Graduate-Level Degree Programs and Certificates

Relay offers a graduate-level degree program and a post-baccalaureate certificate. 

• The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) is a graduate-level degree program. Relay offers the option to pursue teacher certification/licensure concurrent with the MAT degree (requires admission to corresponding educator preparation program) in multiple states, or the ability to enroll in a non-certification seeking, standalone MAT degree program. 

• The Advanced Certificate is a post-baccalaureate certificate. The Advanced Certificate is awarded at the completion of a focused program of study. The Advanced Certificate is composed of graduate-level courses designed to support the development of knowledge and skills and career enhancement. Relay offers an Advanced Certificate in Special Education as well as an option to pursue an additional certificate/license or endorsement in special education for eligible students in applicable states.   

Teacher Certification/Licensure 

Relay offers state-approved educator preparation programs embedded in an MAT degree program, in an Advanced Certificate, or in a non-degree teacher certification/licensure pathway. Students who wish to pursue a teaching certificate/license must enroll in one of Relay’s state-approved educator preparation programs (EPP) options including:  

• The Embedded Educator Preparation Programs: Relay’s academic programs meet educational requirements for educator certification/licensure in certain states, allowing students to pursue certification/licensure concurrent with enrollment in a Relay MAT or Advanced Certificate. 

• The Non-Degree Teacher Certification/Licensure Pathways: In certain states, Relay offers a non-degree certification/licensure pathway. Students enrolled in these pathways pursue teacher certification/licensure only. Graduate-level credits earned in the pathway may be eligible for transfer into Relay’s MAT degree program. 

Professional organizations, societies, states, and licensing jurisdictions have specific requirements for membership, certification, or licensure. In the states in which Relay is an approved in-state educator preparation provider, Relay works to align Relay’s program(s) offered in the state to the state’s educational requirements for educator certification/licensure. Students should be aware that the professional organizations, societies, states, and licensing jurisdictions are responsible for defining, amending, and executing approval requirements and decisions for membership, certification, or licensure. Relay can provide the public-facing information for the professional organizations’, societies’, states’, and licensing jurisdictions’ requirements for membership, certification, or licensure. Relay can provide guidance regarding a state’s licensure requirements for states in which Relay is an approved in-state provider and to the students who seek licensure in the same state. Relay may not be able to provide assistance to a student regarding the interpretation or understanding of a state’s licensure requirements for states in which Relay is not an approved, in-state education preparation provider. Students intending to seek licensure of any type must take full responsibility for ensuring that their degree program at Relay meets the licensing requirements of their local states, school districts, professional associations, or agencies. See Relay’s Licensure Disclosures webpage for more information. 

Certification/licensure-seeking students complete a program of study that meets educational requirements for certification/licensure in the state in which the program is approved. However, successfully completing Relay’s coursework in the program of study is only one of the requirements that must be met to complete the EPP and become eligible for a teaching certificate/license. EPP requirements vary by state and/or program. Common requirements include but are not limited to Relay coursework, content exams, pedagogy exams, workshops, and qualifying clinical experience. Requirements for admission to and completion of each of Relay’s educator preparation programs are detailed in the program’s Transition Points Guide and the corresponding EPP Handbook.