First Montessori degree outside Dublin on offer

The highest qualification in Montessori education available outside Dublin is on offer for students on a new course at Cork Institute of Technology.

Staff of Cork College of Commerce’s childcare department have helped develop the honours degree course, which will be taught at CIT’s main campus in Bishopstown.

It is expected almost 40 places will be filled through the application process which has now opened and which closes on Aug 3.

The course is open to students with merit grades after two years in Montessori education at Cork College of Commerce, and to mature students with previous coursework or workplace experience, through the recognition of prior learning process.

Students seeking an honours degree in the discipline previously had to go to Dublin or England.

“This new degree will combine key Montessori methodologies together with research and practical skills to provide graduates with appropriate knowledge, skills and competence to work in Montessori settings and special needs schools,” said Margaret Linehan, head of CIT’s school of humanities.

Helen Ryan, Cork College of Commerce principal, said forging links with CIT will help meet the college’s commitment to protecting the integrity of Montessori qualifications available to students in Munster.