Columbia College Campus
Columbia College

Columbia College

About

Columbia College was founded in 1854 as Columbia Female College by the Methodist Conference of South Carolina. The College, located on Plain Street, now Hampton, in Columbia, SC, opened to students in October 1859.

In 1865 during the height of the Civil War, the College closed as General Sherman’s troops approached Columbia but reopened in 1873. In 1904, the College dropped “Female” from its name and moved to Eau Claire after benefactors Frederick H. Hyatt and Col. John T. Sloan donated land.

In 1964, the campus survived a fire that destroyed the Old Main classroom building and the East Wing Dormitory. What remained of the columns became a symbol for the College and has since been incorporated into the logo.

Columbia College, a private institution, continues to serve as an institution for higher education with approximately 1,200 male and female students in both undergraduate and graduate courses.

  • College or University
  • Columbia, SC

Institution Links

  • Admissions
  • Financial Aid Office
  • Online Application
Quote Bubble Icon

After graduating from the Early Childhood program, I left feeling fully prepared and eager to start. So far I have been able to handle every situation that has been thrown at me.

Mary Mastromichalis

Columbia College

Programs

Certification-only

Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification

  • 20 months

    Program Duration

  • In-person, Online, Hybrid

    Program Format

  • Pre-Test Required

    No

Relevant Links

Program Info

The Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification (APEC) Program is ideal for career changers and employees of our partnering school districts who are interested in teacher certification and hold a four-year degree, but need a program that supports working adults.

The APEC Program uniquely prepares our students for classroom success through a year-long work-embedded teacher residency. You will be paired with a mentor teacher who has proven experience in the grade and subject area that you are interested in teaching. While preparing classroom-ready educators, the APEC Program also prepares students to take all certifying exams, unlike many other alternative certifiers.

Upcoming Deadlines

  • Deadlines

    Program Start

  • Jan. 15, 2025

    Spring
  • Feb. 15, 2025

    Spring
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Application Fee & Annual Tuition

Learn how to get$100 Back
and apply for a$1000 Scholarship

  • $17,800

    In State Tuition

  • $0

    Application Fee

Ways to Lower Your Costs

Students at Columbia College have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with Columbia College to see if you can, too!

Amount
Description

Up to $2,000

Grants, Stipends, Scholarships

Columbia College offers scholarships to students who demonstrate need and meet certain eligibility criteria.

The APEC Center offers students scholarships based on need through grant funds provided by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. 

The APEC Center offers scholarships to Black/African-American students as part of the Black Educator Initiative sponsored by the National Center for Teacher Residencies.

Work Study, Working While Still Enrolled

APEC Fellows will maintain employment as instructional assistants throughout their first year of the program, where they will receive a district-specific salary and benefits.

For more information visit:Financial Aid Office

Certifications

Dance (PK-Grade 12)
Early Childhood (PK-Grade 3)
Elementary Education (Grades 2-6)
English (Grades 9-12)
Middle Level Language Arts (Grades 5-8)
Middle Level Math (Grades 5-8)
Middle Level Science (Grades 5-8)
Middle Level Social Studies (Grades 5-8)
Social Studies (Grades 9-12)
Special Education Special Education (Multi-Categorical) (PK-Grade 12)

Stats

Gender
  • Male

  • Female


    7%

    93%

Ethnicity
  • American Indian or Alaskan Native

  • Asian

  • Black

  • Hispanic/Latino

  • Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander

  • White

  • Two or more races


    0%

    4%

    49%

    2%

    0%

    46%

    0%

Get Started

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