
Relay Graduate School of Education is institutionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation is an evaluation of the school as a whole; it is distinct from approval of an individual teacher-preparation program or eligibility for a particular state license.
Accreditation matters when students assess an institution's standing and potential eligibility for federal student aid. It does not guarantee that another college will accept Relay credits, or that a graduate will qualify to teach in every state. Applicants seeking certification should check the approval status and licensing outcomes of their exact program with the relevant state education agency, especially if they expect to move after graduating.
Relay's admissions process is designed chiefly for applicants to graduate educator programs, so conventional freshman requirements such as SAT or ACT scores are not the right starting point. Requirements depend on the degree, certification pathway, location, and state.
A graduate applicant should expect to document prior college education and submit an application and academic transcripts. Teacher-preparation pathways may also require evidence of employment or an eligible teaching position, background-clearance steps, or documentation tied to state certification. These are program-specific conditions, not requirements that should be assumed for every Relay applicant.
Before applying, identify the exact credential sought and check its current admissions checklist, prerequisite coursework, deadlines, and any state-specific testing rules. Applicants educated outside the United States should also check the program's procedures for evaluating international transcripts and demonstrating English proficiency, where applicable.
Applicants should check the application instructions for their specific Relay program for a current fee and any waiver process before submitting. A single institution-wide application charge should not be assumed across degree, certificate, and location-specific pathways.
If cost is a barrier, ask admissions whether a waiver is offered, who qualifies, and whether approval must be obtained before the application is submitted. An application fee, if charged, is separate from tuition, certification-exam charges, and any later enrollment expense.
Relay is a graduate school for educators and does not present ROTC as a standard part of its programs. Applicants should not assume they can join an Army, Navy, or Air Force ROTC unit through Relay or cross-enroll at another institution.
ROTC participation through a host college requires an approved arrangement and eligibility under that branch's rules; scholarships can also carry service obligations. A prospective student interested in commissioning should seek confirmation from both the ROTC host unit and Relay before relying on such a plan.
For Relay applicants, transfer questions are primarily about whether prior graduate coursework can count toward a particular educator program, not about entering as a traditional undergraduate transfer student. Admission to Relay and acceptance of earlier credits are separate decisions.
Applicants seeking credit recognition should obtain an evaluation for the exact degree or certificate they plan to pursue. Relevant materials may include official transcripts, course descriptions, syllabi, credit values, and evidence of the institution at which the work was completed. State certification requirements and Relay's own minimum coursework requirements may limit what can be applied even when earlier classes cover similar subjects. An evaluation should be completed before an applicant builds a budget or graduation timeline around anticipated transfer credit.
Study abroad is not a defining feature of Relay's classroom- and school-based educator programs. Applicants should not assume that a conventional semester exchange, international internship, or faculty-led trip will satisfy degree or teacher-certification requirements.
Someone considering coursework overseas would need advance approval for both academic credit and, if relevant, any required teaching practice. State licensure rules can make a course's usefulness for certification narrower than its usefulness for a graduate degree.
Open admission policy
NoDual credit
YesCredit for life experiences
NoAdvanced placement (AP) credits
NoStudent can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization
NoPreparation at another institution required
NoApproved by the state for initial certification or licensure of teacher
YesData last updated on November 2, 2026
Data sources: IPEDS 2024-25, Peterson 2026, College Scorecard 10/2026, Clery 2024 (2023-24), OpenAlex 2026
Figures on this profile come from federal and third-party datasets in the editions listed above and are refreshed periodically, so they may differ from what the institution currently reports. Confirm costs, deadlines and requirements with the school before making decisions.