Choose the Right Certification Area

Decide what you want to teach, and choose the teaching certificate that’s right for you. Read this page & download our certification guide!

Get the Certification Guide Learn About Certification

A future SC teacher wearing red glasses and a red shirt. They are smiling and holding a hand to their chin thoughtfully.

Before you enroll in a teaching program, you’ll need to decide what teaching certificate you want to earn. Your teaching certificate field will depend on the age group and subject you want to teach.

On this page, we’ll go over your choices for certification.

1
Choosing a Certification Area
2
What certifications can I earn?
3
Get the Certification Guide

I'm not sure what I want to teach

If you already know what grade and subject you want to teach: Fabulous! You can jump to the next section. If you’re not sure, consider a critical need subject or a subject that lets you teach all grades.

Explore Your Certification Options

Once you know the subject and grades you want to teach, you can choose your teaching certification area. Click the tabs below for a full list of options. (2)

Remember, you can add certifications in different grade levels and subject areas throughout your teaching career. You don’t have to get all your certifications at once!

Get the Certification Guide

The cover of the TeachSC Teacher Certification Guide

Keep a list of teaching certificate fields handy, and get step-by-step details on how to get certified in South Carolina.

It’s all free in our SC Certification Guide!

Get the Guide

What’s next

Career Coaching in South Carolina

Talk to an expert about how to become a certified teacher in South Carolina. Get free advice on what to teach and how to choose and apply to the right program.

Alternative Teacher Certification in South Carolina

If you have a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to start teaching right away. Learn how TeachSC can help you get started.

"Critical need subject areas 2024–25." South Carolina State Department of Education. South Carolina State Library Digital Collections. https://dc.statelibrary.sc.gov/entities/publication/6323f44b-7be0-4079-99be-9085216bf0e2
Fields and Endorsements. South Carolina Department of Education. https://ed.sc.gov/educators/certification/add/fields-and-endorsements/

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Certification Area	Grades	Critical Need?
Early Childhood Education	Grades PreK-3	✅
Elementary Education	Grades 2-6	✅
Montessori Education Early Childhood₊ ₊You must also complete an accredited Montessori Certification training program.	Ages 3-5	✅
Montessori Education Elementary I₊ ₊You must also complete an accredited Montessori Certification training program.	Grades 1-3	✅
Montessori Education Elementary II₊ ₊You must also complete an accredited Montessori Certification training program.	Grades 4-6	✅

Certification Area	Grades	Critical Need?
Art	PreK-12	✅
Dance	PreK-12	✅
Music Education	PreK-12	✅
Music Education: Choral	PreK-12	✅
Music Education: Instrumental	PreK-12	✅
Music Education: Piano	PreK-12	✅
Music Education: Strings	PreK-12	✅
Music Education: Voice	PreK-12	✅
Theater	PreK-12	✅

Certification Area	Grades	Critical Need?
Economics	9-12	✅
English	9-12	✅
Geography	9-12	✅
Government	9-12	✅
History	9-12	✅
Middle Level Language Arts	5-8	✅
Middle Level Social Studies	5-8	✅
Montessori Middle Language Arts₊ ₊You must also complete an accredited Montessori Certification training program.	5-8	✅
Montessori Middle Social Studies₊ ₊You must also complete an accredited Montessori Certification training program.	6-8	✅
Psychology	9-12	✅
Social Studies	9-12	✅
Sociology	9-12	✅

Certification Areas	Grades	Critical Need?
Biology	9-12	✅
Chemistry	9-12	✅
Computer Science* *Currently, no traditional programs in SC offer certification. You may be able to get certified through an alternative pathway!	9-12	✅
Earth and Space Science	9-12	✅
Industrial Technology Education	9-12	✅
Mathematics	9-12	✅
Middle Level Math	5-8	✅
Middle Level Science	5-8	✅
Montessori Education Middle Math₊ ₊You must also complete an accredited Montessori Certification training program.	6-8	✅
Montessori Education Middle Science₊ ₊You must also complete an accredited Montessori Certification training program.	6-8	✅
Physics	9-12	✅
Science	9-12	✅

Certification Area	Grades	Critical Need?
Early Childhood	Ages 3-5	✅
Emotional Disabilities	PreK-12	✅
Hearing Impairments	PreK-12	✅
Intellectual Disabilities	PreK-12	✅
Learning Disabilities	PreK-12	✅
Multi-categorical	PreK-12	✅
Severe Disabilities	PreK-12	✅
Visual Impairments	PreK-12	✅

Choose the Right Certification Area

Before you enroll in a teaching program, you’ll need to decide what teaching certificate you want to earn. Your teaching certificate field will depend on the age group and subject you want to teach.

On this page, we’ll go over your choices for certification.

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What certifications can I earn?

Get the Certification Guide

I'm not sure what I want to teach

What subjects are shortage areas in South Carolina? (1)

PreK–12 subjects

What are my PreK–12 subject area options?

Explore Your Certification Options

Elementary and Early Childhood

Certification Area

Grades

Critical Need?

Fine Arts

Certification Area

Grades

Critical Need?

Health and Physical Education

Certification Area

Grades

Critical Need?

Humanities and Social Sciences

Certification Area

Grades

Critical Need?

Math, Science & Technology

Certification Areas

Grades

Critical Need?

Special Education

Certification Area

Grades

Critical Need?

World Languages

Certification Area

Grades

Critical Need?

Career and Technical Education

Certification Area

Grades

Critical Need?

Specialty Subjects

Certification Area

Grades

Critical Need?

Get the Certification Guide

What’s next

Career Coaching in South Carolina

Alternative Teacher Certification in South Carolina

References

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Choosing a Certification Area