The Teacher Education associate degree program focuses the knowledge, dispositions and skills required for working with children in the public school system (K-12). Students will gain practical experience in the classroom through a field of experience practicum. Students interested in teaching in the early grades (PreK-3rd grade) should also consider the Birth-3rd Grade Teacher concentration in the Early Childhood Multicultural Education Degree.
The Teacher Education degree with a concentration in Elementary and Special Education is designed to transfer to most New Mexico Colleges of Education in Elementary, Special Education or dual Elementary/Special Education licensure pathways.
Some courses are not eligible for Financial Aid. Please check the list here when considering a course.
Educational Opportunities
The Education Department also offers courses for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree and want to transition to teaching through Alternative Teacher Licensure in the following areas:
Students transferring to a New Mexico College of Education are required to take the NES Essential Academic Skills exam as part of the program admission process. It is recommended that students take the NES Essential Academic Skills test in their final semester of the program after the majority of their coursework has been completed.
Career Opportunities
The associate of arts degree enables graduates to serve as educational assistants or substitute teachers within New Mexico public schools. Graduates from the program may transfer to four-year institutions that grant bachelor’s degrees in education.
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 7 years of teaching, teachers can move to a salary of $50,000.
Associate of Arts in Teacher Education, Elementary Concentration 60 credit hour(s)
Additional Notes
It is strongly recommended that students fulfill the Laboratory Science Requirements with the following courses: NS 1010: Physical Science for Teachers, NS 1015: Life Science for Teachers, and/or NS 2010: Environmental Science for Teachers. These courses are aligned to the NES Test Framework for the Elementary Education Subtest II that is required for elementary education licensure.
We encourage students to meet with an advisor to review the transfer requirements of the college where they intend to complete their degree to determine if there are additional general education course requirements that can be completed at CNM.
Return to: