Best institutions to study Montessori Teacher Education
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at various grade levels according to the pedagogical principles and methods developed by Maria Montessori and her followers.
16 U.S. institutions graduated 282 Montessori Teacher Education students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.1207, a specialization of Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12), and leads most directly to the Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education occupation (BLS SOC 25-2011).
About Montessori Teacher Education programs
A program that prepares individuals to teach students at various grade levels according to the pedagogical principles and methods developed by Maria Montessori and her followers.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Montessori Teacher Education program prepares individuals to teach students at various grade levels using the pedagogical principles established by Maria Montessori and her followers. This program is ideal for those who are passionate about fostering a child-centered learning environment and wish to implement Montessori methods in their teaching practices.
Students in this program will develop essential skills such as active listening, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework focuses on education and training, psychology, and administration, equipping future educators with the knowledge to adapt teaching methods to meet diverse student needs.
Credentials awarded
What Montessori Teacher Education graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree199 graduates / yr · 14 institutions71%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate31 graduates / yr · 1 institution11%
- Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years25 graduates / yr · 2 institutions8.9%
- Bachelor's degree22 graduates / yr · 4 institutions7.8%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year4 graduates / yr · 1 institution1.4%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.4%
Graduates over time
Montessori Teacher Education completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 312 |
| 2013 | 288 |
| 2014 | 312 |
| 2015 | 277 |
| 2016 | 283 |
| 2017 | 315 |
| 2018 | 290 |
| 2019 | 359 |
| 2020 | 276 |
| 2021 | 252 |
| 2022 | 235 |
| 2023 | 304 |
| 2024 | 264 |
| 2025 | 282 |
Top 16 institutions for Montessori Teacher Education, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Catherine University Saint Paul, MNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 60 | 61% | $21,042 | $32,946 |
| 2 | Montessori Education Center of the Rockies Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 39 | 83% | $13,285 | — |
| 3 | Loyola University Maryland Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 30 | 79% | $26,585 | $50,539 |
| 4 | Xavier University Cincinnati, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 29 | 69% | $31,119 | $39,217 |
| 5 | Whitworth University Spokane, WAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 28 | 71% | $23,510 | $42,846 |
| 6 | Campbellsville University Campbellsville, KYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 24 | 42% | $18,824 | $36,469 |
| 7 | University of Hartford West Hartford, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 17 | 54% | $28,311 | — |
| 8 | Bethany Global University Bloomington, MNPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years | 17 | 56% | $20,841 | — |
| 9 | Chestnut Hill College Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 10 | 49% | $29,887 | $41,129 |
| 10 | Lander University Greenwood, SCPublicMaster's | 9 | 50% | — | $39,601 |
| 11 | Trine University Angola, INPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 64% | $22,269 | — |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls River Falls, WIPublicMaster's | 6 | 57% | — | $39,546 |
| 13 | Barry University Miami, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sMaster's | 2 | 38% | $24,719 | — |
| 14 | Chaminade University of Honolulu Honolulu, HIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 55% | $25,919 | — |
| 15 | University of Mary Bismarck, NDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 67% | $16,753 | $44,806 |
| 16 | Dallas Baptist University Dallas, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 57% | $29,227 | $54,594 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field (CIP 13.12) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 15 states
Where Montessori Teacher Education graduates come from. Each state links to all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 2 | 77 | St Catherine University60 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 39 | Montessori Education Center of the Rockies39 / yr |
| Maryland | 1 | 30 | Loyola University Maryland30 / yr |
| Ohio | 1 | 29 | Xavier University29 / yr |
| Washington | 1 | 28 | Whitworth University28 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 24 | Campbellsville University24 / yr |
| Connecticut | 1 | 17 | University of Hartford17 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 1 | 10 | Chestnut Hill College10 / yr |
| South Carolina | 1 | 9 | Lander University9 / yr |
| Indiana | 1 | 7 | Trine University7 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 6 | University of Wisconsin - River Falls6 / yr |
| Florida | 1 | 2 | Barry University2 / yr |
| Hawaii | 1 | 2 | Chaminade University of Honolulu2 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 1 | University of Mary1 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 1 | Dallas Baptist University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-2011, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Montessori Teacher Education program can pursue careers as preschool teachers, elementary school teachers, and other educational roles. The job outlook for these positions is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 4.1% and approximately 65,500 annual openings. The median wage for preschool teachers is $37,120, typically requiring at least an associate's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.1207
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Educationprimary SOC 25-2011 | $38,140 | +4.1% About as fast as average | ~65,500 | Associate's degree |
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021 | $63,970 | -2.0% Decline | ~91,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2031 | $72,040 | -1.6% Decline | ~66,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education SOC 25-2022 | $64,370 | -2.0% Decline | ~40,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Teachers and Instructors, All Other SOC 25-3099 | $66,140 | -0.1% Little or no change | ~18,000 | Bachelor's degree |
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2012 | $62,680 | -1.6% Decline | ~12,800 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
- Experience
- Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Montessori Teacher Education programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Teach basic skills, such as color, shape, number and letter recognition, personal hygiene, and social skills.
- Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order.
- Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- Provide a variety of materials and resources for children to explore, manipulate, and use, both in learning activities and in imaginative play.
- Serve meals and snacks in accordance with nutritional guidelines.
- Attend to children's basic needs by feeding them, dressing them, and changing their diapers.
Tools and technology used
Other Teacher Education and Professional Development specializations
The 13 other 6-digit CIP codes under Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12).
- Elementary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120242,176 graduates / yr1,131 institutions
- Early Childhood Education and TeachingCIP 13.121033,622 graduates / yr910 institutions
- Secondary Education and TeachingCIP 13.120510,339 graduates / yr530 institutions
- Teacher EducationCIP 13.12069,066 graduates / yr279 institutions
- Teacher Education and Professional DevelopmentCIP 13.12996,107 graduates / yr191 institutions
- Junior High/CIP 13.1203
Intermediate/ Middle School Education and Teaching 2,728 graduates / yr273 institutions - Kindergarten/CIP 13.1209
Preschool Education and Teaching 1,689 graduates / yr113 institutions - Adult and Continuing Education and TeachingCIP 13.1201942 graduates / yr67 institutions
- Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Educational MethodsCIP 13.1213398 graduates / yr21 institutions
- College/CIP 13.1214
Postsecondary/ University Teaching 95 graduates / yr16 institutions - Online Educator/CIP 13.1211
Online Teaching 59 graduates / yr17 institutions - International Teaching and LearningCIP 13.1212limited data34 graduates / yr1 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Waldorf/
Steiner Teacher Education13.1208
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
See all Teacher Education and Professional Development programs →
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, or an Award of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years.
How many colleges offer this program in the U.S.?+
There are 16 colleges offering the Montessori Teacher Education program in the U.S.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in speaking, active listening, critical thinking, and learning strategies.
What is the job outlook for Montessori teachers?+
The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.1% and 65,500 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Montessori Teacher Education?+
Montessori Teacher Education is CIP 13.1207 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Teacher Education and Professional Development (CIP 13.12). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to teach students at various grade levels according to the pedagogical principles and methods developed by Maria Montessori and her followers.
How many institutions offer Montessori Teacher Education programs?+
16 U.S. institutions reported Montessori Teacher Education graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 282 credentials in the year. That is 0.3% of all Teacher Education and Professional Development graduates.
How much do Montessori Teacher Education graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education occupation, which Montessori Teacher Education most directly leads to, pays a median of $38,140 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Teacher Education and Professional Development field report median earnings of $41,129 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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