Montessori Education (Grades P-3)
Program Details
Students majoring in Montessori education study Dr. Maria Montessori's philosophy of education alongside current educational and child development practices. Graduates are certified to teach children from PreK-3rd grade using the Montessori philosophy in public or private Montessori and traditional schools. Xavier's nationally-known Montessori program grants an American Montessori Credential for pre-school and the Ohio State Early Childhood Licensure.
The Xavier Montessori Teacher Education Program is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education and is affiliated by the American Montessori Society. Xavier’s School of Education is fully accredited by the Ohio Department of Education and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
Xavier University, located in Cincinnati, Ohio, is nationally recognized as a top university by U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review and Forbes. 99 percent of our students, including those in the Montessori education major, are working, volunteering or in graduate school within six months of graduation (Class of 2022).
Degree Awarded
Bachelor of Science in Montessori Education
Curriculum
The sample course sequence below illustrates class offerings for the Montessori Education (Grades P-3) major. Consult the official Xavier University course catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Fall
- ENGL 101 - English Composition............ 3cr.
- second language I............ 3cr.
- BIO 130/131 - Natural Science............ 3cr.
- CORE 100 - First year Seminar............ 3cr.
- EDFD 110............ 3cr.
- CORE 101: GOA Co-Curriculum Program I............ 0cr.
Spring
- EDUCATION 100 - Introduction to Education............ 3cr.
- second language II............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- THEO 111 - Intro to Theology............ 3cr.
- PHYS 114/115 - Scientific Perspectives............ 3cr.
- CORE 102: GOA Co-Curriculum Program II............ 0cr.
Fall
- MATH 201 - Foundations of Arithmetic............ 3cr.
- EDME 351 - Montessori Education: Philosophical Approach............ 3cr.
- EDME 364 - Early Childhood Montessori Methods............ 3cr.
- EDEC 210 - Early Childhood Development............ 3cr.
- Creative Perspectives Elective............ 3cr.
- PHIL 100 - Ethics as Introduction to Philosophy............ 3cr.
Spring
- EDEL 251 - Instructional Technology............ 3cr.
- EDSP 505 - Foundations in Early Childhood and Special Education............ 3cr.
- EDME 376 - Early Childhood Phonics............ 3cr.
- MATH 202 - Geometry and Measurement............ 3cr.
- THEO 200 - Theological Perspectives............ 3cr.
Fall
- ENGL 205............ 3cr.
- EDRE 312 - Reading Methods for Early Childhood............ 3cr.
- EDCH 324 - Children's Literature for Early Childhood............ 3cr.
- EDEL 260 - Cultural Diversity In Education............ 3cr.
- EDME 359 - Community and Advocacy in Education............ 3cr.
- EDME 354 - Montessori Language Arts & Reading Methods............ 3cr.
Spring
- EDRE 478 - Diagnosis and Correction of Reading Disabilities............ 3cr.
- EDME 250 - Methods of Observation of Children............ 3cr.
- EDEC 230 - Play in Early Childhood............ 3cr.
- EDME 377 - Early Childhood Math & Science............ 3cr.
- PHIL 200 - Philosophical Perspectives............ 0cr.
Fall
- E/RS Elective............ 3cr.
- EDME 366 - Curriculum Design Teaching Strategies I: Early Childhood............ 3cr.
- EDME 474 - Montessori Early Childhood Practicum II............ 6cr.
Spring
- General Elective............ 3cr.
- EDME 367 - Curriculum Design Teaching Strategies II: Early Childhood............ 3cr.
- EDME 474 - Montessori Early Childhood Practicum II............ 6cr.
Sample Courses
Xavier is known for providing an education that's both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the Montessori Education major at Xavier:
Montessori Ed: Phil Approach (EDME 351) - This course allows students an in-depth study of Dr. Montessori's pedagogical philosophy. Topics covered include: Montessori theory from infancy through adolescence, cosmic education, and spiritual education.
Montessori Language Arts and Read Meth (EDME 320) - Montessori materials, methods, and instructional strategies for the teaching of phonics, word study, creative writing, mechanics, grammar to the 6 to 9 year old child. Literature integrated across the curriculum unit of study developed. Lessons integrated with state and national academic content standards. Supplemental resources, assessments, and lesson plans created.
Early Childhood/Montessori Methods (EDME 364) - Instructional strategies for the development of the senses, gross motor, fine motor, independent living activities, art and music.
Career Outcomes
99% of Xavier students, inclusing those in the Montessori education major, are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduating (Class of 2022).
Graduates are hired to work in many of Xavier's 50+ partner schools in the region where they complete their student-teaching fieldwork and gain extensive hands-on professional knowledge and skills.
Top Jobs: Montessori Head Teacher, Intervention Specialist, Co-teacher, Lead Teacher, Pre-K Teacher
Top Employers: Cincinnati Public Schools, Dayton Public Schools, The Summit Country Day, Good Shepherd Montessori, Prince of Peace Montessori, Central Montessori Academy, Mercy Montessori
Student Clubs
Montessori Education Club
The Montessori Education Club works to build a sense of community for Montessori majors both on and off campus through monthly events that incorporate trust, reflection, inspiration, investigation and service. The club is a great place for Montessori and other education majors to get together and network.
When we seek something more, we become something greater.
Find more information about how you can become a Musketeer.
Request InformationOn-Campus Montessori Lab School
Montessori Education majors gain hands-on experience in the Xavier University Montessori Lab School, one of many classroom settings in the Cincinnati region where students do their student-teaching.
Xavier School of Education Graduate Programs
More than a quarter of Xavier education graduates stay for graduate degrees in education including the 30-credit hour program for the MEd in Secondary Education. Students may add coursework for licensure concentrations as part of the degree program.
Cincinnati: No. 1 City for Recent College Grads
Cincinnati, Ohio is ranked the #1 Best City for College Graduates (smartasset.com) and the #15 Best Place to Start a Career (WalletHub). Xavier has long-term partnerships with over 50 regional school districts where students are placed for classroom observations and student teaching starting freshman year.
Graduate With Honors
Are you looking for an academic challenge? The University Scholars Honors Program offers incoming students a more challenging curriculum and close support from professors while completing their undergraduate degree. Acceptance into the program is highly selective and includes a $2000 travel grant.
Montessori Education (Grades P-3) Major at Xavier University
Xavier’s Montessori Teacher Education program was the first in the nation to offer Montessori training to graduate students, beginning in 1965. It now offers a full range of Montessori programs for undergraduate and graduate students that are enhanced by its Lab School and professional development offerings in the Xavier Montessori Institute. Graduates have broad employment opportunities with their Montessori credentials and traditional licensure that prepare them to teach in public, private, Montessori or traditional schools as well as other educational settings.
Xavier University's College of Professional Sciences prepares undergraduate and graduate students intellectually, morally and spiritually for careers and professions of service. CPS challenges students to strive for academic excellence and life-long learning through promoting collaboration and community partnerships, and incorporating research, scholarship and innovation.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."