AMS Certification
American Montessori Society - Leading Montessori Education in the United States
About AMS
The American Montessori Society (AMS) is the largest Montessori organization in the world, providing teacher education, school accreditation, and professional development to support quality Montessori education.
Organization Mission
- •Advance Montessori education
- •Support member schools
- •Advocate for Montessori education
- •Promote research and innovation
Key Services
- •Teacher certification
- •School accreditation
- •Professional development
- •Educational resources
Certification Programs
Infant & Toddler (0-3)
Program Content
- • Child development
- • Environmental design
- • Observation techniques
- • Parent partnerships
Requirements
- • Academic phase
- • Practicum year
- • Final documentation
Early Childhood (2.5-6)
Core Studies
- • Montessori philosophy
- • Practical life & sensorial
- • Language & mathematics
- • Cultural subjects
Certification Process
- • Coursework completion
- • Student teaching
- • Portfolio development
Elementary Programs
Lower Elementary (6-9)
- • Advanced mathematics
- • Language arts
- • Cultural studies
- • Cosmic education
Upper Elementary (9-12)
- • Advanced curriculum
- • Research methods
- • Integrated studies
- • Leadership development
School Accreditation
Accreditation Process
Requirements
- • AMS school membership
- • Self-study completion
- • Site visit verification
- • Documentation review
Benefits
- • Quality assurance
- • Professional support
- • Marketing advantages
- • Network access
Professional Development
Ongoing Education
- • Annual conferences
- • Webinar series
- • Regional workshops
- • Online courses
Member Resources
- • Research library
- • Teaching materials
- • Peer networking
- • Publication access
Costs & Timelines
Program Costs
Tuition Ranges
- • Infant & Toddler: $6,000 - $8,000
- • Early Childhood: $7,000 - $10,000
- • Elementary: $9,000 - $12,000
- • Secondary: $10,000 - $14,000
*Costs may vary by training center
Additional Expenses
- • Application fees: $100 - $200
- • Materials & books: $300 - $800
- • Student teaching fee: $500 - $1,000
- • Certification fee: $200 - $400
Program Timelines
Academic Phase
- • Full-time: 6-9 months
- • Part-time: 12-18 months
- • Summer intensive: 2-3 summers
- • Online hybrid: 12-24 months
Practicum Phase
- • Full-time teaching: 9-10 months
- • Observation hours: 30-40 hours
- • Supervised teaching: 3-5 visits
- • Portfolio completion: 2-3 months
Financial Assistance
Available Options
- • Federal student loans
- • Scholarships
- • Payment plans
- • School sponsorships
Requirements
- • FAFSA completion
- • Application deadlines
- • Academic standing
- • Program enrollment
Important Note
Many Montessori schools offer tuition reimbursement or sponsorship for teachers who commit to working at their school. Contact local Montessori schools for potential opportunities.
Program Flexibility
Study Options
- • Traditional in-person
- • Hybrid learning
- • Summer intensive
- • Weekend courses
Schedule Adaptations
- • Working professionals
- • International students
- • Transfer students
- • Career changers
Contact individual training centers for specific program schedules and flexibility options. Many centers offer customized solutions to meet student needs while maintaining program quality.