Interested in becoming a teacher of young children but your bachelor’s isn’t in Teacher Ed? The College of Education at New Mexico State University offers a 21-credit alternative licensure program in early childhood education for persons who hold at least a baccalaureate degree but have not completed a traditional teacher preparation program. Deepen your understanding and skills of PreK to 3rd-grade education with a 100% online graduate certificate designed to prepare highly qualified early childhood educators. Our accomplished faculty is dedicated and eager to work with students committed to serving Pre-K-3rd grade classrooms along with the families and communities of New Mexico. The Teacher Education Program in the College of Education is CAEP accredited and approved by the New Mexico Public Education Department.
Explore the Alternative Licensure in Early Childhood: Graduate Certificate program at New Mexico State University
The program requires seven (7) courses for a total of 21 credits of graduate coursework. All licensure courses are eligible for transfer into a Master's program in TPAL. Field experience, technology, and multicultural education are integrated into all coursework. As an Alternative Licensure candidate, you will need to be hired by a public school district as a teacher of record in PreK – 3rd grade.
There are state-mandated licensure exams required by New Mexico Public Education Department to apply for a New Mexico teaching license.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
This is an exciting time for early childhood education in New Mexico. The Early Childhood Education and Care Department is offering scholarships for graduate degrees in education. See information on their website: https://www.nmececd.org/
NMSU helps to keep your tuition costs affordable. But if you need financial help, NMSU is ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education to earn your Early Childhood Education graduate certificate.
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 Online 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: 1-888-729-6678Email: onlineFA@nmsu.edu