Certification Courses

A complete application includes:

•Completed Application for Admission

•$100 non-refundable application fee

•Official transcript (or evaluation report for foreign educational credential) in the sealed issuing envelope

•Three reference forms or letters of recommendation (can be emailed to Institute@SetonMontessori.org)

Currently, all interviews are being conducted by phone or video chat. Typically, applicants interview by phone or video chat if they reside more than 150 miles from Seton. Applicants are encouraged to interview in person and visit Seton Montessori Institute when possible.

The American Montessori Society and Seton Montessori Institute require a transcript analysis sent directly from one of the evaluators listed on this site: http://www.naces.org/members.html. Previous students have provided positive feedback working with World Education Services (WES.org) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ece.org).

Seton conducts all of its coursework and assignments in English. Non-native English speakers must have a solid command of the English language (the equivalent of a TOEFL score of 72 or higher).

Seton Montessori Institute processes student (F-1) visas through the United States Customs and Immigration Services system for international applicants who have already been accepted into one of our courses.

Students must be able and plan to relocate to the Chicago area (within 150 miles of our home campus in Clarendon Hills) upon acceptance, if not already nearby. While you do not need to reside in this region when applying, you must complete your practicum using Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization at a school within that radius. We’re happy to assist with connecting you to schools in the area and anticipate having several intern positions available at our Lab School campuses for those interested.

For non-US citizens, we typically begin the visa application process 3-6 months before the visa start date. 

Recommendations should come directly from people who know your academic or professional background and should give a sense of who you will be as a student and as a professional educator working with children in a Montessori setting.

Typically, you will receive an admission decision within one week of your interview.

Yes. A non-refundable $200 late application fee applies to applications not received by the published deadline. It is to the applicant’s advantage to apply early to the program in order to complete the Independent Study class assignments with more time.

Starting in Spring gives you the opportunity to begin your academic attendance a bit earlier, allowing a more gradual entry into the experience of being a student, more time for digesting and applying the course content, and some extra time for working on Orientation and Independent Study class assignments. Since Spring Start consists of nine weeks of twice-weekly evening classes, participation in the Spring Cohort also effectively allows candidates to take less time off work versus Summer start. The summer start candidates will attend two weeks of all day online classes M-F. Both cohorts have the same required classroom hours.

A practicum (also known as student teaching or internship) consists of, at minimum, nine consecutive months working in a classroom at a Montessori school selected by the student teacher in an arrangement that meets requirements in keeping with American Montessori Society standards.

The Practicum Coordinator will assist you (but cannot guarantee a position) in finding a practicum site that meets the requirements of Seton and the American Montessori Society. Seton has collaborated with Montessori schools in all parts of the Chicago metropolitan area, in other parts of the United States, and numerous other countries.

Seton graduates work in private and public Montessori schools all over the world. It should be noted that public Montessori schools often require additional state licensing. Check with your state and school regarding local and state regulations for additional requirements.

Individuals can complete the course in as little as one year but may take up to two years. Students beginning in Spring or Summer 2025 complete all coursework by August 31, 2027.

Individuals can complete the course in as few as 24 months, but the course allows for the flexibility to take up to four years. Students beginning in Spring or Summer 2025 must complete all coursework by August 31, 2029.

The American Montessori Society has need-based scholarships available (applications typically become available on February 1st). Many schools sponsor students for our programs. This may be arranged in the form of a loan or scholarship. In exchange for this assistance, schools may require a student to sign an agreement to work for the school for a specific period following certification. Seton also offers limited sponsorship to applicants who complete their student internship at one of its lab schools.

Yes. After the application and initial payments are made, there are two payment plan options available and detailed specifically in the payment schedule section of the course information sheets.

As one of the oldest American Montessori Society programs in North America, Seton Montessori Institute has extensive experience preparing Montessori educators for a wide variety of public and private settings. From inception, our faculty has had an international outlook, is faithful to Maria Montessori’s insights, and are committed to keeping up-to-date with the latest research. Each member of our highly-qualified faculty presents on topics they are most passionate about in areas of their strongest skill and experience. Our program has two lab schools, providing adult students with resources for learning and observation. In addition, we offer flexible scheduling and a faculty ready to assist in any area. We serve students across the U.S. and abroad and visit them at their practicum sites throughout their enrollment in the program.

Yes. Contact the Registrar at: Institute@SetonMontessori.org. You will be put in touch with a Seton graduate or current student.