Aiken County School District is offering a State Board of Education (SBE) approved alternative certification program for prospective educators. Aiken-ALT is a district-embedded alternative certification program delivered through a cohort model to provide ongoing support to candidates pursuing South Carolina teacher certification.
Certification Fields
The following certification fields are offered by Aiken-ALT:
Primary Level
- Early Childhood (PK-3)
- Elementary (Grades 2-6)
K-12
- Special Education: Multi-Categorical
Middle Level (Grades 5-8)
- Middle Level Language Arts
- Middle Level Mathematics
- Middle Level Science
- Middle Level Social Studies
High School (Grades 9-12)
- English
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
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 the Aiken-ALT must have a bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 18 hours in the content area, meet the minimum GPA requirement, and have a passing score on the appropriate subject area assessment. For more information regarding eligibility, please visit the Aiken-ALT webpage.
Certification Overview
Individuals interested in Aiken-ALT will apply directly to the program provider and be evaluated for eligible certification fields. If eligible, applicants will continue the application process, including the application requirements for certification with the South Carolina Department of Education. After completion of the application process, the training requirements, and confirmation of employment in the certification field, applicants will be issued their first Aiken-ALT Alternative Route Teaching Certificate and become program participants.
Participants who complete all program requirements after three years of program involvement will be issued a Professional Teaching Certificate.
Enrollment Inquiries
The South Carolina Department of Education does not facilitate eligibility evaluation or program participation for the Aiken-ALT program. For information regarding this approved alternative certification program, please contact the Teaching Pathways Coordinator, Kimmerie Allen, at KimmerieLee@acpsd.net.
