State hub

How to become a teacher in South Carolina

Prep providers

Completers

2,042

Newly licensed

3,502

Colleges (IPEDS)

Credential rules change. Confirm current requirements with South Carolina Department of Education.

Steps drawn from the state's data

Earn a bachelor's degree. At least one initial credential requires one.
Complete a teacher preparation program. South Carolina has 41 Title II providers.
Complete clinical experience such as student teaching.
Pass the tests the state requires (Title II reports that tests are required, not which ones).
Complete a background check or fingerprinting.
Apply to South Carolina Department of Education for an initial credential, such as Alternative Route Certificate; Career and Technology Work-Based Certificate (CTE); Initial Certificate.
Career changers can use one of 9 alternative routes instead of a traditional program.

South Carolina teacher certification Alternative routes

Teacher preparation providers in South Carolina

Provider	Program types	Enrollment	Completers
ABCTE - South Carolina (Title 2 Only)	Alternative, not IHE-based	79	23
ALLEN UNIVERSITY	Traditional	14	0
Alt Pathway for Educator Cert (APEC)	Alternative, IHE-based	50	19
Anderson University - SC	Traditional	325	130
Bob Jones University	Traditional	115	35
Carolina CAP	Alternative, IHE-based	76	14
Charleston Southern University	Traditional	140	49
Charter Inspire ACP	Alternative, not IHE-based	3	3
Claflin University	Traditional	17	10
Clemson University	Traditional	831	228
Coastal Carolina University	Traditional	402	123
Coker University	Traditional	46	4
College of Charleston	Traditional	479	121
Columbia College SC	Traditional	286	40
Columbia International University	Traditional	19	9
Converse University	Traditional; Alternative, IHE-based	104	37
Erskine College	Traditional	29	8
Francis Marion University	Traditional	307	55
Furman University	Traditional	54	27
Greenville Altern Teacher Educ	Alternative, not IHE-based	161	32
Lander University	Traditional	174	88
LEAP Lowcountry Educator Alt Pathway	Alternative, not IHE-based	0	0
Limestone University	Traditional	32	7
Morris College	Traditional	34	0
NetAPT-Network for Alt Prep in Teaching	Alternative, IHE-based	6	0
Newberry College	Traditional	29	10
North Greenville University	Traditional	117	54
Presbyterian College	Traditional	46	7
South Carolina PACE	Alternative, not IHE-based	998	265
South Carolina State University	Traditional	13	13
South Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow	Alternative, not IHE-based	3,158	59
Southern Wesleyan University	Traditional	225	21
Teach Charleston	Alternative, not IHE-based	65	14
Teach for America-South Carolina	Alternative, not IHE-based	14	13
Teach Right USA	Alternative, not IHE-based	0	0
The Citadel	Traditional	61	15
University of South Carolina Aiken	Traditional	107	49
University of South Carolina Beaufort	Traditional	17	17
University of South Carolina Columbia	Traditional	976	242
University of South Carolina Upstate	Traditional	750	89
Winthrop University	Traditional	172	112

About teacher preparation in South Carolina

The South Carolina Department of Education continues to achieve both state and national recognition for programs designed to produce effective educators. State Superintendent of Education, Ellen Weaver, was inaugurated on January 11, 2023, and continues to serve in this role as a state constitutional officer.