Accreditation Eligibility

The MACTE accreditation process is open to programs that exist solely for the purpose of offering Montessori educator preparation and to programs associated with colleges or universities. Programs are eligible for accreditation regardless of their professional affiliation, organizational form, sources of financial support, size of enrollment, or location.

Accreditation Process

The accreditation process is open to any Montessori educator preparation program that meets the MACTE Quality Principles and criteria.

Programs are eligible for accreditation regardless of their professional affiliation, organizational form, sources of financial support, size of enrollment, or location.

Each applicant should thoroughly read the MACTE Guide to Accreditation before beginning the accreditation process. This document addresses questions you may have with regard to program eligibility, such as faculty qualifications and required academic and practicum hours.

To get started or for further inquiries, please email accreditation@macte.org or by phone at (434) 202-7793.

Accreditation Process at a Glance

Step 1: Application

Program Actions:

Program faculty prepares and submits an application and the appropriate fee

MACTE Actions:

MACTE accepts or rejects the application based on eligibility requirements

Step 2: Self-Study

Program Actions:

It is strongly suggested that the program faculty attends a MACTE webinar on writing the Self-Study
Program faculty submits the Self-Study for formative evaluation

MACTE Actions:

MACTE staff reviews the Self-Study for completeness, clarity, and requests any revisions in the MACTE office review
MACTE sends the Self-Study to a reader who completes the content review
MACTE sends the program the reader’s feedback in the form of a staff analysis

Step 3: Staff Analysis

Program Actions:

Program faculty responds to the MACTE staff analysis (15 business days)

MACTE Actions:

MACTE reviews the revisions and declares the Self-Study auditable
MACTE accepts the Self-Study and moves to planning the on-site visit

Step 4: Third Party Comments

Program Actions:

Program faculty distributes request for third party comments to all stakeholders

MACTE Actions:

MACTE places the program on the MACTE website Third Party Comments page

Step 5: On-Site Verification Visit

Program Actions:

Program faculty submits data for the visit as requested
Program faculty receives and hosts the verifiers for the on-visit (2-4 days)
Program faculty responds to on-site visit reports

MACTE Actions:

MACTE schedules the visit and sends the On-Site Verification Visit documentation
The on-site verification team (OSVT) reviews the submitted data
OSVT completes the visit to the program
OSVT prepares the on-site report and submits the report to MACTE
MACTE sends the report to the program

Step 6: Board Meeting

MACTE Actions:

MACTE sends the Self-Study, OSVT Report, and Program Director’s response to the MACTE board
The program is presented for discussion by two board members
The entire board deliberates and votes on accreditation

Step: 7 Post Board Meeting

Program Actions:

Program faculty accepts or appeals MACTE’s action (within 30 days)

MACTE Actions:

MACTE formally announces the decision to the program and sends an official letter of accreditation along with a certificate of accreditation
If the decision is to accredit and the program accepts the decision, MACTE announces the decision. If the decision is to not accredit and the program appeals, MACTE initiates its appeal process.

Looking for more?

Programs offering Montessori teacher education may be organized according to any legally recognized and registered structure (e.g., corporation, partnership, proprietorship; public or private; nonprofit or tax-paying).

The Montessori educator preparation program may be already functioning or new. Newly created programs must have been in existence for at least six months before an on-site verification visit can take place. It is strongly suggested that a developing program contact MACTE at least 12 months prior to the anticipated start date. Programs may offer multiple course levels. Each course level offered must be MACTE accredited.

All accredited programs are required to join a MACTE recognized organization or group of independent programs.

Have any questions?

Contact our team at info@macte.org or head to our contact page to submit an inquiry.