Alternative Teacher Licensure (Post Degree Certificate of Completion), Special Education Concentration

School of Communication, Humanities & Social Sciences (CHSS)

CNM offers a state-accredited program based on The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) standards for Alternative Teacher Licensure  with certificates in, Elementary Education , Secondary Education , and Special Education . For students currently in the Alternative Teacher Licensure Program or licensed teachers, CNM offers coursework that can be applied to endorsements in Gifted Education, Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) and Bilingual Education.

See Recommended Sequence of Courses

Special Requirements

Students must complete a separate application process for the Alternative Teacher Licensure Program.

• Alternative Teacher Licensure Program (ATLP) Application

Application requirements include:

• Submission of official transcript to CNM Records Office confirming Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• GPA of 3.0 on highest degree earned
• Ability to pass a Criminal Background Check
• Passing score on the NES Essential Academic Skills *
  • Subtest I: Reading
  • Subtest II: Writing
  • Subtest III: Mathematics

* Passing results from a NMTA Basic Skills exam taken within the last 10 years will be accepted in lieu of the NES Essential Academic Skills tests.

Approximate Costs of this Educational Option

• Cost of Attendance
• Tuition
• Books
• Program and Course Fees

Financial Aid Considerations

• This is a financial aid eligible program.

  • Direct Subsidized Loans: 150 percent rule

  • Some courses are not eligible for Financial Aid. Please check the list here when considering a course.

Educational Opportunities

Upon successful admission to the Alternative Licensure Program candidates are eligible to apply for a Alternative 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 $34,000. Within seven years of teaching, teachers can earn a base salary of $50,000.

Gainful Employment information is available from Job Connection Services.