The Department of Teacher Education, Educational Leadership and Policy offers undergraduate degrees in Elementary Education and Secondary Education.
The Elementary Education program offers the Bachelor of Science in Education (B.S.Ed.) in Elementary Education, leading to teacher licensure in elementary schools and middle schools (grades K-8), along with specialty areas in four concentration-teaching fields: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies. The program strives to prepare the very best entry-level teachers for all of New Mexico's children; such preparation is enriched by the diverse, contrastive linguistic and cultural communities of the region. The program also takes advantage of the many professional partnerships that the College of Education and Human Sciences holds with school districts and their teaching faculties.
All students must complete three levels of application in order to progress through the program. These may include taking and/or passing certain New Mexico licensure examinations that are required for K-8 licensure in the State of New Mexico. Contact College of Education and Human Sciences Advisement for details of the complete Elementary Education program application process. At all levels, the student is required to submit required application documents online through Tk20.
| Level I | For entry into Pre-Professional Sequence. |
| Deadline: After completion of 30 credit hours. | |
| Requirements and Prerequisites: • Suggested cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the semester prior to application in all courses from all institutions. • Completion of Introductory Courses. • Passed background check. Follow instructions through College of Education and Human Sciences Field Services. | |
| Level II | For entry into Professional Sequence I and II. |
| Deadline: After completion of 60 credit hours. | |
| Requirements and Prerequisites: • Suggested cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the semester prior to application in all courses from all institutions. • Completion of Pre-Professional Sequence. • Completion of Diversity/Specialty Strand Course. | |
| Level III | For entry into Professional Sequence III and Student Teaching. |
| Deadline: During Professional Sequence II. | |
| Requirements and Prerequisites: • Suggested cumulative GPA of 2.75 in the semester prior to application in all courses from all institutions. • Successful progress or completion of all coursework required to begin Student Teaching, including Elementary Education program core, all concentration-teaching field courses, Professional Sequences I and II, and any required licensure examinations. |
Application Deadlines
| Fall | February 1 |
| Spring | September 1 |
NOTE: Changes in State requirements or State reform initiatives in education may require periodic revisions of the curriculum and admissions process.
Refer to the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for a list of courses that meet General Education curriculum.
| Credit Hours | ||
| 1. | Communication | 9 |
| Any Area 1: Communication courses that meet General Education curriculum. | ||
| Recommended: COMM 1130 or 2150; ENGL 1110 (or ENGL 1110Y; or ENGL 1110Z), 1120. | ||
| 2. | Mathematics and Statistics | 6 |
| Required: MATH 1118 and 2118. | ||
| 3. | Physical and Natural Sciences | 8 |
| Recommended: NTSC 1110, 1120, 2110. | ||
| OR any Area 3: Physical and Natural Sciences lecture courses with associated labs that meet General Education curriculum. | ||
| 4. | Social and Behavioral Science | 9 |
| Required: LING 2110. | ||
| Recommended: Any Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences courses that meet General Education curriculum. | ||
| 5. | Humanities | 6 |
| Recommended: HIST 1110, 1120, 1150, 1160, 2110, 463. | ||
| OR any Area 5: Humanities courses that meet General Education curriculum. | ||
| 6. | Second Language | 3 |
| Any Area 6: Second Language course that meets General Education curriculum. | ||
| 7. | Arts and Design | 3 |
| Recommended: ARTE 2214 or MUSC 2410; | ||
| OR any Area 7: Arts and Design course that meets General Education curriculum. | ||
| Total | 44 |
| Credit Hours | ||
| EDPY 310 | Learning and the Classroom | 3 |
| EDUC 1120 | Introduction to Education | 3 |
| Total | 6 |
| Credit Hours | ||
| EDPY 472 | Classroom Assessment | 3 |
| EDUC 330L | Teaching of Reading to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students I | 3 |
| LLSS 443 | Children's Literature (Literatura Infantil) | 3 |
| MSET 365 | Technology Integration for Effective Instruction | 3 |
| Diversity/Specialty Strand Course | 3 | |
| Total | 15+ |
Students are encouraged to continue with necessary coursework for the concentration-teaching field during the Pre-Professional Sequence.
| Credit Hours | ||
| Professional Sequence I | ||
| EDUC 333L | Teaching Language Arts K-8 | 3 |
| EDUC 353L | Teaching Science K-8 | 3 |
| EDUC 361L | Teaching Mathematics K-8 | 3 |
| EDUC 401L | Creating Effective K-8 Learning Environments I | 1 |
| EDUC 411L | K-8 Field Experience I | 1 |
| Diversity/Specialty Strand Course | 3 | |
| AND any concentration-teaching field coursework still to be completed. | ||
| Total | 14+ | |
| Professional Sequence II | ||
| EDUC 321L | Teaching Social Studies K-8 | 3 |
| EDUC 331L | Teaching of Reading to Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students II | 3 |
| EDUC 402L | Creating Effective K-8 Learning Environments II | 1 |
| EDUC 412L | K-8 Field Experience II | 2 |
| SPCD 489 | Teaching Exceptional Students in General Education | 3 |
| Diversity/Specialty Strand Course | 3 | |
| AND any concentration-teaching field coursework still to be completed. | ||
| Total | 15+ |
| Credit Hours | ||
| EDUC 403L | Using Assessment: Creating Effective K-8 Learning Environments III | 1 |
| EDUC 413L | K-8 Field Experience III-Student Teaching | 6 |
| Total | 7 |
Elementary Education students are required to complete a 24 credit hour concentration-teaching field in Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies in order to comply with the State of New Mexico requirements for K-8 Elementary Licensure. Students may complete an endorsement in addition to a concentration-teaching field. Students should seek advisement in the College of Education and Human Sciences to ensure proper completion of these concentration-teaching fields, the Diversity/Specialty Strand, and endorsements.
Language Arts: Factor in Elementary Education program core courses in Communication for 12 credit hours of the 24 credit hour requirement.
| Credit Hours | ||
| 1. | COMM 1130 or 2150; ENGL 1110 ( or ENGL 112; or ENGL 113), 1120; LING 2110. | 12 |
| 2. | Choose two from: ENGL 2110; LLSS 430; Any THEA course; Any 200-level ENGL course. | 6 |
| 3. | Choose one from: ENGL 1410, 2610, 2650, 2660; LLSS 450. | 3 |
| 4. | General Education Area 6: Second Language. | 3 |
| Total | 24 |
Mathematics: Factor in Elementary Education program core courses in Mathematics and Statistics for 6 credit hours of the 24 credit hour requirement.
| Credit Hours | ||
| 1. | MATH 1118, 2118. | 6 |
| 2. | MATH 112. | 3 |
| 3. | Any MATH courses. | 15 |
| Total | 24 |
Science: Factor in Elementary Education program core courses in Physical and Natural Sciences (two lecture courses with accompanying labs) for 8 credit hours of the 24 credit hour requirement.
| Credit Hours | ||
| 1. | Choose at least one course from three of the following four areas: Astronomy or Earth and Planetary Science; Biology; Chemistry; Environmental Science or Physics. | 12 |
| 2. | Choose from: Courses at 200-level or above in Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Planetary Science, Environmental Science, Natural Science, Physics. | 12 |
| Total | 24 |
Social Studies: Factor in Elementary Education program core courses in Social and Behavioral Sciences and Humanities for 12 credit hours of the 24 credit hour requirement.
| Credit Hours | ||
| 1. | HIST 1110, 1120, (1150 or 1160), 2110. | 12 |
| 2 | GEOG 1165 or 1175. | 3 |
| 3. | POLS 1120. | 3 |
| 4. | Any ECON course. | 3 |
| 5. | Any POLS course. | 3 |
| Total | 24 |
The curriculum leading to the B.A.Ed. or B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education is designed for students preparing to teach in middle schools, junior high schools, or senior high schools (grades 7-12). Students are required to meet with an academic advisor at the College of Education and Human Sciences each semester. Students are also encouraged to see a Secondary Education concentration-teaching field faculty advisor for general career advisement.
A student seeking licensure as a secondary education teacher (grades 7-12) must complete curriculum in a Secondary Education concentration-teaching field that will lead to their chosen endorsement in History, Geography, Economics, Civics and Government, Language Arts, Mathematics, Modern, Classical and Native Languages, or Science, as authorized by the New Mexico Public Education Department.
| New Mexico Public Education Department Initial Secondary Education Teacher Licensure (grades 7-12) Endorsement | UNM Secondary Education Degree Program |
| History, Geography, Economics, Civics and Government | B.A.Ed. Secondary Education concentration-teaching field: • Social Studies Education with emphases in Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, or Sociology |
| Language Arts | B.A.Ed. Secondary Education concentration-teaching field: • Language Arts Education |
| Mathematics | B.S.Ed. Secondary Education concentration-teaching field: • Mathematics Education |
| Modern, Classical and Native Languages | B.A.Ed. Secondary Education concentration-teaching field: • French • German • Spanish |
| Science | B.S.Ed. Secondary Education concentration-teaching field: • Earth Science Education • Life Science Education • Physical Science Education with emphases in Chemistry or Physics |
Curriculum in other departments and programs at UNM may lead to additional teaching endorsements with the New Mexico Public Education Department. See the “Other Content Areas/Endorsement Programs of Studies Available for Secondary Education Majors” section of this page.
Steps in the admission process for B.A.Ed. and B.S.Ed. degrees in Secondary Education can be found on the Department Web site. Students will apply to be admitted to the degree-granting program with a minimum of 26 credit hours, a minimum 2.75 grade point average (including transfer work), and completion of the application.
Deadline: February 1 for best consideration. Applications will continue to be reviewed after this date.
Note: Changes in UNM/New Mexico curricular requirements or New Mexico state reform initiatives in education may require periodic revisions of the curriculum and admissions process.
Students completing the B.A.Ed. and B.S.Ed. degrees in Secondary Education must complete the coursework listed below, along with requirements from the concentration-teaching field of their choice.
The Pre-Professional Education sequence prepares prospective teachers with foundational knowledge in the areas of adolescent development and learning theory, working with second language learners and using technology in the classroom. These courses must be completed prior to starting the Professional Education sequence.
The Professional Education sequence and Student Teaching courses are required of all undergraduate students pursuing a Secondary Education major and eligibility for an initial teaching license for grades 7-12. Students complete the Professional Education sequence in the Fall semester of their senior year, followed by the Student Teaching courses in the Spring semester of their senior year. In order to qualify for the Professional Education sequence, students should first complete all UNM General Education curriculum and concentration-teaching field requirements. However, if space is available, students that lack no more than 6 credit hours total of all other requirements may be approved to proceed into the Professional Education sequence.
Students must achieve a minimum overall 2.75 GPA in all courses to advance to student teaching.
Refer to the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for information on courses that meet UNM General Education curriculum and U.S. and Global Diversity and Inclusion requirements.
| Credit Hours | ||
| UNM General Education Curriculum | ||
| Refer to the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog. | ||
| Subtotal | 31 | |
| Additional Course Requirements for Secondary Education Majors | ||
| Communication ENGL 1110 or (1110X and 1110Y) or 1110Z (which may partially fulfill UNM General Education Area 8: Student Choice). For students that are directly placed into ENGL 1120, choose one course from UNM General Education curriculum: Area 1. | 3 | |
| Mathematics and Statistics Choose one course from UNM General Education curriculum: Area 2. Course must be at the appropriate level determined by placement. | 3 | |
| Physical and Natural Sciences Choose one course and related laboratory, where applicable, from UNM General Education curriculum: Area 3. | 4 | |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences Choose one course from UNM General Education curriculum: Area 4 (may partially fulfill UNM General Education Area 8: Student Choice). | 3 | |
| Humanities Choose one course from UNM General Education curriculum: Area 5. | 3 | |
| Minimum Subtotal | 10 | |
| Major Requirements | ||
| Social and Behavioral Sciences for Secondary Education | ||
| LLSS 321 | School and Society | 3 |
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Pre-Professional Education | ||
| EDPY 303 | Human Growth and Development | 3 |
| EDPY 310 | Learning and the Classroom | 3 |
| LLSS 469 | ESL Across the Content Areas | 3 |
| MSET 365 | Technology Integration for Effective Instruction | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Professional Education | ||
| EDUC 362 | Teaching Experience I | 3 |
| EDUC *438 | Teaching Reading and Writing in the Content Field | 3 |
| EDUC 450 | Issues in Secondary Education | 3 |
| SPCD 489 | Teaching Exceptional Students in General Education | 3 |
| Professional Education Teaching Field Methods Course (Based on concentration-teaching field) | 3 | |
| Subtotal | 15 | |
| Student Teaching | ||
| EDUC 462 | Student Teaching | 9 |
| EDUC 464 | Student Teaching Seminar | 3 |
| Subtotal | 12 | |
| Degree Minimum Subtotal | 83 |
* Courses with an asterisk in the number allow for graduate credit to students enrolled in a graduate program. A graduate student enrolled in a starred course numbered below 500 is required to complete extra assignments.
EDUC 362 and EDUC 462 require field experience in a secondary school. In EDUC 362, students are in the school every week for a limited amount of time during the semester. Days and times vary depending on the schedule at the school. Students in EDUC 362 typically begin their field experience at the beginning of the semester and end with the conclusion of the semester. EDUC 462 requires full-time student teaching and related educational responsibilities. Teacher Candidates are in schools all day, Monday-Friday, for one semester. EDUC 462 begins at the start of the semester and ends with the conclusion of the semester.
See introductory information in the College of Education and Human Sciences section of this Catalog regarding application for licensure following completion of all requirements for the B.A.Ed. or B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education.
Note: Courses used to meet UNM General Education curriculum may also be included in concentration-teaching field sections as required or recommended courses. General electives may be required to meet the minimum credit hour total for undergraduate degrees as defined in the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog. Seek advisement at the College of Education and Human Sciences.
In New Mexico, teachers must complete one or more endorsements to apply for secondary education (grades 7-12) teaching licensure. The concentration-teaching fields included within the B.A.Ed. and the B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education degrees meet the state endorsement requirements to apply for licensure.
The B.A.Ed. in Secondary Education is available with the following concentration-teaching fields:
The B.S.Ed. in Secondary Education is available with the following concentration-teaching fields:
Note: Courses used to meet UNM General Education curriculum may also be included in concentration-teaching field sections as required or recommended courses. General electives may be required to meet the minimum credit hour total for undergraduate degrees as defined in the Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog. Seek advisement at the College of Education and Human Sciences.
French: Completion of the French concentration-teaching field leads to a Modern, Classical, and Native Languages endorsement. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
18-24 hours chosen from: FREN 1110, 1120, 2110, 2120, 2140 (2140 equals 2110 and 2120), 301, 302, 305, 307.
Note: FREN 1110 may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 6: Second Language.
German: Completion of the German concentration-teaching field leads to A Modern, Classical, and Native Languages endorsement. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
18-24 hours chosen from: GRMN 1110, 1120, 2110, 2120, 2140, 301-302, 303, 370, 405, *410, 447, *470.
Note: GRMN 1110 may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 6: Second Language.
Language Arts Education: Completion of the Language Arts Education concentration-teaching field leads to the Language Arts endorsement for licensure. This concentration-teaching field includes interdisciplinary study in literature, writing, communication and journalism and theatre arts. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
6 hours chosen from: ENGL 2650, 2660, 330, 332, 335, 336.
Note: ENGL 2650 may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 5: Humanities; ENGL 2660 may fulfill Additional Requirement - Humanities.
6 hours chosen from: CCST 1110; CJ 344, 374; COMM 1140; FDMA 330; THEA 1110, 468;
Note: THEA 1110 may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 7: Arts and Design; CCST 1110 may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Social Studies Education: Completion of the Social Studies Education concentration-teaching field leads to the History, Geography, Economics, Civics and Government (Social Studies) endorsement for licensure. This concentration-teaching field includes interdisciplinary study in social studies including history (U.S. and Western Civilization), political science, anthropology, economics, geography, and sociology. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
15 hours - GEOG 1175; HIST 2110; POLS 1120, 2110; SOCI 2315.
Note: POLS 1120 may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences; POLS 2110 may fulfill Additional Requirement- Social and Behavioral Science; GEOG 1175 may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 5: Humanities.
40 hours total chosen from the following areas (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
Note: GEOG 1160 and 1160L are recommended as they may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 3: Physical and Natural Sciences; HIST 1110 is recommended as it may fulfill Additional Requirement - Humanities.
Spanish: Completion of the Spanish concentration-teaching field leads to a Modern, Classical and Native Languages endorsement for licensure. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
Note: SPAN 1220 is recommended as it may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 6: Second Language.
Earth Science Education: Completion of the Earth Science Education concentration-teaching field leads to the Science endorsement for licensure. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
32 hours - BIOL 2110C, 2410C; CHEM 1215 and 1215L, 1225 and 1225L; GEOL 1110 and 1110L, 2110C; PHYS 1230 and 1230L, 1240 and 1240L.
Note: CHEM 1215 and 1215L may fulfill Additional Requirement - Physical and Natural Sciences; GEOL 1110 and 1110L may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 3: Physical and Natural Sciences
Life Science Education: Completion of the Life Science Education concentration-teaching field leads to the Science endorsement for licensure. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
32 hours - BIOL 2110C, 2410C; CHEM 1215 and 1215L, 1225 and 1225L; GEOL 1110 and 1110L, 2110C; PHYS 1230 and 1230L, 1240 and 1240L.
Note: CHEM 1215 and 1215L may fulfill Additional Requirement - Physical and Natural Sciences; GEOL 1110 and 1110L may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 3: Physical and Natural Sciences.
Mathematics Education: Completion of t he Mathematics Education concentration-teaching field leads to the Mathematics endorsement for licensure. This concentration-teaching field requires mathematics courses that enable students to develop proficiencies in calculus, algebra, geometry, probability and statistics, computing, application of mathematics, and history of mathematics. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
30 hours - CS 151L; MATH 1512, 1522, 2530, 306, **314, **327, 338; STAT **345.
Note: MATH 1512 may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 2: Mathematics and Statistics; MATH 1522 may fulfill Additional Requirement - Mathematics and Statistics.
**Available for graduate credit except for graduate majors in the Math department.
Physical Science Education: Completion of the Physical Science Education concentration-teaching field leads to the Science endorsement for licensure. Course requirements include the following (at least 12 credit hours at the 300-level or above):
32 hours - BIOL 2110C, 2410C; CHEM 1215 and 1215L, 1225 and 1225L; GEOL 1110 and 1110L, 2110C; PHYS 1230 and 1230L, 1240 and 1240L.
Note: CHEM 1215 and 1215L may fulfill Additional Requirement - Physical and Natural Sciences; GEOL 1110 and 1110L may fulfill UNM General Education Curriculum Area 3: Physical and Natural Sciences.
Interested students may elect to pursue programs of studies in other College of Education and Human Sciences or University programs that lead to a K-12 license or endorsement in addition to one of the concentration-teaching fields offered through the Secondary Education program. For more information about licenses or endorsements in other programs or colleges within the university, contact the following appropriate programs:
Endorsement in Performing Arts (Music, Dance or Theatre) or Visual Arts: This program is administered by the Secondary Education Program, but students should seek advisement early in the program from both the College of Education and Human Sciences and the College of Fine Arts. Requirements may change. See the College of Fine Arts advisor for current information.
Endorsement in Bilingual Education: Students may elect to pursue a New Mexico K-12 endorsement in Bilingual Education with a Spanish/English area of focus. The Bilingual Education endorsement is intended for individuals who are fluent in Spanish and who plan to work in a Bilingual or dual language classroom or teach content area classes in Spanish. This endorsement program provides educators with key teaching strategies that supports bilingual and multilingual students. Students should seek early advisement from a Bilingual Education Program advisor in the Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies. Requirements are defined under "Minor in Bilingual Education" in the Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies: Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog.
Endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages: Students may elect to pursue a K-12 endorsement in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). The TESOL endorsement is intended for individuals who will be working with English language learners in an English language classroom setting. Students should seek early advisement from a TESOL Program advisor in the Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies. Requirements are defined under "Minor in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages " in the Language, Literacy and Sociocultural Studies: Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog.