Training Centers
Where Montessori Teachers Are Actually Trained
A comprehensive directory of AMI, AMS, MACTE, and independent Montessori teacher training programs in the United States — across every level and format.
There is no single credentialing body for Montessori — and that matters. AMI diplomas carry the closest lineage to Maria Montessori herself. AMS credentials are the most widely recognized in US school hiring. MACTE is the U.S. Department of Education-recognized accreditor for Montessori teacher education. Many programs hold all three.
This directory covers programs we can locate and verify. Always confirm current accreditation status and cohort availability directly with the program.
AMI — Association Montessori Internationale
AMI diplomas are the credential closest to Maria Montessori's original training lineage. All listed US AMI programs are MACTE-accredited.
Oldest AMI center in the US (founded 1962)
Washington Montessori Institute (WMI)
Riverdale Park, MD
Partners with Loyola University Maryland for concurrent M.Ed.
Adolescent level — rare
Montessori Training Center Northeast (MTCNE)
Bloomfield, CT (satellites: Melrose MA, Milwaukee WI)
Partners with University of Hartford for B.A./M.Ed. degrees.
Montessori Center of Minnesota
Saint Paul, MN
Founded 1973; trains both teachers and AMI trainers.
Montessori Training Center of St. Louis (MTCSTL)
St. Louis, MO
Partners with Loyola University Maryland for concurrent M.Ed.
The Montessori Institute (TMI Denver)
Denver, CO
Loyola M.Ed. partner.
Southwest Institute of Montessori Studies (SIMS)
Mesa, AZ (also New Mexico satellite)
Partners with Loyola University Maryland for concurrent M.Ed. Evening cohort option for EC.
Montessori Institute of San Diego (MISD)
La Jolla / San Diego, CA
Partners with University of San Diego Continuing Education for academic credit.
Montessori Northwest (MNW)
Portland, OR
Montessori Institute of Atlanta
Decatur / Lawrenceville, GA
International Montessori Training Institute (IMTI)
Madison, OH
Montessori Institute of North Texas (MINT)
Addison, TX (Dallas area)
Six AMI-credentialed lead trainers. Also offers PLC, Refresher, and Administrator courses.
Montessori Stoppani (USA satellite)
San Diego, CA
Italian-founded center with US operations.
Train Montessori
Cleveland Heights, OH
M.Ed. + AMI diploma concurrently
Loyola University Maryland — M.Ed. Concurrent Program
Baltimore, MD (fully online; AMI training at partner institutes)
33-credit M.Ed., fully online, asynchronous. Partner institutes include WMI, SIMS, MTCSTL, TMI Denver, MISD. Carrie Horwitz Lang is Director of Montessori Education.
Both AMS & AMI credential pathways
St. Catherine University
St. Paul, MN
Offers B.A., M.A.Ed. (AMI pathway, 42 credits), and M.Ed. programs.
AMS — University-Based Programs
University programs offering AMS credentials alongside undergraduate or graduate degrees. Most are MACTE-accredited and eligible for institutional financial aid.
Secondary level + graduate degrees
Barry University
Miami Shores, FL
Education Specialist and Master's degrees in Montessori Education.
Most comprehensive university program
Chestnut Hill College
Philadelphia, PA
B.S. in Early Childhood Studies + M.Ed. in Montessori Education. Title IV eligible.
Lander University
Greenwood, SC
B.S. in Early Childhood Education + M.Ed. in Montessori Education. Annual M.Ed. tuition ~$16,844.
Trine University — Center for Montessori Education
Angola, IN
Full-time summer coursework + 9-month clinical practicum.
Designed for working adults
University of Wisconsin–River Falls (UWRF)
River Falls, WI
Credential-only, M.S.E., and Ed.D. paths. 32-credit M.S.E. M.A. partner programs with Dallas Baptist, Manhattanville, Gordon, Lindenwood, Siena Heights.
Available online
Xavier University
Cincinnati, OH
33-credit M.Ed. in Montessori Education, available online.
~$5,700 total tuition
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City, OK
13-month fully in-person intensive. Leads to AMS EC credential + M.Ed. in ECE.
Chaminade University of Honolulu
Honolulu, HI
B.S. and M.A.T. ECE Montessori with PK–K licensure.
AMS — Free-Standing Programs
Independent training centers offering AMS credentials. Most are MACTE-accredited. These programs range from small single-level programs to full multi-level centers.
Every level including Secondary
Houston Montessori Center (HMC)
Houston, TX
Blended (Canvas + Zoom + in-person). Year-long study with 9-month practicum. TIES tuition grant partner.
Title IV eligible — Pell Grants, federal loans, VA benefits
Montessori Education Center of the Rockies (MECR)
Denver, CO
Founded 1978; over 1,600 graduates. TIES tuition grant partner ($3,000–$4,500).
Montessori Education Institute of the Pacific Northwest (MEIPNW)
Bothell, WA
Operating since the 1970s. One of the most established Pacific Northwest programs.
Seton Montessori Institute
Clarendon Hills, IL
Founded 1970; has trained thousands of educators. Spring and summer cohorts.
Northeast Montessori Institute (NMI)
Weston, MA
Founded 1984 by Ann Burke Neubert. Blended in-person and online. Associate credentials available.
Elementary specialist
Montessori Elementary Teacher Training Collaborative (METTC)
Lexington, MA
Grew out of the CMTE/NY heritage program. Partner M.A. degrees available.
Montessori Inclusion Endorsement
West Side Montessori School TEP (WSMS-TEP)
New York, NY (also Buffalo, NY)
Rooted in Project CHAMP (~50 years). Unique Montessori Inclusion Endorsement offered.
Montessori Teacher Education Institute of Atlanta (MTEI)
Atlanta, GA
Weekend and blended delivery for working teachers. Founded 2013; added Elementary in 2020.
Maitland Montessori Teacher Education Program
Maitland, FL (Orlando area)
In operation since 1988. International student base. MACTE-accredited through 2031.
Summit Montessori Teacher Training Institute (SMTTI)
Davie, FL (South Florida)
Located on the 10-acre campus of Summit-Questa Montessori School. Active since 2003.
Montessori Center for Teacher Education (MCTE)
San Diego, CA
Founded 1976; over 45 years of operation. Small class sizes.
Low cost — ~$1,475–$1,900 in fees
UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education
Irvine, CA
Hybrid in-person + online. Very affordable relative to standalone TEPs.
Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education (FMAE)
Dublin, CA (San Francisco Bay Area)
Weekend and intensive course format. Issues college units via Cal State system.
Montessori Teacher Education Center (MTEC) — Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Montessori Western Teacher Education Center (MWTEC)
Buena Park, CA
Arizona Montessori Teacher Education Program (AMTEP)
Chandler + Mesa, AZ
Multi-site program. Verify current active sites — some have withdrawn accreditation.
Montessori Center for Teacher Development
Morris County, NJ
Montessori Education Institute — Alexander MTTI
Miami, FL
First Montessori TEP for AMS certification in Florida.
International Center for Montessori Studies Miami
Miami, FL
Bilingual environment; serves South Florida and international students.
Montessori Institute New England (MI-NE)
New England region
Partners with Gordon College for M.A. degrees.
Michigan Montessori Teacher Education Center
Michigan
Verify current operational status and hosting institution.
Mercer County Community College
West Windsor, NJ
Online & Hybrid Programs
Programs built for working educators who can't relocate for training. MACTE accreditation varies — verify before enrolling.
Largest online Montessori TEP in the world
Center for Guided Montessori Studies (CGMS)
National / Online (Sarasota, FL)
Two tiers: Associate Certificate (online only, NOT MACTE-accredited, ~$5,800) and Full Certificate (online + summer residency, MACTE-accredited, ~$7,600–$9,800). Payment plans up to 18 months.
90%+ online
Montessori Live
National (summer residency in Alabama)
Pay-as-you-go tuition model. Short summer residency (10–17 days by level). No I/T or Secondary currently.
Prepared Montessorian Institute
National / Online (CA + IL licensed)
Cost $5,000–$7,500 per diploma. BPPE-licensed (CA) and Illinois Board of Higher Ed approved. Over 10,000 educators trained from 50+ countries.
Specialized & Emerging Programs
Programs focused on specific populations, expanding access, or serving underrepresented paths into Montessori training.
Expanding Access — $5,000 total tuition
Montessori Makers Residency
Chicago, IL (with remote options)
Built for paraeducators, teaching assistants, and career changers locked out of traditional training by cost and schedule. Paid practicum year, tuition assistance available.
Global Majority Focus
Public Montessori In Action International (PMAI)
National / Virtual
Training, coaching, and consulting for public and community Montessori programs serving children and families of the global majority.
Free of charge to employed teachers
Bezos Academy Montessori Credential Program
Houston TX / West Palm Beach FL / Tukwila WA
For teachers employed at Bezos Academy's tuition-free preschool network. 50%+ online delivery. Not open to outside applicants.
Adolescent specialist (12–15)
Montessori Teacher Institute — Georgia
Athens, GA
One of the only US programs dedicated to the 12–15 age range.
Public Montessori Focus
Chicago Montessori Teacher Education Program (CMTEP)
Chicago, IL
Rooted in Chicago's public Montessori ecosystem. Deep ties to CPS public school Montessori implementation.
MEPI & PAMS Programs
Programs affiliated with Montessori Educational Programs International (MEPI) and Pan American Montessori Society (PAMS).
Montessori Teacher Preparation of Kansas City
Parkville, MO
Montessori Teacher Training at Loch Haven
Orlando, FL
Pan American Montessori Society (PAMS)
Kennesaw, GA
Chartered by Dr. Elisabeth Caspari, a direct student of Maria Montessori. Founded 1973.
Level Key
For Training Centers
Align Your Program With the Movement
Training centers can support The Peace Rebellion at the organizational level — and be listed here as a partner program committed to access and justice in Montessori education.