College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Secondary Education – Alternative Licensure
College of Health, Education and Social Transformation
Secondary Education – Alternative Licensure
Your Classroom Is Waiting — Become a Licensed Teacher in Just Two Years.
The Secondary Education Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate at NMSU gives you the opportunity to become a elementary teacher if you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than teacher education. With this graduate certificate, you’ll deepen your expertise in secondary education, gaining the skills you need to effectively teach literacy, math, science, and much more.
Admission Deadlines
There are no fixed deadlines*
- Total credits: 18
Delivery Format
In-person
Career Pathways
Launch your teaching career with NMSU’s New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED)–approved Alternative Licensure Program — your fast track to becoming a licensed educator. Designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor’s degree but haven’t completed a traditional educator preparation program, this state-accredited pathway allows you to earn your New Mexico Level 1 teaching license while gaining real-world experience as the teacher of record in your own classroom. In just two years or less, you’ll meet all licensure requirements, open doors to in-demand teaching positions, and start making a lasting impact on students’ lives.
Your Pathway to Teaching
We seek individuals who will have positive impact on the social, cultural, emotional, and intellectual growth of youth with whom they will work throughout their career. All licensure courses are eligible for transfer into a regular TPAL master's program.
Program Requirements to be completed by the end of the two-year program:
- Complete and maintain a 3.0 minimum GPA in all Secondary Education Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate courses (18 cedits) throughout the program
- Complete two full consecutive semesters of observation by a University Supervisor with a fee for each semester
- Pass Praxis® Content Assessment (choose from list)
- Pass Praxis® Principles of Learning and Teaching: Grades 7-12
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.
The Secondary Education Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate consists of 18 credits and takes approximately two years to complete.
Take classes like:
- EDUC 5120 - Multicultural Education
- EDUC 5130 -Technology and Pedagogy
- EDUC 5410 - Teaching Science at the Middle and High School Level
- EDUC 5420 - Teaching Mathematics at the Middle and High School Level
- EDUC 5440 - Teaching Language Arts at the Middle and High School Level
- SPED 5105 - Introduction to Special Education in a Diverse Society
In order to qualify to enter the Elementary Education Alternative Licensure Certificate program, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements and submit the required documentation for consideration:
- Meet minimum state requirements of at least a bachelor's degree and course requirements of 30 undergraduate credit hours (6.60.3.7 NMAC) in the teaching field with a minimum 2.75 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- Passing scores for all Praxis® Core Academic Skills for Educators (Core)
- Be hired and submit a copy of a current teaching contract from a school district in New Mexico that indicates the candidate is the teacher of record in an elementary classroom for each year of employment.
- Admission to the School of Teacher Preparation, Administration, and Leadership in the College of Education.
- Admission to the NMSU Graduate School
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.