Application for the Program

1. Download the Application Packet for admission to the Secondary M.A. with Licensure program. Whether you are seeking the full M.A. with Licensure or simply the Alternative Licensure Program of Studies, you will need to be admitted simultaneously to the Secondary Education Program and UNM Graduate Studies. Application packets may also be obtained from the Secondary Education Office, Hokona Hall, Room 121B or requested by mail at (505) 277-0513 or sed@unm.edu.

2. Register for the New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Basic Skills (http://www.nmta.nesinc.com/) and request that your scores be sent to the Department of Teacher Education. You may submit an application if you provide proof that you have taken the test but are awaiting scores, or are registered for the nearest possible test date after the application deadline.

3. Make an appointment with a Secondary Faculty Advisor to review requirements for standard or alternative licensure and the MA with Licensure program. You will need to bring transcripts when you meet with your faculty advisor who will fill out and sign an advisment form. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but you should include transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.

Note: Faculty advisors are generally not available for advisement during semester breaks and the summer. See a college academic advisor in the COE Advisement Center (277-3190) if you need assistance during this time, or make an appointment with your faculty advisor when UNM is back in session.

4. Submit your completed Application by the appropriate deadline:

October 1 for Spring Admission

March 1 for Summer and Fall Admission

Acceptance to the Program

5. Satisfy all state and university requirements for graduate and secondary licensure program admissions, including successful completion of the NMTA Basic Skills Assessment. Students can be granted provisional acceptance pending receipt of passing scores from the NMTA.

6. Applicants accepted to the program receive a letter from the Department of Teacher Education within four weeks after the submission deadline.

Teaching Field Requirements

7. Complete courses required in your teaching field as approved by your Faculty Advisor on your advisement form. To enroll in Teaching Experience I in the Fall, students must be lacking no more than six credit hours in their chosen teaching field.

8. Confer with your Faculty Advisor to determine whether you will pursue a Standard License or an Alternative License.

Professional Licensure Requirements

9. After receiving approval to enroll in Professional Licensure courses, attend a mandatory orientation meeting to learn about requirements, courses and school placements. Meetings are held twice a year:

on the Monday of the last week in March

on the Wednesday of the third week in July

Note: Students do not make their own placements and should not contact classroom teachers or schools directly.

10. Make an appointment with a COE academic advisor to fill out a completion check form. This should be accompanied by an advisement form signed by your faculty advisor.

11. Complete a fingerprint and background check and purchase liability insurance through the American Federation of Teachers. Provide copies for your file to the Secondary Education Program in Hokona Hall Room 121B. New Mexico statue and school district policies require background checks for all adults who have contact with students in New Mexico schools.

12. Meet field experience requirements under the supervision of a Cooperating Teacher in Teaching Experience I (Pre-Student Teaching) in the Fall and Student Teaching (Advanced Field Experience) in the Spring and course requirements in the Professional Licensure program. In Teaching Experience I, students are in the school every week assisting and teaching in one class. Days and times vary depending on the schedule at the school. In Student Teaching, students are in the school every day for the whole day. Student teachers often start when the school year begins but finish when the UNM semester ends. In Teaching Experience I, students are in the school every week assisting and teaching in one class (the same class) for the entire semester.

13. Assess your progress and remaining requirements for licensure with a Completion Check that is done in the Fall by the COE Advisement Center.

14. Complete New Mexico Assessment of Teacher Competency and the appropriate content specialty test(s) found under the New Mexico Content Knowledge Assessments required by the NM Public Education Department (http://www.nmta.nesinc.com/).

15. Complete the Licensure Program Exit Survey.

Apply for Licensure

16. When the NMTA scores have been sent to the state, apply for the desired licensure option (standard or alternative) from the state of New Mexico. http://www.ped.state.nm.us/licensure/.

Complete the M.A. Degree (Optional for Alternative Licensure Students)

17. Meet with your faculty advisor on courses needed to complete the M.A. degree (33 hours). Students can use 12-15 hours from their licensure program towards their M.A. degree. Students will then need 18-21 hours after completing their licensure requirements. Of these, students must take one course from each of the five categories of core courses as shown on the program of studies form. Remaining hours can be taken as electives.

18. See your faculty advisor each semester to update your program of studies and discuss progress towards completion of your degree. CIMTE 590 Seminar is the final course that should be taken to complete your M.A. program.

19. A Masters Examination is required for all students in the M.A. in Secondary Education with Licensure Program (Plan I). This examination is administered through the CIMTE 590 Seminar.

20. To graduate, submit the OGS Program of Studies form to the Secondary Education Office, Hokona Hall, Room 121B. This form must be submitted the semester before you enroll in CIMTE 590, the final course you will take in the M.A. with Licensure the semester prior to the semester in which you plan to graduate according to the following deadlines:

October 1 for Spring Program Completion

March 1 for Summer Program Completion

July 1 for Fall Program Completion

21. Receive a passing score on the Master’s Examination.

22. Complete the M.A. Program Exit Survey.