Choose a Teaching Program in South Carolina

1
About Teaching Programs
2
Types of Programs
3
Questions to Ask
4
Free Advising

What's a teaching program?

A future SC teacher sits at a desk with an open laptop and books scattered nearby.

In a nutshell, your teaching program is where you’ll take classes and gain the skills to teach your chosen subject and grade level. You’ll need to complete a teaching program in order to get your South Carolina teaching certificate.

Here, we’ll go over the types of teaching programs you’ll find in South Carolina and how you might choose the right program for you.

Now Playing

Free Webinar: The Teacher Prep Roadmap

Your guide to choosing the right path to the classroom! Rewatch our recorded event from July 30, 2026, for insights on what different programs are and which program may be right for you.

Types of Teaching Programs

How Do I Choose a Teaching Program?

Once you know your pathway, you can explore specific teaching programs. Consider how you learn best and what skills are important to you! Here are some questions to ask about each program.

Create a Free Account

Learn about your certification options.
Explore teacher training programs.
Get support for teaching tests.
Apply for financial aid.
Chat with certification experts via live chat, small group sessions or 1-on-1 meetings.

It’s all FREE and brought to you by the South Carolina Department of Education and our statewide partners.

Talk to a Coach

A young future teacher talks with an advisor over coffee. They each hold pens in their hands for taking notes.

Personalized advice from experienced South Carolina educators!

Want more advice about getting certified and choosing the right teaching program? Sign up for a free TeachSC coaching session!

With both 1-on-1 and group coaching sessions, you'll find flexible options to fit your life. Learn about teacher certification, get your questions answered and feel confident taking the next step toward your future.

Talk to a Coach

What’s next

Interactive Feature

SC Program Explorer

Ready to explore teaching programs? Find the right fit with our Program Explorer! Filter by degree, online options, tuition costs and more.

Explore Programs

South Carolina Certification Areas | TeachSC

Choose your South Carolina teacher certification area. TeachSC is your No. 1 source for teaching in South Carolina.

What's a teaching program?

Here, we’ll go over the types of teaching programs you’ll find in South Carolina and how you might choose the right program for you.

Create a Free Account

Learn about your certification options.
Explore teacher training programs.
Get support for teaching tests.
Apply for financial aid.
Chat with certification experts via live chat, small group sessions or 1-on-1 meetings.

It’s all FREE and brought to you by the South Carolina Department of Education and our statewide partners.

Talk to a Coach

Personalized advice from experienced South Carolina educators!

Want more advice about getting certified and choosing the right teaching program? Sign up for a free TeachSC coaching session!

What's a teaching program?

Now Playing

Free Webinar: The Teacher Prep Roadmap

Types of Teaching Programs

An undergraduate certificate and bachelor’s program may be a good fit if:

With an undergraduate program, you can:

This type of program may be a good fit if:

In a post-graduate program, you can:

Alternative route programs may be a good fit if:

In an alternative certification program, you can:

The residency model may be a good fit if:

In the residency program, you can:

How Do I Choose a Teaching Program?

Create a Free Account

Talk to a Coach

What’s next

SC Program Explorer

South Carolina Certification Areas | TeachSC

What's a teaching program?

Now Playing

Free Webinar: The Teacher Prep Roadmap

Types of Teaching Programs

An undergraduate certificate and bachelor’s program may be a good fit if:

With an undergraduate program, you can:

This type of program may be a good fit if:

In a post-graduate program, you can:

Alternative route programs may be a good fit if:

In an alternative certification program, you can:

The residency model may be a good fit if:

In the residency program, you can:

How Do I Choose a Teaching Program?

Create a Free Account

Talk to a Coach

What’s next

SC Program Explorer

South Carolina Certification Areas | TeachSC

How to Choose a Teaching Program

Types of Programs

Questions to Ask

Free Advising

What's a teaching program?

Now Playing

Free Webinar: The Teacher Prep Roadmap

Types of Teaching Programs

An undergraduate certificate and bachelor’s program may be a good fit if:

With an undergraduate program, you can:

Certification after you earn your degree

This type of program may be a good fit if:

In a post-graduate program, you can:

Post-graduate, alternative certification

Alternative route programs may be a good fit if:

In an alternative certification program, you can:

Post-graduate, residency model

The residency model may be a good fit if:

In the residency program, you can:

How Do I Choose a Teaching Program?

Does this program meet my basic needs?

Is this program a good personality fit for me?

What kind of hands-on experience will I get?

Will this program prepare me to teach students from all backgrounds?

What kind of mentorship will I get?

Does this program produce high-quality teachers?

Create a Free Account

Talk to a Coach

What’s next

SC Program Explorer

South Carolina Certification Areas | TeachSC

Types of Programs

Questions to Ask

Free Advising

What's a teaching program?

Now Playing

Free Webinar: The Teacher Prep Roadmap

Types of Teaching Programs

An undergraduate certificate and bachelor’s program may be a good fit if:

With an undergraduate program, you can:

Certification after you earn your degree

This type of program may be a good fit if:

In a post-graduate program, you can:

Post-graduate, alternative certification

Alternative route programs may be a good fit if:

In an alternative certification program, you can:

Post-graduate, residency model

The residency model may be a good fit if:

In the residency program, you can:

How Do I Choose a Teaching Program?

Does this program meet my basic needs?

Is this program a good personality fit for me?

What kind of hands-on experience will I get?

Will this program prepare me to teach students from all backgrounds?

What kind of mentorship will I get?

Does this program produce high-quality teachers?

Create a Free Account

Talk to a Coach

What’s next

SC Program Explorer

South Carolina Certification Areas | TeachSC

How to Choose a Teaching Program