Washington, DC, Alternative Teacher Licensure Program (Residency)

Single Endorsement: Elementary Education (Grades 1-6), Middle School English (Grades 4-6), Middle School Mathematics (Grades 4-8), Middle School Science (Grades 4-8), Middle School Social Studies (Grades 4-8), Secondary English (Grades 7-12), Secondary Mathematics (Grades 7-12), Secondary Biology (Grades 7-12), Secondary Chemistry (Grades 7-12), Secondary General Science (Grades 7-12), Secondary Physics (Grades 7-12), Secondary Social Studies (Grades 7-12). 

Relay’s Washington, DC, Alternative Teacher Licensure Program (Residency)  is intended for students who have completed an undergraduate degree and want to seek teacher certification in Washington, DC. while teaching in a Washington, DC, school. 

The Washington, DC, Alternative Teacher Licensure Program (Residency) is offered through enrollment in a corresponding Master of Arts in Teaching program: 

• Elementary, Middle School, and Secondary endorsements are available through enrollment in a corresponding MAT program (32 credits/6 terms). 

• Special Education endorsement is available through enrollment in a corresponding MAT program (39 credits/6 terms). 

Academic plans detailing specific course requirements may be accessed on the Academic Plans site. Students are provided with a detailed course schedule at orientation.

Students complete aligned coursework and qualifying clinical experiences, serving for at least 10 months as a teacher of record in a District of Columbia K - 12 school during their second year of enrollment. Students who are employed by the District of Columbia Public Schools are required by their employer to hold an Initial Teacher Credential at the end of their first year in the program. Students’ teaching assignments must match their certificate endorsement area(s). Clinical experiences are supervised by Relay faculty and a school-based clinical mentor. 

Academic plans detailing specific course requirements may be accessed on the Academic Plans site. Students are provided with a detailed course schedule at orientation. 

Successful program completers who meet all necessary requirements for certification may apply for the Washington DC Standard Teacher Credential. A complete list of requirements for program admission, completion, and licensure can be found in the Washington, DC, Alternative Teacher Licensure Program (Residency) Transition Points Guide. 

Washington DC Additional Certificate Program

The Washington DC Additional Certificate Program is intended for educators who hold at least a bachelor’s degree and an active Initial Teacher Credential or Standard Teacher Credential in a content area and grade level that aligns with their current teaching role and wish to add the Special Education: Non-categorical (Generic) endorsement. 

The Washington DC Additional Certificate Program is offered through the Advanced Certificate in Special Education (21 credits/ 4 terms). Academic plans detailing specific course requirements may be accessed on the Academic Plans site. Students are provided with a detailed course schedule at orientation. 

Successful program completers who meet all the necessary requirements for certification may apply to the District of Columbia’s Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) for a Standard Teacher Credential with an endorsement in Special Education: Non-categorical (Generic). A complete list of requirements for program admission, completion, and certification can be found in the Washington DC Additional Certificate Program Transition Points Guide.