The Institute for Educational Studies, TIES

What The Institute for Educational Studies, TIES does

The Institute for Educational Studies (TIES) is a private nonprofit educational institution founded in 1993 by Philip Snow Gang and incorporated in 1996, offering online Master of Education programs through a long-standing affiliation with Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. TIES delivers two degree tracks — the M.Ed. in Integrative Learning for holistic educators and the M.Ed. in Montessori Integrative Learning for Montessori practitioners — each structured as a 36-credit, 18-month program priced at $25,524 total tuition ($709 per credit), with per-semester, monthly payment, and federal student aid options available.

The underlying platform is an asynchronous online learning environment built around dialogue-based seminars, where students and faculty post responses to assigned readings and engage in collaborative meaning-making rather than traditional lecture models. Coursework is organized into three 6-month semesters and features observation practices (structured observation in nature and human encounters), integrative seminar coursework, and individual culminating projects. Cohorts are intentionally small at 15-20 students to support extensive faculty mentorship and individualized attention.

TIES generates revenue exclusively through tuition from individual students enrolling in the M.Ed. programs, supplemented by grant funding via the Marsha Snow Morgan Legacy Fund for international underserved educators. The organization is self-sustaining with no disclosed external investment, no parent company, and no acquisitions. Distribution is fully online and global, with marketing conducted primarily through organic community-driven channels including the Ripple newsletter, annual symposia, social media, video content, and word-of-mouth referrals within the holistic and Montessori education communities. The faculty team includes recognized pioneers in holistic education, with Philip Snow Gang serving as Academic Dean, and supports affiliated sub-brands including the Holistic Education Review journal, the Peace Through Education Symposium, and the Adolescent Symposium.

Name

The Institute for Educational Studies, TIES

Legal name

The Institute for Educational Studies

Website

https://ties-edu.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The Institute for Educational Studies (TIES) is a private nonprofit founded in 1993 that offers online Master of Education degrees in Integrative Learning and Montessori Integrative Learning to holistic and Montessori educators worldwide, delivered via an asynchronous dialogue-based platform in affiliation with Endicott College.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Graduate Education / Holistic and Montessori Teacher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Project- & Inquiry-Based Digital Learning Modules (EDAFACAD), University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA)

Keywords

• Online graduate education
• Master of Education programs
• Montessori teacher education
• Holistic education programs
• Integrative learning degrees

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Graduate Tuition: TIES generates revenue through tuition payments for its Master of Education programs. The program costs $25,524 for the full 36-credit degree ($709 per credit), with payment options including per-semester billing ($8,508), monthly payment plans, and financial aid assistance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

TIES offers online Master of Education programs delivered through an asynchronous, dialogue-based seminar platform in partnership with Endicott College. Two accredited tracks are available: the M.Ed. in Integrative Learning for holistic educators and the M.Ed. in Montessori Integrative Learning for Montessori practitioners, each comprising 36 credits over 18 months with small cohorts of 15–20 students. Curriculum integrates cosmic education, deep ecology, systems thinking, and Montessori principles, delivered via faculty-led online seminars, observation practices, and individual culminating projects.

Product overview

The Institute for Educational Studies (TIES) offers a unified Master of Education program delivered entirely online, with two primary tracks: the M.Ed. in Integrative Learning for holistic educators and the M.Ed. in Montessori Integrative Learning for Montessori practitioners. The programs feature a distinctive dialogue-based online seminar model where students engage with assigned readings, participate in deep observation practices, and develop individual culminating projects. The curriculum integrates cosmic education, ecological consciousness, systems thinking, and Montessori principles through small cohorts with extensive faculty mentorship. All programs are structured around three 6-month semesters spanning 18 months for a total of 36 credits.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Montessori Integrative Learning M.Ed. Master of Education program focused on Montessori principles and integrative learning approaches for educators.
• Integrative Learning M.Ed.
• Ripple
• Peace Through Education Symposium
• Adolescent Symposium
• Holistic Education Review

Products and services

• M.Ed. in Integrative Learning 36-credit, 18-month online Master of Education program for holistic educators that contextualizes learning within the unfolding story of the Universe, integrating Thomas Berry's work, deep ecology, systems thinking, and contemplative practices to cultivate cosmic and ecological consciousness.
• M.Ed. in Montessori Integrative Learning 36-credit, 18-month online Master of Education program for Montessori educators that integrates Montessori pedagogy with cosmic education, ecological awareness, and TIES's holistic approach to teacher development, delivered in small cohorts of 15-20 students.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Endicott CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTIES M.Ed. programs are affiliated with Endicott College in Beverly, Massachusetts. The partnership allows TIES to grant Master of Education degrees through Endicott College's accreditation. This is the primary institutional partnership enabling degree conferral.
• Antioch UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner of the Holistic Education Review journal, alongside TIES, Transformative Learning Foundation, and Center for Holistic Education at Southern Oregon University.
• The Transformative Learning FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting partner of the Holistic Education Review journal alongside TIES and other organizations.
• Center for Holistic Education at Southern Oregon UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution for the Holistic Education Review journal. Supporting partner alongside TIES, Antioch University, and Transformative Learning Foundation.
• Montessori Training Partnership ProgramcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of partnered Montessori training centers. Graduates of these programs are eligible for tuition reductions and grants toward their TIES Master of Education degree. Contact information available for potential students to verify their training center's eligibility.
• Nova Montessori SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffiliated Montessori school in Christchurch, New Zealand. TIES co-founders Phil Gang and Marsha Snow Morgan have longstanding connections with Nova. The school participates in TIES community events and educational philosophy alignment.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Lesley University: Cambridge, MA-based university with established Montessori and holistic education graduate programs. Comparable as a regionally accredited provider of M.Ed. degrees in Montessori and creative arts in learning.
• Endicott College: Accrediting partner institution in Beverly, MA. Endicott confers TIES's M.Ed. degrees and is directly comparable as the institutional home of the TIES programs; it also runs its own graduate education offerings.
• Bank Street College of Education: New York-based graduate school offering M.Ed. programs with progressive, child-centered pedagogy. Comparable to TIES in offering accredited graduate education rooted in alternative, learner-centered philosophy.

Direct peers

• Antioch University: Co-supports the Holistic Education Review journal with TIES. Antioch's philosophy-oriented graduate education model (values-driven, learner-centered) is closely aligned with TIES's integrative/transformative pedagogy.
• Maria Montessori Institute: UK-based Montessori teacher training organization offering adult diploma and degree pathways for Montessori educators. Comparable as a credentialed Montessori adult education provider serving a similar practitioner audience as TIES.
• Goddard College: Vermont-based progressive institution offering low-residency M.Ed. and education-focused graduate programs. Comparable as a small, mission-driven provider emphasizing holistic, transformative, learner-designed education.
• Fielding Graduate University: California-based graduate university offering low-residency and online M.Ed./Ed.D. programs designed for working professionals. Comparable as an accredited, distributed-model graduate education provider serving practitioners.
• Saybrook University: Humanistic graduate university offering online low-residency programs emphasizing transformative and humanistic learning. Comparable as a small accredited institution serving adult learners seeking holistic graduate education.

Emerging players

• Sofia University (formerly ITP): Palo Alto-based institution offering graduate programs rooted in transpersonal and humanistic perspectives. Comparable niche: small, mission-driven graduate school targeting holistic/transformative education for adult learners.

Others

• Athena Montessori College: New Zealand's first Montessori secondary school, founded by TIES faculty member Steven Arnold. Comparable as a Montessori practitioner institution in TIES's network that influences its curriculum and student pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/TIES_MEd
• Facebookfacebook.com/TIESEndicott
• Instagraminstagram.com/ties_med
• Pinterestpinterest.com/theinstituteforeducationalstud/pins

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Institute for Educational Studies, TIES