In Rhode Island, Relay offers Master of Arts in Teaching programs and a non-degree certification only program. Rhode Island students enroll at Relay through a partnership between Rhode Island and Colorado called NC SARA. Students who pursue certification will do so through an online Colorado-based educator preparation program. After completing qualifying clinical experiences in Rhode Island and all program, testing, and licensure requirements, they are eligible to apply for a Rhode Island teaching certificate as an out-of-state program completer. Relay also offers an Advanced Certificate in Special Education.

Join our community of practitioners focused on achievement, and well-being of students and teachers. 

The Relay Approach

Relay is proud to be supporting educators in Rhode Island as of 2024-25. Relay has years of experience in New England, having supported over 250 highly effective educators in Connecticut since 2016. Through our virtual programs, Relay students in Rhode Island can take advantage of faculty experts from around the country while developing relationships with their fellow Relay students through courses focused on evidence-backed teaching methods, building community, and providing multiple opportunities to practice new skills.

Faculty

Relay faculty are experienced classroom teachers who blend theory with real-world application and build supportive communities of adult learners.

State Requirements

Each state has its own admissions requirements for students applying to Relay Graduate School of Education. This section 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.

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 certification or 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, you must only meet Graduate School admissions requirements.‍
• If you are pursuing a degree with certification or licensure, you must meet both Graduate School and Educator Preparation Program requirements.

The sections below explain what this means for each program option.

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 a 2.5 who meet other criteria. Email support@relay.edu 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 cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above (Relay offers limited exceptions for applicants with a GPA below 2.5 who meet other criteria. Email support@relay.edu for details.)

In Rhode Island, the Educator Preparation Program for Master of Arts in Teaching candidates is the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program. Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) is recognized as an approved, out-of-state educator preparation program in the state of Rhode Island. Eligible students at the Rhode Island campus will be enrolled in a Colorado-based educator preparation program and complete qualifying clinical experiences in Rhode Island. After completion of the educator preparation program (4 terms), and meeting all Rhode Island testing and other licensure requirements, students can apply for a Rhode Island teaching certificate as an out-of-state program completer. Read more in the Rhode Island Out-of-State Licensure Guide.

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GPA Requirements

Requirements for admission to our Licensure Only Program: Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program

Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) is recognized as an approved, out-of-state educator preparation program in the state of Rhode Island. Eligible students at the Rhode Island campus will be enrolled in a Colorado-based educator preparation program and complete qualifying clinical experiences in Rhode Island. After completion of the educator preparation program (4 terms), and meeting all Rhode Island testing and other licensure requirements, students can apply for a Rhode Island teaching certificate as an out-of-state program completer. Read more in theRhode Island Out-of-State Licensure Guide.

To be eligible for our Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program, 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 requires a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher for the graduate school, however the educator preparation program in Colorado requires a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
  • Relay offers limited exceptions for applicants with a GPA below the requirements who meet other criteria. Email support@relay.edu 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 Rhode Island, the Educator Preparation Program for Licensure-Only candidates is the Colorado Traditional Teacher Licensure Program.

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GPA Requirements

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 a 2.5 who meet other criteria. Email support@relay.edu for details.)‍
• Obtain a program-aligned instructional role prior to beginning clinical practice coursework
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GPA Requirements

Check out Program Offerings for applicants in Rhode Island.

Make sure to review our Admissions Deadlines.

School and District Partners

Relay’s work in Rhode Island continues to grow. We’re proud to partner with Achievement First and look forward to expanding our impact alongside additional schools and systems across the state.