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.
To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit the Lowcountry Educator Alternative Pathway website.
Certification Fields
The following certification fields are offered by the LEAP Program:
Primary Level
- Early Childhood
- Elementary
K-12
- Art
- Music Education: Choral
- Music Education: Instrumental
- Special Education: Multi-Categorical
- World Languages (Chinese or Spanish)
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 LEAP must have a bachelor’s degree major or equivalency that matches eligible certification field(s) and earned a GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale with a minimum grade per course in the initial major of “C” or better.
Certification Overview
Individuals interested in the LEAP Program 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 LEAP 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 Lowcountry Educator Alternative Pathway (LEAP) program. For information regarding this approved alternative certification program, please contact bcsdleap@beaufort.k12.sc.us.
