Become a Teacher through Alternative Licensure

Career Change to Make a Difference

WNMU has alternative licensure programs for all grade levels and needs:

• Early Childhood – age 3 to grade 3
• Elementary Education – kindergarten to 8th grade
• Secondary Education – 7th grade to 12th grade
• Special Education – K-12

This is a graduate certificate that can be used towards to the completion of master’s degree. If you have a bachelor’s degree in something, you are eligible to enter this program. If you have a heart for children, of all ages, we want you in this program. Become a licensed teacher and reach out to make a difference for the better.

WNMU Alternative Licensure Program

Through courses in instructional theory and methods and a full-time student teaching requirement for licensure, graduates can find career opportunities in public, charter, and private schools, as well as in education-related positions.

Courses are offered fully online and generally can be completed in two years of full-time study.

Students in this program may obtain licensure in their studies in Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, or Special Education.

There are two options in earning Alternative Licensure:

Option 1: Alternative Licensure Only (18-21 credits)
Option 2: Alternative Licensure Embedded in a Master of Arts of Teaching degree

More information below.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Making Subject Matter Comprehensible to all students including culturally and linguistically diverse students and students with exceptionalities
2. Planning instruction and designing learning experiences for ALL students including culturally and linguistically diverse students and students with exceptionalities
3. Assessing and evaluating – using assessment to inform instruction and support learning
4. Creating and Maintaining Effective Environment for Learning for all students
5. Engaging and Supporting Learning for all students
6. Communicating and Collaborating with Families and Communities,
7. Developing as a Professional Educator – using reflection to grow as an educator

Considerations:

• Students considering this program should have their transcripts reviewed by the COE to determine if they meet the licensure requirements.
• Students who have undergraduate equivalent courses must substitute advisor-approved courses.

Alternative Licensure

Option 1: 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 30 undergraduate credits that appertain to the licensure area sought. [NMAC 6.60.3.8 A(1)];
2. 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.
3. After being admitted but before starting coursework, secure a letter from the Dean of the College of Education to be sent to the Public Education Department.
4. Complete a degree plan with the director of ALT to assure that all NES scores are accounted for in the degree plan document.

Option 2: Alternative License Embedded Within a MAT

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:
   a. Completion of an Application for Graduate Admission to the WNMU Admission’s Office and check off embedded box.
   b. Submission of official copies of transcripts that show the award of a bachelor’s/master’s degree from an accredited institution.
   c. Evidence of an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 for the last 64/36 credit hours of undergraduate/graduate work; or
   d. 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.
2. Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an appropriate endorsement field. Endorsement field requirements determined by the Public Education Department require a minimum of 30 undergraduate credits that appertain to the licensure area sought. [NMAC 6.60.3.8 A(1)]
3. Employed by an accredited private or public school in New Mexico as the teacher of record.
4. After being admitted but before starting coursework, secure a letter from the Chair of the College of Education.
5. Complete a degree plan with the director of ALT to assure that all NMTA or NES scores are accounted for in the degree plan document.