Program Description

The program is designed to meet New Mexico state teacher licensing requirements for the first two years of study for prospective 7th through 12th grade teachers. Applicants need a minimum of 26 credit hours and a 2.5 overall GPA for admission to the UNM College of Education. All courses offered are accepted by the UNM College of Education and apply toward a bachelor's degree with teacher licensure for secondary school teaching. Students may also apply this degree to qualify to work as educational assistants in the public schools.

Career and Educational Advancement Opportunities

General education and core requirements will articulate with all New Mexico colleges of education. Completion of the associate of arts in Secondary Education enables students to obtain either a bachelor of science in Education, or a bachelor in arts in Education upon transfer to a 4-year institution. The Secondary Education program offers opportunities for students seeking a teaching license (7th through 12th grade) and experienced teachers interested in a scholarly study of their practice.

Contact and Advising Information

Information about the associate of arts in secondary education program is available from Advisement Center at 505.925.8560 or vcadvise@unm.edu, or the Academic Affairs Office, at 505.925.8600.

Course Prerequisites

Students must meet prerequisites in English and mathematics by achievement of minimum placement scores on the Accuplacer of ACT or through completion of course work.

Course: ENGL 100 and FYEX 1110 or equivalent – or place into ENGL 1110;

ACCUPLACER/ACT Minimum Scores: 263+/19+

Course: MATH 1215, or MATH 1215X, MATH 1215Y, and MATH 1215Z – or place into MATH 1220;

ACCUPLACER/ACT Minimum Scores: 239+ (A & F)/22+

Degree Requirements

Communication (6 credits)
ENGL 1120 (Composition II) 3
3
Select an additional course from COMM 1130, ENGL 2120, ENGL 2210, or PHIL 1120.
*Students who do not place into ENGL 1120 may apply the credit hours from the prerequisite ENGL 1110 (or its equivalent ENGL 1110 Y or Z) to help fulfill the Student Choice area requirements below.
Mathematics and Statistics (3 credits)
3
Select a course from MATH 1220 (College Algebra), MATH 1130 (Survey of Mathematics), or MATH 1350 (Introduction to Statistics)
Physical and Natural Sciences (4 credits)
4
Select one course from ASTR 1115/1115L, BIOL 1115/1115L, BIOL 2110C, BIOL 2410C, BIOL 1140/1140L, CHEM 1120C, CHEM 1215/1215L, CHEM 1225/1225L, GEOL 1110/1110L, GEOL 2110C, GEOL 2140, NTSC 1110, NTSC 1120, NTSC 2110 (NTSC courses recommended), PHYS 1230/1230L, or PHYS 1240/1240L. Must include a lab.
Social and Behavioral Sciences (3 credits)
3
Select one course from ANTH 1115, ANTH 1140, ECON 2110, ECON 2120, POLS 1140, POLS 1120, POLS 2130, PSYC 1110, or SOCI 1110.
Humanities (3 credits)
HIST 1150 (Western Civilization I) or HIST 1160 (Western Civilization II) 3
Second Language (3 credits)
3
Select one course from the UNM core curriculum in Second Language. SPAN 1110 or 1120 is recommended.
Arts and Design (3 credits)
ARTH 1120 (Introduction to Art) or MUSC 1130 (Music Appreciation: Western Music)3
Student Choice (6 credits)
6
Select two additional General Education courses from the areas above. Students who do not place into ENGL 1120 may apply the credit hours from the prerequisite ENGL 1110 (or its equivalent ENGL 1110 Y or Z) to help fulfill this area.
Secondary Education Core Requirements (15 credits)
ENGL 2210 (Professional and Technical Communication), ENGL 2120 (Intermediate Composition), or COMM 1130 (Public Speaking)3
3
Select one course from the UNM core curriculum in Mathematics and Statistics. Must be a different course than the one used above in the Mathematics and Statistics area.
HIST 1110 (United States History I)3
HIST 1120 (United States History II)3
HIST 2110 (Survey of New Mexico History)3
Secondary Education Elective Requirements (15 credits)
Select five courses that align with your teaching concentration area. Concentration area options are: Language Arts, Science, Mathematics, and Social Studies.
Total required (61 credits)