Program Pays, Supports Special Ed Teachers in Training

Posted October 26, 2021, 8:55 AM. Updated January 26, 2026, 2:50 PM.

Individuals with a bachelor's degree in any subject can become licensed special education teachers in 15 months.

Albuquerque Public Schools, like school districts across the country, is in need of special education teachers, which is why it is partnering once again with CNM and the Albuquerque Teacher's Federation on a program to recruit and retain more special education teachers.

Individuals with a bachelor's degree in any subject can become licensed special education teachers in 15 months through the Special Education Teacher Training (SETT) program. Through this program, teacher candidates get paid and earn benefits while co-teaching alongside a seasoned educator and taking classes.

Program Benefits

Assistance in applying for grants and scholarships to pay tuition expenses
Employment with full teacher salary
Co-teach with an experienced teacher
Earn a teaching license in 15 months
Earn a Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) endorsement
Coursework aligned to teaching practice
Program runs Summer 2022-Summer 2023

The application deadline is February 15, 2022. Get more information and apply to the SETT program.

To Qualify for the SETT Program

Hold a bachelor’s degree
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or pass a Praxis content knowledge assessment
Be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
Complete a background check
Agree to work as a special education teacher in APS for three years.

Attend an Information Session

Saturday, Nov. 13 at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 8 at 3 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m.

When the time comes, please join the session: Join the Zoom Session