New Mexico Teacher Certification
How to Become a Teacher in New Mexico
Prospective candidates for becoming a teacher have multiple paths to New Mexico teacher certification. An early childhood certificate would allow a candidate to educate children from birth through grade 3, and an elementary certificate would allow a prospective teacher to teach any grade from kindergarten through eighth. Middle level certification covers students in grades 5 through 9, and secondary certification covers grades 7 through 12. Other certificate areas are the Pre K-12 specialty (such as art or music) and special education. New Mexico also offers a variety of endorsements that may be added on to an initial certificate, such as gifted, information technology coordinator, and library/media.
- I want to be a teacher in New Mexico, but don’t have a degree: Earn an Education Degree
- I want to be a teacher and have a degree, but not in education: Learn about New Mexico’s Alternative Certification Process and Programs
- I have a teaching degree and am interested in more education: Learn about Master’s Degree Education Programs or Doctorate Education Programs and Information.
Spotlight School
Popular Programs:
- MS in Education (for Existing Teachers Grades K-12)
- MA in Teaching (for Aspiring Teachers Grades 5-12)
New Mexico Teacher Education Requirements
The most direct way to fulfill the education requirements for becoming a teacher is to earn a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, and have completed an approved teacher education program. Common teacher education programs include early childhood education, elementary education, middle grades education, and secondary education (with a content area focus).
Profiles of Well Known Schools
New Mexico State University: New Mexico State University is a public state funded university and serves as one of New Mexico’s flagship institutions along with the University of New Mexico. Located in Las Cruces, the university is home to the College of Education that strives to train innovative leaders and educators who can go out and make an impact in the state, country and world. The College of Education houses several academic units including Counseling and Educational Psychology, Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Management and Development, Special Education and Communication Disorders, and Human Performance. Students can select from a wide range of academic offerings that lead to a variety of careers such as k-12 teaching, counseling, educational administration, school psychologists, reading specialists, and more.
In January 2012, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported New Mexico’s unemployment rate at 7.3%, slightly below the national average of 8.5%. The Occupational Supply and Demand System projects 1,480 annual job openings in library and education related fields in New Mexico through 2018. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 22,825 public school and 2,170 private school teachers were employed in New Mexico in fall 2008 and 2007 respectively. The average beginning teaching salary in New Mexico is $36,003 and the average overall teaching salary is $46,888, the 10th lowest average among US states according to the National Educational Association. The NEA also notes high demand for math, science, physical education and special education teachers throughout the state. The National Education Association – New Mexico, a large advocate organization for educators at public institutions in New Mexico, suggests subject specialization particularly for teachers looking for employment in urban areas. For more information on certification please contact local teaching and education schools.
New Mexico Teacher Testing Requirements
The NMTA (New Mexico Teacher Assessments) are required of all new applicants for a teaching license. The NMTA is comprised of the New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Basic Skills and the New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Competency (Elementary, Secondary or Early Childhood). Individuals applying for initial New Mexico teaching certification or adding certain endorsements must also take the Content Knowledge Assessment(s) in the certification/endorsement area.
New Mexico Teacher Salary and Jobs
| Type | Number Employed | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Preschool Teachers | 1,330 | $31,390 |
| Kindergarten Teachers | 1,330 | $48,850 |
| Elementary School Teachers | 9,910 | $51,990 |
| Middle School Teachers | 4,210 | $51,450 |
| Secondary School Teachers | 6,100 | $52,370 |
Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2011.
School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in New Mexico
Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools
Popular Programs:
- Early Childhood Education (Certification Only)
- Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
- MA in Teaching: Advanced Studies in Secondary Education- National Board Preparation
- Superintendent Letter of Eligibility (SLE)
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Math
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Literacy
Popular Programs:
- M.A. in Education/Early Childhood Ed.
- M.A. in Education/Secondary Teacher Education
- B.S. in Education / Elementary Education
- M.A. in Education/Elementary Teacher Education
- And more...
Popular Programs:
- Doctor of Management - Graduate Level Instructional Practices
- Doctor of Management - Private Sector Higher Education Leadership
Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in New Mexico
Central New Mexico Community College
525 Buena Vista SE
Albuquerque, NM 87106
(505) 224-3000
Clovis Community College
417 Schepps Blvd
Clovis, NM 88101-8381
(505) 769-2811
www.clovis.edu
De Wolff College Hair Styling and Cosmetology
1500 Eubank N E
Albuquerque, NM 87112-4413
(505) 296-4100
Eastern New Mexico University-Main Campus
1500 S Ave K
Portales, NM 88130
(575) 562-1011
enmu.edu/future-students/index.shtml
Eastern New Mexico University-Roswell Campus
52 University Blvd
Roswell, NM 88203
(505) 624-7000
www.roswell.enmu.edu/admissions.php
New Mexico Highlands University
University Ave
Las Vegas, NM 87701
(505) 425-7511
www.nmhu.edu
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology
801 Leroy Place
Socorro, NM 87801
(800) 428-8324
www.nmt.edu/office-of-admission
New Mexico State University-Alamogordo
2400 North Scenic Drive
Alamogordo, NM 88310
(575) 439-3600
nmsua.edu/admissions
New Mexico State University-Carlsbad
1500 University Dr
Carlsbad, NM 88220
(575) 234-9200
artemis.nmsu.edu/StudentServ/admissions.htm
New Mexico State University-Dona Ana
3400 S Espina
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
(575) 527-7500
dabcc.nmsu.edu/enrolling/
New Mexico State University-Grants
1500 Third Street
Grants, NM 87020
(505) 287-7981
www.grants.nmsu.edu/studserv/admissions.html
New Mexico State University-Main Campus
2850 Weddell Street
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
(575) 646-0111
prospective.nmsu.edu
Northern New Mexico College
921 Paseo de Onate
Espanola, NM 87532
(505) 747-2100
www.nnmc.edu/admissions/
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
9169 Coors Rd NW
Albuquerque, NM 87120-3101
(505) 346-2347
www.sipi.edu/acadprog/admiss/
University of New Mexico-Main Campus
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-0111
www.unm.edu/preview/na_admis.htm
University of the Southwest
6610 Lovington Hwy
Hobbs, NM 88240
(505) 392-6561
www.usw.edu
Western New Mexico University
1000 W. College Ave
Silver City, NM 88061
(505) 538-6336
www.wnmu.edu/NewStudents/newpages/admissions.htm
Page edited by Charles Sipe.
