South Carolina Teacher Colleges and Degrees Online Guide

This guide to teaching schools in South Carolina is designed to help aspiring teachers find the best teacher preparation program to become a certified teacher. In order to teach in South Carolina, teachers must complete a program at an accredited school. Fortunately, there are several colleges and universities in the state that offer degree programs. For useful information on the various teaching degrees offered in South Carolina, take a look at the list below of accredited teacher preparation programs and student reviews. For recent graduates looking to work in education or those looking to change their current career, this guide can help you find the best program for your career needs.

School Facts:

• There are 39 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in South Carolina.¹
• 20 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.¹
• Highest graduation rate*: Wofford College, 84%.¹
• Highest transfer-out rate*: University of South Carolina-Upstate, 39%.¹
• Highest net price per year*: Furman University, $32,163.¹
• Lowest net price per year*: Morris College, $12,401.¹
• Annual undergraduate tuition range for teaching degree programs in South Carolina*: $10,840-$41,532.²
• Three schools in the Kiplinger’s Best Values in Public Colleges in 2013: Clemson University (34), University of South Carolina (35), College of Charleston (68).
• One school ranked in US News National Universities Rankings in 2013 (top 100): Clemson University (68).
• 25 teacher programs are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP (see below).*

*For 4-year colleges and universities with teacher degree programs.

Profiles of Well-Known Schools

South Carolina State University: The South Carolina State University Department of Education is the academic unit that prepares current and future educational professionals for placement in the k-12 educational system. The Department prepares students for their roles as teachers, counselors, administrators and superintendents. The department has recently adopted a new curricular model based that molds students into intelligent, competent and self-reflective education practitioners no matter what their educational level or experience. Students learn effective pedagogy from dynamic faculty that have years of experience in the field combined with years of intensive, cutting edge research.

Top-Rated Teacher Preparation Programs

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) evaluated 1,100 US college programs that prepare teachers for a career as a professional educator (Teacher Prep Review 2013 Report). According to the organization’s standards, only five programs in South Carolina earned the NCTQ “honor roll” of 3 stars or higher. For more information, read more about the NCTQ Teacher Prep Review 2013 Report.

The following teacher preparation programs in South Carolina received the highest ratings by the National Council on Teacher Quality:

Clemson University (Undergraduate Secondary)
College of Charleston (Undergraduate Secondary)
Furman University (Undergraduate Secondary)
Furman University (Undergraduate Elementary)
University of South Carolina – Columbia (Undergraduate Secondary)

The following reviewed schools were cited as problematic (no stars):

Bob Jones University (Graduate Elementary)
Citadel Military College of South Carolina (Undergraduate Secondary)
Lander University (Undergraduate Elementary)

Teacher Preparation Programs Accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP

• Anderson University
• Benedict College
• Charleston Southern University
• Claflin University
• Clemson University
• Coastal Carolina University
• Coker College
• Columbia College
• Converse College
• Erskine College
• Francis Marion University
• Furman University
• Lander University
• Limestone College
• Morris College
• Newberry College
• North Greenville University
• Presbyterian College
• South Carolina State University
• Southern Wesleyan University
• The Citadel The Military College of South Carolina
• The College of Charleston
• University of South Carolina
• University of South Carolina-Aiken
• Winthrop University

Read more about the CAEP, NCATE, and TEAC accrediting bodies.

School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in South Carolina

Request free information from the following schools to learn more about your options for choosing a teacher degree program. We recommend you: Request information from one or more of these schools

Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in South Carolina

Aiken Technical College
2276 Jefferson Davis Highway
Graniteville, SC 29829
(803) 593-9231
www.atc.edu

Anderson University-Anderson
316 Boulevard
Anderson, SC 29621
(864) 231-2000
www.andersonuniversity.edu

Benedict College
1600 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204-1086
(803) 256-4220
www.benedict.edu

Bob Jones University
1700 Wade Hampton Boulavard
Greenville, SC 29614-0001
(864) 242-5100
www.bju.edu

Charleston Southern University
9200 University Blvd
Charleston, SC 29410-8087
(843) 863-7000
www.csuniv.edu

Citadel Military College of South Carolina
171 Moultrie St
Charleston, SC 29409
(843) 225-3294
www.citadel.edu

Claflin University
400 Magnolia Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115-4498
(803) 535-5000
www.claflin.edu

Clemson University
201 Sikes Hall
Clemson, SC 29634
(864) 656-4636
www.clemson.edu

Student Review: “I currently attend Clemson University in Clemson, SC. For me, I can’t think of any other place I’d rather be to earn my undergraduate degree. The campus is located on Lake Hartwell and near to the mountains. While there are many students in attendance at Clemson, it is still easy to make close friends and groups that can make the learning experience all the more enjoyable. Lots of new buildings and renovations to older buildings has been occurring, improving the classrooms and learning tools available to students. Downtown Clemson is only a short walk away, and having a bike on campus is a definite plus because it makes getting to class a breeze. The only real improvement that’s needed is to have better regulations concerning parking on campus for students, especially since there doesn’t seem to be enough spaces for everyone.” -Cynthia W., student at Clemson University

Student Review: “Clemson is the best place on earth! I spent four years there and wish I had many more to spend there! Clemson is a unique place in that it really values tradition, as well as growth (both academically and personally). The environment at Clemson is so different than any other place I’ve been. There is something “in those hills” that creates a community. There is a feeling of family and unity that you get the minute you step foot on campus whether it is solid orange Friday (where everyone wears Orange) or gathering for campus wide organizations. Every day is a perfect day at Clemson!” -Jean L., student at Clemson University

Coastal Carolina University
108 James P. Blanton Circle
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 347-3161
www.coastal.edu

Coker College
300 E College Ave
Hartsville, SC 29550
(843) 383-8000
www.coker.edu

College of Charleston
66 George St
Charleston, SC 29424-0001
(843) 953-5500
www.cofc.edu

Columbia College-Columbia
1301 Columbia College Dr
Columbia, SC 29203
(803) 786-3012
www.columbiacollegesc.edu

Columbia International University
7435 Monticello Rd
Columbia, SC 29203-1513
(803) 754-4100
www.ciu.edu

Converse College
580 E Main St
Spartanburg, SC 29302-0006
(864) 596-9000
www.converse.edu

Erskine College and Seminary
2 Washington St
Due West, SC 29639
(864) 379-2131
www.erskine.edu

Florence-Darlington Technical College
2715 W. Lucas Street
Florence, SC 29501-0548
(843) 661-8324
www.fdtc.edu

Francis Marion University
4822 East Palmetto Street
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 661-1362

Furman University
3300 Poinsett Highway
Greenville, SC 29613-6162
(864) 294-2000
www.engagefurman.com

Student Review: “I attended Furman University for both my B.A. in English and my M.A. in literacy. The B.A. really prepared me to be a teacher, especially with content. I felt ready to teach after taking such a variety of English classes with knowledgeable, kind professors. The education faculty are helpful and passionate; I learned a lot from them. I still keep up with several of the professors and have great conversations about teaching and best practices. My M.A. prepared me to be a teacher and a scholar. The professors asked me to question my own teaching and to ensure my lessons were rich with research-supported practices. I am a better professional because of this program which changed the way I viewed the profession of teaching.” -Student at Furman University

Greenville Technical College
506 S Pleasantburg Dr
Greenville, SC 29607-2416
(864) 250-8111

Horry-Georgetown Technical College
2050 Highway 501 East
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 347-3186

Lander University
320 Stanley Avenue
Greenwood, SC 29649-2099
(864) 388-8000
www.lander.edu

Student Review: “Lander University is a school that does a very good job of producing teachers. I feel like the faculty did a great job of preparing me as much I could be prepared for teaching in the South Carolina school system. I had a great set of lesson plans, lots of classroom time, and a good understanding of proper discipline. The only drawback of the program is that there was not great support when you were having trouble with credits or graduation approval. Also, as an alumnus, it is very difficult to get someone from the registrar’s office to reply to your questions. In general, I would recommend this program if your are great at getting information independently.” -Jennifer G., student at Lander University

Limestone College
1115 College Drive
Gaffney, SC 29340-3799
(800) 795-7151
www.limestone.edu

Midlands Technical College
1260 Lexington Drive
West Columbia, SC 29170-2176
(803) 738-8324
www.midlandstech.edu

Morris College
100 West College Street
Sumter, SC 29150-3599
(803) 934-3200
www.morris.edu

Newberry College
2100 College St
Newberry, SC 29108
(803) 276-5010

North Greenville University
7801 N. Tigerville Road
Tigerville, SC 29688-1892
(864) 977-7000
www.ngu.edu

Northeastern Technical College
1201 Chesterfield Hwy.
Cheraw, SC 29520-1007
(843) 921-6900
www.netc.edu

Orangeburg Calhoun Technical College
3250 Saint Matthews Rd
Orangeburg, SC 29118-8299
(803) 536-0311

Piedmont Technical College
620 North Emerald Road
Greenwood, SC 29646
(864) 941-8324
www.ptc.edu

Presbyterian College
503 S Broad St
Clinton, SC 29325
(864) 833-2820

South Carolina State University
300 College St NE
Orangeburg, SC 29117-0001
(803) 536-7000
www.scsu.edu

Southern Wesleyan University
907 Wesleyan Drive
Central, SC 29630-1020
(864) 644-5000

Spartanburg Community College
Business I-85
Spartanburg, SC 29303
(864) 592-4600
www.sccsc.edu

Tri-County Technical College
7900 U.S. Hwy 76
Pendleton, SC 29670
(864) 646-1500

Trident Technical College
7000 Rivers Avenue
Charleston, SC 29423-8067
(843) 574-6111
www.tridenttech.edu

University of South Carolina-Aiken
471 University Pkwy
Aiken, SC 29801
(803) 648-6851

University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7000
www.sc.edu

Student Review: “I loved my time at the University of South Carolina. The beautiful campus is located in the center of downtown Columbia. There is a large population of students so it can be easy to feel lost at times but the friendly atmosphere of fellow students and staff help make up for it. There is beautiful scenery in the area such as the Horseshoe or taking in a game at Williams Brice Stadium. There are a plethora of dorms to suit all students and living on campus is wonderful. There are plenty of places to eat, study, or have fun.” -Joseph T., student at University of South Carolina – Columbia

Winthrop University
119 Tillman Hall
Rock Hill, SC 29733
(803) 323-2211
www.winthrop.edu

York Technical College
452 S Anderson Rd
Rock Hill, SC 29730
(803) 327-8000

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Niche College Search: https://www.niche.com/colleges/search/best-colleges-for-education/