians worldwide, and for that, I will forever be grateful. The online platforms have been easy to navigate, and I have found the work to be manageable while working full-time in our school. I have been able to continue to move forward in my personal growth when the rest of my life feels like we are standing still.

Kelley Flanders, M.Ed. '21, Head of School, Staunton Montessori

The biggest takeaway from my experience at Loyola University was being immersed with individuals who had completed their training at various age levels. Not only did Loyola open the doors to further my educational journey with a class focused on researching for a dissertation, but it also opened my eyes to furthering my career by getting trained with additional age levels. The class I am most thankful for has been the course on Special Needs, and am constantly implementing the skills, techniques and thought processes I learned during this course.

Lisa Parker, ’18 (M.Ed. Montessori Education - AMI Concurrent)

I was proud to be a part of the inaugural online M.Ed. program at Loyola University Maryland. I chose the program because it offered me a way to expand on my previous work in Montessori education while earning an advanced degree. The course work furthered my knowledge of educational research, refreshed my understanding of Montessori theory, and provided me with both practical and pedagogical know-how that assists me in my daily work with Montessori educators.

Nikki Torres, '19

[This program] has given me more experience and confidence in my practice as a professional. It gave me tools to do more research and to engage other professionals at a higher level of conversation. It also served as a networking base since I met so many bright and committed people.

Diana Goshorn, ’16 (M.Ed. Montessori Education - AMI concurrent)

I feel as though Montessori Education at Loyola University Maryland has given me all the tools I need to be a successful Montessori guide. The professors have been such a great influence on my education, and I could not ask for anything better!

Yue (Monica) Pang, M.Ed. candidate ‘22

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