The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) relies heavily on the outcomes of national provider accreditation and national program recognition to affirm provider accreditation and program recognition. To achieve the necessary balance of state and national accountability, the State Board of Education (SBE) has adopted standards, policies, and practices unique to the state as well as the standards of the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).

Standards unique to the state are based on state law, state regulations, and SBE–approved policies and guidelines. State standards are intended to ensure that educator preparation programs provide candidates with the preparation they need to meet these requirements. Currently all state-accredited educator preparation providers must meet CAEP standards. All programs related to PK–12 educator preparation must either meet program-level standards recognized by CAEP, the standards of another nationally recognized accrediting agency, or the program-level standards established by the SBE.

The SBE requires that all teacher education programs meet the standards as established by a national accreditation association with which the SCDE has a partnership agreement. For SBE approval, public institutions must seek and receive national accreditation. Private institutions may seek national accreditation or meet national standards for SBE approval.

Approved South Carolina Programs

• South Carolina Approved Educator Preparation Program Inventory
• Educator Preparation Program Admission Examinations 
  (Praxis Core, SAT, ACT)

In order for a South Carolina traditional program to be approved for meeting South Carolina initial educator certification requirements, all of the following must apply:

• The program must be approved for leading to standard, professional certification by the SBE;
• The program must include student teaching or an internship; and
• The program must be completed in full (to include all required coursework and student teaching/internship experiences).

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. Access TeachSC resources here.