The WNMU School of Education offers a state approved alternative licensure program in early childhood, elementary, secondary, and special education.

The New Mexico State Legislature authorizes the Public Education Department to provide alternative routes to New Mexico teacher licensure for persons who hold at least a baccalaureate degree but have not completed a traditional educator preparation program. Students in this program serve with an intern license for two years and must complete the program in that time frame.

Option I: Licensure Only

Requirements for admission to the program must be completed concurrently:

1. Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with an appropriate endorsement field. Endorsement field requirements determined by the NM Public Education Department require a minimum of 24 undergraduate credits that pertain to the licensure area sought. [NMAC 6.60.3.8 A(1)];
2. Evidence of an overall grade point average of at least 3.0 for the last 64/36 credit hours of undergraduate/graduate work; or
   Evidence of an overall grade point average between 2.75 and 2.99 for the last 64/36 credit hours of undergraduate/graduate work will be admitted on Graduate Division FINAL Admission/Academic Probation status. An applicant who has been admitted on Graduate Division FINAL Admission/Academic Probation status must complete one semester of graduate work designated by his or her graduate advisor(s) with a grade-point average of 3.0 or better to be removed from Academic Probation. If a student does not meet these requirements, he or she will remain on Academic Probation or may be disqualified from the Graduate Division if he or she receives more than six credit hours with grades of C or lower. (See Grade Requirements);
3. Be employed as the teacher of record by an accredited private or public school in New Mexico in a teaching position with a state approved mentorship program;
4. After being admitted to the University but before starting coursework, secure a letter from the Associate Dean of the School of Education to be sent to the Public Education Department and the School Principal indicating Option I–admission to an alternative licensure program only;
5. Complete a degree plan with advisor to assure that all PRAXIS Test series for Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary or Special Education are accounted for in the degree plan document (See Table)
6. Register to the EDUC: 529 TK20 Orientation class. This is a 0 credit class, and it has a fee of $100. This fee is to pay to purchase a student account for TK20. TK20 is the School of Education’s (SOE) database where you will complete many applications including the application to the SOE and assessments. Throughout the Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) you will upload to TK20 artifacts which demonstrate attainment of the Program teaching Outcomes.

Option 2: Alternative Licensure Embedded in M.A.T.

Requirements for admission to the program must be completed concurrently:

1. Apply and be accepted to the WNMU Graduate Division with FINAL admission status. This includes the following:
   1. Completion of an Application for Graduate Admission to the WNMU Admission’s Office and check off embedded box;
   2. Submission of official copies of transcripts that show the award of a bachelor’s/ master’s degree from an accredited institution;
2. Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution; 
3. Be employed as the teacher of record by an accredited private or public school in New Mexico in a teaching position with a state approved mentorship program. Documentation must be provided to the School of Education; 
4. After being admitted to the University but before starting coursework, secure a letter from the Associate Dean of the School of Education to be sent to the Public Education Department and the School Principal indicating Option 2–admission to an alternative licensure program embedded in an M.A.T. degree;
5. Complete a degree plan with advisor to assure that all PRAXIS Series scores are accounted for in the degree plan document.
6. Register to the EDUC 529  TK20 Orientation class. This is a 0 credit class, and it has a fee of $100. This fee is to purchase a student account in TK20. TK20 is the School of Education’s (SOE) database where you will complete many applications including the application to the SOE and assessments. Throughout the Alternative Licensure Program (ALP) you will upload to TK20 artifacts which demonstrate attainment of the Program teaching Outcomes.

Clinical Capstone Under Contract

Candidates with an employment agreement in a school district may complete their practice teaching concurrently. Candidates are placed for one semester under the supervision of a Clinical Faculty or Cooperating Teacher assigned through WNMU.

The candidate must understand that an Incomplete may be given at the end of the first semester if the candidate does not demonstrate mastery of the seven Teacher Education Program Outcomes or complete required exit requirements. Candidates must meet all exit and semester requirements. In addition, candidates must have:

1. Completed all education course work in the Alternative Program;
2. Completed and passed all monitoring assessments;
3. Passed the PRAXIS Core Academic Skills for Educators (5713, 5723, 5733);
4. Met all school district requirements;
5. Passage of the PRAXIS Education of Young Children (5024);

Exit Requirements

1. Passage for the PRAXIS Education of Young Children (5024);
2. Successful completion of the teaching event, an exit requirement, during practice teaching that demonstrates with artifacts that all state competencies have been met;
3. All M.A.T. candidates must meet all Graduate Division policies;
4. Licensure-only candidates cannot count more than three credits with a grade of C toward fulfillment of the requirements for alternative licensure.