The special education alternative licensure program can be completed entirely online, with the exception of the internship, which is completed in a public school classroom. If you are already teaching while earning your credentials, your internship is completed on the job. However, if you are not teaching, the ENMU Teacher Education Office will place you in your local area.
If you have a degree in education and have completed student teaching, the state does not require you to do so again; your previous student teaching experience counts as your internship.
Admission Requirements
- Admission to the Graduate School.
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA between 2.8 and 2.99 will be considered for "conditional admission; if accepted, applicants must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 with no grade less than a "B" during the first semester of enrollment.
- A letter of application to the program. The letter should specify the intended area of emphasis (Special Education Alt Licensure) and career goals. The letter should be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
- Copies of passing scores for the Praxis Core Academic Skills Licensure Exams in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics or verification of registration for the exams. Applicants with an existing teaching license should submit a photocopy of the license.
You can find more information about this process on our How to Apply page.
Program Highlights
- Eligible for employment as special education teacher as soon as you are accepted into the program
- 100% online program
- Program taught by experienced special education and reading educators
- Internship completed in your own classroom or in a traditional student teacher program
- Affordable tuition
Apply for Admission to ENMU Graduate School
Learning Format for Alternative Special Education Certificate Coursework
Our certificate in special education is designed to be completed 100% online, although you have the option to take all classes online or a combination of online and in-person. In any case, you'll complete assignments, readings, papers, tests and projects throughout each semester.
In all classes, your participation using Blackboard and recorded lectures via Mediasite will connect you with professors and other students on your own time, and can be completed at your convenience, rather than during a specific time.
Advising for Alternative Licensure Students
If you are taking the time to complete an advanced study program, we know you want not only the benefits from our classes, but also our faculty's professional experience. To support you, we offer advising via phone or email for online students, and in-person appointments if you are on campus. We look forward to working with you!
Alternative Licensure in Special Education Resources and Academic Support
At ENMU we want to make sure you get the help you need. We offer flexible tutoring services, including the Writing Center for our on-campus students and the Online Writing Center (OWL), for distance education students. The OWL/Writing Center is available to help you improve your writing and help you clearly communicate for written, school related projects and assignments.
We also have online databases, journal articles and eBooks accessible through the Golden Library. Since ENMU has a dedicated distance education librarian on staff, you'll always have the help you need to take advantage of library resources, even if you're sitting in front of your computer at home.
For questions and concerns about homework assignments, projects and grades you can always email or call your professor.
Affordable Alternative Licensure Certificate
Our affordable tuition makes it easy for you to pick ENMU, a school with a strong reputation for producing capable teachers and administrators that are prepared to lead schools and school districts.
Eastern New Mexico University has the second lowest bachelor's and master's-level tuition in the state of New Mexico, and has one of the most affordable graduate tuition rates in the U.S. If you are an out-of-state student enrolling in 6 or fewer hours per semester, you'll pay tuition and fees at the low in-state rate. Depending on your career goals, you may be eligible for a TEACH Grant or the New Mexico T.E.A.C.H program.
View graduate tuition and fees >
Career Opportunities with an Alternative Licensure in Special Education
- Apply to the NMPED for Level 1 Teaching License
- Work in a variety of settings in PreK-12 including, but not limited to:
- Full inclusion classrooms with general content teachers
- Pull-out resource and tutoring classrooms and, in some instances, self-contained classrooms as defined by individual districts
- Work with New Mexico students ranging from those with the most severe disabilities, to those been diagnosed as gifted and talented
Required Coursework (21 Hours)
Note: Degree information on this page is based on the 2018-20 Graduate Catalog.
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
| RED 510 Literacy Assessment and Evaluation | 3 |
| RED 518 Content Area Literacy | 3 |
| SPED 501 Introduction to Exceptional Students | 3 |
| SPED 505 Low Incidence Disabilities: Theory to Practice OR SPED 548 Emotional Disturbance: Theory to Practice |
3 |
| SPED 539 Classroom/Behavior Management | 3 |
| SPED 540 High Incidence Disabilities: Theory to Practice | 3 |
| SPED 547 Internship in Special Education (SPED 547 can only be taken upon successful completion of all courses on the special education alternative licensure plan and successful completion of all licensure exams as set forth by the NMPED.) |
3 |
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Graduate Coordinator
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Professor, Special Education, Assistant Dean
Office Location: Education Building (ED), Room 113
Phone: 575.562.2261
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575.562.2147