ADMISSION:

The candidate for the AMS Early Childhood Credential holds as a minimum: a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S college/university or its equivalent from a non-U.S. college/university. Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood course, the director recommends the adult learner to AMS for an AMS Early Childhood Credential. An Early Childhood Credential is awarded to adult learners who hold a Bachelor’s degree from a non-U.S. college/university and whose Bachelor’s degree does not equate to that of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college/university. The degree and country in which the graduate was awarded his/her Bachelor’s degree is indicated on the credential. 

Applications for enrollment are accepted at any time prior to the first day of class. The following admission requirements are necessary:

      1. High School diploma/GED, or

          B.A. or B.S. degree. Foreign transcripts of college degrees must be evaluated by a U.S.              
   accredited agency to determine their equivalency to a United States degree:

• World Education Services, PO Box 745, Chelsea Station, New York, New York 10113-0745. Telephone: 212-966-6311.

• International Education Research Foundation, PO Box 3665 Culver City, CA 90231 Telephone: 310 258-9451

      2. Three professional letters of recommendation.

      3. Application with registration fee. ($100.00 - of which $75.00 is non- refundable)

      4. Handwritten statement of purpose of attending the Course.

      5. Mail entire package to:

          MTEC         
          16492 Foothill Boulevard
          San Leandro, CA 94577

A student whose file lacks any of the items listed above is accepted on a provisional basis while awaiting the documentation listed above. If there are any questions, the student is directed to the Admissions Officer for verification of status. A letter of acceptance or a letter of provisional acceptance is sent to applicants.

Admission for Non-Degree Students

AMS grants the AMS Associate Early Childhood Credential when the course graduate has a high school diploma or GED, but not a Bachelor's degree. Country, state and local employment requirements vary widely and change periodically. In addition, employment requirements vary in different types of schools (e.g. private, public/charter, faith based, publicly funded). In some locations or schools, an Associate Credential may not qualify for full teaching responsibility.  

Even if it is currently possible to qualify for a full teaching responsibility without a Bachelor's degree, employment regulations may change in the future. The applicant is responsible for checking specific jurisdictions and schools for particular employment requirements.

Applicants for this AMS Early Childhood course who do not have a U.S. Bachelors degree from a regionally accredited U.S college/university or its equivalent are required to sign a statement verifying that they have received the above information before they are considered for acceptance into this course.

AMS strongly encourages holders of the Associate Credential to obtain a Bachelor’s degree within 7 years of credentialing. AMS hopes you consider your credential as the beginning of your journey of lifelong learning.

Leave of Absence/

Change of Status - Declared (Withdrawal) and Undeclared (Drop-out):

Change of Status is permitted at any time. The student completes the "Change of Status" declaration (Withdrawal). If the student does not file a "Change of Status" form but is inactive for one year then the MTEC/SFBA makes the "Change of Status" undeclared (Drop-out). Reactivation of a declared or undeclared change of status requires new registration and registration fee.

Attendance Policy: Absence and Tardy Arrival:

The Course is both intense and non-duplicable. MACTE requires a minimum of 90% attendance. For MTEC/SFBA, absences are not permitted. All absences are deemed serious and necessitate a meeting with the Instructor. Punctuality is assumed for the same reasons that absences are not permitted. All absences and tardy arrivals necessitate a return to the MTEC/SFBA to make up the class work. Tutoring by the instructor is optional in lieu of returning for the class. The charge is $25.00 per hour paid to the Montessori Teacher Education Center San Francisco Bay Area. Practicum may be interrupted for varying personal reasons. The length of the practicum may be extended in order to fulfill the nine-month requirement.

Make-Up Classes:

Classes missed may be made-up during the summer schedule or in the year round schedule. The student is responsible to know which class was missed. The make up class cannot be any of the academic days but must be the specific curriculum and class that was missed. Additionally, full attendance and proper participation including preparation for the philosophy with the philosophy book is required. Complete the Personal Attendance Sheet (PAS) when attending a make-up class. The instructor must sign the PAS at the completion of the class day attesting to attendance and proper participation in the class.