{"id":45430,"date":"2023-12-04T16:23:47","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T22:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/?p=45430"},"modified":"2023-12-04T16:23:47","modified_gmt":"2023-12-04T22:23:47","slug":"can-you-teach-in-south-carolina-without-a-degree-what-you-should-know-in-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.teachersoftomorrow.org\/blog\/insights\/can-you-teach-in-south-carolina-without-a-degree-what-you-should-know-in-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Can You Teach in South Carolina Without a Degree? What You Should Know in 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Carolina requires anyone planning to seek teacher certification in the state to complete an approved educator preparation program at the Bachelor’s degree level.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The state also embraces <\/span>alternative teacher certification<\/span><\/a> programs, also known as Resident licensure programs, which remove barriers to joining the teaching profession by providing alternative pathways to educator certification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

These alternative certification programs allow you to teach in South Carolina public schools just by having a Bachelor’s degree in a program other than education. Most alternative certification programs will allow you to obtain a standard teaching certificate after a defined period, mostly three years.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

South Carolina has <\/span>several teaching positions open<\/span><\/a>, and if you have a bachelor’s degree, you can start teaching immediately through an alternative certification program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we will guide you through the steps and requirements to getting certified to teach in South Carolina public schools. We\u2019ll also share the various types of alternative certification programs available and what you need to know to build a successful teaching career in South Carolina.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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Alternative Teaching Programs\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Alternative teacher preparation programs,<\/b> also known as non-traditional or residency licensure programs, are meant for individuals with Bachelor’s degrees in programs other than education and would love to transition to education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Alternative certification programs allow you to teach and start earning as you acquire your teaching certificate. Such residency licensure programs allow you to earn on-the-job experience while training to become a licensed educator.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The alternative licensure pathway to teaching in South Carolina helps you to acquire a residence license. The licensure can take between one and three years. The Residency License is a one-year teaching license that is renewable twice. To be issued with this license, you must present a supervision certificate from the educator program in which you are enrolled.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To acquire the residence license, you must find a teaching job and enrol in a teacher preparation program. You\u2019re then required to take coursework outside of your school hours and implement the learned content in your classroom during the day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here is a list of the requirements you have to meet to acquire the South Carolina license:<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Hold a bachelor’s degree.<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Complete coursework relevant to your requested licensure area or have passed the content area examination in the area you want to be licensed in.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Be enrolled in a recognized educator preparation program.<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Meet all the requirements from the State Board, such as completing student-teaching requirements to teach.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Steps to Teaching Certification<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Different teacher programs may vary in their certification requirements. You need to check for the required steps in your particular program. Here is the general order for residency licensure in most programs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Get a bachelor’s degree: <\/b>A bachelor’s degree is the primary requirement for teaching certification. If you plan to get certified in a Career and Technical Education field, you may use your work experience as proof of competence instead of a degree.<\/span><\/li>\n
    2. Meet any GPA and coursework requirements: <\/b>To enroll in a South Carolina teaching program, you must attain a minimum GPA and coursework in the subject area you plan to teach. Check with your program to check out their requirements. If you don’t meet the credit hours requirement, you may take the content test from your teaching subject to show your mastery of the content.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    3. Pass the Praxis exam: <\/b>Most teaching programs require you to pass the Praxis content test for your preferred subject. Our <\/span>South Carolina Praxis Exam Registration and Study Resources <\/span><\/a>will help you register and prepare.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
    4. Pass a state and federal background check:<\/b> The South Carolina Department of Education requires that you pass a state and federal background check before you are allowed in the classroom to teach. To register for your background check, create an account in the <\/span>SC Educator Portal<\/span><\/a> and follow the registering instructions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      To be eligible for an alternative program, you must have yet to complete a student teaching program in a previously attended traditional teacher preparation program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Your teaching certificate will depend on the subject and the grade level you want to teach.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The teaching certificate you earn will depend on the subject and grade level you want to teach. Read further on our <\/span>South Carolina Certification Guide<\/span><\/a> to check the specific programs available through alternative certification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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      Reasons to Consider Alternative Certification<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Alternative certification programs offer several benefits compared to traditional certification programs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      For instance, you will spend most of your day attending classes in traditional certification. You will also be required to undertake a supervised, unpaid student-teaching session towards the end of your certification program.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      On the other hand, alternative certification will be good for you if you are transitioning to education from another career. It is also ideal if you have a bachelor’s degree in teaching subjects like English or math or have prior experience dealing with students, like in assistant or <\/span>substitute teaching<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Types of Alternative Certifications in South Carolina<\/b><\/h2>\n

      There are various routes to earning an alternative teaching certificate in South Carolina. Once you have a bachelor’s degree, you must pursue additional education under a teacher preparation program to earn full certification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Here is a list of pathways to earning full certification as an educator in South Carolina:<\/span><\/p>\n

      Adjunct Teacher Certification<\/b><\/h3>\n

      The Adjunct Teacher Certificate<\/b> is incorporated in the Specialized Alternative Certification Guidelines approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education. It allows a school district or a public school in South Carolina to contract a subject area expert to fill an area of instructional need temporarily.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      To qualify for this certificate, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a major in the certificate area, passing scores on the relevant Praxis II exam, and at least five years of similar occupational experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      You may teach up to two courses per year with the Adjunct teaching certificate. The certificate does not lead to full-time professional certification, is valid for one year, and is non-renewable.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      American Board Certification (ABCTE)<\/b><\/h3>\n

      The South Carolina State Board of Education approves certification through the American Board (ABCTE) for English, mathematics, and science teaching areas.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Once you attain the ABCTE certification, you can apply for and accept teaching positions in South Carolina. You should continue meeting the requirements for full certification, such as completing a master’s degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The ABCTE certification pathway is only available if you intend to teach secondary biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, physics, science, or middle-level arts, math, or science.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      If you complete the evaluation requirements and pass the Praxis exams in addition to three years of teaching, you may qualify for a Professional teaching certificate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Greenville Alternative Teacher Education Program (GATE)<\/b><\/h3>\n

      The Greenville Alternative Teacher Education Program is available to teacher candidates in the Greenville area. The <\/span>Greenville Alternative Teacher Education Program (GATE)<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 certification route is available for candidates interested in Early Childhood, Elementary, K-12 World Languages, and Special Education. It\u2019s also available for those interested in middle-level language arts, middle-level math, middle-level social studies, or middle-level science; secondary grades, English, mathematics, science, social studies, and business and marketing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      To be certified in this program, you must have a 2.5 cumulative GPA, a passing score on the Praxis in the appropriate subject area, or equivalent in one of the eligible certification fields.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      Teaching under this certificate grants you professional mentoring and coaching opportunities as you teach and attend teacher preparation programs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      You are eligible for a professional teaching certificate after completing a three-year teaching period under this program. <\/span><\/p>\n

      Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE)<\/b><\/h3>\n

      South Carolina’s State Board of Education approved the <\/span>Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE<\/span><\/a>) to enable degreed individuals to teach in public schools in subject areas of critical need.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      The certification allows you to begin teaching under the mentorship of experienced teachers as you complete a program of study to build your teaching effectiveness. For mentorship and coaching, you must enroll in seminars, workshops, and graduate courses that enable you to attain a professional certification.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

      To qualify for the PACE certification, you must have:<\/span><\/p>\n