Students can pursue state licensure/certification in many of Relay’s programs. Some, but not all, of these programs require students to be eligible for recommendation for licensure in order to complete their program. The following programs require that students complete state certification requirements in addition to academic coursework in order to be considered a program completer/graduate:

• All Non-Degree Certification/Licensure programs
• New York Advanced Certificate programs
• NY Master of Arts in Teaching programs

For specific requirements, please reference the Academic Catalog.

Certification-seeking students at Relay who are not in these programs will graduate upon completing all academic coursework. Relay is happy to support students in seeking their certification after program completion or graduation via our Non-Degree Seeking Offerings, which students may transfer to at any point after completing academic coursework for their Relay program. 

When students in certification-required programs complete academic coursework and qualifying clinical experience but have outstanding certification requirements, they may choose to sign up to extend their enrollment in their current program, or they may exit Relay and have their student status marked as Program Incomplete. 

• Students who extend their current enrollment will receive support via additional coursework and advisement to continue progress toward certification. 
• Students with a status of Program Incomplete may continue to work on certification requirements independent of Relay depending on state guidelines. 

All students in certification-required programs may be marked as program complete/graduated in the term when they submit all outstanding certification requirements to Relay. 

Please note: Certain states require students to maintain continuous enrollment in their educator preparation program to earn certification. Relay recommends that students confer with their Manager of Student Success to determine the best course of action for their particular situation.

Students who have completed the academic requirements of their program and qualifying clinical experience but have outstanding certification requirements may choose to extend their enrollment at Relay for up to three terms. Students who extend their enrollment remain enrolled as a non-matriculated student (i.e., taking coursework, but not working toward a degree or specific program of study) while completing their educator preparation program and/or certification requirements. Students who extend their enrollment must enroll in at least one credit-bearing course each term to maintain their enrollment and will be subject to Relay’s standard tuition based on the cost per credit of enrolled coursework. Many students will enroll in CERT-510: Licensure Exam Support each term of extended enrollment to support with test preparation. Students are not required to extend their enrollment, but some states may require continuous enrollment in an educator preparation program to earn certification. Relay recommends that students confer with their Manager of Student Success to determine the best course of action for their particular situation.

Eligibility: 

A student may be eligible to extend their enrollment if the student meets the following requirements: 

• The student is enrolled in a New York MAT, a New York Advanced Certificate program, or any of Relay’s non-degree certification/licensure programs, 
• The student has successfully completed all academic coursework for their program,
• The student has completed qualifying clinical experience (QCE),
• The student is actively pursuing an initial teaching certificate/license in their state,
• The student remains continuously enrolled at Relay, and
• The student resolves any outstanding student holds.

Students can sign up to extend their enrollment here. Students must sign up no later than the start of the term when they want to extend their enrollment.

Conditions of Enrollment

Students who extend their enrollment are subject to all policies and processes that apply to enrolled students with the following exceptions. Students who extend their enrollment:

• May not take any inactive terms. 
• Are not eligible for federal aid or loan deferral.
• May not request a Leave of Absence from Relay except under compelling personal circumstances, as described here. 

Students who request a Leave of Absence for other reasons will be withdrawn from Relay and their status will be marked as Program Incomplete. Please note, taking a leave of absence for compelling personal circumstances may impact student eligibility to hold a current certification. 

Program Completion

Students opting to extend their enrollment will experience a delay to their academic program completion date or graduation date. Their academic program completion or graduation date will be the end of the term when they complete certification requirements. Students who do not complete certification requirements in three terms or who otherwise are withdrawn from Relay will have their student status marked as Program Incomplete. Where possible, Program Incomplete students may convert to Graduated or Program Complete students by submission of outstanding certification requirements.