Admission Requirements

Pre-Requirements for Early Childhood Course Admission

1. A High School and/or College Diploma (s)
2. Minimum age of 18 years
3. Proof of experience working with children for a minimum of 1 year
4. Candidates can also hold a college degree in any field and no previous teaching experience or background in education is required.
5. Personal interview with the Training Director
6. No testing is required for admission to take any of the subjects of this course.
7. Candidates are accepted if all requirements are in compliance.

Admissions process cannot be completed until we have received:

• Application and Non-Refundable Registration Fee
• Two official copies of your High School and/or College along with transcripts
• A copy of any Montessori Diploma (s) previously received
• Options and agreement of internship sites for duration of one school year
• Resume
• Three Letters of recommendation

Pre-Requisites To Qualify For ICME Inc. Diploma

Upon successful completion of the Academic and Internship phases, the Montessori Diploma is awarded to the student in recognition.    

• Fulfillment of financial responsibilities
• Complete attendance of all lecture-demonstrations
• A total of a least 60 hours of supervised practice
• Completion of 280 hours of paid Internship or the duration of one school year.
• Presentation of written Home Studies on Montessori Psychology, Methodology and Philosophy.
• Completion of all Montessori Manuals.

Notice Of Non–Discrimination

ICME Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin, giving them access to all the rights privileges, and activities.  ICME Inc. does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarships and loan programs.

Schedule And Duration Of Course

ICME Early Childhood Teacher training is a two -year vigorous training course, which consists of an academic phase and internship phase with a minimum total of 600 hours.

The academic phase consists of 8 courses spread out over 12 months, which is composed of lectures, presentations of materials, group discussions with a minimum of 200 hours on-site, with direct contact between students and instructors. Classes are held on Saturdays from 10 – 2 PM with a 30-minute lunch break and start as soon as students are enrolled in the program. Since ICME has an open enrollment throughout the year, the starting and ending dates vary for each student. This is because the Theoretical lecture classes are presented in individual modules, and the Students can join the course at any time, so long as they finish all the modules. What this provides the student is an opportunity to join the program at his/her convenience, instead of a set month in the year. Our applicants find this extremely convenient.

Prior to each class, students are required to practice with the materials for a minimum of 120 hours, which comprises one hour of non-supervised practice and one hour of supervised practice weekly, in the presence of an instructor available for one-to-one assistance, if needed. During the non- supervised practice students are free to practice on their own. Attendance and participation are required during both sessions and recorded in the practicum/practice log weekly.

The internship phase is comprised of a minimum 280 hours, this process can only start upon completion of the academic phase & spread over a nine-month period (from August to May) with a minimum of 4 hours in the morning each day, all assignments are turned in, and with all financial obligations fulfilled. Internships are made available at the host Riverchase Montessori School and some other Montessori schools that are close by.

COURSE SCHEDULE

 8:00 – 9:00   AM                 Non-Supervised Practice

 9:00 – 10:00 AM                 Supervised Practice

10:00 – 12:00 PM                 Morning Session

12:00 – 12:30 PM                 Lunch Break

12:30 – 2:00   PM                 Afternoon Session

Sponsorships

There are sponsorships for training available for students who qualify for employment.  A list and information about different schools in the area that offer sponsorships are available in the student handbook.  Scholarships are also available for candidates that qualify.

Internships or Externships are the same and are paid or volunteer positions depending on the school and the Externship Agreement made at the school.

Please note, if your practicum is in the Training Center Site, it is considered an Internship. If your practicum is in another school approved by ICME Inc., then your practice is considered an Externship. Internships are made available at the host Montessori school – viz. RIVERCHASE MONTESSORI SCHOOL and some Montessori schools that are close by.