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 our lists of top-rated teaching programs, table of accredited, state-approved teacher preparation programs, and student reviews. This guide can help prospective students looking to work in education as well as those looking to change their current career find the best program for their goals.

Quick Facts

• There are 36 colleges and universities with teacher degree programs in South Carolina.¹
• 8 colleges and universities offer an associate’s degree in education.*¹
• 30 colleges and universities offer a bachelor’s degree in education.*¹
• 22 colleges and universities offer a master’s or advanced degree in education.*¹
• 4 schools ranked in Kiplinger’s Best College Values in 2019.²
• 3 schools ranked in US News Best Graduate Education Programs in 2019.³
• 9 schools ranked in US News Best Online Graduate Education Programs in 2019.⁴
• 27 not-for-profit teacher programs are accredited by the NCATE, TEAC, or CAEP.

*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with teacher degree programs.

Top-Ranked Schools with Education Programs in South Carolina

Kiplinger’s Best College Values 2019*

• Wofford College (#128)
• Clemson University (#150)
• Furman University (#157)
• University of South Carolina (#187)

*Institution-wide ranking.

US News Best Graduate Education Programs 2019

• Clemson University (#71 tie)
• University of South Carolina (#75 tie)
• South Carolina State University (#195-258)

US News Best Online Graduate Education Programs 2019

• Clemson University (#1 tie)
• University of South Carolina (#34 tie)
• Anderson University (#84 tie)
• The Citadel (#177 tie)
• Coastal Carolina University (#228-299)
• Coker College (#228-295)
• Converse College (#228-295)
• Southern Wesleyan University (#228-295)
• Winthrop University (#228-295)
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Comparison of Teacher Preparation Programs

We have designed the following table to help you compare teacher preparation programs in South Carolina according to various factors. All of the schools included are not-for-profit institutions approved by the South Carolina Department of Education for the preparation of teachers. Completing a state-approved teacher preparation program is an important step towards earning licensure.

While accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) is not a requirement for licensure, it is included in the following table as CAEP provides a highly-regarded accreditation that is accepted in many states. Read more about the CAEP, NCATE, and TEAC accrediting bodies. We have also included rankings from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ), a research and policy group that scores teacher preparation programs at the national level using key standards chosen to measure students’ preparation for success in teaching. For further information on the NCTQ’s program rankings, please see the notes below the table.

You will also find data on teacher preparation program enrollment, completion, and licensing exam pass rates by institution for the 2017-2018 academic year in this table. These data points are collected from annual US Department of Education records under Title II (Teacher Quality) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), which provides for reporting that holds institutions and state departments of education accountable for increasing academic achievement through improvements in teacher quality.

Programs that are not ranked, or for which data is not available, in a given category are denoted as “-“.

State-Approved School	CAEP Accred.?5	NCTQ Undergrad Elementary Prog. % (2016)**6	NCTQ Undergrad Secondary Prog. % (2017)**6	Teacher Prep Prog. Enrollment7	Teacher Prep Prog. Completers7	Licensing Exams Pass Rate7	Net Price***1
Anderson University	Yes	—	—	218	111	93%	$21,816
Benedict College	Yes	—	—	2	1	—	$19,340
Bob Jones University	No	—	46%	106	57	100%	$14,416
Charleston Southern University	Yes	29%	57%	313	59	98%	$17,858
Claflin University	Yes	—	—	14	13	100%	$18,089
Clemson University	Yes	—	98%	599	160	100%	$18,757
Coastal Carolina University	Yes	57%	—	371	153	97%	$16,224
Coker College	Yes	—	—	22	11	100%	$16,464
College of Charleston	Yes	41%	76%	354	154	94%	$19,790
Columbia College	Yes	79%	—	179	31	100%	$17,550
Columbia International University	No	—	—	28	13	92%	$18,476
Converse College	Yes	29%	37%	234	52	96%	$19,245
Erskine College	Yes	—	—	13	11	100%	$34,550
Francis Marion University	Yes	—	—	369	50	100%	$11,935
Furman University	Yes	—	92%	59	23	100%	$32,951
Lander University	Yes	2%	—	150	74	93%	$14,570
Limestone College	Yes	12%	—	27	11	100%	$23,935
Morris College	Yes	—	—	—	—	—	$16,472
Newberry College	Yes	—	—	48	25	83%	$19,427
North Greenville University	Yes	81%	—	409	66	100%	$16,821
Presbyterian College	Yes	—	—	22	14	92%	$20,518
South Carolina State University	Yes	60%	—	11	22	100%	$21,112
Southern Wesleyan University	Yes	79%	71%	145	20	95%	$16,008
The Citadel	Yes	—	37%	67	35	100%	$17,017
University of Southern Carolina-Aiken	Yes	—	23%	59	53	100%	$14,821
University of Southern Carolina-Beaufort	Yes	86%	—	13	13	100%	$16,266
University of Southern Carolina-Columbia	Yes	91%	87%	352	350	100%	$20,271
University of Southern Carolina-Upstate	Yes	54%	59%	206	145	91%	$14,730
Winthrop University	Yes	98%	—	281	166	99%	$16,970
Wofford College	No	—	—	11	3	—	$27,101

*The NCTQ rated undergraduate elementary teaching programs in 2016 and undergraduate secondary teaching programs in 2017 by national percentile based on their overall scores on the NCTQ’s standards for teacher education. Schools that do not provide data on all key standards or that fall below the top 50% of schools nationally are not included by the NCTQ in their ratings. Visit the NCTQ website for more information on its standards and methodologies.
**Net price is per year for undergraduate tuition as calculated by the National Center for Education Statistics based on the cost of attendance (tuition, books, room and board, and related expenses) for students who qualify for in-state tuition and fees, less the average financial aid award (including grants and scholarships).

Profiles of Well-Known Schools

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University of South Carolina: The University of South Carolina’s College of Education is home to the departments of educational and leadership policies, educational studies, instruction and teacher education, and physical education and athletic training. Each department offers several degrees at the undergraduate and graduate levels. One of the most highly regarded departments is the educational leadership and policies. The Department is made up of two distinct areas – CD-12 Educational Administration and Higher Education and Student Affairs. The instructional programs prepare students to go out fully prepared to engage their professions with intelligence and wisdom beyond their years. South Carolina graduates enjoy a large network of alumni with over 40,000 graduates, many of which remain in the state.

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.

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School Programs for Becoming a Teacher in South Carolina

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Schools with Teaching Degree Programs in South Carolina

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the “Data, Student Reviews and Other Information” section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

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

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

Benedict College
1600 Harden St
Columbia, SC 29204-1086
(803) 256-4220
www.benedict.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 St
Orangeburg, SC 29115-4498
(803) 535-5000
www.claflin.edu

Clemson University
201 Sikes Hall
Clemson, SC 29634
(864) 656-4636
http://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

Student Review: “I thought that the program did a decent job. Our partnerships with area schools in Pickens County were useful in getting us used to a classroom and seeing successful teachers operate in their environment. I do think that there was a little too much focus in our classes on ideal scenarios without a whole lot of practical application, which made things such as classroom management difficult to figure out until I was an actual teacher. I think something that probably plagues a lot of these programs, is they are generally being taught by educators who have either never been in a real classroom, or haven’t been in quite some time. I don’t really know how you bridge that issue, other than offering current teachers part time jobs or something to talk about what it’s really like out there in the field. I also think that throwing students in multiple scenarios could be helpful: i.e. an urban environment, a suburban environment, and a rural environment, but that may be somewhat difficult because of where the campus is located. Overall, I got some good things out of the experience, but I can’t say I didn’t have to learn a ton on the job once I got out.” -Student at Clemson University


Coastal Carolina University
108 James P. Blanton Cir
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
http://www.cofc.edu/

Student Review: “I thoroughly enjoyed my teaching experience at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC. My professors, mentors, and overall academic coursework was rigorous and allowed for me to not only explore educational topics of my own interest, but also educational topics that were relevant to that particular time period. Continued professional development allows for me to continue to learn and grow in the field of education. Additionally, I have continued opportunities to grow and learn about being an educator in my workplace. I felt as though I was fully prepared for the workforce and that my professors and mentors prepped me for the realities of teaching.” -Student at College of Charleston

Student Review: “I had a great time during my teacher preparation program at the College of Charleston. The staff and faculty members were extremely knowledgeable. The classes were in depth and detailed and prepared you for the classroom. One particular area of note that the College of Charleston has is its Teacher Leader program. This is a program that allows for hand-selected teacher candidates to connect with educational leaders across the country. The program kicks off with an inaugural trip to Washington, DC and typically ends with a dinner detailing the accomplishments of each candidate. However, one aspect of the program that I disliked was the lack of classroom management preparation and the lack of preparation to teach students with disabilities in the general education classroom.” -Student at College of Charleston


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

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

Francis Marion University
4822 E Palmetto St
Florence, SC 29506
(843) 661-1362
www.fmarion.edu

Furman University
3300 Poinsett Hwy
Greenville, SC 29613-6162
(864) 294-2000
https://www.furman.edu/

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 E
Conway, SC 29526
(843) 347-3186

Lander University
320 Stanley Ave
Greenwood, SC 29649-2099
(864) 388-8000
https://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 you are great at getting information independently.” -Jennifer G., student at Lander University


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

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

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

Newberry College
2100 College St
Newberry, SC 29108
(803) 276-5010
www.newberry.edu

North Greenville University
7801 N Tigerville Rd
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
www.octech.edu/

Piedmont Technical College*
620 N Emerald Rd
Greenwood, SC 29646
(864) 941-8324
www.ptc.edu

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

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

Southern Wesleyan University
907 Wesleyan Dr
Central, SC 29630-1020
(864) 644-5000
www.presby.edu

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

Tri-County Technical College*
7900 US Hwy 76
Pendleton, SC 29670
(864) 646-1500

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

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

University of South Carolina-Columbia
Columbia, SC 29208
(803) 777-7000
https://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
www.yorktech.edu

An asterisk (*) denotes a two-year or certificate program in education. While a two-year degree will not qualify graduates for teacher certification, it can be a good starting point for a teaching career. To learn more about what you can do with this degree, see our guide to associate’s degrees in education.

References:
1. National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
2. Kiplinger’s Best College Values: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/
3. 2019 US News Best Graduate Education Schools: https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-education-schools/edu-rankings
4. 2019 US News Best Online Graduate Education Schools: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/education/rankings
5. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP): http://caepnet.org/provider-search
6. National Council on Teacher Quality 2014-2016 Teacher Preparation Program Review: https://www.nctq.org/review/home
7. US Department of Education 2018 Title II Reports: https://title2.ed.gov/Public/Home.aspx