Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education with 7-12 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 Secondary Education with 7-12 Licensure is typically a 2-semester program, with coursework and field experience (working with a cooperating teacher in a secondary education classroom) in both semesters, beginning in Fall and concluding in Spring. Students can begin coursework in the spring or summer . This Graduate Certificate includes 20 credit hours, 17 program hours and 3 hours of prerequisite coursework.
To be a teacher at the Secondary level, a student must be a content area expert in one of the following content areas:
- English/Language Arts
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies, or
- Global Languages.
As required by the State of New Mexico, a student is required to have 24 credit hours in one of the above subject areas, with 12 of those hours taken at the upper division (300-400 level or above). Please refer to the Graduate Certificate Content-Area Advising Sheets under the Forms & Resources Tab above.
It is important that each student meets with the Graduate Licensure Coordinator (secdgradlicensure@unm.edu) to review transcripts to be sure the student has the required content to be eligible to be a teacher in Secondary Education.
Prospective students should contact the Graduate Licensure Coordinator to schedule an advising appointment. The Graduate Licensure Coordinator (secdgradlicensure@unm.edu) will review the program with the student and then refer the student to the content-area expert faculty member who will review transcripts and advise the student on the student’s preparedness to be a secondary education teacher.
Coursework & Field Experience
Teaching Methods Courses (Offered Fall, Spring, and sometimes Summer):
EDUC 438: Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Field * (3 graduate credits)
EDUC 550: Issues in Secondary Education (3 graduate credits)
SPCD 507: Collaboration for Inclusive Education (3 graduate credits)
OR SPCD 589: Teaching Exceptional Students in General Education (3 graduate credits)
1 CONTENT AREA METHODS COURSE: This course depends on the content area in which the student will be teaching (3 graduate credits). Students take 1 of the following courses:
- LLSS 546: Advanced English Language Arts Teaching Methods
- LLSS 517: Secondary Social Studies
- MSET 530: Seminar in Science Teaching
- MSET 429: Teaching of Secondary Mathematics *
- LLSS 480: Second Language Pedagogy *
EDUC 564: Graduate Seminar in Secondary Teaching (1-3 credits; 1 credit required) in Fall
EDUC 595: Advanced Field Experiences (3-6 credits; 3 credits required) in Fall
- This course in Fall requires a minimum of 2 days per week in a secondary classroom teaching alongside an experienced secondary teacher in the student’s content area.
- This field experience begins when the district semester begins, which is before the UNM semester. Late registration fees may apply
EDUC 564: Graduate Seminar in Secondary Teaching (1-3 credits; 1 credit required) in Spring
EDUC 595: Advanced Field Experiences (3-6 credits; 3 credits required) in Spring
- This course in Fall requires a minimum of 2 days per week in a secondary classroom teaching alongside an experienced secondary teacher in the student’s content area.
- This field experience begins when the district semester begins, which is before the UNM semester. Late registration fees may apply
Note: Students do not make their own field experience placements in schools or with teachers and should not contact classroom teachers or schools directly.
Once a student has completed the coursework and field experience requirements, and has passed all the state required licensure tests, the student is eligible to apply for a New Mexico Level 1 Teaching License in Secondary Education (Grades 7-12).
* Course may be taken for graduate credit by students enrolled in a graduate program
Licensure
For Licensure assistance, visit coehs.unm.edu/licensure.
Contact Information
For more information about the Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education, please contact Dr. Sherry Jones, at secdgradlicensure@unm.edu.
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.
Application & Requirements
To Apply
Visit www.unm.edu/apply to apply. For detailed instructions, see below.
Program of Interest
Select: College of Education & Human Sciences > Teacher Education/Educational Leadership and Policy > Secondary Education > Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education with 7-12 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 7-12. Be sure to include your experiences working with and teaching students, your experiences in multicultural and/or 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, especially those at the secondary level (ages 12-18).
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
Transcript Review for Content Area Requirement
Your transcripts must be reviewed by a faculty member in Secondary Education to confirm you have the required content area credit hours (24 credit hours with 12 at the 300-level or above) to enter this program.
On the application under Special Requirements, upload your Transcript Review Form completed by a Secondary Education Faculty Member.
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. You may want to list up to 5 names and emails of references, as we cannot review your application until we have 2 completed references.
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. Alert your references that this email will be automatically sent from UNM as soon as you submit your application.
Each reference should check Junk and Spam folders if this email is not in their Inbox.
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.
- EDUC 502: Advanced Instructional Strategies* (*Note: You can work with your advisor to potentially substitute a Methods Class above for this Core Requirement and take another class. Faculty strongly recommend taking a special education course.)
- EDUC 552: Social Justice in Education
- EDUC 542: Principles of Curriculum Development
- RESEARCH COURSE:
- EDUC 500: Research Applications to Education OR
- EDUC 513: The Process of Reflection and Inquiry (513 is recommended—Action Research within your own classroom)
- EDUC 590: Seminar
*You have 7 years to complete your MA Degree from the first course taken that applies to your degree.
Forms and Resources
- Program Basics for Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education with 7–12 Licensure
- Advisement Form for Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education with 7–12 Licensure
- Intent to Graduate Form
- Program of Studies (POS) Completion Guide
- UNM Graduate Studies
- Teacher Education Section from UNM Catalog
- POS Instructions Office of Graduate Studies
Content Area Advising Sheets
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.
Even if you have not yet completed 12 hours of graduate courses for the certificate, please be sure to submit the POS by the deadline that reflects your intended graduation.
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.
