Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in South Carolina (F-O)
All aboard anyone interested in touring eight more accredited education degree programs in South Carolina focused on planting the seeds for PreK-3 “Palmetto State” children to grow. The U.S. News & World Report ranked South Carolina 43rd for education quality, so highly trained teachers can ignite improvements. The Census Bureau found that 6.5 percent of the 4.96 million South Carolinians are under five years old. Since 1999, South Carolina has served their learning needs with the First Steps to School Readiness Program. Early educators can teach primary grades in 99 districts, including the top-ranked Lexington-Richland, Fort Mills, Spartanburg County, Clover, and Charleston County Schools. To see more accredited programs, visit Early Childhood Education Degree Programs in South Carolina (A-E) and (P-Z).
Francis Marion University
School of Education
Named for the Revolutionary War Brigadier General in 1970, Francis Marion University is a public, coeducational liberal arts NAICU institution of the Peach Belt that’s endowed for $25 million to serve 4,187 Patriots at its 400-acre “Pee Dee” regional campus. FMU is recognized for America’s 300th best graduation rate in Washington Monthly, 490th safest campus on Niche, and 212nd most focused teacher preparation by College Factual. Aligned to the Six Standards for Teachers of Children of Poverty (TCOP), the School of Education has 40 years of experience providing nine accredited education degree programs in South Carolina with a median net price of $10,070 yearly.
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Chaired by Dr. Jeannie Gunther, FMU’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education permits undergrads to pursue PreK-3 teaching certification for inspiring diverse, low-income youth to develop academically according to NAEYC guidelines. The 125-credit degree integrates Praxis testing into professional courses like Instructional Planning, Reading Assessment, and Childhood Exceptionalities. Students build LiveText portfolios during four clinical experiences and the student-teaching semester at partners, including Royall Elementary, North Vista Elementary, Highland Park Methodist School, and Jarrott Street Early Headstart. Other opportunities include earning the $6,000 Teaching Fellows stipend, becoming McNair Scholars, declaring Honors, traveling abroad to Barcelona, joining Omicron Delta Kappa, and continuing for the M.Ed. Instructional Accommodation.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
4822 East Palmetto St.
P.O. Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502
(843) 661-1460
jgunther@fmarion.edu
http://www.fmarion.edu/education/undergraduateprograms/
Furman University
Education Department
Occupying a 750-acre Upstate campus in Bloomberg’s third strongest job market, Furman University is a private, Baptist liberal arts SoCon member of the Annapolis Group that’s grown a $661 million endowment since 1826 to educate 2,762 Paladins from 53 countries, including six Rhodes Scholars. Furman is declared America’s 13th most innovative school on the U.S. News & World Report, 16th best classroom experience by The Princeton Review, and 130th top university in Times Higher Education. The Education Department was also ranked 44th nationally on Niche for eight accredited education degree programs in South Carolina with selective 68 percent admission.
Master of Arts in Education: Early Childhood Education Concentration
Affordably priced at $4,788 per year, Furman’s Master of Arts in Education strengthens the pedagogical skills of licensed teachers with minimum 2.75 GPAs in six concentrations: Early Childhood Education, Special Education, TESOL, Literacy, School Leadership, or Curriculum and Instruction. Directed by Dr. Troy Terry, the 33-credit, non-thesis program concludes with a master’s seminar after 600-level courses from Infant Caregiving to Schooling Culture. One semester-long practicum can be completed with children ages 3-6 at the on-campus Child Development Center or educators’ own districts. Post-grads might also volunteer at the Literacy Corner, pledge Kappa Delta Pi, receive SCDE Grants, continue for the Educational Specialist degree, and research in the Richard W. Riley Institute.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Hipp Hall Room 014D
3300 Poinsett Hwy.
Greenville, SC 29613
(864) 294-2213
troy.terry@furman.edu
Lander University
College of Education
Opened by Methodist minister Samuel Lander for women only until 1943, Lander University is a public, liberal arts-based baccalaureate school of the Peach Belt that’s endowed for $14.9 million to teach over 60 majors to 3,000 Bearcats on its 123-acre, Georgian Revival-style campus near the Saluda River. Lander is proclaimed America’s 128th best free application college on Niche, 100th most service-oriented institution in Washington Monthly, and 207th top value by WalletHub. Currently charging $5,900 in-state and $11,250 out-of-state per semester, the College of Education boasts 93 percent job placement after six accredited education degree programs in South Carolina.
BS in Early Childhood Education, Grades PreK-3
Featuring a 17:1 student-faculty ratio under Dr. Lee Vartanian’s leadership, the BS in Early Childhood Education Grades PreK-3 at Lander fosters undergrads’ teaching authority for multi-subject classrooms with the youngest pupils. Available with an optional 18-credit Montessori Emphasis for AMS certification, the 123.5-credit curriculum requires passing Praxis scores for courses like Exceptional Learners, Educational Theory, and Classroom Management. Students develop résumé fieldwork experience at Greenwood Early Childhood Center, Springfield Elementary, Mathews Elementary, Cheerful Cherub Preschool, and others. Majors may also become Teacher Cadets, enter the Call Me Mister Initiative, educate abroad in Ecuador, join the Honors College, minor in Therapeutic Horsemanship, and engage in PSTA Club events.
Master of Education in Montessori Education: Early Childhood
Affiliated with several South Carolina Teachers of the Year, Lander’s Master of Education in Montessori Education adheres to AMS certification standards for three concentrations: Early Childhood (Ages 3-6), Elementary (Grades 1-3), and Elementary (Grades 4-6). Licensed teachers with minimum 289 GRE or 380 MAT scores submit $35 applications to enter the 36-credit program that emphasizes innovative, hands-on learning for young special needs children. Coordinated by Dr. Barbara Ervin, the two-year curriculum requires courses like Montessori Methods for Mathematics, two field practica, and two cumulative assessment projects. Post-grads could also join the NAEYC Chapter, earn Lander Teaching Fellowships worth $6,000, practice in Greenwood School District 50, take the 4+1 Accelerated track, and consider the M.Ed. in Diverse Learners.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
Learning Center Room 224
320 Stanley Avenue
(864) 388-8433
Greenwood, SC 29649
lvartanian@lander.edu
http://www.lander.edu/sites/college-of-education/teacher-education/degree-programs
Limestone College
Teacher Education Program
Linked to 8,462 LinkedIn alumni, including Eleanor P. Sheppard and Bob Peeler, Limestone College is a private, nonprofit evangelical Christian CIC member established in 1845 that’s endowed for $17 million to serve 3,500 Saints from 125 acres in Forbes’ 43rd best metropolitan for job growth. Limestone was judged America’s 222nd best online college on the U.S. News & World Report, 294th top baccalaureate school in Washington Monthly, and 363rd safest campus by Niche. Recognized for the 357th highest-paid graduates nationally on College Factual, the Teacher Education Program bills $12,450 per full-time term for engaged courses “Developing Enlightened Educators.”
Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education
Designed for PreK-3 instruction, Limestone’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education has a “people-centered” framework aligned to NAEYC standards for turning pedagogical theory into practice in another of the accredited education degree programs in South Carolina. The 123-credit program managed by Dr. Shelly Meyers, the 2008 Fullerton Award winner, models professionalism in daytime courses like Classroom Multimedia, Emergent Literacy, and Diagnostic Assessment. Budding teachers tackle four clinical practicum before 12-week capstone placements, such as Mary Bramlett Elementary, Cherokee County First Steps, Alma Elementary, and Diamond Child Development. Undergrads could transfer from the A.A. Liberal Studies, volunteer in the LC2 Tutoring Program, study abroad in South Africa, pursue Honors, and attend the Annual PSTA Conference too.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
1115 College Drive
Gaffney, SC 29340
(864) 488-8207
smeyers@limestone.edu
https://my.limestone.edu/academic-resources/teacher-education-program/programs
Morris College
Division of Education
Gifting $5.8 million in annual financial aid, Morris College is a private, Baptist liberal arts AII member established by James Durham in 1908 that’s helping 1,200 Hornets “Depart to Serve” from a 24-building, east-central Piedmont campus near Sumter’s several Blue Ribbon Schools. Morris is named America’s 213rd best Greek life college on Niche, 100th top historically Black school by HBCU Lifestyle, and 205th best baccalaureate institution in Washington Monthly. Designated on the Title II Higher Education Report Card, the Division of Education has a 100 percent Praxis pass rate for three accredited education degree programs in South Carolina that cost $13,458 annually.
Early Childhood Education (PreK-3) Major
Headed by Dr. Cathine Gilchrist Scott, Morris’ Early Childhood Education (PreK-3) Major confers a Bachelor of Arts for undergrads choosing the “Mother of Professions” to spark youthful passion for knowledge across content areas. The 134-credit, four-year degree mandates minimum 2.5 GPAs through courses from Issues in Diversity and American History to Instructional Media and Educational Psychology. Majors finish four 30-hour field placements in preparation for the 12-week student-teaching requirement at schools like Kingsbury Elementary, Archway Academy, Alice Drive Elementary, and Sumter Early Head Start. Other opportunities include earning Call Me Mister Scholarships, joining the S-SCEA, taking Upward Bound courses, minoring in Christian Education, and venturing to Taiwan.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
100 West College Street
Sumter, SC 29150
(803) 934-3430
cgscott@morris.edu
http://www.morris.edu/division-of-education
Newberry College
Department of Teacher Education
Hosting the South Carolina Science Olympiad for 33 years, Newberry College is a private, civic-engaged Lutheran liberal arts school of the South Atlantic that’s endowed for $23 million to serve 1,042 Wolves at a 14:1 student-professor ratio at its 90 Piedmont acres near the Wells Japanese Garden. Newberry is designated America’s 96th most conservative college on Niche, 190th best baccalaureate provider in Washington Monthly, and 311th top value by College Factual. The Department of Teacher Education admits sophomores with 45+ credits and SAT scores above 1100 for 11 accredited education degree programs in South Carolina with 70 percent retention.
Early Childhood Education B.S. Major
Besides the non-licensure Early Childcare Management B.A., Newberry has conferred a Early Childhood Education B.S. Major since 2010 for future public school teachers to develop the pedagogical traits for pushing young children toward optimum performance. The 125-credit bachelor’s chaired by Dr. Melissa Awenowicz emphasizes PreK-3 instruction with courses like Literacy Development, Family Studies, Mathematics Methods, and Teaching Technology. Adult transfers with A.A./A.S. degrees could accelerate hybrid online study with the 18-month FastForward track. Twelve weeks of student-teaching are integrated for seniors at Gallman Elementary, Newberry County First Steps, Boundary Street Elementary, and others. Students might also attend the Retain Center GROW Symposium, join the Education Society, become Teacher Cadets, spend May Term in Italy, and enter the Summerland Honors Program.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
McClurg Hall Room 212
2100 College Street
Newberry, SC 29108
(803) 321-5684
melissa.awenowicz@newberry.edu
https://www.newberry.edu/academics/teacher-education
North Greenville University
College of Education
Built in 1892 by Benjamin F. Neves for the Southern Baptist Association, North Greenville University is a private, service-focused teaching institution that’s endowed for $25.8 million to enroll 2,260 undergrad Crusaders according to The Enlightener honor code at its 330-acre Appalachia campus. NGU was chosen America’s 383rd top private university on Forbes, 184th best online college by the U.S. News & World Report, and 118th best Peace Corps producer in Washington Monthly. The College of Education presently bills $480 per credit for six accredited education degree programs in South Carolina that accepts 59 percent of applicants with an average GPA of 3.65.
Early Childhood Education Degree
Reporting 100 percent Praxis II passage since 2006, NGU’s Early Childhood Education Degree gives a Bachelor of Science to produce caring, effective practitioners for PreK-3 classrooms that are culturally and socioeconomically diverse. Overseen by Dr. Constance Wright, the 123-credit, four-year curriculum emphasizes Christian values throughout courses like Guided Behavior, Literature for Children, Content Area Writing, and Building Community. Freshmen start teacher observations and 10-hour service projects to prepare for 12-week internships in Asheboro City, Greenville County, Pickens County, and Durham public schools. Undergrads can also minor in Youth Ministry, continue into the T. Walter Brashier Graduate School, volunteer via H.E.L.P., join the Palmetto State Teachers Association, and attend the Faith at Work Symposium.
Accreditation
• Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
Contact
7801 North Tigerville Road
P.O. Box 1892
Tigerville, SC 29688
(864) 977-7064
constance.wright@ngu.edu
https://www.ngu.edu/early-childhood-education.php
Related Resource: 20 Best Online Master’s in Early Childhood Education 2018
In May 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor reported that South Carolina employs 4,610 preschool, 2,550 kindergarten, and 21,450 elementary school teachers for median salaries of just $29,250 to $51,050 annually. However, the CAEP accredited education degree programs in South Carolina compensate for humble pay with ample rewards feeding children’s curious minds for lifelong creativity and success.
