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The Department of Teacher Education (TEDU) is one of two departments in the School of Education, Health, and Human Performance (EHHP) and the EHHP is one of five schools at the College of Charleston (undergraduate programs), and The Graduate School at the College of Charleston (graduate programs).

The primary goal of the Department of Teacher Education is the preparation of highly effective teachers to meet the educational needs of children and youth. To meet this goal, the department offers undergraduate and graduate programs in elementary education, early childhood education, middle level education, special education, and secondary education.

Faculty model quality teaching practices, engage in research and professional development, and contribute to the advancement of their undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, the faculty members contribute to their profession through cooperative service activities and collaboration with others who educate future and current teachers.

• Teacher Education Faculty and Staff
• Office of Student Services and Certification
• Undergraduate Degrees and Programs of Study
• Graduate Degrees and Programs of Study
• Non-degree Status

Bachelor of Science: Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education
Bachelor of Science: Middle Level Education

These programs are designed for students who intend to become certified in Early Childhood Education (Grades PK-3), Elementary Education (Grades 2-6), or Middle Level Education (Grades 5-8).

• Academic Life: Early Childhood | Elementary | Middle Level
• Declare an Education Major or Minor
• Acceptance to the Teacher Certification Program
• Degree Worksheet (Requires Adobe Acrobat)
• Course of Study / Class Descriptions
• Unit Assessment System
• College of Charleston Undergraduate Catalog (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Bachelor of Science: Special Education
Nationally Recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

The major in special education is a performance-based program of study designed to prepare candidates to teach students with emotional, learning, and/or mental disabilities in pre-K through grade 12 settings or as professionals in other service delivery systems for individuals with disabilities.

• Academic Life: Special Education
• About the B.S. in Special Education Degree
• Declare an Education Major or Minor
• Acceptance to the Teacher Certification Program
• Degree Worksheet (Requires Adobe Acrobat)
• Course of Study / Class Descriptions
• Unit Assessment System
• College of Charleston Undergraduate Catalog (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Secondary Education Cognate Majors and Minors

Students who have the goal of teaching in secondary schools (grades 9-12) must major in a content area - Biology, Chemistry, Classics (Latin), English, French, German, Mathematics, Physics, History (social studies), Political Science (social studies), Sociology (social sciences), Spanish - and minor in Secondary Education. After completing the major and the minor (including foundation classes, field experiences, procedures and clinical teaching, and passing the PRAXIS exam) students can become certified to teach in the appropriate areas.

• Academic Life: Secondary
• About the Secondary Education Major/Minor
• How to declare a Secondary Education Major/Minor
• Acceptance to the Teacher Certification Program
• Program Worksheets
• College of Charleston Undergraduate Catalog (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Master of Arts in Teaching: Early Childhood Education (Grades PK-3)

The M.A.T. in Early Childhood Education, an NCATE-accredited program that focuses on the education of children in pre-kindergarten through third grade, is nationally recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). It is designed for those who want to teach young children and have undergraduate degrees in non-education disciplines.

Successful completion of the M.A.T. program requirements leads to recommendation for teaching certification/licensure in grades pre-kindergarten through three in South Carolina, in addition to a Master’s Degree. The State of South Carolina has reciprocal licensure agreements with many State Departments of Education across the United States. Teacher Education Program requirements are described in detail in a candidate information packet, which a candidate receives prior to meeting with the program director to complete a program of study.

• Degree Requirements
• Admission Requirements
• Deadlines for application
• Program of Study
• College of Charleston Graduate Catalog (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

The M.A.T. in elementary education, an NCATE-accredited program that focuses on the education of second through sixth-graders, is designed for those who want to teach young children and have undergraduate degrees in non-education disciplines. The program combines academic work and a variety of experiences in public elementary schools.

Successful completion of the M.A.T. program requirements leads to recommendation for teaching certification/licensure in grades 2 - 6 in South Carolina, in addition to a master’s degree. The State of South Carolina has reciprocal licensure agreements with many State Departments of Education across the United States. Teacher Education Program requirements are described in detail in a candidate information packet, which a candidate receives prior to meeting with the program director to complete a program of study.

• Degree Requirements
• Admission Requirements
• Deadlines for application
• Program of Study
• College of Charleston Graduate Catalog (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Master of Arts in Teaching: Special Education
Nationally Recognized by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)

The Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) degree is available to college graduates who do not have a background or major in education. Successful completion of this graduate-level degree leads to recommendation for teacher certification at the master level in South Carolina in learning disabilities, emotional disabilities and/or mild/moderate mental disabilities, all K-12 certifications in South Carolina. The M.A.T. degree is awarded to candidates who successfully complete an approved program of study consisting of a minimum of 43 semester hours with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0. Students may complete the program as full-ti me or part-time students. Applicants without a broad liberal arts college degree may be required to take additional general coursework. 

The M.A.T in special education is designed for individuals with undergraduate degrees in areas other than education who want to become licensed special education teachers. There are three areas of study within the M.A.T. Special Education degree: emotional disabilities, learning disabilities, and mental disabilities.

• About the M.A.T. in Special Education Degree
• Admission Requirements / Deadlines for application
• Program of Study
• College of Charleston Graduate Catalog (Requires Adobe Acrobat)

Certified educators who are not seeking a degree, but who wish to take courses in education for the purposes of professional development and recertification, may be admitted as non-degree students.

• Submit a completed application form with a nonrefundable application fee of $45 ($35 online).
• Submit a copy of a professional teaching credential.

The non-degree graduate student subsequently may be reclassified as a regular-degree student in an M.Ed. program. In order to accomplish reclassification as a regular-degree student, the candidate must submit two letters of recommendation, a graduate course transcript with at least a 3.0 GPA (if courses have been completed) and other requirements listed above. No more than a total of 6 credit hours of work taken in non-degree status may be applied toward degree requirements if the student is later admitted to a degree program. Non-degree status is not intended to be a temporary classification for those found ineligible for admission to the degree program.