New Mexico’s higher education opportunities to learn about child development span from certified training to Associates through Ph.D. degree programs. The NM Early Care and Education Professional Development System is designed for all individuals wanting to work as a teacher, child care provider, home visitor, program administrator, early interventionist, mentor or program development specialist with children with children 0-8 years of age, their families and community programs. ECECD’s Division of Policy, Research, and Quality Initiatives issues certificates for individuals completing all requirements. Contact Anita Quintana, ECECD Policy, Research, and Quality Initiatives, 505-901-8236 for more information.

Click here for ECECD’s Early Childhood Scholarship Application.

Click here for Training for Early Learning Providers.

The New Mexico Higher Education Career Lattice

New Mexico Early Education Introductory Training

(This training replaces the previously required 45_hour Course in New Mexico)

Due to the NMAC 8.9.3, 8.9.4, and 8.9.5 Proposed Rule Changes, UNM Early Childhood Services Center is no longer offering Part 2 of the 45 Hour Course. Please review the rule changes on https://www.nmececd.org/regulation-changes/. Please find additional information and the updated requirements available on Quorum by Teaching Strategies at the following link:  https://teachingstrategies.mlearning.com/cs/welcome/. Please note that an account will be necessary to access the courses through Quorum.

Associate’s Degree

Early care and education professionals are eligible for the Early Childhood Associate’s Degree in the areas of Early Childhood educator, Early Childhood Program Administration, or Family Infant Toddler Specialist. This degree indicates a general education content (approximately 35 credit hours) within the associate degree program. The institution of higher education awards this degree.

Click here for Common Core Content

Click here for a list of NM Programs that offer Associates Degrees NM Associate Degree Colleges/Community Colleges

Bachelors, Masters and Ph. D Degrees

Early care and education professionals are eligible for the Early Childhood Bachelor’s Degree in the areas of Early Childhood Educator, Early Childhood Program Administration, or Family Studies. The certificate indicates completion of an approved Bachelor’s degree program offered by accredited institutions of higher education in New Mexico. The institution issues the degree.

Click here for Common Core Content

Click here for a list of NM Schools that offer Degree programs: NM Baccalaureate Colleges/Universities

Teacher licenses

Teacher licenses are issued by the New Mexico Public Education Department in Early Childhood Education.

NM Child Development Certificate

The New Mexico Child Development Certificate is a state-awarded certificate for early childhood teacher.  The certificate has been created to meet the professional development requirements for teachers who are already working in a classroom setting with infants and toddlers or preschool children.

Click here for the CDC packet order form

Click here to visit NMECECD.ORG

Vocational Certificates

Early care and education professionals are eligible for vocational certificate in the areas of Early Childhood Educator, Early Childhood Program Administration, or Family Infant Toddler Specialist. The certificate indicates completion of the early childhood “vocational” courses (approximately 29 credit hours) within the associate degree program’s transfer module. The ECECD Division of Policy, Research, and Quality Initiatives awards the certificate when the complete course of study is completed. Contact Anita Quintana, ECECD Policy, Research, and Quality Initiatives, at 505-901-8236 for more information.