Alternative Teacher Licensure

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School of Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences

CONTACT INFORMATION

Program Director: (505) 224-3588, Program Outreach Specialist: (505) 224-3607

cnm.edu/teachered

Program Description

CNM offers a state-approved Alternative Teacher Licensure Certificate Program with concentrations in: Early Childhood Multicultural Education, Elementary Education, Secondary Education and Special Education

Career and Educational Opportunities

Upon successful completion of this certificate program and required state exams, candidates are eligible to apply for a New Mexico Level I provisional teaching license.

Teaching remains a high demand field in New Mexico, especially in the areas of Bilingual Elementary, Secondary (Math or Science), and Special Education. The starting salary for teachers in New Mexico public schools is $30,000. Within 7 years of teaching, teachers can potentially earn a salary of $50,000. 

Special Requirements

To qualify to pursue alternative licensure programs, an individual must have:

• A bachelor’s degree including 30 semester hours of credit in a particular field that applies to the licensure area sought; or
• A master’s degree including 12 semester hours of graduate credit in a particular field that applies to the licensure area sought; or
• A doctorate degree in a particular field that applies to the licensure area sought.

Initial admission to CNM’s Alternative Teacher Licensure Certificate Program requires:

• Completion of the CNM admission application
• Completion of the CNM Alternative Teacher Licensure Certificate Program application packet (at cnm.edu/teachered)
• Interested applicants should attend an information session prior to submission of ATL application packet

Full acceptance (required to register for second term of coursework) requires:

• Passing scores on the Basic Skills portion of the New Mexico Teacher Assessment (NMTA). Note: To register for this exam visit nmta.nesinc.com
• Successful completion of first term coursework
• Complete student file on record with the education department

Exit competencies (see Program Exit Competencies ) for this program of study are available at cnm.edu/exitcomp.

For the graduation policy refer to the Moving On  section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.

Course Prerequisite(s)

Students should see an academic advisor to customize their educational plans. Students must meet prerequisites by placement scores or specific course work. Please see Course Descriptions for prerequisite(s) information.

See Prerequisite Requirement Guide  for Accuplacer score equivalencies.

Applicants to this program must meet the provisions of the New Mexico Public Education Department. Prospective students must possess (1) a bachelor’s degree that includes a minimum of 30 semester hours in a particular field, or (2) a master’s degree that includes a minimum of 12 graduate semester hours in a particular field, or (3) a doctoral degree in a particular field that appertains and corresponds to the subject area and level of instruction; meet all other prerequisites as specified in course sequence; and undergo screening process and be approved for enrollment.

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