Come be part of a unique Montessori Educator opportunity and advance your career as a Montessori educator with Vancouver Island University's Master of Education in Educational Leadership program - the only one of its kind in Canada! Broaden your understanding of Montessori philosophy, develop your leadership skills, and expand your network through this unique distance cohort based program. Be part of an innovative educational experience and add your own contribution to a growing body of Montessori scholarly activity.
Next planned intake is for July 2026. Please email Educ.GP@viu.ca for inclusion on intake information.
The inaugural intake for this option started in August 2021 with published thesis work available through the VIU library. The Montessori educator option of the M.Ed. is focused on Montessori trained teachers and features:
- a part-time, distance-based cohort delivery model
- support for educators working full-time
- job embedded learning experiences tailored for Montessori educators
- engagement in leadership, appreciative inquiry and research methodological scholarship
- a focus on issues of diversity and social justice
- reflective inquiry
- applied project or empirical research based thesis work
- advanced standing transfer credit on Montessori teacher training
Previous Program Information Sessions
Two program information sessions were offered for the July 2024 intake:
- Wednesday February 7, 2024 (4:30 - 5:30 pm Pacific Standard Time) - (click here for recording)
- Tuesday March 5, 2024 (4:30 - 5:30 pm Pacific Standard Time) - (click here for recording)
Program Overview
For an overview of the program starting July 2026 see below. To view a summary of details from the July 2024 intake, download the Program Overview.
Applications accepted October 1, 2025 to June 2, 2026. Email Educ.GP@viu.ca for information on future intakes.
| Year 1 | Credits |
|---|---|
| Summer Intersession Semester 2026 |
|
|
MEDL 500 - (Foundations of Educational Leadership) (synchronous online course delivery early July, asynchronous delivery mid July) |
5 |
| Fall Semester 2026 | |
|
MEDL 550 - (Research in Education) (synchronous online over equally spaced weekends in the term) |
5 |
| Spring Semester 2027 |
|
|
MEDL 680 - (Field Inquiry) (independent thesis work with a supervisor) |
5 |
| Summer Intersession Semester 2027 | |
|
MEDL 690 - (Major Project) (independent thesis work with a supervisor) |
5 |
| Total Credits | 20 |
| Year 2 | Credits |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester 2027 onwards |
|
|
Montessori teacher training advanced standing credits OR Completion of additional courses to reach credit count from: MEDL 650 - (Leading Learning) (5 cr.) MEDL 600 - (Educational Change) (5 cr.) MEDL 590 - (Leadership Values & Ethical Decision-Making) (5 cr.) MEDL 580 - (Leadership in the BC Context) (5 cr.) |
20 |
| Total Credits | 20 |
| Total Program Credits | 40 |
Admission Requirements
In line with M.Ed. in Educational Leadership admission requirements, the following apply:
- Completion of a Bachelor’s degree, from a recognized university that is acceptable in content to the Faculty of Education with either:
- a cumulative grade point average of “B” in the final two years and/or
- demonstration of academic excellence
- Applicants whose previous degree was obtained in a country where English is not the primary/official language and from a university where English was not the language of instruction must meet one of VIU’s English Language requirements for Graduate Programs.
- Acceptance and satisfactory review of the following items by the Admissions Committee:
- A résumé outlining teaching experience (two years preferred).
- A letter of intent explaining why the applicant wishes to pursue graduate work in this area.
- Two current, confidential assessment reports (reference letters are not acceptable in lieu of the confidential assessment reports).
- Submission of official post-secondary academic transcripts
In support of M.Ed. advanced standing credits for Montessori teacher training, the following apply:
- completion (or near completion) of an approved Montessori teacher training program
- submission of official Montessori teacher training program transcripts
- awarding of advanced standing credits is depended upon submission of official Montessori teacher training transcript showing program completion
- assessment of Montessori teacher training credentials and transcripts is completed by the Program Chair
- a maximum of 20 program credits can be awarded, such as with the completion of:
- Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) accredited Primary or Elementary Diploma
- Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education (MACTE) accredited Elementary or Secondary I and II diplomas
- If less than maximum advanced standing credits awarded, additional course work to a maximum of 20 credits, is required.
- Teacher accreditation in BC (Certificate of Qualification or Independent School Teaching Certificate) or equivalent (i.e., other jurisdiction)
- Submission of proof of teacher accreditation
For more program information, please contact the Faculty of Education at Educ.GP@viu.ca or call 250.753.3245 Ext. 2530.
For questions on advanced standing and awarding of transfer credits, please contact Dr. Marian Riedel at Marian.Riedel@viu.ca or call 250.753.3245 Ext. 2598.
For full program details, tuition fees, and other policies, see the VIU Academic Calendar MEDL page. Tuition fees are charged on a per course basis.
Program Information Sessions
Program information session details and registration will be posted here for prospective applicants late Fall 2025 and early spring 2026. Please check back at a later date for more details.
To register your name for more information to be sent via email, click HERE!