Alternative Teacher Licensure Program

Alternative Teacher Licensure Program

The Alternative Teacher Licensure Program at SFCC is a state accredited alternative teacher licensure program for qualified individuals possessing college degrees who want to earn a license in teaching. (View presentation on SFCC’s Alternative Teacher Licensure program.) Upon acceptance into the Alternative Licensure Program, students are eligible for an Internship License, which allows them to apply for a position to be the teacher of record for two years, as they complete their coursework.

These state-accredited certificate programs facilitate achievement of the New Mexico Public Education Department’s entry-level teacher competencies. Highly refined written, interpersonal, communication, and technology skills are essential to candidate success in the program.

Individuals who complete this program, and fulfill all NMPED requirements, are eligible for level-one (5-year) provisional teaching licenses in the state of New Mexico. (Licensure information can be obtained from the New Mexico Public Education Department Professional Licensure Unit at 505-827-6581 or at at www.ped.state.nm.us/bureaus/licensure. For more information about other teacher licensure pathways in New Mexico visit: webnew.ped.state.nm.us.

Teachers are in currently in high demand, especially in the areas of bilingual and special education, high school math and science, and English as a second language. School teachers earn a median annual salary of $61,400 according to Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Gainful Employment and Completion Rate Information

Admissions Requirements:

Admission to the program requires one of the following:

• Have a BA including 30* credit hours in a particular field that appertains to the licensure area sought; OR
• MA including 12 graduate credit hours in a particular field that appertains to the licensure area sought, OR
• Ph.D. in a particular field that appertains to the licensure area sought

*Note: For candidates in the elementary program the thirty credits must include a minimum of 6-credit hours in each of the core subject areas (mathematics, language arts, science, and social studies) for a total of 24 credit hours.

Application Due Dates:

• July 1st for Fall Applications- (If you need an extension please contact Kayla Garcia at 505-428-1256).

• January 5th for Spring Applications. (If you need an extension please contact Kayla Garcia at 505-428-1256).

Applying to the Alternative Licensure Program involves:

2 Steps: 

1. Apply to SFCC and receive your student identification A number. 
2. Complete the application to the Alternative Licensure Program

• Alternative Teacher Licensure Program Application

• Consent by Student for Disclosure of Academic Information

• Declaration of Major

• Teacher Preparation Affordability Scholarship Application

• Supervised Field Experience Application

• Program Progress Prior to Enrolling in SFE

• Supervised Field Experience Handbook

• Course Descriptions

• Observation Log

• Student Guide

• Exit Application