Endorsement Coursework

Endorsements are attached to a teaching license to specify the teaching field (subject) in which a teacher is authorized to teach.

CNM offers coursework that is accepted by the New Mexico Public Education Department (NMPED) in the following endorsement areas: TESOL, Bilingual Education, and Gifted Education. 

Upon completion of the required coursework and assessments, educators may apply to the NMPED for the endorsement(s).

While there are different avenues for adding the TESOL and/or Bilingual endorsements to an existing license, the pathway CNM recommends is outlined below.

Department Permission

Endorsement coursework requires department permission from CNM's Education Department for registration.

Must be a current CNM student to request department permission.

To request department permission please contact us at teachered@cnm.edu

With your request please include your NMPED license number & your CNM ID number.

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)  Endorsement

The TESOL endorsement is intended for individuals who will be working with English language learners in an English language classroom setting.

  • Complete a minimum of 6 credit hours in the same foreign language other than English.
  • Complete 6 credit hours of TESOL methods courses offered at CNM:
    • EDUC 2222: Literacy/Language Instruction for ESL Learners
    • EDUC 2224: ESL Across the Content Areas
  • Successfully pass the Praxis K-12 Assessment: English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) exam

Department Permission is required to register for TESOL endorsement coursework. 

Bilingual Endorsement

The Bilingual endorsement is intended for individuals who are fluent in Spanish and plan to work in a Bilingual or dual language classroom or teach content area classes in Spanish.

  • Complete 12 credit hours of Bilingual Methods courses offered at CNM:
    • EDUC 2222: Literacy/Language Instruction for ESL Learners
    • EDUC 2224: ESL Across the Content Areas
    • EDUC 2225: Theories and Principles of Bilingual Education 
    • EDUC 2226: Instructional Methods and Strategies for the Bilingual Classroom 

Department Permission is required to register for Bilingual endorsement coursework.

Gifted Education

The Gifted Education endorsement can be added to an existing Special Education or General Education NM teaching license by successfully completing 12 semester hours of gifted teaching methodology/pedagogy coursework and successfully passing the Praxis K-12 Assessment: Gifted Education.

Gifted Education Endorsement Coursework Offered at CNM:

  • EDUC 2230: Introduction to Gifted Education
  • EDUC 2231: Curriculum for Gifted Learners
  • EDUC 2232:  Strategies for Teaching Gifted Learners
  • SPED 2233:  Twice Exception and Special Populations of Gifted Learners

Department Permission is required for EDUC 2230: Introduction to Gifted Education. 

Course Descriptions

Check the Course Catalog for course descriptions.

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Adding Endorsements

Endorsements can be added to all teaching licenses with the required semester hours or the assessment with the exception of the Bilingual, TESOL, and Gifted endorsements, these endorsements require credit hours and assessments. Each license differs in upper-division coursework requirements, please review those carefully.

Early Childhood (PreK-3) - Individuals seeking to add endorsements must either have 24 semester hours of coursework in the endorsement area or pass the Praxis Middle Grades Assessment in the endorsement area (with the exception of the Bilingual, TESOL, and Gifted endorsements, these endorsements require credit hours and assessments).

Elementary (K-8) - Individuals seeking to add endorsements must either have 24 semester hours of coursework in the endorsement area 6 must be earned at the upper-division (generally numbered 300 or above) or pass the Praxis Middle Grades Assessment in the endorsement area (with the exception of the Bilingual, TESOL, and Gifted endorsements, these endorsements require credit hours and assessments).

Special Education (PreK-12) - Individuals seeking to add endorsements must either have 24 semester hours of coursework in the endorsement area 12 must be earned at the upper-division (generally numbered 300 or above) or pass the Praxis Middle Grades Assessment in the endorsement area (with the exception of the Bilingual, TESOL, and Gifted endorsements, these endorsements require credit hours and assessments).

Secondary Education (6-12) - Individuals seeking to add endorsements must either have 24 semester hours of coursework in the endorsement area 12 must be earned at the upper-division (generally numbered 300 or above) or pass the Praxis Assessment in the endorsement area (with the exception of the Bilingual, TESOL, and Gifted endorsements, these endorsements require credit hours and assessments).