New Mexico
Certification and Testing
Professional development is critical to success in the classroom. As such, and in accordance with the state, New Mexico corps members must be enrolled in a state-approved alternative certification program. Once enrolled, corps members must complete at least nine credit hours (usually three classes) of education coursework annually in order to teach. Alternative licensure programs can lead to certification in two years, provided corps members take all required coursework. Hours vary by program: 21 Elementary, 18 Secondary, and 20 Special Education. Teach For America • New Mexico has partnered with the branch campuses of two universities that have state-approved alternative certification programs: Western New Mexico University-Gallup Graduate Studies Center (WNMU) and University of New Mexico-Gallup (UNM-Gallup). Corps members must enroll and take courses at either university to receive their Internship license. These courses typically cost corps members $1,500 per year. In addition, both WNMU and UNM-Gallup offer a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program and a teaching certificate option.
At a Glance
| Costs to Begin Teaching |
|
Testing: $160-338 |
| Processing of Licensure Application: $99 |
| Up-front Credentialing Cost: Dependent on university partner and program |
| Costs to Maintain Emergency Credential |
| $1,200 (approximately) |
All new teachers must also pass the New Mexico Teacher Assessments during their first year of teaching and fulfill the requirements of a state-mandated mentoring program, usually offered through the school district, in order to maintain certification. Currently, after completing their first year of teaching, most corps members are able to pay second-year certification costs with AmeriCorps education awards, which amount to $4,725 per year. Accepted applicants who are assigned to New Mexico will receive further information about certification and testing requirements.
Our corps members
Placement regions
Corps and Alumni
