Pathway A
Full graduate pathway
36 proposed semester creditsDesigned as a complete graduate sequence in Montessori education, learning science, leadership, research, and applied practice.
A graduate program in accreditation review
Education rooted in the child.
Designed for the future.
Building on FMAE's established Montessori teacher education work, the proposed MAE connects educational leadership, research, and responsible innovation in the San Francisco Bay Area.
DBA application filed · MAE accreditation in progress · Not yet enrolling
A careful next chapter
Human development first. Innovation with purpose.
This planned graduate initiative builds on Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education (FMAE), a BPPE-approved institution with one current program. Montessori's respect for the learner provides the foundation; research, leadership, and responsible technology expand what educators can build next.
FMAE's established foundation
Approvals, affiliation & academic recognition
California Fountainhead University's proposed MAE is being developed from the institutional foundation of Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education. The relationships below apply to FMAE and its currently approved Montessori Early Childhood Education Program.
SEVPStudent and Exchange
Visitor Program
Visitor Program
Federal certification
SEVP-certified school
FMAE is authorized to enroll F-1 students and issue Forms I-20 through SEVIS.
California authorization
BPPE-approved institution
FMAE is approved to operate in California and currently offers one approved program.
Programmatic accreditation
MACTE full accreditation
FMAE's Early Childhood level holds full accreditation through November 1, 2031.
Professional affiliation
AMS-affiliated program
FMAE offers AMS Early Childhood and Associate Early Childhood credential pathways.
College credit
CSU East Bay Continuing Education
Students may register selected current FMAE courses for CSU East Bay undergraduate credit.These logos identify FMAE's existing approval, accreditation, affiliation, certification, and academic-credit relationships. They do not represent approval, accreditation, affiliation, endorsement, or credit acceptance of the proposed MAE or CFU name. All trademarks and logos remain the property of their respective owners.
Proposed academic concept
M.A. in Education: Montessori Education & Leadership
A graduate program concept for educators who want to connect Montessori practice with research, organizational leadership, and thoughtful use of emerging technology.
Pathway B
Advanced standing
33-credit degree frameworkA proposed route for holders of a qualifying full Montessori educator credential. Up to 15 credits may be recognized after an individual evaluation, with 18 credits completed through the proposed MAE curriculum.
Program title, curriculum, credits, delivery, advanced-standing rules, admissions standards, tuition, and calendar remain proposals and may change during regulatory and accreditation review.
Montessori × responsible innovation
Technology should extend human judgment—not replace it.
The proposed curriculum would treat AI as an educational tool and a leadership responsibility. A planned elective concentration would examine AI literacy, learning design, ethics, governance, and an applied capstone grounded in real educational settings.
Montessori depth
Connect philosophy, developmental science, and prepared environments.
Practitioner research
Use ethical inquiry to improve teaching, learning, and school practice.
Educational leadership
Lead people, programs, and institutions with clarity and care.
Responsible AI
Evaluate and apply technology through a child-centered human lens.
Important disclosure
A proposal—not an offer of enrollment.
A DBA application for the California Fountainhead University name has been filed for Fountainhead Montessori Adult Education (FMAE). FMAE is approved to operate by the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) and currently offers one approved program. The proposed MAE is undergoing accreditation and regulatory review; it is not yet approved or accredited for enrollment, and no applications, tuition, deposits, or application fees are being accepted for the MAE at this time.
Existing institution
FMAE: BPPE-approved
FMAE currently offers one approved program: the Montessori Early Childhood Education Program. Learn about the institution, its current program, admissions, catalog, and required disclosures on FMAE's website.
Visit FMAE.orgProposed graduate program
MAE: review in progress
The proposed M.A. in Education is currently undergoing accreditation and regulatory review. FMAE's existing BPPE approval and MACTE accreditation apply to its current Early Childhood teacher education program and do not yet authorize or accredit the proposed MAE.
View FMAE's current MACTE statusDevelopment sequence
Approvals before enrollment.
Development is proceeding in deliberate stages. FMAE will announce MAE enrollment only after the proposed degree receives all approvals and accreditation required for it to be offered.
- 01
DBA application
The California Fountainhead University DBA name application has been filed for FMAE.
- 02
Accreditation review
Complete the applicable accreditation process for the proposed MAE curriculum.
- 03
State authorization
Complete the required BPPE review and authorization before offering the MAE degree.
- 04
Future enrollment
Publish a final catalog, disclosures, admissions standards, tuition, and dates before accepting students.
Clear answers
Before you inquire
Is California Fountainhead University accepting applications?
No. Applications, enrollment, tuition, deposits, and application fees are not being accepted.
Is the proposed master's degree approved or accredited?
No. The MAE is currently undergoing accreditation and regulatory review. It is not yet approved, accredited, or open for enrollment.
Does FMAE's MACTE accreditation cover the proposed degree?
No. FMAE's current MACTE accreditation applies to its existing Early Childhood teacher education program only and does not yet extend to the proposed MAE.
What is the relationship between CFU and FMAE?
A DBA application for the California Fountainhead University name has been filed for FMAE. FMAE remains the BPPE-approved institution and currently offers one approved program.
Are tuition and start dates available?
No. Final tuition, calendars, delivery formats, and admissions rules will be published only after the necessary approvals.
Development inquiries
Follow the work as it develops.
We welcome questions from educators, institutions, and prospective partners. Messages are for informational updates only and do not begin an application or reserve a place in any future cohort.
Email info@fmae.org