Alternative Licensure Field Experience

CNM's Teacher Licensure program offers coursework for a teaching license in the state of New Mexico in the areas of Early Childhood, Elementary, Secondary, and Special Education. There are two courses in each concentration of the Alternative Licensure Program that require an extended amount of field experience. All other courses in the program require between 10 - 15 hours of field experience.

Elementary and Secondary Education

EDUC 2250: Foundations of Education

• This course requires students to complete a minimum of 25 hours of field experience in a K-12 setting and is taken in the student's first term in the program. Students already employed as teachers of record can complete some hours in their own classroom. All students are required to complete an online application for placement (even if employed in the field). The Alternative Licensure Placement Assistance Application is due by the start of class. 

EDUC 2190: Supervised Field Experience

• Supervised Field Experience (SFE) is required by the state and requires students to complete a minimum of 180 hours of field experience in a K-12 setting, including a two full week assumption, and is taken the last term in the program. 
• Dual licensure may require additional hours in each setting to meet program requirements.
• Student should have all of the Teacher Licensure coursework completed and pass all required teacher assessments the term before SFE.
• Students employed as teachers of record can complete these hours in their own classroom if the setting meets program and state licensure requirements. 
• All students must apply for SFE the term before they will be taking the course.
  • Application information will be sent to your CNM email address
  • Applications Deadlines for SFE are March 1 to be considered in the following Fall Term, and October 1 to be considered for the following Spring Term.
  • Applications are closed at 5 p.m. on the due date.

Early Childhood and Special Education

SPED 2250: Foundations of Special Education

• This course requires students to complete 25 hours of field experience in a K-12 special education setting and is taken in the student's first term in the program. Students already employed as teachers of record can complete some hours in their own classroom. All students are required to complete an online application for placement (even if employed in the field). The Alternative Licensure Placement Assistance Application is due by the start of class. 

SPED 2390: Special Education Supervised Field Experience

• Supervised Field Experience is required by the state and requires students to complete a minimum of 180 hours of field experience in a PreK-12 setting, including a two full week assumption, and is taken the last term in the program. 
• Dual licensure may require additional hours in each setting to meet program requirements.
• Student should have all of the Teacher Licensure coursework completed and pass all required teacher assessments the term before SFE.
• Students employed as teachers of record can complete these hours in their own classroom if the setting meets program and state licensure requirements. 
• All students must apply for SFE the term before they will be taking the course.
  • Application information will be sent to your CNM email address
  • Applications Deadlines for SFE are March 1 to be considered in the following Fall Term, and October 1 to be considered for the following Spring Term.
  • Applications are closed at 11:59 p.m. on the due date.

Supervised Field Experience Information

Students preparing to participate in SFE are encouraged to attend an information session. Students will receive the RSVP links in their CNM emails.

Note: A SFE informational video is provided to students via email one month before the SFE application deadline.

Additional Information:

• Students will receive an email with information on applying for a field placement one month before the application deadline.
• All students will be required to fill out an online placement application in order to complete field hours. Students who are currently a teacher of record can indicate their place of employment as long as the job site aligns with the student's licensure pathway and content area.
• Students should plan their schedule to allow for observational hours to be completed sometime Monday – Friday between the hours of 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• All students taking courses with required field experience must provide evidence of a clear background check as requested.
  • Students are responsible for paying the background check fees.
  • Information about obtaining a background check will be included in the email students receive when they register for a course with field experience.