Tennessee

In Tennessee, Relay offers Master of Arts in Teaching programs with the option to pursue licensure, a non-degree licensure only program, and an Advanced Certificate program. Relay students teaching across Tennessee enroll in Relay Memphis or Relay Nashville. 

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

Our Programs

Relay offers a variety of practice-based programs where aspiring and current teachers develop their skills to ensure that all students thrive.

Graduate Degree

Master of Arts in Teaching

  • Teaching Residency
  • MAT Degree
  • Licensure Option

This represents our program for Academic Year 2024-25.

Audience

Aspiring Teachers

Duration

6 terms
(Typically 2 years)

Credits

32-39

DEGREE PROGRAMS

32 credits

MAT in Elementary Education

MAT in English Language Arts Education

MAT in Mathematics Education

MAT in Science Education

MAT in Social Studies Education

38 credits

MAT in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners

39 credits

MAT in Early Childhood Special Education

MAT in Special Education

LICENSURE ENDORSEMENT AREAS

Students may elect to pursue their teacher licensure  in one of the following areas. Licensure must correspond with the content of their degree program.

Biology (Grades 6-12)

Chemistry (Grades 6-12)

Earth Science (Grades 6-12)

Economics (Grades 6-12)

Elementary Education (Grades K-5)

English/Language Arts (Grades 6-8)

English/Language Arts (Grades 6-12)

Geography (Grades 6-12)

Government (Grades 6-12)

History (Grades 6-12)

Mathematics (Grades 6-8)

Mathematics (Grades 6-10)

Mathematics (Grades 6-12)

Physics (Grades 6-12)

Psychology (Grades 9-12)

Science (Grades 6-8)

Social Studies (Grades 6-8)

Sociology (Grades 9-12)

Only students in the MAT in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners may select the following endorsement. Students in that program may also select a second licensure endorsement for a dual endorsement:

English as a Second Language PreK-12

Only students in the MAT in Early Childhood Special Education may select this endorsement area:

Integrated Early Childhood Education (Grades Pre-K-3) 

Only students in the MAT in Special Education may select either of the following endorsements. They may pursue a single endorsement in one of the special education areas plus a content Area of Study, or one of the special education endorsements plus a general education endorsement from the list above (dual endorsement).

Special Education Interventionist (Grades K-8) 

Special Education Interventionist (Grades 6-12)

Tuition & Fees

Relay programs operate on a fee-per-credit model. To learn more, see the Tuition and Financial Aid page.

Graduate Degree

Master of Arts in Teaching

  • MAT Degree
  • Licensure Option

This represents our program for Academic Year 2024-25.

Audience

current teachers

Duration

6 terms
(typically 2 years)

Credits

32-39

DEGREE PROGRAMS

32 credits

MAT in Elementary Education

MAT in English Language Arts Education

MAT in Mathematics Education

MAT in Science Education

MAT in Social Studies Education

38 credits

MAT in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners

39 credits

MAT in Early Childhood Special Education

MAT in Special Education

LICENSURE ENDORSEMENT AREAS

Students may elect to pursue their teacher licensure  in one of the following areas. Licensure must correspond with the content of their degree program.

Biology (Grades 6-12)

Chemistry (Grades 6-12)

Earth Science (Grades 6-12)

Economics (Grades 6-12)

Elementary Education (Grades K-5)

English/Language Arts (Grades 6-8)

English/Language Arts (Grades 6-12)

Geography (Grades 6-12)

Government (Grades 6-12)

History (Grades 6-12)

Mathematics (Grades 6-8)

Mathematics (Grades 6-10)

Mathematics (Grades 6-12)

Physics (Grades 6-12)

Psychology (Grades 9-12)

Science (Grades 6-8)

Social Studies (Grades 6-8)

Sociology (Grades 9-12)

Only students in the MAT in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Learners may select the following endorsement. Students in that program may also select a second licensure endorsement for a dual endorsement:

English as a Second Language Pre-K-12

Only students in the MAT in Early Childhood Special Education may select this endorsement:

Integrated Early Childhood Education (Grades Pre-K-3)

Only students in the MAT in Special Education may select either of the following endorsements. They may pursue a single endorsement in one of the special education areas plus a content Area of Study, or one of the special education endorsements plus a general education endorsement from the list above (dual endorsement). 

Special Education Interventionist (Grades K-8) 

Special Education Interventionist (Grades 6-12)

Tuition & Fees


Relay programs operate on a fee-per-credit model. To learn more, see the Tuition and Financial Aid page.

Licensure Only

Tennessee Job-Embedded Licensure Program

  • Licensure

This represents our program for Academic Year 2024-25.

Audience

current teachers

Duration

3 or 4 terms
(typically 1 year)

Credits

18-24

LICENSURE ENDORSEMENT AREAS

Biology (Grades 6-12)

Chemistry (Grades 6-12)

Earth Science (Grades 6-12)

Economics (Grades 6-12)

Elementary Education (Grades K-5)

English/Language Arts (Grades 6-8)

English/Language Arts (Grades 6-12)

Geography (Grades 6-12)

Government (Grades 6-12)

History (Grades 6-12)

Mathematics (Grades 6-8)

Mathematics (Grades 6-10)

Mathematics (Grades 6-12)

Physics (Grades 6-12)

Psychology (Grades 9-12)

Science (Grades 6-8)

Social Studies (Grades 6-8)

Sociology (Grades 9-12)

Students may choose to pursue the following endorsement in addition to one from the list above, for a dual endorsement:

English as a Second Language Pre-K-12

Tuition & Fees


Relay programs operate on a fee-per-credit model. To learn more, see the Tuition and Financial Aid page.

graduate certificate

Advanced Certificate in Special Education

  • Graduate certificate
  • special education licensure option

This represents our program for Academic Year 2024-25.

Audience

current teachers
(With Gen Ed certification)

Duration

4 terms
(typically 1.5 years)

Credits

21

Certificate ENDORSEMENT AREAS

Students in this program may elect to pursue one of the following licensure endorsements in addition to the graduate certificate:

Special Education Interventionist (Grades K-8)

Special Education Interventionist (Grades 6-12)

Tuition & Fees


Relay programs operate on a fee-per-credit model. To learn more, see the Tuition and Financial Aid page.

The Relay Approach

Relay is honored to partner with Tennessee’s largest school districts in Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville, as well many public charter school networks, and we are eager to continue working in collaboration with schools and districts on their long-term strategy for teacher recruitment and development. Our work in Tennessee launched with the founding of our Memphis campus in 2015, expanded with the launch of our Nashville campus in 2016, and starting in 2022 will expand to Knoxville. According to the Tennessee State Board of Education’s Teacher Prep Report Card, Relay is one of the top producers in the state of diverse educators and educators working in high-need subject areas, including Math, Science, Special Education, and English as a Second Language. 

Faculty

Relay has nearly 140 experienced, supportive faculty across our campuses. Here is one example of a faculty member who teaches and advises our Tennessee students:

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“ ‘Only the educated are free.’- Epictetus. This philosophy fuels my passion and purpose for teaching graduate students. As teachers, we can influence or inhibit the liberation of the young minds we meet in our classrooms. When I see this philosophy take root in my graduate students, I am encouraged by the work they will do on behalf of the children we serve.”

- Lequite Manning, Department Chair of Clinical Practice

Dr. Lequite Manning is the Department Chair of Clinical Practice and Residency for Relay Graduate School of Education and will serve as the Clinical Practice Director for the state of Tennessee. Her expertise ranges from elementary teacher, principal, and Instructional Leadership Director specializing in coaching principals, building positive school and organizational cultures, and change management. She will graduate with an Ed.D in Leadership in School Reform in December 2022.

School and District Partners

Relay partners with over 25 public school districts and systems across Tennessee. Here is just a sample:

  • Memphis-Shelby County Schools
  • Metro Nashville Public Schools
  • Knox County Schools
  • Freedom Preparatory Academy
  • Promise Academy
  • KIPP Nashville
  • LEAD Public Schools
  • Valor Collegiate Academies
Teacher Recruitment Partners

Man Up Teacher Fellowship

Relay partners with Man Up Teacher Fellowship to support and develop male teachers of color looking to become excellent educators for their students. Learn more.

Teach For America - Nashville 

Relay partners with Teach For America - Nashville to provide high quality training, coaching, and support to TFA corps members through Relay's Alternative Licensure and Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) programs. Learn more.

Regulations and Policies Specific To Tennessee

Credits earned at the Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) may not transfer to another educational institution. Credits earned at another educational institution may not be accepted by Relay. You should obtain confirmation that Relay will accept any credits you have earned at another educational institution before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement. You should also contact any educational institutions that you may want to transfer credits earned at Relay to determine if such institutions will accept credits earned at Relay prior to executing an enrollment contract or agreement. The ability to transfer credits from Relay to another educational institution may be very limited. Your credits may not transfer and you may have to repeat courses previously taken at Relay if you enroll in another educational institution. You should never assume that credits will transfer to or from any educational institution. It is highly recommended and you are advised to make certain that you know the transfer of credit policy of Relay and of any other educational institutions you may in the future want to transfer the credits earned at Relay before you execute an enrollment contract or agreement.

You may access the full Tennessee Transferability of Credits disclosure here.

Contact Details

Prospective students and prospective district partners can contact our team anytime at support@relay.edu

Prospective students can also fill out an interest form. See the right box below!

For School or School System Leaders

Relay can help you develop your aspiring and current teachers to gain the vital skills and credentials needed to transform student lives.

For Aspiring or Current Teachers

Interested in finding out more about Relay’s programs? Have a burning question? Fill out this interest form and a Prospective Student Advisor will reach out to you!