College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Principal Licensure
College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Principal Licensure
Lead the School of Tomorrow — Earn Your Principal Licensure
Accelerate your journey into educational leadership with NMSU’s Principal Licensure Graduate Certificate, a fully online, New Mexico Public Education Department–approved program tailored for licensed educators. In just 24 credits, you’ll complete rigorous coursework — including public school law, educational finance management, special education administration — and engage in a supervised administrative internship. With a combination of virtual learning and hybrid monthly seminars, you'll earn your administrative licensure while staying connected to real-world practice and guidance.
Admission Deadlines
This program begins in the spring semester only.
- Total credits: 24
Delivery Format
In-person
Career Pathways
With a Principal Licensure Graduate Certificate from NMSU, you’re ready to step into leadership roles that shape school culture and learning outcomes. Become a school principal, vice principal, or assistant principal — guiding teachers, implementing strategic initiatives, and fostering an environment of academic excellence. Equipped with advanced leadership, legal, and administrative expertise, you’ll also be competitive for roles in district leadership or educational policy and administration. This credential positions you to lead positive change, inspire educators, and make a lasting impact on student success.
Your Pathway to School Administration
Students seeking to complete the Principal Licensure Graduate Certificate program for the purpose of obtaining administrative licensure must already hold an MA or MS and New Mexico Level Ill teacher licensure.
All 24-credit hours must be completed to earn the Principal Licensure Graduate Certificate and meet the administrative licensure requirements of the New Mexico Public Education Department.
NMPED Approved
The NMSU Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) is a graduate level NMPED approved teacher licensure pathway designed to prepare qualified early childhood, elementary, secondary and special education classroom teachers.
Students must complete the required 24 credit hours of coursework, which includes six credit hours of a university-supervised administrative internship (over the course of two semesters). Students must earn a final grade of B- or better in all classes.
Take classes like:
- ELAD 5110 - The Principalship
- ELAD 5320 - Educational Leadership, Supervision, and Evaluation
- ELAD 5120 - Leadership and Administration of Bilingual Education
- ELAD 5180 - Internship Public Schools Part
Ready to take the next step?
Request Information
Scholarships and Financial Aid
At NMSU, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: financialaid@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.