Early Childhood Education Montessori Bachelor of Science | COLLEGE FOR ADULTS About the program Are you a Montessori educator interested in completing a bachelor’s degree — in a fully online format? Enroll in St. Kate’s early childhood education degree program, where you’ll earn credit for your previous Montessori training, expand your teaching expertise, and learn to advance social justice through early childhood education. This program is designed for Montessorians by Montessorians. You’ll be part of a highly supportive learning community that includes your peers from across the world. All major courses are taught by seasoned faculty with Montessori credentials and experience. You’ll take fully online courses and interact online multiple times each week and in monthly virtual meetings. You’ll have access to online tutoring and round-the-clock technology help.
What can I do with a degree in early childhood education? You will be prepared to work in public and private schools, early childhood education centers, and other organizations as an early childhood educator. With the expansion of early childhood programs, demand for early childhood educators is expected to grow.
What will I study? Our program focuses on personal, social, and institutional transformation. You will be mentored and supported by experienced early childhood and Montessori faculty who have a passion for working with adult students and preparing the next generation of educators. You will: • Become a socially aware, critically informed and innovative educator • Learn in a supportive environment that nurtures mind, body, and spirit • Focus on social justice — build skills in anti-bias and anti-racist (ABAR) teaching strategies • Ground your teaching in Montessori methods, with a focus on the whole child • Meet the needs of diverse learners • Develop an understanding of ways to integrate technology into teaching and learning • Develop awareness and skills for leadership, communication, ethics, and social justice
Earn 25 credits for your Montessori credential You are eligible for 25 St. Kate’s credits toward this program if you hold a Montessori credential from a training center accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE). Visit macte.org to find out if your credential is accredited. Do you have a Montessori credential and want to earn a teaching license? Then consider our separate program, Early Childhood Education with Licensure. Students completing this program will be eligible to apply to the Minnesota Department of Education for a credential to teach children from birth to eight years old. And, students pursuing this option who have a Montessori credential from a MACTE accredited training center will earn 19 credits for their credential. Ask your admission counselor for more information.
Fieldwork experiences Hands-on learning includes 10 or more hours of infant and toddler field experience, a child case study and portfolio development.
Class scheduling / time to completion Courses are fully online, although you may choose to take some liberal arts and elective courses in the hybrid delivery format. The Early Childhood Education: Montessori major may be completed in 3+ years. You may take longer to complete liberal arts and elective courses.
Admission Process To be eligible to begin Early Childhood Major courses 2200 and above, you must have: • Completed ECED 1000 and ECED 2040 with a grade of “C” or better • Completed the ECE Program Application during ECED 2040 (includes entrance survey, essay, and resume) • Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher • Met with your academic advisor to create a program of study