Transition Points

Check out these resources for each of our certification programs in Delaware. Relay staff will communicate with you to help you to meet all of these dates on time.

• View the full copy of the Transition Points for the Delaware Alternative Route to Certification Program (Relay Teaching Residency), or view Transition Point 1 for this program below.
• View the full copy of the Transition Points for the Delaware Alternative Certification Program (ARTC) - Non-Residency, or view Transition Point 1 for this program below.
• View the full copy of the Transition Points for the Delaware Additional Certification Program - Advanced Certificate in Special Education, or view Transition Point for this program below.

Certification Support

Relay provides many resources to help prospective students prepare for certification/licensure.

• Click here, to learn more about general certification information.
• Click here, to see information about certification cost and budgeting. 
• Click here, to access certification studying and support materials.

Transition Point 1: Delaware Alternative Route to Certification Program (Relay Teaching Residency)

Educator Preparation Program Admission: Final Deadline: June 16, 2025*

In order to be eligible for admission to the Delaware Alternative Route to Certification Program for Residents the following requirements must be met: 

 

Bachelor's Degree:

Hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education that has received institutional (formerly regional) accreditation through one of the following U.S. Department of Education’s approved accreditation agencies: the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) & Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) or a U.S. Department of Education approved accreditation agency. Candidates may verify their institution’s accreditation status through the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. 

 

Applicants who attended a non-U.S. College or University must have their transcripts evaluated by an independent agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or The Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Candidates must submit the official evaluation report in place of their transcript. 

 

Minimum GPA

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all coursework previously attempted at an accredited institution of higher education from which the bachelor’s degree or higher was conferred. Applicants with a GPA below the state minimum of 3.00 may apply to be admitted to Relay’s Delaware educator preparation program if they meet one of the following conditions: 

• Demonstrated mastery of general knowledge through passing scores on the Praxis I/Core, ACT, SAT, or GRE exams (Basic Skills exam(s)), or

• Earned a 3.0 in their last two years of undergraduate or graduate credits. 

Applicants entering the program as a Resident with a cumulative GPA below the required minimum of 3.00 may receive enrollment to the Delaware Educator Preparation Program at the end of their first year at Relay by meeting one of the following requirements:

• Achieve a GPA of a 3.00 on combined coursework from their first year of Relay and their most recent year of coursework prior to enrolling at Relay, or

• Demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, including the ability to read, write, and compute, by achieving passing scores on the Praxis I/Praxis Core, ACT, SAT, or GRE exams (Basic Skills exam(s)) by the end of the first year at Relay

Relay may admit 10% of applications to the Delaware Educator Preparation Program via exception if the applicant does not meet the minimum 3.0 GPA requirement or any of the other exceptions. 

Applicants who are a part of the 10% who fall under this exception and also fall below Relay’s minimum GPA requirement of a 2.50 may be prompted to have a secondary recommendation submitted that will be used to evaluate their eligibility for admissions to Relay.

 

Instructional Position

Secure a program-aligned position (apprentice teacher in Year 1) in a PK-12 institution that aligns with the certification area sought.  At the beginning of Year 2 candidates must provide proof that they have received employment as a lead teacher in a position that requires certification. 

 

Relay students are required to confirm their instructional role details through the Fall School Authorization and Instructional Role Confirmation Form as a requirement to enroll in coursework each Fall. If your instructional role is not aligned to the requirements of your program, you must also submit a transfer application to a program that does align to your instructional role by the start of the fall term. Failure to submit a transfer application, if necessitated by your instructional role, may delay program completion or result in administrative withdrawal. 

 

School Authorization and Instructional Role Confirmation Form Deadlines:

Fall 2024 Deadline:

• Summer 2024 Start:  

  • Student Portion due: August 5, 2024

  • School Administrator Portion due: September 16, 2024

• Fall 2024 Start: 

  • Student Portion due: September 2, 2024

  • School Administrator Portion due: September 16, 2024

Background Clearance

Applicants must submit proof that they have completed the Delaware Department of Education health clearance and criminal background check clearance. Submission documents should include copies of the following: 

• Fingerprinted Delaware and national background check to be completed by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 
• Child protection registry check to be completed by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF).

Subject-Specific Coursework and Demonstration of Content Knowledge
Candidates must either have 24 credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university that align with the content area for which they are seeking certification OR passing scores on an approved Praxis II exam. For more information on required exams, click here.

• Candidates who do not meet the subject-specific coursework requirement: Passing scores on the content exam are required by May 28, 2024. 

Candidates who meet the subject-specific coursework requirement: Candidates must make an initial attempt of the Praxis II or other approved content exams before January 13, 2025. Passing scores on the content exam are required by program completion.

* Relay Residents are admitted into the EPP after completing the first year of Relay MAT coursework and meeting all Transition Point 1 requirements.

 

Transition Point 1: Delaware Alternative Route to Certification Program (ARTC) - Non-Residency

Educator Preparation Program Admission

Relay Application - EPP Items Deadline:

• Summer Start: July 26, 2024

• Fall Start: August 26, 2024

Deadline to Accept an EPP Admissions Offer: 

• Summer Start: August 3, 2024

• Fall Start: September 3, 2024

In order to be eligible for admission to the Delaware Alternative Route to Certification Program for Non-Residents the following requirements must be met: 

 

Bachelor's Degree

Hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education that has received institutional (formerly regional) accreditation through one of the following U.S. Department of Education’s approved accreditation agencies: the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) & Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) or a U.S. Department of Education approved accreditation agency. Candidates may verify their institution’s accreditation status through the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. 

 

Applicants who attended a non-U.S. College or University must have their transcripts evaluated by an independent agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or The Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Candidates must submit the official evaluation report in place of their transcript. 

 

Minimum GPA

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all coursework previously attempted at an accredited institution of higher education from which the bachelor’s degree or higher was conferred. Applicants with a GPA below the state minimum of 3.00 may apply to be admitted to Relay’s Delaware educator preparation program if they meet one of the following conditions: 

• Demonstrated mastery of general knowledge through passing scores on the Praxis I/Core, ACT, SAT, or GRE exams (Basic Skills exam(s)), or

• Earned a 3.00 in the last 2 years of their most recent higher education program.

Relay may admit up to 10% of non-resident applicants to Relay’s Delaware educator preparation program via exception if the applicant has a GPA below the state minimum of 3.0 and does not meet the above conditions.

Applicants who are a part of the 10% who fall under this exception and also fall below Relay’s minimum GPA requirement of a 2.50 may be prompted to have a secondary recommendation submitted that will be used to evaluate their eligibility for admissions to Relay.

 

Subject-specific Coursework and Demonstration of Content Knowledge

Candidates must either have 24 credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university that align with the content area for which they are seeking certification OR passing scores on an approved Praxis II exam. For more information on required exams, click here.

• Candidates who do not meet the subject-specific coursework requirement: Passing scores on the content exam are required by:

  • Summer Start: July 26, 2024

  • Fall Start: August 26, 2024

• Candidates who meet the subject-specific coursework requirement: Candidates must make an initial attempt of the Praxis II or other approved content exams before the Fall census date. Passing scores on the content exam are required by program completion.

Background Clearance

Applicants must submit proof that they have completed the Delaware Department of Education health clearance and criminal background check clearance. Submission documents should include copies of the following: 

• Fingerprinted Delaware and national background check to be completed by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

• Child protection registry check to be completed by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF).

 

Transition Point 1: Delaware Additional Certification Program in Special Education

Educator Preparation Program Admission

Relay Application Deadline: August 12, 2024

Deadline to Accept Admissions Offer: August 26, 2024

In order to be eligible for admission to the Delaware Additional Certification Program - Special Education, the following requirements must be met: 

 

Bachelor's Degree

Hold a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education that has received institutional (formerly regional) accreditation through one of the following U.S. Department of Education’s approved accreditation agencies: the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC) & Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), and the New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE) or a U.S. Department of Education approved accreditation agency. Candidates may verify their institution’s accreditation status through the Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. 

 

Applicants who attended a non-U.S. College or University must have their transcripts evaluated by an independent agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or The Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). 

 

Minimum GPA

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale on all coursework previously attempted at an accredited institution of higher education from which the bachelor’s degree or higher was conferred. Applicants with a GPA below the state minimum of 3.00 may apply to be admitted to Relay’s Delaware educator preparation program if they meet one of the following conditions: 

• Demonstrated mastery of general knowledge through passing scores on the Praxis I/Core, ACT, SAT, or GRE exams (Basic Skills exam(s)), or

• Earned a 3.00 in the last 2 years of their most recent higher education program.

Relay may admit up to 10% of non-resident applicants to Relay’s Delaware educator preparation program via exception if the applicant has a GPA below the state minimum of 3.0 and does not meet the above conditions.

 

Applicants who are a part of the 10% who fall under this exception and also fall below Relay’s minimum GPA requirement of a 2.50 may be prompted to have a secondary recommendation submitted that will be used to evaluate their eligibility for admissions to Relay. 

 

Instructional License and Certification:  Applicants should hold an active Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License and a Standard Certification in a content area and grade level that aligns with their current teaching role.

 

Background Clearance

Applicants must submit proof that they have completed the Delaware Department of Education health clearance and criminal background check clearance. Submission documents should include copies of the following: 

• Fingerprinted Delaware and national background check to be completed by the State Bureau of Identification (SBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). 

• Child protection registry check to be completed by the Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families (DSCYF).

 

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