Special Education Teacher Certification (PK-12)

Teacher Certification Programs

School of Business, Professional Studies and Education, 505-428-1256

These programs facilitate achievement of the New Mexico Public Education Department’s entry-level teacher competencies. The competencies align with the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education’s (NCATE) standards, recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium (INTASC) standards. Through these certification programs, qualified individuals can complete course work in early childhood, elementary, secondary, or special education. Upon successful completion of one of the aforementioned programs and required state exams, candidates are eligible to apply for level I teaching licenses with the New Mexico Public Education Department. Certificate eligible for Financial Aid.

Admissions Requirements:

To qualify for the Alternative Licensure Program, the New Mexico Public Education Department requires the following: Bachelor’s degree and, if seeking licensure in secondary education, 30 semester hours of credit in a particular field that pertains to the licensure sought; or master’s or doctorate degree including 12 semester hours of graduate credit in a particular field that pertains to the secondary licensure area sought.

Admission to the Alternative Licensure Program also requires:

• Completion of the SFCC admissions application .
• Completion of the Alternative Licensure Program application, and official college transcripts be submitted to the records office., and a minimum GPA of 2.5.
• Students must register for Teacher Certification Program prerequisites before acceptance letters are issued.
  • ECED 1110  or an equivalent is a prerequisite for acceptance into the Early Childhood Program and all courses within this program
  • Early Childhood Age 3- Grade 3 requires ECED 2250  and EDUC 2115  
  • Secondary, Elementary, Special Education requires EDUC 2105   and EDUC 2350  

For an application and additional information, visit the Alternative Licensure Program webpage or call 505-428-1256.

Program Requirements: (27 Credits)

• EDUC 2360 - Curriculum and Assessment Credits: 3
• EDUC 2365 - Effective Teaching Credits: 3
• EDUC 2430 - Fundamentals of Reading Instruction Credits: 3
• EDUC 2545 - Exceptionalities and Placement Credits: 3
• EDUC 2550 - Evaluation and IEP Credits: 3
• EDUC 2565 - Reading For Special Learners Credits: 3
• EDUC 2998 - Supervised Field Experience Credits: 3
• EDUC 2355 - Theories of Teaching and Learning Credits: 3
• EDUC 2105 - Orientation to the Teaching Profession Credits: 1
• EDUC 2350 - The Critically Reflective Teacher Credits: 2

Total 27 Credits