The Teacher Education Elementary and Special Education associate degree program focuses on the knowledge, dispositions and skills required for working with children in the public school system (PreK-12). Students will gain practical experience through field experience in a PreK-12 public school setting. 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 associate degree is also available in a cohorted fast track program. Contact Education Programs at teachered@cnm.edu for more information.
The Teacher Education degree with a concentration in Elementary and Special Education is designed to transfer to 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 four-year college of education for a bachelor’s degree in education will need passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core) upon program completion. For more information on the Praxis Core, please go to: https://www.ets.org/praxis/nm
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 $41,000. Within seven years, teachers can earn a base salary of $60,000.
Ten Year Rule for CTE Courses
Career and technical education courses in this program will qualify for credit for a period of ten academic years. Due to changing technologies, trends, and professional demands, courses completed ten or more years in the past will satisfy program requirements only if they are approved by the instructional school in which they were offered. Cohorted programs may have additional restrictions.
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.
