Alternative Teaching Certification in New Mexico

Alternative licensure programs are meant for those who wish to become teachers but have not graduated from a traditional teacher preparation program.

Interested in learning about the traditional approach? Contact schools offering teaching certification programs in New Mexico.

Alternative Certification Requirements

Education Requirements

Featured Programs:

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Liberty University

Featured Program: Undergraduate Certificate in Preschool, Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), Doctor of Education

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Grand Canyon University

Featured Program: Bachelor of Arts & Science in ECE, Elem. & Sec. Education, Master of Education in ECE, Elem. & Sec. Education, and Ed. Doctorate

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Arizona State University - Online

Featured Program: The online master’s in early childhood education with certification equips current or aspiring educators with the coursework, skills and practical experience needed to become a certified teacher working in a public school with children pre-K and K-3.

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University of West Alabama

Featured Program: Choose from more than 40 certification and non-certification education programs that can enhance your career as an educator inside or outside the classroom.

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Campbellsville University

Featured Program: Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (P-5); Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education - Initial Certification; Bachelor or Science in Learning & Behavior Disorders (P-12) & Elementary Education (P-5) Initial Certification

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Walden University

Featured Program: Earn a Masters of Art in Teaching (MAT) in Elementary and Special Education - leads to a licensure

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• Have a bachelor’s degree and 30 semester hours in a field of instruction
• Have a master’s degree and 12 graduate semester hours in a field of instruction
• Have a doctoral degree in a field of instruction

Once you meet these requirements, you may:

• Complete an alternative program through a New Mexico institution, or
• Complete Online Portfolio Advanced Licensure (OPAL) and 3 to 6 credit hours in the teaching of reading, or
• Meet experience requirements in lieu of education (see below)

Examinations

You must pass the New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Basic Skills, the New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Competency for your area of licensure, and the New Mexico Content Knowledge Assessment for the area in which you wish to become licensed to teach.

Experience

If you have five years of post-secondary teaching experience and a post-bachelor’s degree, and complete the reading requirement and all other education/examination requirements, you are exempt from completing an alternative program of teacher preparation. In this case, you must also complete a one-year internship while working as a teacher.

Criminal History Background Check

Regardless of the route you take to teacher licensure (traditional or alternative), you must undergo a criminal history background check. After you call the Educator Ethics Bureau at 505-827-6649 and request a fingerprint card packet, take it to your local law enforcement agency. They will fingerprint you for a fee. Mail the completed fingerprint card packet along with your application for alternative licensure.

Contact Information

For information on alternative teacher licensure in New Mexico, contact the Professional Licensure Bureau of the New Mexico Public Education Department at 505-827-5821.