The Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification (APEC) Program through Columbia College prepares participants with coursework, classroom experiences, and mentoring to become successful classroom teachers. A core component of the APEC Program is the Work-Embedded Teacher Residency, which requires a year of experience in a classroom with a certified mentor teacher in the area of certification that the fellow is pursuing. The first year of the APEC program is the preservice year. Participants are required to complete course modules, professional learning workshops, and the Work-Embedded Teacher Residency. Fellows have the option to continue with graduate coursework towards the completion of a master’s degree with Columbia College.
To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit Columbia College’s APEC website.
Certification Fields
APEC offers the following certification areas:
- Early Childhood (PK-3)
- Elementary (Grades 2-6)
- Dance (PK-12)
- Special Education: Multi-categorical (K-12)
Middle Level (Grades 5-8)
- Middle Level Language Arts
- Middle Level Mathematics
- Middle Level Science
- Middle Level Social Studies
High School (Grades 9-12)
Eligibility
To be eligible for an alternative certification program, all applicants must first meet the general eligibility requirements in addition to any requirements set by the program. To review the general eligibility requirements, please visit the webpage Guidance for Prospective Alternative Route Certification Program Participants.
Potential candidates for APEC must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. APEC has partnerships with particular school districts. The program has specific deadlines each year. For more information regarding eligibility and deadlines, please visit the APEC website.
Certification Overview
Individuals interested in APEC will apply directly to the program provider. If eligible and enrolled, fellows are required to complete the preservice year and the required Praxis subject area examination. Afterwards, the fellows will follow the application requirements for certification with the South Carolina Department of Education. After completion of the application process, and a confirmation of employment in the certification field with a partnership school district, fellows will be issued their first APEC Alternative Route Teaching Certificate and become program participants.
Participants who complete all program requirements after three years certified with the APEC alternative route certificate will be issued a Professional Teaching Certificate.
Enrollment Inquiries
The South Carolina Department of Education does not facilitate eligibility evaluation or program participation for APEC. For information regarding this approved alternative certification program, please contact Kelly Kinard at Columbia College by phone (803-786-3751) or by email (apeccenter@columbiasc.edu).
