Certificate

Certificate in Waldorf Education

Educate students through creative learning.

Waldorf education is one of the fastest-growing independent school movements in the world. By placing an emphasis on imagination, teachers who leverage this approach are better equipped to encourage students to think creatively, critically, and empathetically. It allows students to develop important artistic and social skills, while also promoting free thinking and moral responsibility.

The demand for trained Waldorf teachers is very high. This program prepares our students for possible careers such as an Elementary Waldorf Class Teacher, or Elementary Waldorf Special Subjects Teacher (Foreign Language, Handwork, Physical Education and other subjects).

This certificate is offered by AU New England

Program Overview

Waldorf curriculum engages the child in a broad range of disciplines in ways appropriate for a given age and level of development. Its ultimate goal is to awaken within the child a steadily increasing imaginative and intellectual capacity, a deeply held love for learning, a will to work, and a strong sense of moral responsibility to guide the child through adolescence and into adulthood.

The Program unfolds through a combination of group coursework, independent study, and practical experience, including an in-depth study of how the Waldorf curriculum meets the child’s cognitive, emotional, and moral needs, exploration of the theoretical foundations of Waldorf education and anthroposophy, and a learning community to which the student contributes personal experience, insight, and research. Course instructors bring fresh insights from direct classroom practice with children and teach artistic courses which develop creative capacities for application in the art of teaching and personal development.

There are three options to gain the 28-credit Waldorf Certificate:

Full-time Year Round
Part-Time Summer Sequence Regular, and
Summer Sequence Advanced (Healing Education)

Year-Round Certificate

(18 months to completion)

This full-time, 28-credit program is for those who seek to earn an AWSNA-approved Waldorf teaching certificate in 5 consecutive semesters (18 months). Year Round program cohorts begin in the summer, with cohorts admitted every other year.

This program is ideal for both pre-service teachers (with little or no Waldorf teaching experience) and practicing Waldorf teachers who are able to attend summer residencies in Wilton, NH, and monthly weekend residencies in Keene, NH, in the fall semesters. During the intervening spring semester, students complete an internship or practicum at an established Waldorf school of their choice. Interested students can choose to extend their studies to complete a MEd by completing a Master’s Project after the requirements for the certificate have been met.

Part-time Summer Sequence (Regular) Certificate

(25 months to completion)

This part-time, low residency, 28-credit program is for those who seek to earn an AWSNA-approved Waldorf teaching certificate in 5 semesters spread over 25 months (students have the fall semesters off). This program is ideal for those who live farther away and cannot commute to weekend residencies in Keene, NH, in the fall semesters.

Summer Sequence (Advanced) Certificate, Transdisciplinary Focus on Healing Education

(17 months to completion)

This 28-credit program is for experienced Waldorf educators and anthroposophical practitioners. Learn more about this program option.

Advanced Healing Education Program applicants are required to have 5-7 years of professional experience with a practice based on anthroposophic foundations OR completion of a four-year program of the Camphill Academy (Enrollment concurrent with the advanced level of a Camphill Academy program may be considered in exceptional cases.)

Summer residency in Wilton, NH, will take place in person July 13-28, 2024, with some synchronous online classes June 25-28.

Degree Requirements

For Year-Round:

Minimum number of required semesters: 5
Expected study sequence:
- Summer I (approximately 3 weeks) -- courses held in Wilton, NH (dormitory housing available)
- Fall I (5-weekend residencies) -- courses held in Keene, NH
- Spring I (12 weeks) -- internship or practicum at the established Waldorf school of your choice
- Summer II (approximately 4 weeks) -- courses held in Wilton, NH (dormitory housing available)
- Fall II (5-weekend residencies) -- courses held in Keene, NH

For Summer Sequence:

Minimum number of required semesters: 5
Expected study sequence:
- Summer I: 3 weeks — courses held in Wilton, NH – School dormitory/local rooms available
- Fall I: no courses
- Spring I: Online course (4 credits)
- Summer II: 3 weeks, Wilton, NH
- Fall I: no courses
- Spring I: 12-week Internship/Practicum (nationwide – or worldwide)
- Summer III: 3 weeks, Wilton, NH

Requirements:

The Waldorf Certificate is available to individuals who are solely interested in pursing training as a Waldorf teacher. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree must have completed at least 72 semester credits at an accredited institution, plus experience in the field of education. For the full policy on the Alternative Application Process, click here.

The Waldorf Certificate Program is a summer entry program. This program requires 28 credits to complete.

Course Sequence:

For Year-Round:

Summer I (3-week residency in Wilton, NH)

Waldorf Curriculum Prep I
Human Development
Research & Self Development
Eurythmy I
Speech I
Visual Arts I
Plus non-credit workshops (drawing, singing, movement, etc.)

Fall I (5-weekend residencies in Keene, NH)

Evolving Consciousness and Philosophy
Visual Arts II
Plus non-credit workshops (Eurythmy & Drama)

Spring I

Elementary Internship or Practicum
Professional Seminar (online)
Math Methods in the Waldorf Grade School (online)

Summer II (3-4 week residency in Wilton, NH)

Waldorf School Administration
The Adolescent
Foundations of Human Experience
Science Curriculum
Music Curriculum
Plus non-credit workshops (arts, speech, Eurythmy, etc.)

Fall II (5-weekend residencies in Keene, NH)

Waldorf Curriculum Preparation II
Language Arts Methods in the Waldorf Grade School
Geometry in the Waldorf Curriculum
Plus, non-credit workshop (handwork)

For Summer Sequence:

First Summer (Classes are held for three weeks in July in Wilton, NH)

Eurythmy 1
Research
Human Development
Geometry
Painting 1
Speech 1
Plus non-credit courses (Bothmer, Singing, etc.)

First Spring

Education for Social Renewal (online course)

Second Summer (Classes are held for three weeks in July in Wilton, NH)

Speech 2
Drawing
Evolving Consciousness 2
Elementary Curriculum Seminar
Painting 2
Plus non-credit courses (Bothmer, Singing, Euythmy, etc.)

Second Spring

Practicum/Internship

Third Summer (Classes are held for three weeks in July in Wilton, NH)

Foundations
Math and Language Arts
Science Curriculum
Music Curriculum (optional for Certificate students)
Adolescent
Arts to accompany Foundations
Plus non-credit courses (Bothmer, Today’s Child, Singing, etc.)

Education Programs at Antioch University New England value colleagueship and strong learning communities. We offer a 10% discount for 3 or more students from the same school or school district who attend any of our AUNE Education MEd or Certificate programs at the same time. Specific limitations and conditions apply. You can find more information here.

If you think you are eligible, kindly contact Carol Renzelman, AUNE Education Department Administrative Director.

Admissions / Cost / Aid

Admission

How to Apply

Complete the online admissions application, including the following:
- Essay questions, admissions, and program-specific
- Resume/curriculum vitae (CV)
- Non-refundable $50 application fee
Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities where you earned a degree or certificate.
- email transcripts to [email protected], or
- mail to:
  Office of Admissions
  Antioch University New England
  40 Avon Street
  Keene, NH 03431-3516
Two letters of recommendation are required from people who are in a position to evaluate your professional or academic work. The person making the recommendation may not be related to you.
There are additional requirements for International applicants and applicants without a Bachelor’s degree
Interview with a faculty member of the department to which you seek entry if selected. This can be in person, by phone, or via Skype.
Master’s and Certificate Programs do not require the GRE or any other standardized test for admissions. We consider all of your application materials and evaluate your academic potential in a variety of ways.

Official transcripts should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to:

Office of Admissions
Antioch University New England
40 Avon Street
Keene, New Hampshire 03431-3516

All application materials submitted become part of an applicant’s file and cannot be returned.

Application Deadlines

Program	Term	Final Deadline
Waldorf Summer Sequence MEd and Certificate	Summer	June 1
Waldorf Year Round MEd and Certificate (even years only)	Summer	June 1
Transdisciplinary Studies in Healing Education MEd and Certificate (odd years only)	Spring	December 1

LEARN MORE

Prerequisites

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree, or have completed at least 72 semester credits at an accredited institution and have experience in the field of education, to enter the Master’s Program or the Certificate Program. For the full policy on the Alternative Application Process, click here.

Foundation Studies Prerequisite

Waldorf teacher education applicants are expected to have basic familiarity with Waldorf education and with Anthroposophy, the philosophy of human development that is the basis of Waldorf teaching and learning.

If you are interested in Waldorf Teacher Education, please complete the Waldorf Programs Questionnaire.

Upon receipt, we will review the questionnaire and communicate with you about your background. If you need further work in this area, we will share suggestions on how to proceed.

Please continue with the application process for admission at the same time as you complete the Waldorf Programs questionnaire. If you have questions along the way, feel free to contact Dana Kedziora, Waldorf Admissions Counselor, or book an appointment with Dana via this link.

For additional questions, you may email Carol Renzelman, Administrative Director, Education Department.

Fulfilling the Foundation Studies Prerequisite:

We recommend that you study certain basic works by Steiner with a mentor or join a Foundations Study Group. Sharing your questions and having discussions with a mentor or group will deepen your understanding of the Anthroposophical basis of Waldorf education.

We also recommend that you finish your mentorship experience with a course entitled “Life Cycles and Self-Development." This Anthroposophical course is held for one week each July in Wilton, New Hampshire, one week prior to the start of our Waldorf Teacher Education Program (also in Wilton). For more information about this course and how to register please contact the Center for Anthroposophy in Wilton,NH . www.centerforanthroposophy.org

Finally, we advise you to get started by reading the following books. All of the books below are available from Steiner Books at http://steinerbooks.org/

Rudolf Steiner, Anthroposophy in Everyday Life ISBN-13: 978-0880104272
Torin Finser, School as a Journey ISBN-13: 978-0880103893
Rudolf Steiner, Kingdom of Childhood ISBN-13: 978-0880104029
Henry Barnes, A Life for the Spirit: Rudolf Steiner in the Crosscurrents of our Time ISBN-13: 978-0880103954

Tuition & Financial Aid

A college education is an investment in your future. Let us help you understand the costs and explore the resources available to help make your college education even more affordable. The majority of AUNE students finance their education through some form of financial aid. You may not be sure which federal, state, public, and private aid packages – such as loans, scholarships, and grants—are right for you. Our staff is here to help you, so you can focus on what’s most important: beginning your academic program at AUNE.

Cost

Waldorf Education Certificates	Tuition Cost per Credit	Total Program Credits
Waldorf Teacher Education Certificate, Summer Sequence or Year-round Delivery	$952	28
Transdisciplinary Studies in Healing Education Certificate	$952	28
View the Cost of Attendance Components