Become a Teacher
in South Carolina
Certification Roadmap
*Click buttons to jump to section
South Carolina Prerequisite Coursework
South Carolina Teacher Preparation
South Carolina Certification Reciprocity
South Carolina Teacher Salary
South Carolina Required Tests
Teacher Certification Information & Links
South Carolina Highlights
$47090
Avg. Elementary Teacher Salary
$48930
Avg. Secondary Teacher Salary
141%
Teacher Salary vs. State Average
15
Vacation Weeks Per Year:
To become a certified teacher in South Carolina, you will need to fulfill all prerequisite coursework, teacher preparation, and testing requirements.
Our goal is to make this process as easy as possible, and we are dedicated to updating the site with new information on a regular basis. To stay up-to-date with the latest in teacher certification, please complete the form in the right sidebar.
South Carolina Prerequisite Coursework
All states require that certified teachers at a minimum have a Bachelor’s degree. Additionally, some states have undergraduate credit hour requirements for certification in specialty areas. South Carolina, however, does not have any undergraduate credit hour requirements.
South Carolina Teacher Preparation
The South Carolina Department of Education requires prospective teachers to complete a state-approved teacher preparation program.
Typically teacher education programs consist of a combination of curricula and fieldwork. The curricula often includes instruction on foundational knowledge and skills, pedagogy (or the art and science of teaching), and preparing students to research, design and implement learning experiences in their field of study. The fieldwork component can include field observations, student teaching, and an internship.
Alternative Certification
Graduates of accredited colleges or universities whose bachelor’s degree was not in education, and who have not yet earned a traditional teaching certificate, can still receive an alternative teaching certificate by satisfying certain requirements. The state of South Carolina officially recognizes ABCTE certification as a route to earning your South Carolina teacher certification.
South Carolina Certification Reciprocity
South Carolina will accept some teaching credentials from the following states. Contact the South Carolina Department of Education to inquire about your specific situation. Please see our interstate reciprocity disclaimer for more information.
| Alabama | Arizona | Arkansas | California |
| Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | Florida |
| Georgia | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois |
| Indiana | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana |
| Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan |
| Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska |
| Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico |
| New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Rhode Island |
| South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah |
| Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin |
| Wyoming |
South Carolina Teacher Salary
- Incentives to teach in high-needs schools or shortage subject areas: South Carolina provides loan forgiveness support for teachers teaching in high needs schools and teachers teaching in shortage subject areas
- Policies in place that articulate elements of effective induction: South Carolina has strong induction policies in place
- Average Elementary Teacher Salary: The average elementary school teacher in South Carolina makes $47,090
- Average Secondary Teacher Salary: The average secondary teacher in South Carolina makes $48,930
- Teacher Salary vs. State Average Salary: The average teacher in South Carolina makes 141% of the salary of the average worker in South Carolina
- Number of Vacation Weeks Per Year: The average teacher in South Carolina receives 15 weeks of vacation per year
South Carolina Teacher Certification Information & Links
Certification Map has partnered with MAT@USC, a Master of Arts in Teaching program delivered online at the USC Rossier School of Education. Learn more about how the program’s unique blend of online learning and field-based teaching will prepare you for a career working in South Carolina classrooms.
