Online Education Degrees: New Mexico

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) is the state agency responsible for K-12 education in The Land of Enchantment. The Secretary of the Public Education Department, a public official appointed by the Governor, heads it.

There are 129 school districts headed by school boards and superintendents across New Mexico (2022). More than 322,900 students were enrolled, and over 21,600 teachers were employed in their K-12 854 schools. Per student spending is at $10,469 in 2024, which makes it below the national average (ranked #37 among the 50 states and DC).

Despite its comparatively low per-student spending, New Mexico continues to achieve great things for its K-12 students. The robust bilingual and multicultural education reflects the state’s diverse population and inclusive policies. Students benefit from the community schools model where rigorous academics complement accessible health and social services, among other student-centric and community-friendly programs.

Most importantly for aspiring and current teachers, New Mexico has increased funding for teachers’ salaries and other educational expenses. This has increased teacher recruitment and retention, an effective measure in addressing shortages of qualified teachers in rural and low-income areas as well as in STEM and special education subjects.

New Mexico, nonetheless, has its fair share of challenges. The state has issues with low academic performance among K-12 students in national assessments, particularly in reading and math. High dropout and poverty rates, infrastructure deficiencies, and funding inequalities are also significant concerns.

This is where you can make a positive impact as a teacher in New Mexico. You can become part of its teaching workforce and become part of the solution. Here’s how to get started on the right foot.

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Requirements for Teaching Licensure in New Mexico

The New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) is also responsible for the state’s teacher certification process. The Licensure Bureau is the specific division within NMPED that oversees the said process. The NMPED approves the teacher preparation programs, administers the licensure tests, and issues the teaching licenses.

New Mexico has two teacher licensure pathways. First, the traditional route is for aspiring teachers who are senior high school students planning on enrolling in undergraduate education programs and current college students who want to shift majors to education.

Earn a bachelor’s degree in Education.

Students in bachelor’s degree in education programs learn the fundamental knowledge and skills vital in becoming effective classroom teachers in K-12 settings. The typical curriculum consists of 120 credits of didactic coursework, student teaching experience, and clinical hours.

The didactic coursework includes foundations of education, teaching methods and strategies, and child and adolescent development. Students also learn assessment and evaluation methods, educational technology, and professional practice and ethics.

Complete the student teaching experience requirement.

State-approved teacher preparation programs meet the student teaching requirement for aspiring teachers. Earning your bachelor’s degree in education means complying with the student teaching requirement of at least 14 weeks. The supervised student teaching experience includes supervised teaching practice, classroom observations, feedback sessions and reflective practice.

Pass the mandatory teacher certification tests.

New Mexico uses its New Mexico Teacher Assessments (NMTA) for teacher licensure purposes. The NMTA includes three subtests – Essential Academic Skills I, II, and III, as well as grade-level specific and content area exams and professional knowledge exams.

Note that in some cases, applicants must achieve passing scores on Praxis exams in lieu of or in addition to the NMTA.

Pass a criminal background check.

Applicants for teacher certification must submit their fingerprints as part of a state and federal criminal background check. You must request a fingerprinting card issued by the New Mexico Department of Public Safety to start the process.

Apply for teacher certification.

The teacher certification application process on the NMPED website includes the following steps:

Go to NMPED’s Educator Portal.
Create your educator account.
Use your login information to access the online application form.
Complete the online application by providing the required information. Your personal information, academic background, and official transcripts are among the required information.
Submit the required supporting documents, including:
- Background check clearance
- Official transcripts related to bachelor’s degree
- Proof of completion of teacher preparation program
- Passing scores on teacher certification exams
Pay the non-refundable certification processing fee

Second, the alternative teacher certification pathways or the non-traditional pathways are for aspiring teachers with non-education bachelor’s degrees. New Mexico has these main alternative teacher licensure pathways, namely:

The Alternative NMTEACH licensure program enables individuals with non-education degrees to complete state-approved accelerated teacher preparation programs. Candidates must have an employment offer from a school district. Graduates can apply for a Level I teaching certificate.
The Online Portfolio for Alternative Licensure (OPAL) route requires candidates to comply with portfolio requirements, pass three NMTA exams, and complete at least three credits of reading courses. A teaching internship is also required.
The Alternative Educator Preparation Program combines a master’s degree program and a teacher licensure pathway.

New Mexico has a three-tiered licensing system. Applicants who want to progress from, say, Level I to Level II must present proof of their ability to deal with more professional responsibilities. This includes submission of a Professional Development Dossier (PDD).

1. Level I

This is an initial teaching certificate for new teachers with a validity period between three and five years. Note that holders of the Level I teaching certificate must progress from Level I to Level II within five years after issuance of the Level I certificate; otherwise, you will lose your teaching certificate.

2. Level II

The Level II certificate has a nine-year validity period. Candidates must complete their Professional Development Dossier, submit proof of at least three years of teaching experience with at least “Effective” ratings, and complete a mentoring program.

3. Level III

This optional license allows you to renew your Level II certificate instead of pursuing a Level III certificate. The Level III certificate also has a nine-year validity period. Requirements include either a master’s degree combined with at least three years of teaching experience with an “Effective” rating OR a National Board teacher certification.

Do you have a current teaching license from another state? You can also become a certified teacher in New Mexico through its reciprocity agreements. New Mexico is a National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education & Certification (NASDTEC) Interstate Agreement member. Alabama, Arizona, and Florida are among the states with teacher reciprocity agreements with New Mexico under the agreement.

Online Education Program Admission Requirements

Online bachelor’s degrees in education programs have these typical admission requirements:

Completed online application form and payment of application fee
High school diploma or GED equivalent OR an associate degree
Official transcripts

Online master’s degree and doctoral degree programs usually have more selective admission requirements, including:

Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree
Official transcripts from undergraduate and graduate degree programs completed
Professional resume or CV
Letters of recommendation or reference
Statement of purpose
Standardized test scores (e.g., GRE/GMAT), if required

Depending on the graduate program, applicants must present proof of relevant work experience and a teaching license.

Average Annual Salaries For Common Educator Roles in New Mexico

Elementary School Teachers $60,353
Middle School Teachers $61,090
High School Teachers $61,100
Special Education Teachers $58,139
Superintendents $165,164
School Administrators $112,797
Principals $109,615
Assistant Principals $90,009
Curriculum Development Specialists $76,100
Instructional Coordinators $69,752

Scholarships for Future Educators in New Mexico

The Teacher Preparation Affordability Act grants up to $6,000 per year to New Mexico residents enrolled in state-approved teacher preparation programs.
The Grow Your Own Teachers Act awards up to $3,000 per semester and paid time off for educational assistants enrolled in teacher licensure preparation programs.

The 5 Best Online Education Degree Providers in New Mexico

While several colleges and universities offer state-approved teacher preparation programs in New Mexico, only these five offer online programs. These universities also possess the following attributes:

Earned a regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Emphasize rigorous academics for student success
Provide students with satisfactory student support and career development success

New Mexico State University

NM State offers several excellent online teacher and administrator preparation programs in education through its College of Education.

MA in Education + Early Childhood Teacher Licensure

This is a 42-credit teacher licensure program with a two-year time-to-degree. Candidates develop their teaching competencies in educating PreK to third-grade students. There’s a strong focus on bilingual and multicultural education as well as on special education and family engagement.

MA in Secondary Education + Teacher Licensure

Candidates complete the 39-credit curriculum in 2-3 years. The program offers several content areas, including English Language Arts,Mathematics and Social Studies.

MA in Educational Leadership & Administration in Pre-K-12 + Licensure

This is a 33-credit teacher licensure program that features online courses, an on-campus residency, and an internship.

MA in Educational Administration – Higher Education Concentration

Candidates tackle the 33-credit curriculum that prepares students for effective leadership in colleges and universities.

MA in Education

The online program offers several concentrations for candidates to choose from, namely:

TESOL
Bilingual Education
Curriculum and Instruction and Multicultural Education
Educational Learning Technologies
Language, Literacy, and Culture

Most of these concentrations require completion of 33 credits and a two-year time-to-degree.

MA in Early Childhood Education: Scholarly Master

This is a 33-credit program aimed at teachers who want to advance their teaching careers.

MA in Special Education

Candidates complete 30-42 credits depending on their chosen pathways, such as the Initial License master’s degree.

In-state Tuition: $9,058
Online Education Degrees: 7
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University of New Mexico

UNM, a public research university, offers online education programs at the graduate level through its College of Education and Human Sciences.

MA in Education

Candidates must complete the 30-credit program to earn the MA in Education degree. Applicants must possess a valid teaching license and a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA. Candidates develop their teacher-leader abilities and, thus, become better classroom teachers and education collaborators.

MA in Educational Leadership

The 36-credit program consists of challenging courses in educational leadership, data-driven instructional leadership, and organizational change. Candidates become better leaders in educational settings. Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree in education or related fields and a 3.0 GPA, minimum, to be considered.

Physical Education: Curriculum and Instruction

Courses in the 33-credit program are conducted in an 8-week online format. Most candidates are physical education teachers and coaches.

Master of Music – Music Education Emphasis

Candidates must have a teaching license as a music educator to earn the 31-credit MM in Music Education degree offered by the College of Fine Arts. The program emphasizes best practices in music education that enable candidates to become better music teachers.

In-state Tuition: $10,092
Online Education Degrees: 4
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Eastern New Mexico University

ENMU, a reputable comprehensive public university, also offers state-approved online teacher preparation programs through its College of Education and Technology. Both undergraduate and graduate programs are available for aspiring teachers who want to enter the education profession and for current teachers seeking career advancement.

BAAS in Career and Technical Education Concentration

The 120-credit program prepares students for success as teachers in career and technical education settings, such as trade and technical colleges. Students complete general education, primary concentration, and secondary concentration courses.

BS in Early Childhood Education – Birth-PreK Emphasis (Licensure)

Students complete a comprehensive student teaching experience during their final semester, usually 16 weeks of full-time student teaching in an approved placement. The program emphasizes both pedagogy and practice.

BA and BS in Education with Elementary (K-8) and Special Education (PreK-12) Licensure

Students can earn a teaching license for the elementary level (K-8) and in special education (PreK-12) by earning this bachelor’s degree. Coursework covers the foundations of education, educational technology, and special education, among others.

Master of Education

Choose from several concentrations, namely:

Bilingual Education
Career and Technical Education
Education Administration
Curriculum and Instruction – Elementary Education Emphasis
English as a Second Language
Special Education Pedagogy
Reading/Literacy
Secondary Education
Pedagogy and Learning

Be sure to consider these online programs, too.

Master of Special Education – General Special Education Emphasis
MEd in School Counseling
Alternative Licensure in Elementary Education
Alternative Licensure in Special Education

In-state Tuition: $6,863
Online Education Degrees: 6
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Western New Mexico University

Founded as the New Mexico Normal School, WNMU has established a reputation for being among the best universities for teacher preparation programs. The public university offers a wide range of excellent online programs in education at the undergraduate and graduate levels through its School of Education.

BS in Early Childhood Education

Students can choose to either pursue a teaching license with the BS in Early Childhood Education degree or earn the degree without pursuing licensure.

BS in Elementary Education

The performance-based program prepares students for success in earning a K-8 elementary education teaching license.

BA and BS in Mathematics – Mathematics Education Emphasis

Through these degree programs, students to earn a double major in mathematics and education that meets teaching licensure requirements.

BA and BS in Secondary Education

These are also performance-based degree programs that enable graduates to qualify for a 7-12 secondary education teaching license.

BS in Special Education

The teaching licensure program is also known for its rigorous performance-based format.

MA in Counseling – School Counseling Emphasis

Individuals interested in school counseling careers may want to consider earning the MA in Counseling – School Counseling Emphasis degree and be qualified for licensure.

MA in Educational Leadership

The 36-credit program prepares students for licensure as school administrators.

Here are other online degree in education programs you might be interested in:

BA and BS in Instructional Design and Technology
MA in Teaching

In-state Tuition: $9,085
Online Education Degrees: 9
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University of the Southwest

USW, a private Christian university, emphasizes the integration of learning and faith in its academic programs.

MSE in School Counseling

The 42-credit program prepares candidates for school counselor licensure in K-12 settings. Candidates learn best practices for advocating for students’ success.

MEd in Special Education

Note that this isn’t a licensure program. Candidates gain advanced competencies in working with children with special needs.

MSE in Teaching and Learning

Candidates learn advanced skills in becoming a teaching and learning authority. Their skills are useful in program management, change and innovation management, and adult learning, among others.

EdD Special Education

This is a practitioner-centric doctoral program with an emphasis on special education and educational leadership.

EdD STEM Education

STEM educators seeking advanced knowledge and skills in their teaching practice may want to consider the EdD in STEM Education program. The curriculum consists of core courses, research preparation courses, and STEM courses, as well as a completed dissertation as a culminating requirement.

Check out these online graduate degree programs in education, too.

MSE Self-Design
MSE in Educational Leadership
MSE in Educational Diagnostics
EdD Educational Leadership
EdD Educational Psychology
EdD Self Design
EdD Higher Ed Administration
EdD PK-12 Administration

In-state Tuition: $17,200
Online Education Degrees:
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