Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification
Alternative Pathways to Educator Certification
Our Goal
- To provide an alternative pathway to certification for people interested in becoming classroom teachers.
- To provide ongoing support and mentoring to help develop and retain quality teachers.
- To create a program that will provide coursework and field requirements toward a master’s degree and alternative certification.

Certification Areas
We will accept applications of participants from partnering school districts interested in teaching in the following certification areas:
- Art Education (PreK-12)
- Biology Education (9-12)
- Dance Education (PreK-12)
- Early Childhood Education (PreK-3)
- Elementary Education (2-6)
- Mathematics Education (9-12)
- Music Education, Choral & Instrumental (PreK-12)
- Physical Education (PreK-12)
Who is eligible to apply?
- Individuals who possess a bachelor鈥檚 degree
- Possess a bachelor鈥檚 degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or from an institution with teacher-preparation programs approved by the state of South Carolina.
- Have earned a major in the certification subject area or a major equivalent as defined by the State Board of Education (SBE).
- Have earned an undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale. The GPA in the content area major or the GPA in the last sixty hours of coursework may be used to meet this requirement.
- Be recommended by a partnering school district
- NOT have participated in student teaching in a traditional education preparation program (EPP) leading to teacher certification.
- NOT have participated in another South Carolina-approved alternative certification program.
- Submit a statement of disclosure to the provider regarding any prior convictions, including felonies and misdemeanors.
All employees of our partner districts are eligible to apply
Partner districts
- Chesterfield County School District
- Darlington County School District
- Dillon School District Four
- Florence School District Two
- Georgetown County School District
- Marion County School District
Steps to Apply
– Officially apply
– Complete your FASFA for 2024-2025
– Submit official transcripts
– Complete a writing sample
– Obtain three (3) letters of recommendation (at least two from the school/district personnel) with your 不良研究所 application.
Applicants who meet the admissions requirements and program qualifications will be invited to interview.
Applicants accepted into the APEC Program at 不良研究所 will attend a mandatory orientation session prior to the start of the program.
We are currently recruiting for Cohort 2 (May 2025).
Start date: Summer Term V

Program Outcomes
Successful completion of the APEC Program leads to:聽
- South Carolina teaching certification
- Master of Education in Curriculum and Instructional Technology Degree, M.Ed.CIT (with additional coursework)




Contact info
APEC Program Manager, Wendy Folsom
wfolsom@coker.edu | (843) 383-8136
APEC Program Director, Dr. Lisa Stockdale
lstockdale@coker.edu | (843) 383-8133
*If you have not yet earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree and are interested in becoming a South Carolina-certified teacher, please contact those listed above