Why Major in Education at Erskine? 

At Erskine, we believe that teaching is a calling, not just a job. Teachers serve a diverse community of students with individual needs. When you major in education at Erskine, our program prepares you with the skills you need to engage in creative, differentiated instruction so that each child can succeed.

Our faculty members invest in you, equipping you with the knowledge and confidence to become a transformational leader in the classroom, the school, and the community.

Degree Details: Focus Your Education Major

Erskine’s program will prepare you for the initial undergraduate certification level. The program offers certification in the following programs:

• Early Childhood (grades PK-3)
• Elementary (grades 2-6)
• Special Education: Mild/Moderate Multi-Categorical (grades PreK-12)
• Physical Education and Coaching (grades K-12)
• Secondary Education in Social Studies (grades 9-12)
• Secondary Education in Mathematics (grades 9-12)
• Secondary Education in English (grades 9-12)
• Music Education: instrumental or choral (grades K-12)

Our program prepares you for classroom teaching through:

• Early and ongoing field experiences
• Conferences
• Action research
• Classroom instruction
• Mentorship

You will also study project-based learning and assessment, along with technology application.

Those who major in Early Childhood, Elementary, or Special Education complete over 300 hours of supervised field experience before student teaching. Physical Education and Secondary Education students complete over 120 hours prior to student teaching.

Certification

Students completing the Elementary, Early Childhood, or Special Education programs are eligible for South Carolina certification. Graduates in secondary education are prepared for middle or high school certification in their subject field.

Our Teacher Education Program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the State Board of Education. The program was previously accredited by the National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Erskine teacher candidates who obtain South Carolina certification are usually eligible for reciprocity in other states, and Erskine alumni are certified teachers in Texas and California as well as all nearby states.

Mission Statement, Dispositions and Conceptual Framework

Teacher Cadets

If you receive credit for completing Teacher Cadets in a certified high school program, you will receive three hours of credit and will not be required to take ED 202 during spring semester of your freshman year.

Successful completion of Teacher Cadets qualifies you for a $6,000 yearly scholarship at Erskine, provided you are fully admitted to Erskine, maintain good standing in the education program, and attend as a residential student.

Teacher Apprenticeship Program

The Bachelor’s Apprenticeship Program was developed by Teach Right USA (TRUSA). Erskine College is pleased to collaborate with TRUSA and offer our students an accelerated path into the classroom! The program gives ambitious students the opportunity to earn money while in college and gain valuable on-the-job experience in a charter school. Learn more about the program!

Careers

“Occupational Outlook Handbook: Field of Degree: Education,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/field-of-degree/education/education-field-of-degree.htm

“Occupational Outlook Handbook: Education, Training, and Library Occupations,” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/home.htm