In order to apply to a program at Relay, prospective students must complete Relay’s admissions process.  Admission to Relay includes the following requirements:

GPA

Applicants who intend to seek certification in New Jersey through Relay must also meet the New Jersey GPA requirements for admission to an educator preparation program: 

For applicants graduating from their baccalaureate or higher degree program on or after September 1, 2016:

• Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale on all coursework previously attempted at an accredited institution of higher education from a completed baccalaureate or higher program.

• Applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA below 3.00 but higher than or equal to 2.75 may receive admission to the New Jersey educator preparation program if they meet on the following: 

  • Graduated from their undergraduate or higher degree program before 9/1/2016, or

  • Exceeded the passing score on the approved content area exam that aligns with their certification area by at least 10% 

• Applicants who do not meet the GPA criteria for Relay’s New Jersey educator preparation program may be eligible for admission via one of the following exceptions to Relay’s policy:

  • Program Sponsorship: Applicants who graduated on or after September 1, 2016 with a  cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 (baccalaureate or higher) who do not meet the criteria above may be considered for program sponsorship. Sponsored candidates can make up no more than 10% of the CE preparation program’s annual accepted candidates. Applicants may receive program sponsorship if they are employed at the time of their application to the EPP. 

  • Employer Sponsorship: Applicants who do not meet the Educator Preparation Program GPA Requirements may be eligible for employer sponsorship through a Limited Certificate of Eligibility (Limited CE). The employer must be approved by the NJDOE to sponsor applicants for a Limited CE. Applicants applying to Relay through employer sponsorship must have an active Limited CE application with employer documentation submitted to NJEdCert to be considered for admission to Relay. Candidates applying for a Limited CE are ineligible to receive program sponsorship for GPA.

Applicants who do not intend to seek certification must meet Relay's GPA requirement for admissions:

• At least a 2.50 Undergraduate GPA - If you are not seeking certification in New Jersey and your undergraduate GPA is 2.50 or higher, you are eligible for admission to Relay.

• Applicants with an undergraduate GPA below the Relay minimum of 2.50 may apply to be admitted to Relay via an exception to Relay’s GPA policy who have:

  • Earned a 2.50 GPA in their last 60 credit hours of their undergraduate program, or

  • Earned a master’s degree or higher with a GPA of 2.50 or higher.

• Applicants who do not meet the above criteria may be prompted to have a secondary recommendation submitted that will be used to evaluate their eligibility for admission to Relay.

As of August 16, 2024, all GPA exceptions have been distributed for New Jersey applicants.

Bachelor's Degree

Applicants must provide Relay with transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including an official bachelor's degree-conferred transcript. Click here to read more about submitting transcripts to Relay.

Program-Aligned Instructional Role

Applicants must secure a program-aligned instructional role with one of our partners. If you have questions about whether or not your teaching position meets the criteria for admissions to Relay, please reach out to [email protected].

Application

Applicants must submit all application materials, including:

• An up-to-date and polished resume;

• A short essay on your commitment to teaching;

• Contact information for one recommender, to whom Relay will reach out

Admissions Checklist(s)

Applicants must satisfy all admissions requirements listed on their Admissions Checklist(s).

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