New Mexico Alternative Teacher Certification Process and Programs
Alternative teacher preparation programs, or non-traditional programs, are designed for those with a bachelor’s degree outside of education and typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The alternative pathways to certification are designed for career switchers who are interested in teaching. If you don’t have your bachelor’s degree, visit our guide to traditional certification in New Mexico. You can read more about these alternative routes below.
Table of Contents
- New Mexico Alternative Certification Requirements
- Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses
- Testing Requirements
- Licenses From Another State
- Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs
- Best Alternative Certification Programs
- Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
- Additional Resources
Requirements for Alternative Certification
Prospective educators interested in alternative teacher certification in New Mexico must have at least a bachelor’s degree and at least 30 undergraduate credit hours in one teachable content area, or 12 graduate credit hours in one teachable content area, or a doctoral degree in one teachable content area. Elementary school teacher candidates must also pass the Praxis: Teaching Reading: Elementary test and prospective special education teachers must take the Praxis: Special Education: Foundational Knowledge test.
Types of Alternative Teaching Licenses in New Mexico
There are three main pathways to alternative teacher licensure in New Mexico. All pathways in the state involve completing a teacher preparation program, which may be completed in as little as one year as a post-graduate certificate or as a licensure-only course of study. Candidates may also elect to pursue a master’s degree in teaching, education, or a teachable subject via certain approved programs.
Alternative Educator Prep Program
Several colleges and universities in New Mexico have been approved by the NMPED to offer alternative educator prep programs (EPPs) leading to a master’s degree and teacher licensure in the state. To follow the alternative preparation route, candidates must attend one of these state-approved programs. If an alternative license is granted, candidates may lead a classroom while attending courses for the preparation program and passing the required exam(s) for their endorsement area. Successful completion of all program requirements leads to Level I teaching licensure.
Alternative Post-Secondary Experience
Candidates with experience teaching in a post-secondary setting (such as in a college or university) who have both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in a non-traditional education program may be eligible for this route. Candidates must have taught at the post-secondary level for a minimum of five years and complete an internship in a K-12 school for one school year (160 days) under a teacher internship license. They must also complete three to six semester hours in the teaching of reading or reading methods, depending on the grade level of the endorsement sought. After meeting these requirements, those who can demonstrate teaching competence in their application may be granted a Level 2 or Level 3 License.
Online Portfolio for Alternative Licensure
The Online Portfolio for Alternative Licensure (OPAL) Pathway Program allows candidates to teach for two years at a New Mexico Public School District while they are mentored and evaluated. Candidates must submit an online portfolio, pass any required assessments, and meet the reading methods course requirement. Teachers must also arrange for a teaching mentorship, which will be used to meet the portfolio requirements. After portfolio review, the NMPED may issue a Level 1 Professional License.
Vocational Technical Education
Prospective teachers of vocational or career and technical education (CTE) subjects may qualify for the Vocational Technical Education route to licensure. This requires candidates to have either a bachelor’s degree with 32 credit hours related to the occupational area; an associate degree plus two years of work experience related to the occupational area; a certificate plus three years of work experience related to the occupational area; or a high school diploma plus five years of work experience related to the occupational area. Candidates must either take 15 semester hours of professional education in vocational-technical subjects or follow a school-sponsored Professional Development Plan (PDP). Candidates may apply for a one-year license while completing the PDP, after which candidates are eligible for a Vocational Technical Teaching License.
Testing Requirements for New Mexico Alternative Certification
Candidates completing portfolio assessments may not need to take additional exams, though certain roles, like elementary and special education teachers, require Praxis exams. Candidates who did not complete the portfolio for assessment must take the Praxis exams related to their grade levels and subject area.
Transferring Teaching Licenses From Another State
Teachers from other states may be eligible for licensure reciprocity in New Mexico if the requirements of the original licensing state are substantially similar to the requirements in New Mexico. Each application for licensure by reciprocity is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Candidates typically must have a bachelor’s or master’s degree, proof of completion of an approved teacher education program, proof of passing a teacher competency exam in the state of initial licensure, and evidence that the candidate taught successfully in that state. For additional details, see our guide to teacher certification reciprocity.
Schools With Alternative and Master’s Programs in New Mexico
To qualify for teacher certification, you must complete an approved teacher preparation program. Alternative route teacher licensing programs typically lead to a certificate or master’s degree. The not-for-profit, school-based alternative certification programs below have been approved by the NMPED for the preparation of teachers.
| State-Approved School | Accreditation | Program Type(s) | Alt. Teacher Program Enrollment4 | Alt. Teacher Prep Prog. Completers4 | Alt. Licensing Exams Pass Rate4 | Net Price5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central New Mexico Community College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Eastern New Mexico University-Portales* | — | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 166 | 53 | N.Av. | $9,922 |
| New Mexico Junior College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| New Mexico Highlands University* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | $10,863 |
| New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| New Mexico State University* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 42 | 15 | 27% | $11,467 |
| Northern New Mexico College* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate | 26 | 4 | N.Av. | $7,038 |
| San Juan College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| Santa Fe Community College* | — | Alternative, Certificate | — | — | — | N.Av. |
| University of New Mexico* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 167 | 44 | 88% | $12,200 |
| University of the Southwest* | — | Alternative, Certificate | 18 | 14 | 58% | $17,369 |
| Western New Mexico University* | CAEP | Alternative, Certificate, Master’s | 65 | 19 | N.Av. | $13,172 |
- — indicates none or not applicable.
- N.Av. indicates data was not available or pass rates were omitted for confidentiality.
- *Schools with an asterisk offer programs that can include paid classroom placements, subject to qualifications and experience. Students may be responsible for securing their own placement. Contact programs for further information.
Best Alternative Teacher Certification Programs in New Mexico
We used overall pass rates on the teacher licensing exams to identify the best alternative teacher certification programs in New Mexico. The following schools reported 88% or above pass rates for alternative and master’s program graduates.
- University of New Mexico (Alternative, Certificate, Master’s, 88%)4
Fastest Alternative Certification Programs
The following schools have the fastest programs to qualify for teacher certification in New Mexico based on the shortest possible time to completion. The shortest alternative certification programs are often the most affordable because they require fewer credit hours. Check with programs to verify program costs and funding opportunities.
- Eastern New Mexico University-Portales (8 months)
- New Mexico Junior College (8 months)
- New Mexico Highlands University (8 months)
- New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (8 months)
- Northern New Mexico College (8 months)
- Santa Fe Community College (8 months)
- University of New Mexico (8 months)
- University of the Southwest (8 months)
Additional Resources
- New Mexico Alternative Licensure Program Opportunities: Overview of recognized alternative routes to licensure in New Mexico along with requirements and additional resources.
- Resources for Completing the OPAL: Detailed guidelines and requirements for candidates looking to certify via portfolio in New Mexico.
Related Articles
- Alternative Teacher Certification Guide
- New Mexico Traditional Teacher Certification Guide
- Teacher Certification Reciprocity Guide
References:
1. New Mexico Public Education Department: https://webnew.ped.state.nm.us/
2. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): https://caepnet.org/provider-search
3. Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP): https://aaqep.org/accredited-programs
4. US Department of Education 2021 Title II Report: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx
5. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/