Program Quick Facts
Expert Faculty
Learn culturally responsive teaching practices to meet the needs of students of all backgrounds.
100% Online
Flexible, online classes make it easier to reach your goals while balancing work and family life.
Affordable Tuition
NMSU Global Campus offers competitively priced tuition and scholarship opportunities.
Become a Master Educator
The Early Childhood Education: Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate at NMSU Global Campus gives you the opportunity to become a teacher of young children if you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than teacher education.
With this 100% online graduate certificate, you’ll deepen your expertise in Pre-K to 3rd grade education, gaining the skills you need to effectively teach literacy, math, science, and much more. If you’re looking for a flexible, affordable program that puts you on the pathway to a career in early childhood education, then alternative licensure may be the perfect next step for you!
Apply NowCareer Pathways
In addition to teaching in a public school setting, NMSU Global Campus graduates with a certificate in Early Childhood Education are prepared for careers such as:
- Consultant for Early Childhood Organizations
- Curriculum Specialist
- Early Childhood Center Director
- Instructional Coordinator
- Teacher Educator at the Associate’s Level
“I felt very supported by the NMSU Global Campus community. Even though I was online, I got to meet students from different parts of New Mexico and other states.”
Bernadette H., Class of 2024
At NMSU Global Campus, our Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education program prepares you to use culturally responsive pedagogy and developmentally appropriate practices to teach Pre-K through 3rd grade in a public-school setting.
Through this 100% online licensure program, you’ll get to immerse yourself in the study of childhood development, planning lessons and designing curricula that you can use while actively teaching under the mentorship of a university supervisor.
Our program also lays a solid foundation for you to receive a graduate degree. By completing just 12 additional credits, you can go on to earn your Master of Arts in Education!
Delivery Format: 100% online
Program Credits: 21 credits
Program Length: 2 years
Cost Per Credit Hour: $444.40**
Active Military Cost Per Credit Hour: $250*
College: Health, Education, and Social Transformation
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The Early Childhood Education: Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate consists of 21 credits and takes approximately two years to complete. The program offers Fall, Spring, and Summer start dates, and in order to qualify, you must have:
- A bachelor’s degree with 30 teaching credits and a minimum GPA of 2.75
- A resume
- Prior fieldwork experience
- A letter of interest
- An intent to hire letter from a public or charter school district in New Mexico
| Sample Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECED 5510: Advanced Teaching and Learning of Literacy | 3 |
| ECED 5420: Science/Math Curriculum | 3 |
| ECED 5520: Literacy Development in Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECED 5220: Play in the Early Childhood Curriculum | 3 |
| ECED 5810: Student Teaching/Seminar | 3 |
At NMSU Global Campus, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU and NMSU Global Campus 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: 1-888-729-6678
Email: onlineFA@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.
*Terms and conditions apply.
**For NMSU Global Campus programs and courses, the per credit hour cost is listed above. Special tuition agreements (Western Undergraduate Exchange, Descubre, etc.) are not applicable to NMSU Global Campus programs. Course fees still apply and are charged separately. Textbooks, uniforms, equipment, etc., are additional program costs. Additional per credit costs might be charged by the program, department or college.