Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure
Application Deadlines
Summer/Fall Semesters:
Year-Round Rolling Admissions
Application Reviews begin February 1
Spring Semester:
Year-Round Rolling Admissions
Application Reviews begin September 1
The Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure strives to prepare the very best entry-level teachers for all of New Mexico’s children; such preparation is enriched by the diverse, contrastive linguistic and cultural communities of the region.
The Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure is for an individual interested in becoming a teacher and obtaining a K–8 elementary teaching license. A student in this program is one who has a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral Degree or who is currently enrolled in a Master’s or Doctoral Degree. Students who complete the Graduate Certificate are strongly encouraged to apply Certificate credit hours toward an MA in Education.
Coursework & Field Experience
Teaching Methods Courses (Offered Fall, Spring, and sometimes Summer):
EDUC 330L: Teaching of Reading to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students I
(3 Undergraduate Credits) PRE-REQUISITE for EDUC 531
- Not approved for graduate credit but required for licensure.
- Ideally students should have access to working with children who are learning
to read.
EDUC 421: Teaching Social Studies K-8 (3 graduate credits)
EDUC 453: Teaching Science K-8 (3 graduate credits)
EDUC 461: Teaching Mathematics K-8 (3 graduate credits)
EDUC 531: Teaching of Reading to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students II
*Course allowed for graduate credit to students enrolled in a graduate program.
Note: For the most effective teacher preparation experience, these courses should be taken in combination with Field Experience in a K-8 classroom.
- Faculty strongly encourage you to complete the TESOL Certificate. To do so, 6 credit hours of a foreign language is required. Consider taking those courses during the summer or your first semester of the program.
- All coursework above is offered face-to-face and online a minimum of 1 time per year.
- Check schedule.unm.edu for days, times, modes, and locations.
All students admitted to the Graduate Certificate Program must register in Field Services Portal— fieldservice.unm.edu
Proof of a district-specific cleared background check, fingerprinting, and liability insurance are required.
Semester 1 Part-Time Field Experience (Fall or Spring Semesters)
- EDUC 594: Initial Field Experience (1-3 Graduate Credits; 1 Required)
- Credit for a minimum of 2 full days per week in a K-8 classroom, mentored by a cooperating teacher.
- Students should begin attending the school with your cooperating teacher on the day teachers begin to learn about the first days of schools and to participate in professional development sessions.
- Late fees apply for late registration.
- EDUC 581: Initial Field Experience K-8 Seminar (1-3 Graduate Credits; 1 Required)
Semester 2 Full-Time Field Experience (Fall or Spring Semesters)
- EDUC 595: Advanced Field Experiences (3-6 Graduate Credits; 3 Required)
- Credit for 5 full days per week in a K-8 classroom, mentored by a cooperating teacher.
- EDUC 595 begins prior to the UNM Semester according to school district start dates. Please attend to course start dates and enrollment deadlines.
- EDUC 582: K-8 Field Experience Seminar II (1-3 Graduate Credits; 1 Required)
- Students should begin attending the school with your cooperating teacher on the day
teachers begin to learn about the first days of schools and to participate in professional
- Students should begin attending the school with your cooperating teacher on the day
Handbook
Handbook for Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure
Portfolio and Licensure Applications
For assistance with Portfolio and Licensure Application visit coehs.unm.edu/licensure
The COEHS District Partner Teacher Residencies
Visit coehs.unm.edu/residencies for more information on Teacher Residencies with stipends up to $35,000 per year for the 2023-2024 school year.
Contact Information
For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure, please contact Penny Zink, Elementary Licensure Coordinator at eledgradlicensure@unm.edu or phone (505) 277-0513.
Application & Requirements
To Apply
Visit www.unm.edu/apply to apply.
In order to receive a New Mexico K-8 Elementary Teaching License, teacher candidates must complete the following PRAXIS Examination:
- Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205)—usually taken after completion of both Reading Courses (EDUC 330L and EDUC 531)
Your coursework in this Graduate Certificate Program will prepare you to pass this required examination.
ALL teacher candidates MUST pass the above PRAXIS examination to earn a New Mexico Level One Teaching License. Be sure to indicate on your PRAXIS Registration for your scores to be sent to UNM.
To Register for Tests or for More Information
Information on the PRAXIS Fee Waiver: https://www.ets.org/praxis/register/fees/waivers/
Test Preparation Support
- UNM College of Education & Human Sciences: coehs.unm.edu/praxis (Free access)
- Khan Academy: khanacademy.org/prep/praxis-core (Free access)
- Study.com (Payment required)
Once you complete your Graduate Certificate, you are encouraged to apply to the MA in Education and determine licensure coursework that can apply to the MA, in consultation with your MA Advisor.
Also, consider completing the 6-week, 9-hour TESOL Summer Institute to earn your TESOL Certificate.
*You have 7 years to complete your MA Degree from the first course taken that applies to your degree.
Program of Interest
Select: College of Education & Human Sciences > Teacher Education/Educational Leadership and Policy > Elementary Education > Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure
In the “Faculty Member Preferences Box,” instead of indicating a faculty member, please indicate at which campus you will be attending: Albuquerque, Gallup, or Farmington.
Letter of Intent
In your Letter of Intent (1-2 pages in length), you should share your experiences that have led you to become a teacher, your philosophy of education, and characteristics you possess to be an excellent teacher of students in grades K-8. Be sure to include your experiences working with and teaching children ages 5-14, your experiences in multicultural/diverse settings, and your experience with or openness to working with students with special needs.
Style of Letter of Intent
- Typed single-or double-spaced
- 12-point font in Times New Roman
- One or two typed pages in length (no longer than two please)
Resume
Prepare a Resume (1-2 pages in length) that provides us with information about your educational achievements, your employment experiences, and your community and extra-curricular experiences. Please highlight any paid or volunteer experiences in working with children ages 5-14.
Your resume represents you as a professional. Please use the template below in constructing your resume.
- Name
- Current Address
- Preferred Phone
- Preferred Email
Educational Experiences:
- Degrees completed (including years) and institutions attended • Overall grade point average earned
- Overall grade point average earned
- Any academic honors or scholarships received
Employment Experience:
- Significant employment experiences, including work with children and/or young adults • Dates and duration of employment (beginning with most recent)
- Dates and duration of employment (beginning with most recent)
- Employer’s or company’s name(s)
- A brief description of the position you held and your major responsibilities
Community and/or Extra-Curricular Experiences:
Please list up to three significant extra-curricular and/or community activities, including any offices held. Please list:
- Dates and duration of activity (most recent to least recent)
- The sponsor of the activity
- A brief description of your role
Recommendations
Provide the names and emails of a minimum of three (3) persons to supply a reference for you. The UNM system will email these persons and request a review of your potential success as a teacher and a letter of recommendation. If your references do not receive an email from UNM requesting their reference, please ask them to check their junk mail as these emails are sometimes filtered out.
You DO NOT upload these letters of recommendation. You provide accurate email information and as stated above, the UNM system will email these persons. Inform your references they will receive an automated email from UNM. Their prompt response ensures a prompt review of your application.
Forms and Resources
- UNM Office of Graduate Studies (OGS)
- Information on the PRAXIS Fee Waiver
- Teacher Education Section from UNM Catalog
- Program Basics for Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure
- Advisement Form for Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure
- Intent to Graduate Form
- Handbook for Graduate Certificate in Elementary Education with K-8 Licensure
- Program of Studies (POS) Completion Guide
Program of Studies
Deadlines: You can submit your completed Program of Studies after you have completed a minimum of 12 hours of graduate courses in graduate status. However you must submit it to the Department of Teacher Education, Educational Leadership and Policy by the following deadlines:
- February 15 for summer graduation
- June 15 for fall graduation
- September 15 for spring graduation
Failure to meet deadlines may result in extension of degree completion
Potential Financial Supports Depending on Eligibility
- Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship
- New Mexico Workforce Connections: Call 505-843-1907 to determine your financial eligibility.
- Teacher Loan for Service and other student loans: UNM Financial Aid
- For Albuquerque Public Schools Educational Assistants for 2 years or more: Nusenda Credit
Union EA Scholarship
| Funding Source | Potential $$ | Details | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship (TPA) | Up to $6,000 per year over 2 semesters | Funding only for "unmet financial need" as determined by FAFSA application | |
Grow Your Own Teachers Scholarship (GYOT) | Up to $3,000 per semester | Must have been an Educational Assistant in New Mexico for a minimum of 2 years | |
TEACH Grant | Up to $4,000 per year | Must agree to teach in a high-need subject area in a high-need school for a minimum of 4 years | |
New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship | Tuition funding | For Undergraduates only for up to 7 semesters. | |
Opportunity Scholarship | Tuition and fees | For Undergraduates only—1st Degree | |
Nusenda Scholarship (EAs only) | Funding varies | Must have been an Educational Assistant in New Mexico for a minimum of 2 years | APS Education Foundation: Nusenda Credit Union Scholarship |
New Mexico Workforce Connection | Tuition, fees, testing fees, books, etc. | Must be financially eligible. | Call Workforce Connection at 505-843-1907 to meet with a case worker to determine your eligibility. |
District Partner Teacher Residency (DPTR) | $35,000 stipend for 1 full year of clinical preparation. (Depends on approval of state funding) | Must a) apply to a District Partner Teacher Residency, b) complete a full year of clinical preparation, c) must agree to teach in your district for another 3 years. | Visit the COEHS DPTR Website and complete the application. |
Native American Teacher Preparation Program | Support for tuition, books, etc. | Must be of Native American descent | Visit the NATPP website |
HB 2 Paid Student Teaching | $10,450 stipend full-time student teaching semester. (Depends on approval of state funding) | Must be participating in full-time (5 days per week) student teaching. May NOT be Teacher-of-Record | Visit the COEHS Paid Student Teaching website and complete the application |
Leading New Mexico in Educator Preparation and Research
The overall mission and purpose of our work within the Teacher Education, Educational Leadership & Policy Department is to prepare and support teachers, teacher educators and teacher leaders who support the children and families of New Mexico. Read more about our Mission and Core Values.
