Early Childhood Education: Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate

Explore the Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Alternative Teacher Licensure at NMSU Global Campus

Are you interested in becoming a teacher of young children? Did you earn a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than teacher education? Alternative licensure may be the perfect next career step for you!

Come to NMSU Global Campus to deepen your expertise in Pre-K to 3rd grade education with this 100% online graduate certificate, which is designed to prepare highly qualified early childhood educators. Our students learn deeply about how to effectively teach young children literacy, math, science and much more.

Unique focus on serving the Southwest

Through the College of Health, Education and Social Transformation, NMSU Global Campus offers 100% online coursework graduate certificates, as well as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in Education and Curriculum & Instruction. Our instructors hold PhDs and have extensive experience in the dynamic local education community. As master educators, we study culturally responsive teaching practices to meet the needs of students and families in the Borderlands of the Southwestern U.S. and beyond!

Program Highlights and Learning Outcomes

This NMSU Global Campus graduate certificate program requires seven (7) courses for a total of 21 credits of graduate coursework. Our Graduate Certificate in Early Childhood Alternative Licensure in prepares you to:

Teach PreK through 3rd grade in public school settings using culturally responsive pedagogy and developmentally appropriate practices.

Immerse yourself in child development, curriculum design, and early childhood pedagogy.

Plan lessons you can use at work while you are actively teaching in a public school setting.

Receive mentorship and guidance by a University supervisor.

Go on to earn your Master of Arts in Education degree by completing an additional 12 credits!

Early Childhood Resources on the Las Cruces Campus

Research and innovation in early childhood care and education is supported by the NMSU Glass Family Research Institute for Early Childhood Studies established in 2021.

Myrna's Children's Village, located on NMSU's Las Cruces campus, provides our students with opportunities for hands-on teaching and research experiences in New Mexico PreK and Head Start classrooms.

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 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