Teacher candidates take introductory educator preparation courses during their third year. Additional courses are taken based on certification area.

Most of the final year consists of internship/student teaching and teacher-education courses. As a student teacher, you will work with a cooperating teacher in a public-school setting of your choice. You will also complete coursework focused on enhancing skills as it relates to teaching literacy, math, science, and social studies.

USC Aiken SoE utilizes a platform approach as we build toward a successful 1st year teaching experience. In the initial education courses, candidates are immersed in evaluating and reflecting on best teaching practices through video observation.

Afterwards, candidates are paired with mentor teachers in diverse settings and learn how to turn theory into classroom practice under the guidance of a faculty member. As a capstone experience, candidates have a full semester of student teaching experience in which they hone their craft.

USC Aiken School of Education believes in meeting the needs of all children. Teacher candidates must take and pass an introduction to students with special needs class. Diversity is integrated throughout the educator preparation program as it relates specifically to the Content areas. 

During the internship semester, teacher candidates participate in a day of diversity hosted at USC Aiken. In addition to a keynote speaker, students rotate through several workshops focused on different areas of diversity. Our graduates indicate high satisfaction with their preparation in meeting the needs of diverse learners.

During the professional program, teacher candidates are assigned a faculty advisor who is also a professor in their program. This professional provides guidance and mentorship upon graduation. 

During the internship semester, teacher candidates are provided a cooperating teacher and university supervisor to provide meaningful feedback. Additionally, the interns meet as a group biweekly to discuss issues of importance and receive additional support.

To ensure our programs are rigorous and current, we work closely with our partner school districts on issues of curriculum, instruction, and assessment. We continuously survey our graduating seniors, alumni, and employers to gain valuable feedback on the effectiveness of our graduates. 

Additionally, we have an advisory council made up of current alums, teachers, administrators, and superintendents in our area as well as a teacher candidate advisory board.