Partnering with the Relay Graduate School of Education

Information for School Districts & Networks considering the employment of a candidate into

Relay GSE programs

What is the Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay GSE)? What programs do we offer?

• The Relay Graduate School of Education is a nationally accredited, nonprofit institute of higher education. Relay offers the following programs for educators:

• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
• Educator Preparation Programs: Alternative Certification and Advanced Certificate programs

• What is an Alternative Certificate Pathway? The Alternative Certification pathway means that candidates hold a provisional license and teach full-time in a K-12 school (district, charter, or private) for two years while enrolled at Relay.
• What is an Advanced Certificate Pathway? Our Advanced Certificate program leads to a Teaching Exceptional Learners (Special Education) certificate. Teachers must already hold a teaching certificate to be accepted into this program.

• MAT + Alternative Certification
• Professional Education courses (which do not need a degree or certification)

• What programs are offered to teachers at different stages in their careers?

• For new-to-the-profession teachers, Relay offers the Relay Teaching Residency program- a combination of our MAT and Alternative Certification programs that allows students to serve as teachers-in-residence under a mentor teacher-of-record for a full year, while they participate in clinical practice courses and earn their degree and certification, before leading their own classroom in the second year of the program.
• For experienced educators (at least one year of lead teaching experience), Relay offers MAT, MAT + Certification, Certification Only, or Advanced Certification in Special Education programs. Please note that program offerings differ by state.

• Our program is designed to accommodate the schedule of a full-time, working teacher. Teachers in any Relay program will continue to work full-time in their school while attending synchronous graduate school courses with Relay during evening hours, in addition to completing asynchronous coursework.
• Please note that Relay also offers professional education programs. For more information, click here.

What MAT and certification/licensure content areas does the Relay program offer? How does the certification/licensing process work?

• This varies state by state. Please check your state’s page on Relay's Support Center for more details.

What is required for someone to enroll at Relay?

• Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements, including cumulative undergraduate GPA, minimum credit requirements, and any certification exam requirements. There are differences in minimum GPA and certification exam requirements state-by-state.
• Applicants must secure a program-aligned instructional role aligned to the certification/licensure area they will pursue.
• Applicants must complete the Relay program application.  See admissions deadlines here.
• Please note that Relay has three terms per year. A graduate student will join Relay for the summer term (typically synchronous classes with options in June-August), the fall term (typically synchronous evening classes), and the spring term (typically synchronous evening classes). See initial session schedules here. 

What is the obligation for a school or district that employs someone enrolled in Relay's alternative certification program?

• Requirements are modest for schools or districts hosting candidates in Relay's Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program.
• For the Relay Teaching Residency program, schools would create a partnership with Relay to support their candidates in adhering to our gradual on-ramp of new-to-the-profession teachers, assigning that candidate with a mentor teacher, and allotting time for Residents to attend clinical practice coursework.
• School leaders will be asked to complete a School Authorization Form at the beginning of the year, including an affirmation that candidates can record their teaching practice on video and report aggregate student outcome data for Relay course assignments.
• Schools should provide coaching and support for teachers as usual. Relay faculty will deliver additional coaching and observations throughout the year.
• Some schools or districts choose to contribute to the cost of Relay tuition, but this is not required.

What are the tuition costs?

• Relay is committed to ensuring that our graduate programs are affordable for teachers. For the incoming class of 2025-2026, tuition will be billed by credit of your Relay program, at $850 per credit.  Programs range from 18 to 39 credits.  You can see estimated tuition by program on your state’s page.
• Please note that the tuition charges do not reflect pending education awards (AmeriCorps Education Awards or Relay Residency Scholarships), external scholarships, or employer coverage which may reduce graduate student tuition responsibility each academic year.
• Tuition is billed by term and does not come due in the first year until the start of the Fall Term. Candidates may be eligible for federal financial aid, and monthly payment plans are available to all students through Relay's Student Financial Services.
• Because Relay graduate students are employees at their schools, all teacher salaries and benefits are determined solely by employers.

What are the next steps?

• If you are interested in sending candidates to Relay, please contact the Partnerships team for your state’s Relay campus at support@relay.edu.