13
Each state has its own admissions requirements for students applying to Relay Graduate School of Education. This article will help you understand what's needed for the program you're interested in, so you can feel prepared and confident as you begin your application.
In this article:
- Understanding your GPA admissions requirements
- Additional Admissions Requirements
- Requirements for admission to our Master of Arts in Teaching program
- Requirements for admission to our Licensure Only programs
- Requirements for admission to our Additional Endorsement program: English as a Second Language
- Requirements for admission to our Advanced Certificate in Special Education program
Understanding your GPA admissions requirements|
All students must be admitted to Relay Graduate School of Education in order to enroll in coursework.
If you plan to pursue teacher licensure, you will also need to meet the admissions criteria for Relay's Educator Preparation Program (EPP) — requirements that are separate from Graduate School admissions and based on state-specific certification guidelines.
In short:
- If you are pursuing a degree only, you must meet Graduate School admissions requirements.
- If you are pursuing a degree with licensure, you must meet both Graduate School and Educator Preparation Program requirements.
The sections below explain what this means for each program option.
Additional Admissions Requirements
The Tennessee State Board of Education (SBE) in Rule 0520-02-04-.08(2)(b) requires that all students seeking admission to an educator preparation program supply fingerprints and submit to a criminal history records conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in accordance with T.C.A. § 49-5-5610. Admittance to the program may be denied if the student has any of the items in the criminal history that would cause the teaching license to be revoked or not issued as identified in SBE Rule 0520-02-03-.09(3).
During the admissions process, applicants will receive information about their privacy rights and process for appealing any criminal history results. They will also complete and return the Volunteer & Employee Criminal History System (VECHS) waiver and sign an acknowledgment indicating they have read and understood all the information provided. Upon receipt of the acknowledgment and completed waiver, Relay will provide instructions for completing the background check process, including scheduling and attending a fingerprinting appointment.
Per Tennessee law and regulatory code, Relay is unable to accept background checks completed through an employer or any other entity.
Requirements for admission to our Master of Arts in Teaching Program
To be eligible for our Master of Arts in Teaching Program with or without licensure, you will need to:
- Complete your application
- Complete your admissions checklist
- Submit your official, degree-conferred transcript with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Relay offers limited exceptions for applicants with a GPA below 2.5 who meet other criteria. Email [email protected] for details.
- Obtain a program-aligned instructional role prior to beginning clinical practice coursework
If you are planning on pursuing licensure, you will also need to:
- Complete Transition Point 1 requirements for the program, which will be added to your admissions checklist
- Have a GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Relay offers limited exceptions for applicants with a GPA below 2.75 who meet other criteria. Email [email protected] for details."
In Tennessee, the Educator Preparation Program for Master of Arts in Teaching candidates is the Tennessee Job-Embedded Licensure Program (Non-Residents) or the Tennessee Teacher Licensure Program (Residents).
GPA Requirements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Program Offerings can be viewed on this page.
Program-Specific Deadlines can be viewed on this page.
Requirements for admission to our Licensure Only Programs
Tennessee Job-Embedded Licensure Program: Non-residency program for current lead teachers
Tennessee Teacher Licensure Program: Residency program for assistant/non-lead teachers
To be eligible for our Licensure Only Programs, you will need to:
- Complete your application
- Complete your admissions checklist
- Submit your official, degree-conferred transcript with a cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Relay requires a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for the graduate school, however the educator preparation program in Tennessee requires a GPA of 2.75
- Relay offers limited exceptions for applicants with a GPA below the requirements who meet other criteria. Email [email protected] for details.
- Obtain a program-aligned instructional role prior to beginning clinical practice coursework
- Complete Transition Point 1 requirements for the program, which will be added to your admissions checklist
In Tennessee, the Educator Preparation Program for Master of Arts in Teaching candidates is the Tennessee Job-Embedded Licensure Program (Non-Residents) or the Tennessee Teacher Licensure Program (Residents).
GPA Requirements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Program Offerings can be viewed on this page.
Program-Specific Deadlines can be viewed on this page.
Requirements for admission to our Additional Endorsement Program: English as a Second Language
To be eligible for our Additional Endorsement Program, you will need to:
- Complete your application
- Complete your admissions checklist
- Submit your official, degree-conferred transcript with a cumulative GPA of 2.75
- Relay requires a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for the graduate school, however the educator preparation program in Tennessee requires a GPA of 2.75
- Relay offers limited exceptions for applicants with a GPA below the requirements who meet other criteria. Email [email protected] for details.
- Obtain a program-aligned instructional role prior to beginning clinical practice coursework
- Complete Transition Point 1 requirements for the program, which will be added to your admissions checklist
In Tennessee, the Educator Preparation Program for Master of Arts in Teaching candidates is the Tennessee Additional Endorsement Program.
GPA Requirements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Program Offerings can be viewed on this page.
Program-Specific Deadlines can be viewed on this page.
Requirements for admission to our Advanced Certificate in Special Education Program
To be eligible for our Advanced Certificate in Special Education Program without licensure, you will need to:
- Complete your application
- Complete your admissions checklist
- Submit your official, degree-conferred transcript with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Relay offers limited exceptions for applicants with a GPA below 2.5 who meet other criteria. Email [email protected] for details.
- Obtain a program-aligned instructional role before beginning clinical practice coursework
If you are planning on pursuing certification/licensure, you will also need to:
- Complete Transition Point 1 requirements for the program, which will be added to your admissions checklist
- Have a GPA of 2.75
- Relay offers limited exceptions for applicants with a GPA below the requirements who meet other criteria. Email [email protected] for details.
In Tennessee, the Educator Preparation Program for Advanced Certificate in Special Education candidates is the Tennessee Additional Endorsement Program.
GPA Requirements
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
