Becoming Certified to Teach

All corps members are required to enroll in Relay Graduate School of Education's Masters Degree program, where they will receive their certification.

Graduate School

A master of arts degree in teaching is awarded after successful completion of Relay's two year program. After scholarships and applicable education awards, out-of-pocket costs are approximately $6,000 in total over two years. Corps members are responsible for the cost of their Relay education.

Program Structure

• Corps members pursue their graduate degree through in-person and online programming.
• They meet approximately two weeknights per month over the course of each semester for core pedagogy.
• Content-specific instruction takes place approximately once per month on Saturdays.

TFA Training

The summer before you begin teaching, Teach For America hosts summer institute, a five-week training session in Philadelphia. Exact dates for the 2019 session have not yet been announced, but will likely be from the end of June through the month of July.

Throughout the year, Teach For America also hosts monthly professional development sessions where corps members come together with their full cohort as well as local alumni to learn from experts and from each other. 

In addition, all corps members are assigned a Teach For America coach. Upstate corps members will work with Kirsten Patton, and downstate corps members will be with Alonna Berry. Kirsten and Alonna visit your classroom regular to offer you feedback and guidance so you can lead your classroom most effectively.