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 courses year-round while connecting with an expert University Supervisor for 8 in-person observations.
Affordable Tuition
NMSU Global Campus offers competitively priced tuition and scholarship opportunities.
Earn Your Teacher License While Gaining Classroom Experience
The online Special Education (SPED) Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate at NMSU Global Campus is tailored for individuals who already have a bachelor’s degree in a subject other than education and hold a current contract from a school district in New Mexico that indicates the candidate is the teacher of record in a special education classroom.
If you’re looking for a direct, state-approved route to support the growth and development of New Mexico’s youth in special education settings, this program is designed for you. During the program, you’ll receive practical classroom experience, personalized mentorship to strengthen your skills, and the educational background required for Level 1 teacher licensure in New Mexico.
Apply NowCareer Pathways
With this graduate certificate in special education, you’ll be prepared to pursue a rewarding career working with students who have diverse learning needs. Most graduates enter the classroom as licensed special education teachers in New Mexico public schools, while others apply their expertise in educational support and leadership roles.
Career opportunities include:
- Public School Special Education Teacher
- Curriculum Specialist
- Educational Consultant
- Instructional Coordinator
- Teacher Educator
“I was so lucky to be able to build projects for my course, then turn right around and apply that knowledge and hands-on experience directly to my job while I was going to school.”
Roberta N., Class of 2024
At NMSU Global Campus, our online Special Education Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate combines flexible online coursework with hands-on, practical training. The curriculum equips you to teach students with both high- and low-incidence disabilities, including learning and communication disorders, autism, and sensory impairments. You’ll also build skills in literacy instruction, classroom management, student assessment, and individualized instructional planning.
To support your success, the special education licensure program includes personalized guidance from a University Supervisor who observes your teaching and provides individualized mentorship and ongoing coaching over two consecutive semesters.
This graduate certificate in special education alternative licensure 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 Special Education!
Delivery Format: 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 online Special Education Alternative Licensure Graduate Certificate consists of 21 credit hours (7 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 alternative licensure special education program teach with a provisional 2-year license while completing their coursework. The program includes two semesters of classroom observation by a University Supervisor and a $500 supervision fee each semester. Students must also pass all required state licensure exams in order to earn a New Mexico Level 1 teaching license.
| Required Courses | Credits |
|---|---|
| SPED 5105: Introduction to Special Education in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| SPED 5110: Low Incidence Disabilities in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| SPED 5120: High Incidence Disabilities in a Diverse Society | 3 |
| SPED 5130: Reading for Elementary Exceptional Learners in a Diverse Society, Grades K-6 | 3 |
| SPED 5140: Reading for Secondary Exceptional Learners in a Diverse Society, Grades 7-12 | 3 |
| SPED 5210: Introduction to Assessment of Diverse Exceptional Learners | 3 |
| SPED 5220: Classroom Management for Diverse Learners | 3 |
Admissions Requirements
- A bachelor’s degree with 30 teaching credits and a minimum GPA of 2.75
- A resume
- Three letters of recommendation
- A letter of interest (statement of purpose)
- A copy of a current teaching contract from a school district in New Mexico
At NMSU Global Campus, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ 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.