Overview
In New York, Relay offers two paths to earn a Master of Arts in Teaching degree and teacher certification, as well as an Advanced Certificate in Special Education program for teachers with a general education background. Relay students teaching in New York enroll in programs offered out of Relay New York City.
Join our diverse community of practitioners focused on achievement, equity, and the well-being of students and teachers.
Our Programs
Relay offers a variety of practice-based programs where aspiring and current teachers develop their skills to ensure that all students thrive.
Master of Arts in Teaching + Certification
- MAT degree
- certification (via Transitional B program)
- Teacher Pathway option
- Summer/ Fall/ Spring term Start options
Audience
lead teachers
Duration
(approx. 2 years)
Credits
Degree programs
32 credits
MAT in Early Childhood Education
MAT in Elementary Education
MAT in English Language Arts Education
MAT in Mathematics Education
MAT in Middle Grades Education
MAT in Science Education
MAT in Social Studies Education
39 credits
MAT in Early Childhood Special Education
MAT in Special Education
CERTIFICATION ENDORSEMENT AREAS
Students in this program will pursue teacher certification in one of the following areas through the NYS Transitional B Program. Certification must correspond with the content of their degree program.
Biology (Grades 5-9)
Biology (Grades 7-12)
Chemistry (Grades 5-9)
Chemistry (Grades 7-12)
Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
Early Childhood Education (Birth - 2)
Earth Science (Grades 5-9)
English Language Arts (Grades 5-9)
English Language Arts (Grades 7-12)
Generalist in Middle Childhood Education (Grades 5-9)
Mathematics (Grades 5-9)
Mathematics (Grades 7-12)
Physics (Grades 5-9)
Physics (Grades 7-12)
Social Studies (Grades 5-9)
Social Studies (Grades 7-12)
Students in the MAT in Early Childhood Special Education are required to pursue dual certification in the following two endorsement areas:
Students with Disabilities (Birth-Grade 2)
Early Childhood Education (Birth - 2)
Students in the MAT in Special Education have two choices. If they want to teach grades 1-6, they are required to pursue dual certification in the following two endorsement areas:
Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
If they would like to teach grades 7-12, they are required to pursue the following endorsement area, and they will also choose a Relay-specific “Area of Study” (i.e. a content area) in which to specialize:
Students with Disabilities (Grades 7-12) Generalist
Please note that only students in the MAT in Special Education may pursue certification in either of the above Special Education - focused endorsement areas.
Tuition & Fees
Relay programs operate on a fee-per-credit model. To learn more, see the Tuition and Financial Aid page.
Relay Teaching Residency Program
- MAT Degree
- Certification
- Teaching Residency
- Summer Term Start
Audience
Duration
(Approx. 1 year)
Credits
degree program
MAT in Elementary Education
CERTIFICATION ENDORSEMENT AREA
Childhood Education (Grades 1-6)
Tuition & Fees
Relay programs operate on a fee-per-credit model. To learn more, see the Tuition and Financial Aid page.
Advanced Certificate in Special Education
- Advanced Certificate
- Special Education Certification
- Fall Term start
Audience
Duration
(approx 1 year)
Credits
CERTIFICATION ENDORSEMENT AREAs
Students in this program will pursue a Special Education certification in addition to the graduate certificate:
Students with Disabilities (Grades 1-6)
Students with Disabilities (Grades 7-12) Generalist
Tuition & Fees
Relay programs operate on a fee-per-credit model. To learn more, see the Tuition and Financial Aid page.
The Relay Approach
Relay New York is one of the largest and most diverse educator preparation programs in the United States. First chartered in 2013, it is Relay’s longest-standing location, and our alumni base of over 6,000 impacts over a million PK-12 students. We are committed to cultivating diverse talent and training educators to work in high needs schools and subject areas throughout New York State. Over 71% of Relay New York’s graduate student body identified as teachers of color in the 2020-21 school year. This compares to 25% on average in national teacher preparation programs. Teachers and principals affirm the effectiveness of Relay’s programs - nearly 90% were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of Relay’s core and content faculty, and 83% of students strongly agreed or agreed that what they are learning at Relay is having a positive impact on their students’ achievement.
Faculty
Relay has nearly 140 experienced supportive faculty across our campuses. Here is one example of a faculty member who teaches and advises our New York students:
“I love that I get to support teachers in developing their practice. As Paulo Freire said, ‘What the educator does in teaching is to make it possible for the students to become themselves.’; and I am grateful that I get to witness my graduate students do that for their students as well.”
- Nathalie Elivert, Senior Instructional Coach
Nathalie Elivert teaches pedagogy courses and is a Senior Instructional Coach. She is a former secondary humanities teacher and Department Chair with 15 years of experience. Nathalie is passionate about school-based mediation and inclusive, culturally, and linguistically diverse classroom cultures and curriculum.
School and District Partners
Relay partners with 70 public school systems and schools in New York state. Here is just a sample:
NYC Partners
- Achievement First
- Classical Charter Schools
- Ed Prep NYC (NYCDOE)
- KIPP New York
- NYC Teaching Collaborative (NYCDOE)
- Teach For America
- Uncommon Schools
- Zeta Charter Schools
Upstate Partners
- Buffalo Academy of Science Charter School
- Persistence Preparatory Academy Charter School
- Rochester Academy Charter School
- Rochester Academy of Science Charter School
- Uncommon Schools Rochester Prep
- Uncommon Schools Troy Prep
Contact Details
Prospective students and prospective district partners can contact our team anytime at support@relay.edu
Prospective students can also fill out an interest form. See the right box below!
For School or System Leaders
Relay can help you develop your aspiring and current teachers to gain the vital skills and credentials needed to transform student lives.
For Aspiring or Current Teachers
Interested in finding out more about Relay’s programs? Have a burning question? FIll out this interest form and a Prospective Student Advisor will reach out to you!