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CGMI: TEP CERTIFICATION COURSES OFFERED
Certification Levels Offered
MACTE Accreditation for Elementary I, Elementary II, and Elementary I-II Levels
City Garden Montessori Institute: Teacher Education Program is an Applicant for Accreditation with the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. Applicant for Accreditation status in no way determines the outcome of the accreditation decision by MACTE.
Certification Course Levels
CGMI: TEP offers the following Certification Course Levels:
• Elementary I (EL I): Six through nine (6-9) years of age
• Elementary II (EL II): Nine through twelve (9-12) years of age
• Elementary I-II (EL I-II): Six through twelve (6-12) years of age
Description of Certification Course Levels
Montessori Early Childhood Overview (Prerequisite)
Adult learners who do not possess a MACTE approved Early Childhood Credential are required to participate in a prerequisite course. The course consists of 36 hours of instruction in the History of Montessori Education and the American Montessori Society; principles of Montessori Philosophy and Practice including Planes of Development, spontaneous activity and self-directed learning, Preparation of the Environment, Preparation of the Adult, Montessori lessons and materials for Early Childhood (ages 2.5 through 6 years), Characteristics of Montessori materials, Three-Period Lesson; and Four Hours of documented observation of a Montessori Early Childhood classroom in action. This course is taught entirely through distance education.
Note: An Adult Learner may meet this prerequisite requirement by taking an overview course provided by another AMS-affiliated teacher education program. At the City Garden Montessori Institute, the prerequisite is included in the cost of tuition for everyone (regardless of whether or not an adult learner is a City Garden staff member, or an external educator). It is an online course that needs to be taken prior to the first day of an adult learner's first summer session.
ABAR Prerequisite Course
At the City Garden Montessori Institute, the ABAR Prerequisite Course is included in the cost of tuition for everyone (regardless of whether or not an adult learner is a City Garden staff member, or an external educator). We will list more information about this course in the coming weeks.
Elementary I (6 through 9 years)
Completion of this level requires a minimum of 325 clock hours during its academic phase, covering but not limited to Mathematics, Geometry, Language, Geography, History, Biology, Physical Science, Practical Life, Movement, Art, Music, Curriculum Design, Classroom Leadership, Montessori Philosophy, and Child Development. Additionally, a self-directed practicum consisting of 1080 clock hours must be successfully completed. The practicum is the practical portion of the coursework that is conducted in the classroom with children.
Elementary II (9 through 12 years)
Completion of this level requires a minimum of 325 clock hours during its academic phase offered in two sequential parts. The first part introduces the principles of Montessori education at the elementary age level and presents an overview of the lower elementary and transitional lessons which are a necessary preparation for the upper elementary curriculum. The second part focuses on the characteristics of the upper elementary child and the detailed curriculum for this age level. Part I of this level must be successfully completed before beginning Part II. The curriculum covers but is not limited to Mathematics, Geometry, Language, Geography, History, Biology, Physical Science, Practical Life, Movement, Art, Music, Curriculum Design, Classroom Leadership, Montessori Philosophy, and Child Development. Additionally, a self-directed practicum consisting of 1080 clock hours must be successfully completed. The practicum is the practical portion of the coursework that is conducted in the classroom with children.
Elementary I-II (6 through 12 years)
Completion of this level requires a minimum of 500 clock hours during its academic phase, covering but not limited to Mathematics, Geometry, Language, Geography, History, Biology, Physical Science, Practical Life, Movement, Art, Music, Curriculum Design, Classroom Leadership, Montessori Philosophy, and Child Development. Additionally, a self-directed practicum consisting of 1080 clock hours must be successfully completed. This may take place in either an Elementary I, Elementary II, or Elementary I-II Classroom. The practicum is the practical portion of the coursework that is conducted in the classroom with children.
Upgrading from an AMS Elementary I or II Credential to an AMS Elementary I-II Credential
An AMS Elementary I credential holder may upgrade to an AMS Elementary I-II credential by completing Part II of the Elementary II course, or by completing the Elementary I, Part II course components within the Elementary I-II course.
An AMS Elementary II credential holder may upgrade to an AMS Elementary I-II credential by enrolling in the Elementary I course. The allocation of content for the Elementary I segment is at the discretion of the course director, based on a formal assessment of the Adult Learner’s knowledge of the content.
Course Calendars
Prerequisite courses to be taken prior to July 6th (if applicable).
• ABAR Foundations Course
• Early Childhood Overview
Elementary Level I or Level II Academic Phase
• Summer I Methods Courses in residence at City Garden Montessori School (July 2021)
• Academic Year Courses asynchronous online (September 2021 - May 2022)
• Summer II Methods Courses in residence at City Garden Montessori School (July 2022)
• Self-Directed Practicum Phase (August 2022 - May 2023)
Final Exams
• To Be Scheduled following successful completion of the Practicum Phase (May/June 2022)
Self Directed Practicum
In order to enter a self-directed practicum, your school site will need to be approved by the Institute. If your site does not yet meet the requirements for a self-directed practicum the Institute will work with your administration to ensure that the school understands what is required to bring the site up to requirement for you to start your practicum phase. Additional required seminars given during the practicum phase focus on providing classroom based support and intervention for learning differences in a Montessori context.
During your Self-Directed Practicum, you will be visited by a field consultant in the fall, winter, and spring for on-site evaluation of your practice. Additional support will be provided based on identified needs. This might include extra visits, a local mentor teacher, monthly phone or e-mail contact, or other support designed by the practicum coordinator.
The Adult Learner/Sponsor is responsible for all travel & lodging expenses related to the field visits during the Practicum Phase.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition: Elementary I (6-9) or Elementary II (9-12) - $10,000.00
Tuition: Elementary I & II (6-12) - $13,000.00
The cost of tuition includes the following:
MACTE Adult Learner Fee - $166.00
AMS Student Learner Fee - $240.00
METTC Album/Materials Licensing Fee - $1,000.00
The adult learner is responsible for acquiring adult course texts that are not directly provided by CGMI.