The Program of Alternative Certification for Educators (PACE) requires an earned bachelor's degree or above from a regionally accredited college with a major in an approved PACE certification field. Applicants can be evaluated for a major equivalency if they have thirty or more semester hours earned in content area coursework with a grade of "C" or better, twenty-one of which were earned at the junior or senior level or above; or twenty-four or more semester hours earned in content area coursework at the graduate level.

In order to qualify for participation in the PACE program, the following minimum requirements must be met:

• Did not student teach in a traditional teacher preparation program;
• Conferred bachelor’s degree with major or equivalency that matches eligible certification field(s);
• Passing score on the appropriate ETS Praxis subject area assessment;
• Current all-clear FBI/SLED background check.

Individuals who have participated in, but not completed, other alternative certification routes in South Carolina are not eligible for participation in another alternative certification program.