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
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
Program Actions:
- Submits an application and the appropriate fee
MACTE Actions:
- Reviews the application for eligibility requirements
Program Actions:
- Attends a MACTE webinar to learn about the accreditation process & ask questions
- Submits the Self-Study in the MACTE portal
MACTE Actions:
- Reviews the Self-Study for completeness, clarity, and requests any revisions in the MACTE office review
- Completes the content review and the reader’s feedback is shared in a staff analysis
Program Actions:
- Responds to the MACTE staff analysis
MACTE Actions:
- Reviews the revisions and declares the Self-Study auditable
- Accepts the Self-Study and moves to planning the on-site visit
Program Actions:
- Distributes request for third party comments to all stakeholders
MACTE Actions:
- Places the program on the Third Party Comments page on the MACTE website
Program Actions:
- Submits data for the visit
- Hosts the verifiers for the on-site visit
- Responds to on-site visit reports
MACTE Actions:
- 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 on-site report to the program
MACTE Actions:
- Shares the evidence with the MACTE Board: Self-Study, OSVT Report, and Program Director’s response
- Two board members present the case for discussion
- The board deliberates and votes on the accreditation case
Program Actions:
- Accepts or appeals the MACTE Board’s decision
MACTE Actions:
- Announces the decision to the program and sends an official letter of accreditation along with a certificate of accreditation
- Initiates the appeal process if the program appeals a negative accreditation decision
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.
