Program Quick Facts
CAEP-Accredited
Our program is CAEP-accredited and approved by the New Mexico Public Education Department.
Online Coursework
Engage in flexible, online synchronous and asynchronous courses year-round.
Affordable Tuition
NMSU Global Campus offers competitively priced tuition and scholarship opportunities.
Earn Your Teaching License While Working as a Classroom Teacher
The online Secondary Education Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate at NMSU Global Campus serves as a pivotal steppingstone for you in becoming a licensed teacher of grades 6-12 in the State of New Mexico.
This alternative licensure pathway is for educators who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a related field and have a conditional teaching job offer from a New Mexico public school.
In this affordable and flexible certificate program, you’ll build critical skillsets such as classroom management, tech-based pedagogy, teaching in a diverse multicultural setting, and so much more. You can expect to gain practical classroom teaching experience, personalized mentorship to strengthen your pedagogical skills, and the educational background required for Level 1 teacher licensure in New Mexico.
Apply NowCareer Pathways
With this graduate certificate in secondary education, you’ll be prepared to pursue a rewarding career working with middle and high school students. Most graduates become licensed New Mexico public school teachers in grades 6-12. Your possible future roles may include:
- Public School Educator
- Academic Advisor
- Curriculum Specialist
- Educational Consultant
- Instructional Coordinator
“Yes, you can do this. You're working on something that's hard, but it's not going to be hard forever. Take it one step at a time, and before you know it, you can do these things.”
Daniel G., Class of 2024
At NMSU Global Campus, our online Secondary Education Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate combines flexible, online (synchronous and asynchronous) coursework with practical training that prepares you to work with grades 6-12. You’ll also build skills in literacy instruction, classroom management, student assessment, and individualized instructional planning.
To support your success, the secondary education licensure program includes personalized guidance from a University Supervisor who observes your classroom teaching and provides individualized mentorship and ongoing coaching over two consecutive semesters.
This graduate certificate in secondary education helps you qualify for a New Mexico Level 1 teaching license. It also lays a strong foundation for continuing your graduate studies, with all coursework fully transferable to NMSU’s Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction!
Delivery Format: 100% online, with synchronous and asynchronous sessions
Program Credits: 18 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 online Secondary Education Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate consists of 18 credit hours (6 courses). Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 throughout their coursework. The program can be started in the fall, spring, or summer. With rolling admissions, you can apply at any time and begin the program when it works best for you.
Students in this secondary education alternative licensure certificate program teach with a provisional 2-year license while completing their coursework. The program includes two semesters of classroom observation by a University Supervisor, with a $500 supervision fee each semester. Students must also pass all required state licensure exams in order to earn a New Mexico Level 1 teaching license.
| Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| EDUC 5120: Multicultural Education | 3 |
| EDUC 5130: Technology and Pedagogy | 3 |
| EDUC 5110: Exploration in Education (Zoom) | 3 |
| READ 5330: Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SPED 5105: Introduction to Special Education in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| Choose ONE of these courses based on your content area specialty: | |
| EDUC 5410: Teaching Science at the Middle and High School Level (Zoom) | 3 |
| EDUC 5420: Teaching Mathematics at the Middle and High School Level (Zoom) | 3 |
| EDUC 5430: Teaching Social Studies at the Middle and High School Level (Zoom) | 3 |
| EDUC 5440: Teaching Language Arts at the Middle and High School Level (Zoom) | 3 |
Zoom: This online course includes a required weekly live Zoom session at a scheduled time. All other courses are asynchronous and self-paced unless otherwise noted.
View MoreAdmission Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree with 30 teaching credits and a minimum GPA of 2.75
- A resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- A letter of interest (statement of purpose)
- An intent to hire letter from a public or charter school district in New Mexico
At NMSU Global Campus, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
The New Mexico Higher Education Department offers additional support for future and current teachers. The Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship helps aspiring educators cover tuition, fees, and materials as they work toward licensure. Licensed teachers may also qualify for up to $6,000 annually in student loan relief through the Teacher Loan Repayment Program, which supports educators who have taught in the state for at least three years, especially in high-need areas.
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: globalFA@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.