Teacher Education Program (TEP) Admission

TO: Applicants to the Teacher Education Program
FROM: Directors of the Teacher Education Program (TEP)

We value your interest in the Teacher Education Program (TEP) at New Mexico State University. All candidates who wish to complete a teaching degree must be admitted to the TEP. The College of Health, Education, and Social Transformation (HEST) has instituted a competitive TEP admission process that continues to ensure quality students become prepared teacher candidates. It is required that you submit a professional electronic portfolio as your application to the Teacher Education Program, which will be reviewed by the College of HEST TEP faculty.

Education is a rewarding and challenging profession, and the faculty and staff of the college are eager to help you meet your goals. A professional TEP portfolio is a necessary standard to be considered for admission to the TEP but do not ensure admission to the TEP. A student who, in the professional judgment of the committee, does not meet the criteria for acceptance into the Teacher Education Program will be denied admission. Therefore, the applicant is encouraged to achieve the highest possible cumulative GPA, develop a strong student portfolio, exemplify the dispositions necessary for the teaching field, and conduct a successful interview as outlined in the appropriate packet.

The NMSU Teacher Education Program (TEP) has updated the TEP entrance criteria as of May 3, 2022.  TEP will no longer require the Praxis Core Academic Skills Exams (Reading, Writing, and Math). 

Instruction Packets:

Please read these information sheets carefully. It is important that you follow the TEP portfolio instructions described on the packet. Fully complete your portfolio and submit to the College of HEST by the appropriate deadline. Portfolios that are incomplete or received past the due date will need to be resubmitted the following semester.

You must submit all information and documents at the same time, so please have your PDF documents ready before you proceed to submit your packet.

Minimum Criteria to Submit TEP Portfolio:

Undergraduate Criteria Graduate Criteria
  • GPA of 2.75 or higher
  • Earn a C- or better in TEP prerequisites (see the packet for complete list)
  • The candidate can apply to TEP as early as their 2nd semester of sophomore year. Candidates may submit their electronic portfolio during the semester in which they are enrolled in the last of the prerequisites.
  • Candidates need to have completed at least 60 credits to start TEP coursework but can apply when finishing the last of those 60 credits.
  • The candidate must get a current degree check with a current date and signature from Dr. Margo Trevino-Torres in the College of HEST Educational Support & Resource Center office in O’Donnell Hall #121 (call for an appointment – 575 646-3404).
  • GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Earn a B- or better in TEP prerequisites (see the packet for complete list)
  • The candidate can apply to TEP as early as their 2nd semester of their Master’s Plus Licensure Program. Candidates may submit their electronic portfolio during the semester in which they are enrolled in the last of the prerequisites.
  • The candidate must complete a current Program of Study with a current date and signature from their appropriate Master’s plus Licensure Program Director (email to make an appointment).

Note: A Google Account is needed to use the online submission portal (Instructions: Creating a Google Account for TEP).

 

Do you think you are ready to submit?  Use this TEP Submission Checklist to make sure you have everything ready to go.

The TEP Online Portfolio:

The Teacher Education Program Committee will review online portfolios three times a year, in the Fall, Spring, and Summer. Given that you have met the criteria above, upload your completed portfolio to the Teacher Education Program portal (use button below) no later than noon (MST) on:

  • 3rd Friday in September for the Fall,
  • 3rd Friday in February for the Spring,
  • 3rd Friday in July for the Summer
    Confirm exact date by contacting the Teacher Education Program office at the beginning of each semester (646-2669).
Submit Portfolio!

 

If you are accepted into TEP but do not start your TEP Block Methods Courses within one year, or if you take a semester off from your courses after being admitted into TEP, then you will be required to reapply.

Required Items for Portfolio Submission:

  • Personal Information – Name, Aggie ID, NMSU email, phone number
  • Resume – File Upload
  • Letter of Intent – File Upload
  • Academic Information – Program Area, degree, GPA
  • Transcripts – File Upload
  • Degree Check (Undergraduate) or Program of Study (Graduate) – File Upload
  • Contact information for 4 Recommenders – Name & email address for recommenders

 

CLICK HERE to watch our tutorial video to see how to upload your application to the online TEP portal.