The Master of Education (Montessori Education Specialisation) program builds your knowledge and understanding of Montessori Education practices and principles for teaching children aged 6-12. In this program, you will learn from fully trained and qualified Montessori educators, connect theory and practice, and study with a cohort of likeminded peers to enhance your teaching practice.

The first of its kind in Australia, this specialist master’s program has been carefully designed to embed the requirements of the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) 6-12 Diploma. Graduates of the Master of Education (Montessori Education Specialisation) will also be awarded the internationally recognised AMI Diploma 6-12 (subject to successful completion of all course requirements).

Note: This program does not qualify graduates for teacher registration in Queensland.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

• Commencement
• Entry requirements
• Program attendance and duration
• Program requirements
• Fees and costs
• How to apply

Commencement

The Master of Education (Montessori Education Specialisation) is offered as a single enrolment intake commencing Semester 2, 2021. Enrolments are strictly limited.

Due to the availability of specialist Montessori trainers who work internationally, it is not possible to defer studies or commence at a later date.

Note: This program can only commence if minimum enrolment targets are met. In the event that the program does not commence in Semester 2, 2021, any enrolment and course fees paid will be refunded.

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, applicants will normally be required to hold an approved undergraduate or postgraduate degree in Education (AQF Level 7 or higher).

Applicants must provide a written personal statement that demonstrates their understanding of and commitment to undertaking the requirements of the AMI 6-12 Diploma. This includes acknowledgement of the following program requirements:

• The three modules (see ‘Program attendance and duration’) are intensive, delivered in block mode, and time-consuming, and this requires careful consideration of other work and family commitments during these times.
• The three modules require full-time attendance from 8.30am–4.30pm, with expectations of homework being completed outside these hours.
• Weekend study may be required during the three modules.
• Assessment for the AMI Diploma requires successful completion of nine Albums (theory, geography, biology, history, mathematics, geometry, language, music, and art), compulsory classroom observations and practicum teaching (scheduled between Modules 2 and 3), written and oral examinations (scheduled during Module 3), and material-making projects.
• A professional and positive attitude is to be maintained at all times during study modules, observations and practicum teaching experiences.

It is strongly recommended that applicants also include a letter of support from a professional organisation (for example a school principal, employer or professional association).

Program attendance and duration

The Master of Education (Montessori Education Specialisation) is delivered over two years across four semesters (commencing in July 2021 with completion in June 2023). Enrolment in the first three semesters is full-time. Enrolment in the fourth semester is part-time, during which students also complete a research project.

The study mode includes a mix of on-campus, online and practical learning experiences. The content for the AMI 6-12 Diploma is delivered by specialist Montessori trainers via three modules scheduled and embedded throughout the program (see table below). Each Montessori module includes a compulsory intensive, on-campus block of approximately 5-7 weeks duration.

Note on Module 1: Module 1 commences on Monday 20 September 2021, and the first two weeks of content will be delivered online. Intensive on-campus attendance will be required from Monday 4 October to Friday 12 November 2021. The final week will again be delivered online. On-campus attendance is required for the duration of Modules 2 and 3. For more details see Attendance during Semester 2, 2021.

All other scheduled courses and program study components will be delivered online.

This program also requires students to undertake classroom observations and practicum teaching in schools for a period of three weeks and four weeks respectively (scheduled between Modules 2 and 3).

Oral and written exams for the AMI 6-12 Diploma will be scheduled during Module 3, and may take place on weekends.

Attendance during Semester 2, 2021

Students enrol in four courses for Semester 2, 2021 (see Program requirements). Commencing Tuesday 27 July, for the first five weeks of the semester there will be two online tutorials (via Zoom) scheduled from 5–7pm AEST on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The next three weeks will incorporate specialist guest lectures of three hours' duration, delivered online (via Zoom) from 5–8pm AEST on Tuesdays and Fridays, and from 1–4pm Saturdays). These lectures are compulsory and form part of the 90 percent attendance requirement of the AMI certification.

From Monday 20 September, the full-time Module 1 program commences, with attendance required online (via Zoom) from 8.30am–4.30pm Monday to Friday. This is followed by a six-week, on-campus intensive program at USC Sunshine Coast, from Monday 4 October to Friday 12 November. The final week commences Monday November 15 and requires full-time attendance online (via Zoom). The semester finishes on Friday 19 November 2021.

Attendance during January 2022 (for students who have not previously completed either the AMI 3-6 Diploma or AMI Foundation 3-6 program)

Eligibility to undertake the AMI 6-12 Diploma examination (in Module 3) requires successful completion of either the AMI 3-6 Diploma or AMI Foundation 3-6 program. USC will schedule the AMI Foundation 3-6 program as a three-week intensive delivered from 10–29 January 2022, with attendance required from 8.30am–4.30pm Monday to Friday. The cost of this program ($2,000) will be in addition to the course fees for the master's program.

Program requirements

This program involves two components: the Master of Education (Montessori Education Specialisation), and the embedded AMI 6-12 Diploma.

To be awarded the Master of Education (Montessori Education Specialisation), students must successfully complete the following courses according to the sequence below:

Requirements for the AMI 6-12 Diploma are as follows:

• At least 90 percent attendance at all scheduled intensives
• 140 hours practical sessions with materials (scheduled during intensives)
• 3 weeks of classroom observations (scheduled between Module 2 and Module 3)
• 4 weeks of teaching practicum (scheduled between Module 2 and Module 3)
• Completion of nine Albums
• Material-making projects
• Oral and written exams

Note: Students who have not previously completed either the AMI 3-6 Diploma or AMI Foundation 3-6 program will be required to complete the Foundation program prior to undertaking the AMI 6-12 Diploma examination. For more details see Program attendance and duration.

Fees and costs

Postgraduate coursework fees for Cluster 2A (Social Studies) apply. For more information visit Tuition fees. Eligible students are able to defer payment via FEE-HELP.

Course fees include payment for the following AMI requirements:

• AMI Membership fees
• AMI Program fees
• AMI Diploma Examination fees

Course fees will partially cover the costs of material-making projects, including basic stationery such as paper, pens, glue, cardboard, paint. Costs for additional materials to individualise projects must be borne by the student.

Note: The Foundation AMI 3-6 program (if required) will incur additional course fees of $2,000.

How to apply

To apply for the Master of Education (Montessori Education Specialisation), submit the completed application form, professional referee form and personal statement form via email to USC. For more information visit Application forms.  

Applications for Semester 2, 2021 close on Monday 19 July.