Courses are offered on alternate Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the year round Academic Phase. A nine month long Practicum Phase begins following the completion of Academic Phase.

1. Montessori Philosophy and Everyday Living Skills
2. Sensory-Motor Learning, Science, and Social Studies for Young Children
3. Montessori Mathematics
4. Language Arts and Reading Development
5. Class management and Observation

The practicum phase is 9 months long practicum training working in a classroom. The practicum phase incorporates six workshops, six practicum seminars, and a synthesis project.

Upon completion of teacher training, students have the option of transferring twelve units to California State University, East Bay (CSUEB), which count towards a bachelor's degree in Human Development Department.

• Each successfully completed course satisfies the licensing requirements of the State of California for teaching in pre-schools
• For complete certification additional courses in child development and child-family-community are required; these may be taken at CSUH or at any community college that offers them.

First Year - Academic Phase Requirements

1. Montessori Philosophy and Everyday Living Skills.
2. Sensory Motor Learning, Science and Social Studies for Young Children.
3. Montessori Mathematics.
4. Language Arts and Reading Development.
5. Class Management and Observation.

Second Year - Practicum Phase Requirements

1. The Practicum is a nine-month long internship with children between 2 ½ and 6 years of age in an A.M.S. affiliated school under a certified Montessori teacher. During the internship students must work at the Montessori school for a minimum of 3 hrs a day, five days a week.
2. Ten observations.
3. Six Internship-Meetings: 3 hours each, Friday evenings, 6-9 pm.
4. Six day-long Saturday Workshops.
5. Synthesis Project.

The State of California adds the following requirements to qualify a person to teach in a licensed preschool facility with day-care services:

1. Course in Child Development;
2. Course in Child, Family, Community;
3. Course in CPR, First Aid and Childhood Illness.

Courses (1) and (2) may be taken at community colleges or at California State University, Hayward. Private organizations like the Red Cross offer course (3).

Admission to the Program

Required Application Materials

• Application form with registration fee of $100.
• Academic transcripts; high-school graduation is mandatory; other educational certificates.
• Three letters of recommendation from employers or teachers.
• Health form and TB test.
• Personal statement discussing interest in Montessori training and career expectations.

Admission Criteria

The course admits high school and above graduates as candidates for certification.

Selection Procedures

1. Minimal achievement is high school graduation; an official transcript is required.
2. The Director and Assistant Director review the application form, personal statement, letters of recommendation, and transcripts. If applicants were recommended by school directors, they are interviewed about the candidates.
3. The Director interviews each candidate.
4. The Director makes the admission decision based on the quality of the above materials.
5. The Montessori Institute of Advanced Studies accepts applicants to its Teacher Preparation Program regardless of color, race, gender, religion, physical challenge, nationality, or ethnic origins. The program is non-sectarian.

Transfer Applicants

The Montessori Institute of Advanced Studies will consider a transfer student from another accredited Montessori Teacher Training program if her/his course work has been completed in good standing in an accredited Montessori Teacher Training program. However, California State University, East Bay credits cannot be given for transferred course work.

Practicum Site Requirements

The following are the site requirements:

1. The school must be an A.M.S. affiliate;
2. The classroom must contain the complete Montessori apparatus;
3. The class must serve children in the full age span of 3-6 years;
4. The school must practice a non-discriminatory policy for children and staff;
5. The school must be licensed by the State of California;
6. The school must communicate its policies to the interning student;
7. The school must communicate to the interning student her/his job description;
8. The school must provide janitorial services;