Charleston County Schools is offering a State Board of Education (SBE) approved, 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.
To learn more about this alternative certification program or to apply, please visit the TeachCharleston Alternative Certification Program website.
Certification Fields
The following certification fields are offered by the TeachCharleston Program:
Primary Level
- Early Childhood (PK-3)
- Elementary (Grades 2-6)
K-12
- Art
- English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)
- Music
- Special Education: Multi-Categorical
- World Languages (French 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)
- Agriculture
- Business and Marketing Education
- Computer Science
- English
- Family and Consumer Science
- Industrial Technology Education
- 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 TeachCharleston must have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum of 18 credit hours in the specific learning field, a minimum overall 2.75 GPA OR completion of all required coursework with a minimum grade equivalency of “C”, and a passing score on the appropriate South Carolina Required Examinations. For more information regarding eligibility, please visit the TeachCharleston website.
Certification Overview
Individuals interested in the TeachCharleston 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 TeachCharleston 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 TeachCharleston Alternative Certification Program. For information regarding this approved alternative certification program, please contact Kevin Smoak at kevin_smoak@charleston.k12.sc.us.
