FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions about Montessori Master
Is a Master's degree from the University of Barcelona internationally recognized?
A course of Own Degree has the same validity abroad as within Spain, since it is a curricular title of non-regulated studies, and protected by the Organic Law of Universities. The University of Barcelona (UB) has been recognized as one of the 200 best universities in the world, being the only Spanish university included in this list. All of its postgraduate programs are internationally recognized.
Does a Master's degree score in the competitive examinations?
Yes, the score varies according to the number of credits of each postgraduate course, which is why it is very important to always carry out the training in official centers with recognition from official bodies. The Official Master’s Degree awards points in public examinations or competitions of the Public Administration as a postgraduate degree, while the Proprietary Degrees score as Continuing Education, although this may vary according to the evaluation of each competition or examination. Both the official masters and the own degrees are postgraduate programs with the aim of providing quality and highly specialized training, although the official masters are more directed towards research.
What does the online phase consist of?
In the online phase, theoretical contents of Montessori training with specialization in infant or primary school, depending on the specialty, are covered. It is not subject to connection schedules. The contents are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, allowing students to develop a study plan based on their availability; taking into account that the approximate weekly dedication is 12 hours.
The course is structured in modules or subjects, with a start date and an end date. At the end of a module, the next one is activated and in each one a series of activities must be submitted (usually 2 or 3). Each activity has a maximum delivery date. In spite of this, there is a protocol for requesting an extension of the deadline, always with justification that will be studied by the pedagogical department. In addition, at the end of the course there is a week for the recovery of activities.
In the online phase will we have tutorials and teachers at our disposal?
In this phase you have virtual contact with the teacher of each module. Our trainers have a 24-hour response time. There will be a series of personalized tutorials and a follow-up by the teacher for each student.
Are there exams?
International Montessori Institute follows the Montessori evaluation code. The student must submit activities in each module, which will be evaluated throughout the training. At the end of the course there is an oral exam via Skype in front of an evaluation Tribunal, constituted by two Montessori trainers, belonging to the educational staff of the center.
What are the requirements to be admitted to the Master's program?
A bachelor’s degree is required to earn the Master of Montessori Education degree. Individuals wishing to pursue the master’s degree without a bachelor’s degree will receive a university extension certificate.
Which teachers will provide the training and are they also Montessori Guides?
IMI’s teaching staff has been carefully selected for their extensive international experience, both in private and public schools, with the aim of transmitting the richness of the Montessori method in different social environments. This interesting combination of teachers, trained in the most renowned specialized institutions in Montessori education, makes IMI a unique Montessori meeting point in the world, where an inter-Montessori dialogue is generated, ensuring fidelity to the ideas of Dr. Maria Montessori. IMI’s goal is to bring together the Italian and Anglo-Saxon traditions and to offer an education that is firmly connected to Dr. Montessori’s legacy and at the same time opens an enriching dialogue between the two traditions.
Can I replace the intensive face-to-face phase with online training? Can I do the intensive face-to-face summer phase during another part of the year?
No. It is not possible to replace the intensive face-to-face phase with online training. The intensive face-to-face summer training takes place in classrooms that are replicas of the prepared environments used by students in their daily lives in a Montessori school. In this way, adults can experience and live the educational process and have more resources for their classroom practice. Each phase has its period and timetable, according to the schedules of the team of teachers who act as guides for the Master’s program and who come from different parts of the world. The teaching staff is made up of both national and international teaching professionals, selected for their educational background and training. We consider, therefore, that working with them and seeing their own examples is convenient to integrate the philosophy and practice of Montessori pedagogy.
Can I take the two intensive classroom trainings (from 0 to 6 and from 6 to 12) at the same time? If not, is there any part that is validated?
No. You cannot do both specialization trainings at the same time. However, you can start with one of them and continue with the next one. You must enroll in both master’s degrees since, as their name indicates, they are specialization courses (infant education from 0 to 6 years old and primary education from 6 to 12 years old). The University does not validate any module, so if the student wants to do both specializations, he/she must enroll in both.
Is it mandatory to start with a specific phase and follow an order?
It is not necessary to start with a specific phase. You can start with the online phase during the school year and continue with the face-to-face phase in the summer. You can also start with the intensive face-to-face phase in summer and continue with the online phase from the next school year and finish with the second intensive face-to-face training during the following summer.
If I do the master's degree, will I find a job?
There is currently a great demand for qualified teachers. More and more families are looking for pedagogies, such as the Montessori method, that place the child at the center of learning. Today, there are more than 22,000 Montessori centers in the world. In addition, in our Virtual Campus the student has access to the Job Board, in which we publish the different job offers that we receive from Montessori centers around the world.
Where is the on-site phase held?
It is held at the Campus Mundet of the University of Barcelona (UB). Address: Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona.
Where to stay in Barcelona during the face-to-face phase of the Master's program?
In order to help you in your search for accommodation we have created a list where you will find residences, hotels and other accommodation in Barcelona where you can stay during the on-site phases of the master. You can see it by clicking here
Frequently Asked Questions about Online Training
What is the difference between Assistant and Guide?
The basic difference between Assistant and Guide is that the Assistant, as the name implies, is the assistant and support of the Guide. While the Guide is the person responsible for the classroom, who prepares the environment and presents the materials. In some cases it is possible that, for practical purposes, and depending on the availability of each school, the assistant performs the same functions as the Guide. But, in any case, this will depend on the place where you are going to work.
Is the degree obtained official?
Yes, the certification obtained is specific to the training: Montessori Assistant Certificate 0 – 6 years, Montessori Guide Certificate 0 – 3, Montessori Guide Certificate 3 – 6 years and Montessori Guide Certificate 6 – 12 years in the case of the online primary training. All our certifications, being an official training center, have international recognition and are valid in any country in the world.
Which teachers will provide the training and are they also Montessori Guides?
IMI’s teaching staff has been carefully selected for their extensive international experience, both in private and public schools, with the aim of transmitting the richness of the Montessori method in different social environments. This interesting combination of teachers, trained in the most renowned specialized institutions in Montessori education, makes IMI a unique Montessori meeting point in the world, where an inter-Montessori dialogue is generated, ensuring fidelity to the ideas of Dr. Maria Montessori. IMI’s goal is to bring together the Italian and Anglo-Saxon traditions and to offer an education that is firmly connected to Dr. Montessori’s legacy and at the same time opens an enriching dialogue between the two traditions.
Is it endorsed by AMI?
International Montessori Institute is an official training center with international recognition and training. AMI is another training center that, like us, conducts training on Montessori methodology. We are two totally independent and equally official institutions, both experts in Montessori Education.
As can be seen in the biography of Maria Montessori written by Renato Foschi (Foschi, R. (2014) Maria Montessori Barcelona: Ed. Octaedra) the first Montessori training center and legitimate heir of Montessori education is the ONM. Contrary to what is promulgated, AMI is a training center that develops and certifies its own trainings, without its certification being necessary to be able to work or create a Montessori center, which you will be able to verify on page 160 of the same title.
We each develop our own training programs without needing the certification of the other to guarantee their validity and international recognition.
What are the payment methods?
There are two methods of payment: the single payment, in which a 5% discount is applied on the total price of the training, and the installment payment, in which a registration fee and several monthly installments are charged. All training courses can be paid through the website by Paypal, by credit/debit card or by bank transfer, requesting it by e-mail to info@montessorispace.com or by calling +34972548924.
Is there a discount for enrolling in more than one training course?
Yes, we apply a 5% discount on the total price of the second training, allowing you to pay in installments.
Are courses validated if I take more than one training course?
Yes, but only for the Montessori Guide for 3-6 and Montessori Guide for 6-12. In this case, the theoretical module of both trainings is validated, which means a discount, applied to the enrollment of the second training. In the Montessori Assistant 0-6 years and Montessori Guide 0-3 years training, no subject is validated when taking another training.
What is the methodology and evaluation system for online training?
International Montessori Institute follows the Montessori evaluation code. The student must submit activities in each module, which will be evaluated throughout the training. At the end of the course there is an oral exam via Skype in front of an evaluation Tribunal, constituted by two Montessori trainers, belonging to the educational staff of the center.
How many hours of dedication do distance training courses require?
For the Montessori Guide 3-6 “Children’s House” and Montessori Guide 6-12 (elementary) trainings, approximately ten hours per week is recommended. Although everything will depend on the availability and individual abilities of each student, some will need seven and others twelve. In the Montessori Assistant 0-6 and Montessori Guide 0-3 trainings the demand is lower, so the average hours of dedication can range from 5 to 7 hours per week.
Are internships available?
The online training does not involve mandatory practices, but from the center we recommend them, always on a voluntary basis if there is the possibility of being able to perform them. In this sense, it is the student who is responsible for finding the Montessori center where to perform them, we prepare a certificate to be delivered to the school, certifying that the student is training with us and will perform the voluntary practices there. Once the training is completed, it will be added to the student’s academic record.
Is a webcam and microphone required?
Yes, in some stages of training, this material will be indispensable.
In which language will the training be provided?
The training is given in Spanish.
Is there a test?
No, the Assistant training is governed by the continuous evaluation system, so in order to pass the course it is necessary to have passed all the activities.
If I fail a course, will I be able to retake it?
At the end of the course there is a week of recovery activities. If the module is still failed, the student will be able to recover these subjects in a following promotion of the course, the cost will depend on the number of pending modules.
If I do the training, will I find a job?
There is currently a great demand for qualified teachers. Families are increasingly looking for pedagogies, such as the Montessori method, that place the child at the center of learning. Today, there are more than 22,000 Montessori centers in the world. We know that Montessori training opens up a wide range of job opportunities, but for now, given the current situation, we cannot guarantee any job. However, it is a necessary and indispensable requirement to be a Montessori guide in order to access a Montessori school.
Frequently Asked Questions about Montessori pedagogy and materials
Where can I find original Montessori materials?
You can find all the materials for the different age stages of all the curricular areas of a Montessori classroom here.
Where can I find didactic material on Montessori education?
You can find all the books related to the Montessori method and other educational pedagogies here.
What does it mean to be a Mother by day?
The professional profile of day mothers arises from the need to educate children from the first three years of life. Day Mothers offer care and education for children from 0 to 3 years of age, in their own home, as an alternative to day care centers. There are different associations in Spain, although all have their own parameters, the essential common requirement is that the person is qualified and has accredited experience.
I want to open a Montessori center, where can I get advice?
International Montessori Institute offers advice for all those who have the desire to open a Montessori school. More information can be obtained by sending an email to info@montessorispace.com.