The School of Education (SOE) has instituted three gateways to guide students through successful program completion.  The gateways correspond to the first three letters of the Greek alphabet – Alpha, Beta and Gamma. The gateway requirements are listed below.

Initial Program Gateways

Gateway Alpha (Program Entry)

Students interested in a major, minor, or a certificate leading to licensure in Elementary, Secondary, Special Education or a Dual Major (Elementary / Special Education) must complete the following Alpha gateway requirements. Students must purchase Chalk and Wire to complete Gateway Alpha.

During the semester enrolled in GNED 201, Introduction to Teaching or ECME 300, Professionalism, students will apply for admission to the SOE. Transfer and Licensure students will apply for admission to the SOE during the semester of transfer to the SOE. Admission to New Mexico Highlands University is not admission to the SOE. The SOE Admission Application is housed on Chalk and Wire at www.chalkandwire.com/nmhu. Chalk and Wire requires a purchased license which is available at the university bookstore.

1. Submit a New Mexico Teacher Assessment [NMTA] Basic Skills score of at least 240.
2. Overall GPA of at least 2.5 (based on a minimum of 24 credit hours)
3. A “C” or better in GNED 201 (Introduction to Teaching), SPED 214 (Introduction to Special Education), GNED 251 (Field Base 1) or ECME 300 or equivalent (e.g. A A degree)
4. A “C” or better in ENG 112 (Composition)
   
   Students must upload the following documents to the SOE Admission Application on Chalk and Wire:

   a. NMTA Basic Skills Exam Score
   b. Unofficial or official transcripts from all universities attended
   c. Disclosure Statement (on the Chalk and Wire application)
   d. Students must select a minor or provide documentation of an earned AA degree

Gateway Beta (Admission to Clinical Practice)

Gateway Beta begins with Field-based 2 (F-b2). Successful completion of prerequisite and F-b2 requirements advances the student in the Field Experience Program. Students must complete the following requirement before the end of the semester enrolled in F-b2.

1. Field-based 2 registration requires School of Education application.
2. By the end of Field-based 2, students must be accepted to the School of Education or a grade of “Incomplete” will be issued for the course.
3. Pass the NMTA Content exam with a score of at least 240. Students will be admitted to Field-based 2 without a passing score of 240. However, if students have not passed the NMTA Content exam by the end of Field Based 2 semester, they will receive a grade of “Incomplete.”
4. Dual Majors will be required to pass both area content exams by the end of Field-based 2 or they will receive a grade of “Incomplete” [Starting Fall 2013].
5. Elementary and Dual Major (ELSP) students, who graduate in Spring 2013 and after, must pass the NES Reading Test.
6. Students must have completed all methods courses (inclusive of transfer hours) with an overall GPA of at least 2.75.
7. Submit three letters of recommendation. Two letters must be written by SOE faculty and one written by a non-faculty member who is associated with education.
8. Submit the instructor’s dispositions rating of at least 3.0 (of 4.0) in each area from Field-base 2 or a designated class in the major.

Gateway Gamma (Program Completion)

1. Pass the NMTA Competency exam with a score of at least 240.*
2. Submit a Field-based 3 (Student Teaching) university supervisor rating of at least 3.0 (of 4.0) in each area by the final classroom observation.
3. Submit a Field-based 3 Cooperating Teaching rating of at least 3.0 (of 4.0) in each area by the final classroom observation.
4. Submit a field dispositions rating of at least 3.0 (of 4.0) in each area from Field-base 3.

*A passing NMTA competency exam score is not needed for graduation.