Program Overview

Post-Graduate Certificate in Montessori Leadership

The Post-Graduate Certificate in Montessori Leadership is a 15-credit hour program designed to equip students with the essential skills and knowledge to excel as a principal or Head of School in a dynamic Montessori environment. This program is launching in Fall 2025 and will be offered 100% online.

Overview

• The program consists of five courses, each focusing on a specific aspect of Montessori leadership.
• The curriculum is designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities of Montessori education.
• Students will learn from experienced educators and administrators who are leaders in the field.
• The program emphasizes practical application, with students collaborating with area school administrators to gain real-world insights into effective leadership.
• The program integrates the principles of Jesuit education, fostering ethical and impactful leadership.

Curriculum

The 15-credit hour Post-Graduate Montessori Leadership Certificate program includes the following courses:

• EDAD 544: Montessori Leadership Supervision of Instruction (3 credits)
  • This course provides a rigorous study of formative and summative supervision processes, emphasizing accountability and utilizing supervision for individual professional growth.
• EDAD 549: The Montessori Principalship (3 credits)
  • This course incorporates both administrative theory and practice, highlighting the role of the principal and the changes in this role due to demographic changes, state and local regulations, and school dynamics.
• EDAD 565: School Law (3 credits)
  • This course examines the legal framework within which schools operate, including federal and state precedents, state code, and legal provisions for school finance.
• EDAD 661: Montessori Curriculum Design and Teach Strategies for Leaders (3 credits)
  • This course covers the theory and practice of curriculum design, development, implementation, and evaluation, as well as the correlation between curriculum and teaching strategies.
• EDAD 563: School Finance, Business Affairs / Facilities (3 credits)
  • This course covers budgetary control, purchasing, school insurance, plant records, maintenance and repair, pupil transportation, and utilization of facilities, including the school construction process.

Admission

To be considered for admission, applicants must:

• Hold a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum 3.2 GPA.
• Submit a free online application.
• Provide one official transcript directly from all colleges or universities attended for any undergraduate and graduate coursework.

Tuition

• The total program tuition is $9,900.
• The tuition cost is $660 per credit hour.
• These amounts are for the academic year and include classes from Summer 2025 through Spring 2026.

State Authorization

Xavier University is authorized to offer fully-online programs in most states. Students must reside and complete practicum hours in approved states only. A complete list of approved states by programs can be found on the State Authorization page.

What Makes Xavier Different

Xavier University offers a personalized experience with small class sizes and invested professors. The university is guided by Jesuit values, emphasizing service and community engagement in addition to academics. Xavier also prioritizes affordability, offering exceptional online programs at an affordable cost, with numerous financial aid resources available for online students.