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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

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

PRAXIS: ets.org/content/ets-org/language-master/en/home/praxis/nm/test-takers/plan-your-test/certification.html

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

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

Funding SourcePotential $$DetailsContact

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

UNM Financial Aid*

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

UNM Financial Aid*

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

UNM Financial Aid*

New Mexico Legislative Lottery Scholarship

Tuition funding

For Undergraduates only for up to 7 semesters.

UNM Financial Aid*

Opportunity Scholarship

Tuition and fees

For Undergraduates only—1st Degree

UNM Financial Aid*

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.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Our program has determined it meets professional licensure requirements in the state of New Mexico. It has not determined it meets professional licensure requirements in any other state.