Guidance for Prospective Alternative Route Certification Program Participants

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

• Did not student teach in a traditional teacher preparation program; and
• Received a bachelor’s degree through a regionally accredited institution of higher education that matches eligible certification field(s);

Individuals who have participated in, but not completed, other alternative certification routes in South Carolina may not be eligible for participation in PACE. If you have participated in another alternative program recognized in South Carolina, please contact the Office of Educator Services prior to initiating the application process for PACE.

Apply

To review eligible certification fields, required assessments, and application procedures, please visit the PACE Webpage.

The America Board is a non-partisan non-profit 501(c)3 organization established by the United States Department of Education. In June 2007 the South Carolina General Assembly passed the American Board for the Certification of Teacher Excellence Act, which allows state public school districts or charter schools to hire individuals who use the American Board process to obtain a South Carolina teaching certificate.

Eligibility

An applicant who has earned at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and who qualifies for the Passport to Teaching certificate issued by the American Board in the areas of biology, chemistry, English, mathematics, physics, or science may apply for a one-year alternate route certificate upon verification of an employment offer as a teacher in a South Carolina public school. This alternative route certificate may be renewed annually for two additional years upon verification of successful teaching.

To advance to a standard South Carolina Professional certificate (a renewable teaching certificate that is valid for a five-year period), the American Board candidate must complete the induction and summative evaluation requirements of the state’s system for Assisting, Developing, and Evaluating Professional Teaching (ADEPT) and must pass the appropriate Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) assessment offered through the Educational Testing Service.

Applying for the American Board Program

Detailed information regarding the American Board process, including the required tests and fees is available on the organization’s website at www.americanboard.org.

Once American Board certification is received and all required American Board assessments are completed, educators may Apply for South Carolina certification through the American Board Program.

TFA recruits outstanding and diverse leaders to become TFA “corps members.” Corps members commit to teaching for two years in a low-income community, where they’re employed by local schools and confront both the challenges and joys of expanding opportunities for kids. Upon admittance to TFA, participants will be assigned to teach a grade (preschool through grade twelve) in one of fifty-two partner regions across the country. Corps members teaching in South Carolina are eligible to apply for a South Carolina Alternative Route Teaching Certificate and may qualify for a Professional certificate after three years of teaching.

Eligibility

Prior to applying for certification in South Carolina, applicants must become TFA corps member candidates. Information on the TFA program is available on the TFA Organization's Website:

• Is TFA for You?
• How to Apply for Candidacy

Applying for SC Certification through the TFA Program

After becoming TFA corps member candidates, educators may Apply for South Carolina Certification Based on TFA Candidacy.

Teachers of Tomorrow (ToT) is an alternative program servicing several states nation-wide. After applying for ToT program enrollment, educators complete a series of self-paced examinations and trainings in order to qualify for a South Carolina (SC) Statement of Eligibility to apply for South Carolina public school positions. ToT candidates that gain employment in a South Carolina public school are then eligible to apply for a South Carolina Alternative Route Certificate. After completing three years of successful teaching in a South Carolina public school, ToT participants may be eligible to apply for a standard, Professional certificate.

Eligibility

Please visit the ToT Website for information on program enrollment, examinations, and training.

Applying for SC Certification through the ToT Program

After completing ToT program requirements, receiving a SC Statement of Eligibility, and gaining employment in a South Carolina public school, educators may Apply for SC Certification through the ToT Program.

The Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification (APEC) Program, offered through Columbia College, prepares students through coursework, classroom experiences, and mentoring to become successful classroom teachers. This flexible pathway offers evening and hybrid courses allowing participants to complete a work-embedded teacher residency during school hours. The APEC faculty continue to support fellows after they complete the program and into their first year of teaching.

The Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification (APEC) Program at Coker University provides a pathway for non-certified employees of partnering school districts to become certified classroom teachers. Participants, or APEC Fellows, receive certification area-specific coursework, ongoing support, and mentoring as they engage in a year-long work-embedded teacher residency alongside a veteran mentor teacher. The first year of the Coker APEC program is the preservice year. Fellows have the option to continue with graduate coursework towards the completion of a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Technology with Coker University.

To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit Coker University’s APEC Website. 

Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation (Carolina CAP) is an alternative route program offered through the College of Education at the University of South Carolina–Columbia (UofSC) in partnership with the Center for Teaching Quality. This program works with specific partnership school districts throughout South Carolina.

Drawing upon bachelor’s degree-holding teacher candidates identified by school districts, Carolina CAP provides a combination of coursework and micro-credentials to address the real-time needs of teachers. The program will also draw upon a co-teaching model to lend additional support to candidates.

Approved Certification Areas

• Early Childhood Education (Grades PK-3)
• Elementary Education (Grades 2-6)

Middle Level (Grades 5-8)

• Mathematics
• Science

High School (Grades 9-12)

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Mathematics
• Physics

K-12

• Special Education: Multi-Categorical

Program Contact

For information on program eligibility, requirements and district partners, please visit the provider’s website: http://www.carolinacap.org.

The Converse Alternative Certification–Art Education (CACAE) program at Converse University is an alternative route program for the preparation of teachers in the field of Art. The program targets prospective teachers who have obtained undergraduate degrees in studio art and other related applied arts fields.

Program Contact

Please visit the CACAE Website or contact Dr. Susanne Gunther (susanne.gunter@converse.edu) for additional information.

Greenville County Schools is offering a district-embedded alternative certification program to prepare outstanding teachers in critical needs areas. In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education and Public Education Partners, the Greenville Alternative Teacher Education (GATE) program provides authentic teaching experiences in a Greenville County School, supported by a team of on-site professional mentors and coaches.

As a Teaching Resident, participants are an active member of a learning cohort, teach in their own classroom, receive a teacher salary and participate in ongoing, specialized professional development and coursework. Summer institutes and school year seminars are specifically designed for the GATE Teaching Residents and taught by district personnel and expert educators within the Greenville County School District. Upon successful completion of the 3-year program, participants receive a full, professional certificate to teach in the state of South Carolina.

To find out more about this new and exciting program, please visit the Greenville County School District Website.

Charleston County Schools is offering a district-embedded alternative certification program to prepare outstanding teachers in critical needs areas. In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education and Public Education Partners, the TeachCharleston program provides authentic teaching experiences in a Charleston County School, supported by a team of on-site professional mentors and coaches.

Charleston County School District offers TeachCharleston as an opportunity for bright, talented individuals to pursue a South Carolina teacher certification in middle level or secondary Math, Science, English, or Social Studies, Early Childhood, Elementary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Special Education: Multi-Categorical, the CTE Academic Areas of Agriculture, Business/Marketing, Computer Science, Family & Consumer Science, and Industrial Technology, in addition to K-12 Art, Music (all areas), French, and Spanish.

To learn more about this exciting pathway to certification and teaching, please visit the Charleston County School District Website.

The Public Charter School District is offering a State Board of Education (SBE) approved, district embedded alternative certification program to prepare teachers in critical needs areas. In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education and SC Public Charter School District, Charter Inspire Alternative Certification Pathway’s provides another option towards state certification. This program attracts, enriches, and retains highly qualified educators who will do whatever it takes and who believe in the missions of our charter schools to provide excellence in education.

For more information regarding this alternative pathway, please visit the Charter Inspire webpage.

Beaufort County School District is offering a State Board of Education (SBE) approved, district-embedded alternative certification program to prepare outstanding teachers in critical needs areas. The program is designed so that candidates develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of effective teachers. In partnership with the South Carolina Department of Education and Public Education Partners, the Lowcountry Educator Alternative Pathway (LEAP) provides authentic teaching experiences in a Beaufort County School, supported by a team of on-site professional mentors and coaches. 

For more information about this alternative pathway, please visit the LEAP webpage.

The Network for Alternative Preparation in Teaching (NetAPT) through Winthrop University is a non-degree, certification-only program supporting participants as they work towards professional licensure. Using a competency-based structure, NetAPT meets individual needs through customized curriculum, flexible scheduling, and personalized support.

To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit the NetAPT website.

TeachAOP is an alternative certification program approved by the State Board of Education (SBE) and offered through a partnership among Anderson School Districts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, the School District of Oconee County, and the School District of Pickens County.

This district-based program is designed for individuals seeking South Carolina teacher certification and is delivered through a cohort model that provides continuous, hands-on support throughout the certification process. 

For more information regarding TeachAOP, please contact a TeachAOP representative.

Florence 1 Schools is offering a State Board of Education (SBE) approved alternative certification program for prospective educators. TeachFlorence1 is a district-embedded alternative certification program delivered through a cohort model to provide ongoing support to candidates pursuing South Carolina teacher certification. 

To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit the TeachFlorence1 website.

The mission of Teach Right USA is to foster generational transformation through education by training inspired, committed, and highly effective educators who promulgate understanding and respect for Western values and institutions, most notably as found in the United States of America. Approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education (SBE), the Teach Right USA alternative certification program utilizes an online training module format to help prepare educators and fulfill vacancies within their partner school districts.

To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit the Teach Right USA website.

The South Carolina Department of Education has partnered with TeachSC, an organization that provides free support to anyone considering applying to a teacher preparation program. An individual who registers with TeachSC can receive one-on-one coaching, up to $100 in fee reimbursements toward expenses related to applying to a program (including testing), and a chance to win a regional scholarship of $1,000. TeachSC resources can be accessed here.