1. How do these university courses benefit me?

There are a variety of reasons why students are interested in paying the extra cost to acquire either a few, and up to 45 graduate-level university credits. The most common reasons are:

• If you are a teacher you likely have a contract with a salary grid. Most school boards pay a teacher based on the number of years of university they have completed (the grid). Moving permanently to a higher salary category (up the grid) is probably the single best financial investment you can make. It will permanently increase both your salary and your pension.
  
• Teachers who are required to complete a certain number of professional development credits to maintain their teaching certificate.
  
• People who would like to earn their Montessori Elementary teaching diploma as well as one year of graduate-level credit.
  
• People who aren’t satisfied with their existing university grade point average, and would like to raise it, also find our courses appealing.
  
• People already working on their masters degree program, and would like to transfer our courses in as elective credits.
  
• These are wonderful courses to take if you fall into any of the five above mentioned categories. If you don't, then you probably won't benefit from the extra expense required to obtain these graduate-level university courses, and you should probably be enrolling in one of our more cost effective Montessori diploma programs. Here is a quick link back to the Common Questions, section pertaining to our non-credit Diploma Programs.
  

2. How will I find the time to complete these courses?

Our courses are designed for busy teachers. Assignments require objective answers and short summaries. In lieu of writing a term paper, students videotape themselves teaching one of our 10 minute lessons to a child of their choice. Of course, the fact that you do not have to drive anywhere to attend classes at scheduled times helps too!

3. Is this a masters program?

No, although these are graduate-level courses this is not a masters program. If you want a masters degree you must enroll in a masters program a local university of your choice. Unfortunately, Portland State University does not offer an online masters program.

4. Is Portland State University an accredited institution?

Yes. Portland State University is one of America's premier universities. It enjoys the highest possible accreditation status available in the United States. PSU is accredited by The Northwest Association of Accredited Schools.

• No travel is required.
  
• All books are included.
  
• Manageable courses that are designed for busy teachers.
  
• A very reasonable, fully inclusive, fee of $849.00 per course.
  
• If you complete all nine courses you also receive your Lower Elementary (6-9) Montessori teaching diploma.
  

6. How many courses can I take?

You can take up to nine courses. View Courses Offered.

Each course carries five (5) graduate-level quarter credits.

Colleges and universities offer either quarter credits or semester credits.

Colleges and universities that operate on a semester system award semester credit.

Colleges and universities that operate on a quarter basis (Portland State University) divide the academic year into three parts, exclusive of a summer session, and award quarter credits.

If a student transfers from a university on the quarter system into a university on a semester system, the quarter credits are converted to semester credit. Typically this is accomplished by multiplying the quarter credits by two thirds. For example, 45 quarter hour credits (9 of our courses) would convert to 30 semester hour credits. Another example, three of our courses (equivalent to 15 quarter hour credits) would convert to 10 semester hour credits. School boards use the same conversion formula.

9. When are the courses offered?

View Courses Offered.

Each course costs $849.00 USD (all monies are fully payable to Portland State University). This price includes all materials (curriculum manuals and assignments), evaluation and feedback, tutoring, grading, marks and shipping*.

*Additional shipping may apply for destinations outside of Canada and the USA.

11. Does PSU accept Americorps (US military) vouchers or school district purchase orders/invoices as payment?

Yes, as an accredited University, PSU can accept tuition payments from any qualified third party. PSU will also invoice a school district directly on a student's behalf.

Unfortunately, the Continuing Education Department of PSU does not offer any form of financial aid, including student loans, scholarships and bursaries.

If you wish to enroll in this program, please contact us directly to request documents. Toll-free USA & Canada: 1.877.531.6665 or email: psu@montessoritraining.net.

Yes, it can. The tuition for full graduates of the NAMC Elementary 6-9 Program is $553 USD per course. This special discounted price reflects the cost of the curriculum materials that you have already received as part of the diploma program. If you are a NAMC Elementary graduate interested in taking our university credit courses, please email us for a customized registration form: psu@montessoritraining.net.

14. Is graduate-level credit available for your 0-3 and 3-6 programs?

No, at this point in time, we are only offering graduate-level credit for our Lower Elementary courses.

15. Do these courses include an on-line format?

An on-line discussion session will be arranged for each class. The dates and times and access information is provided with the course material. You can email a NAMC T.A. at any time for assistance.

16. What kind of assignments are included? And how will I receive feedback?

Our assignments include objective questions, short summaries and one video assignment per course. The video assignment requires you to videotape yourself presenting one of our 10 minute lessons to a child of your choice. This assignment is in lieu of a term paper. Feedback is provided via email after each assignment.

To enroll in these courses you need to have a Bachelor's Degree or a recognized Teaching Certificate. In exceptional cases a waiver will be considered. Please contact us directly if you feel this applies to you.

Considering the fact that Portland State University is as highly accredited in the USA as it is academically possible to be, to our knowledge, PSU credits are accepted by every professional body that accepts university credit. All the same, please confirm that PSU's credits will perform as you expect (at your school board or existing university) before you enroll.

These courses have been approved to carry PSU credit so they enjoy the full accredited weight of the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. Our arrangement with PSU includes that we handle all of the course instruction, enrollment documentation and student inquiries. If you have any questions, please direct them to us. You can call us toll-free at 1.877.531.6665 or email us at psu@montessoritraining.net.

20. I still have questions. Who do I contact for answers?

As per our agreement with PSU,
all enquiries, enrollment and supporting documents regarding these courses
must be handled by NAMC.

Please contact us via:

Email:
psu@montessoritraining.net

Telephone:
Toll-free (USA & Canada): 1.877.531.6665
International calls: 604.531.6665
Fax: 604.531.6698

Mail:
NAMC
PSU Cooperative Program
13469-27th Avenue
Surrey, BC V4P 1Z1
Canada