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Table of Contents
Early Childhood Care and Education Programs
Ignite and Nurture a Spirit of Learning

Early Childhood Care & Education Faculty

Cindy Martinez, EdD
Associate Dean/Associate Professor
Cindy.Martinez@wnmu.edu
(575) 538-6801

Shannon Rivera, EdD
Assistant Professor of Early Childhood Education
Shannon.Rivera@wnmu.edu
(575) 538-6465

Welcome

We, the Early Childhood Care and Education faculty are excited to have you visit our website. Each of us has chosen the field of early childhood education because we are excited about the possibilities of early care and education for children from birth to eight years of age. 

The program also serves as a laboratory site for university students from many disciplines. The Child Development Center and Growing Tree Infant Toddler Program are 5 Star licensed and nationally accredited by the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Please reach out to any of us using the contact information provided above, with any and all questions you have about Early Childhood Care and Education programs here at Western New Mexico University.

Early Childhood Care & Education

Every child enters the world eager and able to learn.
Play is foundational in ALL stages of life and acts as the positive and joyful thread in relationships.

The Early Childhood Education courses are presented in an active learning format that engages the student in experiential learning. The Early Childhood Education coursework maximizes student thinking and achievement through experiential learning and practicum placements in working early childhood education.

Teacher Quality in Early Childhood impacts children’s learning and development at a critical stage in their development. Educated teachers make informed decisions that have a lasting impact on children’s future social and academic success.

Our Goals

Our goals involve children, families, staff, students, and the community. Education and advocacy are fundamental to high-quality child care and to early childhood practice.

  • Children grow through having the opportunity to expand and develop in well-designed environments and with an appropriate planned curriculum.
  • Families grow through an increased understanding of child development as they integrate into our programs and participate in the highest quality experiences of planned educational programs. Staff plans attainable goals based on assessments that will reflect the program’s philosophy and goals.
  • Students learn through laboratory opportunities, observational experiences, and the application of theoretical classroom material.
  • The Community benefits by participating in a research-based model for early childhood education family support services.

Mission, Purpose & Philosophy

Our Mission

The Early Childhood Programs at Western New Mexico University seek to support the highest quality of early care and education through community outreach, teacher education/training, and advocacy. We promote the primacy of play in children’s development in a child- and family-centered context, respecting each family’s uniqueness and diversity.

Our Purpose

Our purpose is to offer a comprehensive array of child and family-centered services.  The Program fosters and maintains collaboration and flexibility to meet the increased need for quality care and education throughout the campus and Southwest New Mexico

Our Philosophy

The Programs strive to maintain a caring and positive atmosphere in which each child is respected and accepted as a unique and valuable individual with the focus is on a developmentally appropriate early childhood education provided in the context of a family-centered approach. Dignity and respect of ALL children and families is upheld while honoring individual and cultural differences.

In order to provide an enriching experience of the highest quality for each child, cooperation and mutual understanding among families, early childhood caregivers and staff are necessary. Our everyday modeling is absolutely essential to affirm ourselves and others, to accept people’s differences, to cooperate in achieving common goals, and to communicate constructively.

Learning Outcomes

The overall objective of the Early Childhood Care, Education, and Family Studies Programs is to prepare students to positively impact children at the most critical stages of early development through play. Program faculty believe that every graduate of our programs should be day one ready, to positively impact social-emotional growth and development, as well as academic success.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Promote child development and learning
  2. Build family and community relationships
  3. Use observation, documentation, and assessment to support young children and families
  4. Use developmentally effective approaches
  5. Use content knowledge to build a meaningful curriculum
  6. Become a professional

Early Childhood Care & Education Programs

The Early Childhood Care and Education programs allow for a student to progress from certificate through master’s programs seamlessly.  The programs allow students to enter the pathway, at any point in their education and careers, from high school through graduate school.

The New Mexico Child Development Certificate was created to meet the entry-level professional requirements for teachers who are already working in a classroom setting with preschool children. It is particularly designed to assist Head Start and Early Head Start programs meet the interim staff qualification requirements of the Head Start Reauthorization. Students pursuing the New Mexico Child Development Certificate must be currently working in a child-care setting.

Employment Advantages

The advantage of pursuing the New Mexico Child Development Certificate rather than the National Child Development Associate (CDA) is that all of the coursework can be applied towards the Associate of Arts in Early Childhood and the certificate does not expire.  The application is also significantly less expensive.

The WNMU Child Development Certificate fulfills the coursework for the New Mexico Child Development Certificate.  Individuals must be currently working in a child-care setting to qualify for the state certificate. To apply for the New Mexico Child Development Certificate, an applicant must request a Certificate Packet from the New Mexico Kids Network office by calling (505) 250-6725. To successfully complete this packet requires verification of completion of certificate coursework, professional resource file, family opinion questionnaire, observation and oral interview.

Continued Education Opportunities

Students who complete the Child Development Certificate will be able to continue their coursework to pursue an Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education & Family Support in the following degree concentrations:

  • Birth – 3rd Teacher: This concentration is designed for educators working in early care and education as teachers, public school educational assistants or interested in becoming a licensed PreK- 3rd grade teacher in an elementary school by continuing to receive a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood.
  • Infant Family Studies: This concentration is for educators working in early intervention or home visiting. Students completing this degree can continue to a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood.

Career Opportunities

Students who receive the Child Development Certificate are immediately employable upon graduation. Well-qualified educators are needed as early care and education teachers, educational assistants, Head Start assistant teachers, administrators, early interventionists, and home visitors. Students are encouraged to continue with the associate’s degree in Early Childcare Education and Family Support for additional career opportunities.

Special Requirements

A background check is not required for the successful completion of this certificate; however, it may be required for certain employment opportunities.

Financial Aid Considerations

This program is NOT eligible for financial aid, as a stand-alone program, but pursuing concurrently with an Associate’s degree would allow for financial aid.  In addition, many high schools provide dual enrollment opportunities which cover 100% financial assistance for tuition, fees, and books for the ECED certificate courses.  Check with your high school counselor to learn the possibilities of dual enrollment at WNMU.  In addition, there are some possible outside funding options (i.e. grants, scholarships, work study employment, etc.). For more information go to Financial Aid.

Courses

ECED 1110 – Child Growth, Development and Learning 3 credit hour(s)

ECED 1115 – Health, Safety and Nutrition 2 credit hour(s)

OR

ECED 1120 – Guiding Young Children 3 credit hour(s)

ECED 1125 – Assessment of Children and Evaluation of Programs 3 credit hour(s)

ECED 1130 – Family and Community Collaboration 3 credit hour(s)

Minimum Credit Hours Required to Complete Certificate: 11

Career Opportunities

A certificate in Infant Family Studies will lead to a career pathway in home visiting, early intervention, Early Head Start, and/or becoming an infant and toddler teacher. For professionals already in the field, this certificate will enhance their ability to work with families and young children. Students pursuing this certificate are encouraged to complete the Early Childhood (AA) Education & Family Support degree.

Educational Opportunities

Students who complete this certificate are eligible to apply for an Infant Family Studies Certificate offered by the New Mexico Office of Child Development. For more information, contact the Office of Child Development in the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department.

For more information, contact the Office of Child Development.  Students completing the associate degree in Infant Family Studies may apply for initial certification as a Developmental Specialist I Advanced through the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department.

Financial Aid Considerations

This program is NOT eligible for financial aid, as a stand-alone program, but pursuing concurrently with an Associate’s degree would allow for financial aid.  In addition, many high schools provide dual enrollment opportunities which cover 100% financial assistance for tuition, fees, and books for the ECED certificate courses.  Check with your high school counselor to learn the possibilities of dual enrollment at WNMU.  In addition, there are some possible outside funding options (i.e. grants, scholarships, work study employment, etc.). For more information go to Financial Aid.

Courses

Minimum Credit Hours Required to Complete Certificate: 13

Individuals seeking the WNMU Certificate (a state-recognized certificate) may graduate by completing the same core courses required for the Associate degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Support with Early Childhood Teacher concentration plus a Computer Literacy course.

This certificate is designed for:

  • Classroom Teachers (birth to five)
  • Head Start/Early Head Start Teachers

Early Childhood Education and Family Support Core Requirements

Credit Hours 29

Computer Literacy Requirement

Total Credit Hours 32

Western New Mexico University offers two programs in the field of Early Childhood Education and Family Support: Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Family Support, and the Vocational Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Family Support.

Requirements for admission in the Early Childhood Education and Family Support Program beginning with the program which started in August 2010 are:

  1. Prior to entering the Early Childhood Education program, a student will complete an application to the Early Childhood Program.
  2. For the Early Childhood Education and Family Support Associate Degree the candidate must complete the following exit requirements:
    • a minimum of 2.0 G.P.A.

The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Support is designed to equip the student with knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the needs of a variety of state and community programs including but not limited to:

  • Public school classroom assistants
  • Child care educators
  • School-age child care staff
  • Family home visitors
  • Early interventionists
  • Infant Mental Health professionals
  • Social workers
  • Health professionals
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program representatives
  • Foster Care Parents and others interested in parenting issues

This inclusive degree is designed to achieve competence in the areas defined by the New Mexico Office of Child Development. WNMU has participated with other New Mexico colleges and universities to develop a transfer module and common core competencies to facilitate the transfer of credit from one institution to another.

The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education helps the student begin to attain credit and experience that will lead to New Mexico Early Childhood Licensure. However, the New Mexico License requires that courses be completed at both the associate degree and bachelor degree levels.

University Requirements

Early Childhood Education and Family Support Core Requirements

Credit Hours 19

Concentrations

Select one of the two concentrations:

Early Childhood Teacher: Birth-Grade 3 Concentration

Credit Hours 13

Infant Family Studies Concentration

Credit Hours 13

Total Credit Hours 63

Individuals enrolled in the Early Childhood Education and Family Support Associate Degree program, and who have successfully completed and/or hold a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential may seek approval to use the CDA to substitute for one or more of the following courses: ECED 1898, ECED 211, ECED 221, ECED 231, and ECED 277. Permission for such substitution will require a review of the student’s work, CDA Portfolio, and an interview with the Early Childhood Education Advisor. Permission to substitute the CDA may be granted only by the Executive Director for Early Childhood Education and will be documented on the student’s Program of Study.

Western New Mexico University offers two programs in the field of Early Childhood Education and Family Support: Associate of Arts in Early Childhood Education and Family Support, and the Vocational Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Family Support.

Requirements for admission in the Early Childhood Education and Family Support Program beginning with the program which started in August 2010 are:

  1. Prior to entering the Early Childhood Education program, a student will complete an application to the Early Childhood Program.
  2. For the Early Childhood Education and Family Support Associate Degree the candidate must complete the following exit requirements:
    • a minimum of 2.0 G.P.A.

The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and Family Support is designed to equip the student with knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the needs of a variety of state and community programs including but not limited to:

  • Public school classroom assistants
  • Child care educators
  • School-age child care staff
  • Family home visitors
  • Early interventionists
  • Infant Mental Health professionals
  • Social workers
  • Health professionals
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program representatives
  • Foster Care Parents and others interested in parenting issues

This inclusive degree is designed to achieve competence in the areas defined by the New Mexico Office of Child Development. WNMU has participated with other New Mexico colleges and universities to develop a transfer module and common core competencies to facilitate the transfer of credit from one institution to another.

The Associate of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education helps the student begin to attain credit and experience that will lead to New Mexico Early Childhood Licensure. However, the New Mexico License requires that courses be completed at both the associate degree and bachelor degree levels.

University Requirements

Early Childhood Education and Family Support Core Requirements

Credit Hours 19

Concentrations

Select one of the two concentrations:

Early Childhood Teacher: Birth-Grade 3 Concentration

Credit Hours 13

Infant Family Studies Concentration

Credit Hours 13

Total Credit Hours 63

Individuals enrolled in the Early Childhood Education and Family Support Associate Degree program, and who have successfully completed and/or hold a current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential may seek approval to use the CDA to substitute for one or more of the following courses: ECED 1898, ECED 211, ECED 221, ECED 231, and ECED 277. Permission for such substitution will require a review of the student’s work, CDA Portfolio, and an interview with the Early Childhood Education Advisor. Permission to substitute the CDA may be granted only by the Executive Director for Early Childhood Education and will be documented on the student’s Program of Study.

The Bachelor of Arts with Licensure Degree in Early Childhood Care and Education is designed to equip the student with knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill the needs of a variety of state and community programs including but not limited to:

  • Public school licensed classroom teachers
  • Child care educators
  • School-age child care staff
  • Family home visitors
  • Early interventionists
  • Infant Mental Health professionals
  • Social workers
  • Health professionals
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program representatives
  • Foster Care Parents and others interested in parenting issues

Early Childhood Education, B.A.

(120 minimum credit hours required)

University Requirements

  • General Education Credit Hours: 31
    The following are intended for students majoring in Education
    ENGL 2110
    MATH 1010
    PSYC 1110
  • Service Learning Credit Hours: 3
  • Upper-Division Credit Hours: 42
  • Writing Intensive Credit Hours: 9

B.S. Requirements

Supporting Course Work

In addition to Gen. Ed, the following are required to meet State requirements:

Professional Core Requirements (68 credits)

Contextual Knowledge

Select three of the following six choices:

*required for Age 3-Grade 3 Concentration

Credit Hours 9

PRAXIS:

Core Academic Skills taken and passed:

  • Reading (5713)
  • Writing (5723)
  • Math (5733)

Foundation

Application and Reinforcement

9 credits of an upper-division core plus 12 credits from one of the two concentrations

Concentrations

select one of the two concentrations

Birth through Age 4 Concentration

PRAXIS:

  • Prekindergarten Education (5531) taken and passed

Age 3 through Grade 3 Concentration

PRAXIS:

  • Education of Young Children (5024) taken and passed

Capstone

The WNMU School of Education offers a state-approved alternative licensure program in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education.

The New Mexico State Legislature authorizes the Public Education Department to provide alternative routes to New Mexico teacher licensure for persons who hold at least a baccalaureate degree but have not completed a traditional educator preparation program. Students in this program serve with an intern license for two years and must complete the program in that time frame.

Option I: Licensure Only

Requirements for admission to the program must be completed concurrently:

  1. Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an appropriate endorsement field. Endorsement field requirements determined by the NM Public Education Department require a minimum of 24 undergraduate credits that pertain to the licensure area sought. [NMAC 6.60.3.8 A(1)];
  2. Evidence of an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 for the last 64/36 credit hours of undergraduate/graduate work; or
    Evidence of an overall grade point average between 2.75 and 2.99 for the last 64/36 credit hours of undergraduate/graduate work will be admitted on Graduate Division FINAL Admission/Academic Probation status. An applicant who has been admitted on Graduate Division FINAL Admission/Academic Probation status must complete one semester of graduate work designated by his or her graduate advisor(s) with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better to be removed from Academic Probation. If a student does not meet these requirements, he or she will remain on Academic Probation or may be disqualified from the Graduate Division if he or she receives more than six credit hours with grades of C or lower. (See Grade Requirements);
  3. Be employed as the teacher of record by an accredited private or public school in New Mexico in a teaching position with a state-approved mentorship program;
  4. After being admitted to the University but before starting coursework, secure a letter from the Associate Dean of the School of Education to be sent to the Public Education Department and the School Principal indicating Option I–admission to an alternative licensure program only;
  5. Complete a degree plan with an advisor to assure that all PRAXIS Test series for Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary or Special Education are accounted for in the degree plan document (See Table)
  6. Register to the EDUC: 529 TK20 Orientation class. This is a 0 credit class, and it has a fee of $100. This fee is to pay to purchase a student account for TK20. TK20 is the School of Education’s (SOE) database where you will complete many applications including the application to the SOE and assessments. Throughout the Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) you will upload to TK20 artifacts that demonstrate attainment of the Program teaching Outcomes.

Option 2: Alternative Licensure Embedded in M.A.T.

Requirements for admission to the program must be completed concurrently:

  1. Apply and be accepted to the WNMU Graduate Division with FINAL admission status. This includes the following:
    1. Completion of an Application for Graduate Admission to the WNMU Admission’s Office and check off the embedded box;
    2. Submission of official copies of transcripts that show the award of a bachelor’s/ master’s degree from an accredited institution;
  2. Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
  3. Be employed as the teacher of record by an accredited private or public school in New Mexico in a teaching position with a state-approved mentorship program. Documentation must be provided to the School of Education;
  4. After being admitted to the University but before starting coursework, secure a letter from the Associate Dean of the School of Education to be sent to the Public Education Department and the School Principal indicating Option 2–admission to an alternative licensure program embedded in a M.A.T. degree;
  5. Complete a degree plan with an advisor to assure that all PRAXIS Series scores are accounted for in the degree plan document.
  6. Register to the EDUC 529 TK20 Orientation class. This is a 0 credit class, and it has a fee of $100. This fee is to purchase a student account in TK20. TK20 is the School of Education’s (SOE) database where you will complete many applications including the application to the SOE and assessments. Throughout the Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) you will upload to TK20 artifacts that demonstrate attainment of the Program teaching Outcomes.

Clinical Capstone Under Contract

Candidates with an employment agreement in a school district may complete their practice teaching concurrently. Candidates are placed for one semester under the supervision of a Clinical Faculty or Cooperating Teacher assigned through WNMU.

The candidate must understand that an Incomplete may be given at the end of the first semester if the candidate does not demonstrate mastery of the seven Teacher Education Program Outcomes or complete required exit requirements. Candidates must meet all exit and semester requirements. In addition, candidates must have:

  1. Completed all education course work in the Alternative Program;
  2. Completed and passed all monitoring assessments;
  3. Passed the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators (5713, 5723, 5733);
  4. Met all school district requirements;
  5. Passage of the PRAXIS Education of Young Children (5024);

Exit Requirements

  1. Passage for the PRAXIS Education of Young Children (5024);
  2. Successful completion of the teaching event, an exit requirement, during practice teaching that demonstrates with artifacts that all state competencies have been met;
  3. All M.A.T. candidates must meet all Graduate Division policies;
  4. Licensure-only candidates cannot count more than three credits with a grade of C toward fulfillment of the requirements for alternative licensure.

Foundation

PRAXIS: Core Academic Skills for Educators

  • Reading Test (5713): Passing Score 156
  • Writing Test (5723): Passing Score 162
  • Math Test (5733): Passing Score 150

Application & Reinforcement

Capstone

Total Credit Hours 21

PRAXIS:

Education of Young Children (5024): Passing Score 160

Students pursuing a degree in Specialization must complete the nine-credit hour education core and 27 credit hours in one subject area or 18 credit hours in one subject area and 9 in the other. The student will have an advisor in the School of Education and an advisor from the department of the teaching field. This program is designed to prepare individuals to teach at the college level or add additional endorsements to an existing license.

Admission to the School of Education

Education Core Requirements

Credit Hours 9

Education Requirements

  • Concentration A Credit Hours: 27
    or
  • Concentration A Credit Hours: 18
  • Concentration B Credit Hours: 9

Total Credit Hours 27

Degree Total 36

School of Education Exit Comprehensive examination required before graduation.

Concentrations:

Students must complete 27 credit hours in one subject area or 18 credit hours in one subject area and 9 in the other.

Teacher Leadership

Teacher Leadership will serve as a concentration in the MAT Specialization or MAIS degree plans.

Total Credit Hours 18

Gifted Education

Total Credit Hours 11-15

Twelve credit hours is required to meet State requirements.

Other Concentrations:

Applying to an Early Childhood Program

Applicants hoping to be admitted into the Early Childhood Program at WNMU must apply through the Admissions Office.

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