30 minutes
New Mexico Teaching Program Application Guide
Everything you need to know about teacher prep program requirements: From getting your transcripts to applications and exams, this guide has you covered.
Everything you need to know about teacher prep program requirements: From getting your transcripts to applications and exams, this guide has you covered.
So you want to apply to a teacher education program (a.k.a. teaching program), and you’re figuring out what you need to enroll. That’s great news!
When you apply, program staff will look at a few different pieces to make sure you’re eligible and a good fit for admission, which could include:
In this guide, we’ll look at each of these components.
If you have any questions about your teaching program applications, reach out to a TEACH New Mexico coach or your program’s admissions staff for support. We’re here for you.
Already a teacher in a private school or another state or country? If you’re an experienced educator applying for a license in New Mexico, you must have your credentials reviewed by the New Mexico Public Education Department. Visit the Public Education Department’s Licensure page to learn about the process for your specific subject by clicking on the teaching license you want to hold in New Mexico.
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When you submit your application, you’ll need to show your transcripts and any previous degrees or college credits you’ve earned. This may include high school transcripts if you’re just beginning your undergraduate program, or college transcripts.
With your transcripts, teaching programs want to see your GPA and what college courses you’ve already taken. That includes transcripts for any college classes you took in high school or after college, even if they didn’t lead to a degree!
Many New Mexico teaching programs require a B- cumulative grade average (or a 2.75 GPA) for undergraduate courses—but programs can choose to require a higher grade average. If you’re applying to a graduate program, you’ll need at least a 3.0 GPA from your undergraduate program. Check with your program to find out what grades you need to be eligible.
Contact the transcript office or records office of the schools you attended, and follow their transcript request procedures. You can often find the procedures on the school’s website. You can also try calling or emailing the school.
Budget at least three to five days for processing. Some schools will send transcripts by mail; others may have electronic copies.
In your request, be sure to include:
Sometimes you’ll need to pay a fee to order an official transcript. Not to worry! TEACH New Mexico offers up to $100 in fee reimbursements for this kind of expense. Visit our Fee Reimbursements page to learn more.
You don’t need a bachelor’s degree when you start an undergraduate teaching program, but you’ll usually need one before you can become a licensed teacher. Many programs let you work toward your bachelor’s and teaching license at the same time.
In New Mexico, you may not need a degree if you plan to teach certain vocational subjects, like a skilled trade, or if you earn a Native American Language and Culture Certificate. This certificate allows you to teach the language and culture of a tribe or Pueblo to students in grades PK-12 without a degree (because universities don’t offer degree programs for most tribal languages). (1)(2) Learn more about this certificate and Pueblo schools in New Mexico.
In addition to your academic history, admissions staff may also look at your work experience, including any experience you’ve had working in education or in your subject area.
Some teaching programs may require you to have a certain amount of meaningful experience working in education or in the subject area you wish to teach. This varies a lot, and isn’t true for every program. Look for one that matches your background!
Ideally, you’ll already have some experience working with the age group and subject area that you want to teach, but other education experience can work too. Maybe you’ve worked in an after-school program or as a classroom paraprofessional. Maybe you’ve been a camp counselor or an instructor for a weekend program, like Saturday school or Sunday school, or coached in a youth sports league. Those all count!
This experience helps you and your program staff feel confident that teaching is a good fit for you.
If you’re a career changer, your work experience can also be useful for your teaching program applications. For example, if you’ve worked in business administration or marketing, you might be a great candidate to teach business education. Or you might be an experienced musician who could teach music classes. Or maybe you’ve worked as a researcher or computer scientist—you could make a skilled science or technology education teacher.
If you’re a tradesperson with vocational work experience, you might not even need a teaching degree to get started in the classroom! Teaching positions may be available in fields such as agricultural education, cosmetology, computer technology, health and more. Find out more about the requirements.
Vocational and professional work experience all count as valuable background and expertise! You might also consider alternative licensure. You can get into the classroom faster and get paid while you’re earning your teaching license. Learn more at TEACH New Mexico’s Alternative Licensure page.
The exact number of experience hours you’ll need will vary from program to program. Ask your program about their specific requirements. Bachelor’s degree plus licensure programs are most likely to have this type of requirement, especially if you don’t apply to the teaching program until your sophomore or junior year.
Whatever your experience, you’ll want to highlight your achievements and responsibilities. Check out our Resume Guide and Template for ideas and advice on creating a top-notch resume.
To apply for your teaching program, you may need to submit some test scores from the core academic skills test (think SAT or ACT). Your college or university program will decide what (if any) test scores are required to apply.
To apply for your teaching license, the state of New Mexico decides what (if any) test scores are required. You’ll apply for your teaching license before you get hired to teach in your own classroom. (4)
Not necessarily! Many programs have gone test-optional. However, test scores may be helpful for scholarships and class placement. Check with your specific program to see if they require test scores for admission.
The state of New Mexico is changing their educator testing requirements. For some subject areas, you may be able to submit a portfolio for assessment instead of passing the Praxis exam to get your teaching license. (3) Learn more.
We’ll briefly go over each of the assessments here. You can find more detailed information about what the tests cover and how to prepare in our Testing Guide.
To apply to your teaching program, you may need to submit test scores to show your core skills in reading, writing and math. The SAT and ACT count toward this requirement!
There’s no statewide minimum score requirement on any of the core academic skills tests. Your program staff will usually just use your scores to place you in the right courses for your skill level.
Some programs may set their own minimum score requirement or have other flexibilities when it comes to demonstrating your core academic skills.
If you still need to complete a core academic skills test, you can sign up for the Praxis Core exam, which covers all three skills.
If you do need to take the Praxis Core, some programs only require you to show that you’ve registered for the test before you apply. Ask your teaching program staff about the core academic skills requirement to find out what they need from you.
Let TEACH New Mexico cover your testing fees! For up to $100 back, visit our Fee Reimbursement page.
For most subjects, the Praxis exam is no longer required to earn your teaching license in New Mexico. Instead, you’ll show you know your stuff well enough to teach it through a portfolio assessment. The good news is that many teaching programs already require this for graduation, so this won’t be an additional step for you! Don’t worry, your teaching program will guide you through this process.
The only exceptions are future elementary and special education teachers. These teachers will submit a portfolio and take the Praxis exam in their subject area. (4)
If you are a future elementary teacher seeking licensure, you must complete the Praxis: Teaching Reading: Elementary (5205) exam.
If you are a future special education teacher seeking licensure, you must complete the Praxis: Special Education: Foundational Knowledge (5355) exam. (4)
Our Testing Guide has more info on both of these tests.
Like your transcripts, you may need to send official copies of your scores with your teaching program application.
For most exams, you can designate several schools to automatically receive your scores. To get your hands on additional official copies, head over to the testing website to order them. We’ve gathered the links to make it easier for you!
Finally, you’ll probably need to submit an essay or personal statement and at least one letter of recommendation. You may also need to complete an interview.
If there’s anything in your academic or work history that you’re worried about, these can be good places to address those.
In most applications, you’ll need to either write a personal statement about your interest in the program, or answer a series of essay-style questions. This is your chance to share a little more about your background and interests to show why you’re a good fit. If you’re interested in a teaching career in a Pueblo school, be sure to mention it in your essay!
For many people, the essay can feel like the most stressful part of the whole application process. But we have free resources to make it easier for you!
Want to write a top-notch essay? Check out TEACH New Mexico’s Essay Guide for tips, tricks and a template to get you started.
You’ll need to include at least one letter of recommendation from a former teacher, supervisor, or colleague in your application. Letters of recommendation can show off your strengths in a way that’s hard to do for yourself.
To get a stellar letter of recommendation, it’s important to follow some basic asking etiquette. We’ve got you covered there too—follow our step-by-step Letter of Rec Guide and Template to get an amazing letter of recommendation.
For many teaching programs, you’ll need to interview with program admissions staff. This is an opportunity to tell your story, share what you’ll bring to the program and show why you’ll make an excellent teacher.
It’s a great idea to prepare for your interview—so we’ve gathered a few of our favorite pieces of interview advice. (Need more of an interviewing 101 refresher? Check out these interviewing tips from The Muse.)
You’ll get to explain why you want to be a teacher—and why you’ll make a great one—in your admissions essay. The interview is your chance to tell your story out loud. Ask a friend or family member to listen to your answer, then aim to tell the story in about two minutes, give or take.
You’ll also want to practice explaining what you will bring to the program. What will make you a great colleague to your fellow classmates? What unique perspectives or teamwork skills do you bring?
Your interviewers may want to know more about your academic background or have questions about specific courses, changes in major or grades on your transcripts. Review your transcripts with a critical eye. What questions might your interviewers have? Practice answering them.
As with your admissions essay, this is your chance to use potential negatives to your advantage, showing how you have grown from challenges.
Interviewers often ask about how your life experiences demonstrate the qualities they’re looking for. They may want to know how you creatively tackle challenges, collaborate on projects or handle stress.
You’ll want to do more than tell them you’re creative and a great collaborator. This is your chance to show your unique qualities with short anecdotes. Think of specific examples from your school work, jobs you’ve had or other experiences. Come ready with a few noteworthy stories that illustrate your skills and how you work.
If you’re from outside the U.S., you may need to provide additional paperwork to show that you’re ready for your teaching program or license. This may include:
The process and requirements are the same as New Mexico schools overseen by the state. Visit our Pueblo Schools page to find out more about the unique aspects of teaching in these schools.
Applications have a lot of steps, and we’re here to support you with all of them.
Check out more FREE tools to simplify the process.