A high school diploma, verified by an official transcript. AMS strongly encourages holders of the Associate credential to obtain a Bachelor’s degree within seven years of credentialing.

A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, verified by an official transcript. An early childhood prerequisite course is also required if the candidate does not already hold an Early Childhood Credential.

Degree received from non-U.S. colleges may not meet the degree standards required for the U.S. For an assessment of foreign degrees, applicants should contact a credentialing agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES).

Students must be able to speak, read and write English. Proficiency in speaking is determined during the application interview. Proficiency in reading and writing is determined through a writing sample given at this time.

Students transferring from another Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) accredited course may transfer to PCTE after a review of the courses taken and evaluation of the student’s work. Then, at the discretion of the course director, students will be accepted in partial fulfillment of the course requirements, for a maximum of one-third of the academic clock hours of the course. Evaluation includes assessment of transcripts, previous work, written or oral exams, and demonstration of competencies. PCTE follows the American Montessori Society standards concerning the amount of credit given for previous training.

Credit may be given for child development courses earned at at regionally accredited institution listed in the U.S. Department of Education Directory of Higher Education and verified by official transcript.