1. education

Certification Highlights Guide
Relay Graduate School of Education (Relay) NY MAT
This is a quick hits resource to help applicants and their school and teacher prep programs navigate the New York State (NYS) certification process.
Admissions and Certification Action Items Chart
All applicants MUST complete the steps below to enroll in Relay and be certified to teach in New York State.
Step
WHAT to Submit?
WHERE to Submit?
1
Admissions application
2
Certification materials*
2a.
2b.
2c.
2d.
2e.
2f.
2g.
MMR immunization form
EAS score report
ALST score report
CST score report
Child Abuse workshop certificate
School Violence workshop certificate
DASA workshop certificate
TEACH application for Transitional B certificate and
$50

2h.
2i.
Fingerprint clearance
Apply to Relay using the ADMISSIONS Application for Teachers seeking an M.A.T. and/or Teacher
Certification: https://relay-ascend.symplicity.com.

Refer to Program and Certification Selection Chart on page two of this document to pick a program that
reflects teaching placement and background credits.
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Refer to Program and Certification Selection Chart on page two of this document to pick the right CST and
certification area.

Pass exams and workshops and submit documentation to Relay and NYS (see below).
Upload onto Relay’s NY Master of Arts in Teaching
CERTIFICATION application?
Submit to New York State?
(Here: https://relay-ascend.symplicity.com)
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes, mail to NYS:
Yes
Office of Teaching Initiatives, RM 5N 89 Washington Ave,
Albany, NY 12234
Yes
Apply and pay: www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/
Yes
Directions: www.relay.edu/programs/transb
Ensure clearance reflected on TEACH:
No
www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/
WHEN is it due?
Is this step
COMPLETE?
Visit
www.relay.edu/programs
for deadlines.
October 1
End of your first fall term:
January 20*
*If students submit complete certification applications to Relay before January 20, Relay will recommend them to NYS for certification before January 20. Relay strongly encourages students to submit materials as soon as possible
so they are certified to teach. Students should connect with their K-12 school and/or teacher prep program as they may require that students get certified earlier.
FAQs
What are the consequences for missing the October 1
deadline (for MMR records) or January 20 deadline (for
remaining certification materials)?
How should an applicant pick a Relay program of study and
Transitional B certificate area?
How does a student know when Relay has recommended
them to NYS for certification?
Who is the contact for questions about certification
requirements, TEACH, or fingerprinting?
Who is the contact for questions about exam registration,
score reports, or exam availability?
Who is the contact for questions about Relay’s certification
application?


Answer
Failure to submit required documents to Relay and NYS by the deadlines will result in Relay account holds and potential loss of employment.
Account holds block access to Relay’s Course Platform, which prevents students from completing coursework and place students in danger of dismissal.
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NYS and Relay require that students hold a Transitional B certificate that corresponds to their Relay program of study and teaching placement.
Refer to Program and Certification Selection Chart on page two for details.
Relay only recommends students who submit complete certification applications to Relay.
Students will receive an email after Relay has recommended them to NYS.
Students should check the status of their Transitional B certificate on TEACH: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/.
Relay will notify students who submit unsatisfactory certification applications to Relay.
NYS: 518-474-3901 (Dial 5)
www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/topics_az.html
For additional support, students should contact their K-12 school leader.
NYS Teacher Certification Examinations: 800-309-5225
www.nystce.nesinc.com/NY_contact_opener.asp
For additional support, students should contact their K-12 school leader.
Office of Enrollment Services: 212-228-1888, ext. 201 or enrollment@relay.edu
www.relay.edu/programs/transb
Page 1 of 2 (Updated 6/10/15)
Program and Certification Selection Chart: Applicants should pick a Relay program of study and Transitional B certificate area by following the six steps below.
Step 1:
Identify the
subject and
grade level you
are teaching.
Teaching Placement
Subject(s)
Grades
Step 2: Review your transcripts to ensure satisfy NYS credit
requirements.
Students in subject-specific programs must demonstrate at least 15 subject-specific credits to
be admitted to Relay, but cannot graduate or be eligible for higher level certification until they
submit proof to Relay that they met the 30 credit requirement. Applicants who do not have at
least 15 or do not want to make up those credits should consider the 5-9 Generalist program.
All students must demonstrate a distribution of liberal arts requirements prior to graduation
from Relay (3 credits in each of the following: English, Math, Science, and Social Sciences).
Students in the Adolescent Teaching Exceptional Learners (SPED) program must demonstrate
5, rather than 3, credits in each of those subjects.
NYS Credit Prerequisites
Credit
NYS defines which courses count towards each content area.
Prerequisites
K-2
Childhood
1-6
ELA, Math,
Science, or
Social
Studies
5-9
5-9
Math
7-12
5-9
ELA
7-12
Social
Studies
5-9
7-12
5-9
Biology
7-12
5-9
Chemistry
Earth Science
7-12
5-9
5-9
Physics
7-12
30 Liberal Arts
+
Liberal Arts
Distribution
30 Math
+
Liberal Arts
Distribution
30 English +
Liberal Arts
Distribution
30 Social Studies
+
Liberal Arts
Distribution
30 Biology +
Liberal Arts
Distribution
30 Chemistry +
Liberal Arts
Distribution
30 Earth Science
+ Liberal Arts
Distribution
30 Physics +
Liberal Arts
Distribution
Acceptable: Mathematical reasoning, quantitative methods, number
theory and concepts, algebra, analytic geometry, calculus, geometry,
trigonometry, data analysis, probability, and discrete mathematics.
Not acceptable: Computer science, accounting, finance, and studies in
which math is applied to solving problems (like engineering)
Acceptable: Composition, English literature, poetry, playwriting,
grammar, English linguistics, and courses offered by English
department. May use max of 6 credits in speech, drama, theater,
journalism towards 30.
Acceptable: Economics, government, U.S. history, world history,
geography, sociology, anthropology, and political science. Must
demonstrate 3 credits in each of the following: U.S. History, World
History, and Geography.
Acceptable: Cell biology and biochemistry, anatomy and physiology,
genetics and evolution, biological diversity, human biology, and zoology.
Nutrition is only acceptable if cell nutrition.
Acceptable: Matter and atomic structure, energy, chemical bonds and
molecular structure, chemical reactions, and quantitative relationships.
Not acceptable: Geochemistry.
Acceptable: Scientific methods, space systems, atmospheric systems,
geological systems, and water systems.
Not acceptable: Environmental science, conservation and wildlife
management, and agriculture.
Acceptable: Mechanics and heat, electricity and magnetism, waves,
sound and light, and quantum theory and the atom.
Not acceptable: Applied science courses, such as engineering.
Step 3:
Select
corresponding
Relay program of
study.
Step 4:
Determine corresponding
Transitional B to enter on TEACH
application.
Relay
Step 5:
Pass CST(s).
Step 6:
Apply on
TEACH for
Transitional B
with program
code(s).
NYS Certification
Program of Study
Transitional B Certificate Pathway(s)
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Education
Childhood Education
Childhood Education
Middle School Generalist
(with a concentration in
ELA, Math, Science, or
Social Studies)
Middle Childhood Generalist 5-9
Do NOT indicate the subject of your concentration on
TEACH.
Middle School Math
Middle Childhood Education 5-9: Math
High School Math
Adolescent Education Secondary Math 7-12
Middle School ELA
Middle Childhood Education 5-9: ELA
CST Exam(s)
Multi-Subject: Early
Childhood*
Multi-Subject:
Childhood*
Multi-Subject: Middle
Childhood*
Program Code(s)
35511
34333
34374
Do not enter a
subject.
34550
Math
35602
34549
ELA
High School ELA
Adolescent Education Secondary ELA 7-12
Middle School Social
Studies
Middle Childhood Education 5-9: Social Studies
High School Social Studies
Adolescent Education Secondary Social Studies 7-12
Middle School Biology
Middle Childhood Education 5-9: Biology
35571
34551
Social Studies
High School Biology
Adolescent Education Secondary Biology 7-12
Middle School Chemistry
Middle Childhood Education 5-9: Chemistry
High School Chemistry
Adolescent Education Secondary Chemistry 7-12
Middle School Earth
Science
Middle Childhood Education 5-9: Earth Science
Middle School Physics
Middle Childhood Education 5-9: Physics
High School Physics
Adolescent Education Secondary Physics 7-12
Childhood Teaching
Exceptional Learners
1. Teaching Students with Disabilities Childhood
2. Childhood Education
35609
34319
Biology
35599
34319
Chemistry
Earth Science
35600
34319
34319
Physics
35601
Multi-Subject:
36591
1-6
Teaching
Childhood*
34333
30 Liberal Arts
Students
+
1. Multi-Subject:
with
Liberal Arts
Adolescent Teaching
1. Teaching Students with Disabilities Adolescent 7-12
Secondary Teachers*
36592
Disabilities
7-12
Distribution
Exceptional Learners
2. Middle Childhood Generalist 5-9
2. Multi-Subject:
34374
(SPED)**
Middle Childhood*
*NYS requires those who take the CST after 9/21/2014, to pass a new, redeveloped CST that is specific to the grade level of their certification pathway. The new Multi-Subject CSTs are composed of three parts (Literacy and ELA, Math, Art and Sciences). Individuals
must pass all three parts. The first two parts (Literacy and ELA, Math) are specific to certification pathway. The third part (Art and Sciences) is the same, regardless of pathway. NYS will accept passing scores for the old CST towards Transitional B certification.
**Relay’s Teaching Exceptional Learners (SPED) program is a dual certificate program. This means students must apply to the state for two Transitional B certificates, as the program will prepare them for two NYS Initial teaching certificates.
When do students learn their credit deficiency status?
During Admissions: Relay notifies applicants if
By Nov. 1: Relay reviews transcripts submitted during the application process
Before Graduation: Students submit proof of earning credit outside of their Relay program to Relay to graduate. Refer to the
ineligible for subject-specific program.
and notifies students of deficiencies they must satisfy before graduating.
credit guide (http://rly.gs/creditguideny), available on GEN-101 on the Course Platform, for resources for satisfying credit.
Page 2 of 2 (Updated 6/10/15)