UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA

Language and Literacy

How long will it take me to complete a Language and Literacy program?
M.Ed., Ed.S. - All courses applicable to these degrees must be completed within six (6) years.
Ph.D. - All courses applicable to this degree must be completed within eight (8) years.

Will this degree qualify me for South Carolina teacher certification?
M.Ed. and Ph.D. - No.
Ed.S. -  Will meet Masters +30 hours requirement of the SC Department of Education for certificate advancement.  Some courses used to meet the 30 hour certificate requirement may not be applicable to your Ed.S. in teaching program.  You will need to work with your advisor to determine appropriate courses.

Is there a deadline to apply?
M.Ed. - March 1st for the following summer and fall.  October 1st for the following spring
Ed.S. - March 30th for the following summer and fall; October 30th for the following spring and summer.
Ph.D. - March 1st for the following fall; October 1st for the following spring.

Can I take the GRE or the Miller Analogies test?
You may take either test for the M.Ed., Ed.S. or Ph.D. degrees.

Where do I take the GRE or the Miller Analogies test?
You will need to contact the Orientation and Testing Services at 803-777-2782.

What courses do I need to take to add-on certification as a Reading Teacher, Reading Consultant, or Reading Coordinator/Director?
Add-on certification is administered through the South Carolina Department of Education. Steps for adding additional areas of certification can be found at http://www.scteachers.org/cert/addlcert.cfm. A list of USC courses needed for Reading certification can be found at http://www.ite.sc.edu/ReadingAddon.pdf.

Early Childhood and Elementary MAT Programs

What courses will transfer into the MAT program?
Course transfers are handled on an individual basis.  Contact Ms. Sharon Vogel, MAT Advisor, at 803-777-6031; e-mail - vogels@gwm.sc.edu.

I'm moving from another state to South Carolina. Can courses X, Y, Z be applied to my graduate program?
Contact Ms. Sharon Vogel, MAT Advisor, at 803-777-6031; e-mail - vogels@gwm.sc.edu.

Can this program be done part-time or evenings only?
This is a full-time, lock-step, fast-paced program and students move through it together as a cohort.

How long will it take me to go through the program?
It will take 12-16 months.

Will this degree qualify me for South Carolina teacher certification?
Yes, early childhood (PK-3rd grade); elementary (2nd - 6th grade)

Is there a deadline?
Early Childhood - October 1st for the following summer; Elementary - October 1st for the following summer and  February 15th for the following fall. (NOTE: The February 15th deadline will phase out after 2006.)

Can I take the GRE or the Miller Analogies test?
Yes

Where do I take the GRE or the Miller Analogies test?
You need to contact the Orientation and Testing Services at 803-777-2782.

General Questions

Is there someone at USC who can answer a question about South Carolina teacher certification?
Please see the College of Education Office of Student Affairs web page on teacher certification at http://www.ed.sc.edu/SA/certification.html or contact Jammie Turner, Certification Coordinator, at 803-777-3022 or at turnerj@gwm.sc.edu

What kinds of housing is available on campus and off campus?
Contact the USC Housing Department http://www.housing.sc.edu/

Where can I get information about parking and a parking decal?
Contact the USC Parking Services http://www.sc.edu/vmps/

How do I get a student ID card?
Contact the Carolina Card http://carolinacard.sc.edu/

How do I find where a particular USC building is located?
Maps of USC http://www.sc.edu/uscmap/

I have applied for admission. How can I find the status of my application?
Contact the Office of Student Affairs, College of Education, Wardlaw 113; 803-777-6732.

How do I apply for a graduate assistantship?
Complete the application for Graduate Assistantship http://www.ed.sc.edu/SA/docs/GRADAST.pdf

Where can I find information about awards, scholarships, or fellowships?
Awards, Scholarships and Fellowships at the College of Education http://www.ed.sc.edu/asf.asp

What is the difference between the MT, MAT and MEd degrees?
The MT and MAT degrees are designed to allow degree candidates to earn an initial teaching certificate. The MEd is designed for certified teachers to pursue graduate studies and earn a master's degree (you can not be admitted to the MEd without a teaching certificate or it's equivalent including teaching experience). The MT is designed for students who complete an undergraduate degree at USC including undergraduate core education course requirements. The MAT is designed for any student who has completed a bachelor's degree in an appropriate major (or has undergraduate coursework equivalent to that major) for an initial certification program.

I am a certified teacher and want to add-on certification in a new area.   What courses do I need?
Add-on certification is administered through the South Carolina Department of Education.   Steps for adding additional areas of certification can be found at http://www.scteachers.org/cert/addlcert.cfm. Specific courses that may be needed are listed in the state Certification Manual http://www.scteachers.org/cert/Certpdf/TeacherCertificationManual.pdf).  You can check the Master Schedule to see if a USC course is being offered in an up-coming semester.  Responsibility for ensuring that the USC course satisfies the state requirement rests with you, the student.  Typically, if the USC course title matches the state requirement, the course will be accepted.

What is the role of an advisor in graduate school?
Your graduate program advisor will work with you to develop your program of study (the actual courses that make up your particular degree program). This should be completed and signed during your first semester in your degree program. Once this document is submitted and accepted, it is a contract between you and the USC Graduate School. Completing the courses, meeting the grades, time and other conditions and your degree will be awarded.

What about reciprocity of state certification?
Teacher certification is under the ultimate authority of the South Carolina Department of Education. Information about state's with reciprocal agreements regarding South Carolina teaching certificates can be found at http://www.scteachers.org/cert/reciprost.cfm including requirements and information on requests.

What do I need to know about the Praxis examination?
Praxis is the current state required examination for teacher certification. Information is available at http://www.scteachers.org/cert/exam.cfm.

What do I need to know to graduate?
You must complete all degree requirements. This should be nothing more than the courses on your approved program of study, but you must also adhere to all academic regulations. At the very beginning of the semester you plan to graduate, you MUST also apply for graduation. Detailed information is available at http://www.gradschool.sc.edu/GSbasic/text/PreG_Index.html.

I graduated from USC with a bachelor's degree from another department other than the College of Education. What do I need to do if I want to become a high school teacher ?
To earn a teacher certificate for grades 9-12 in SC, you must either graduate from an approved program or qualify for the Program for Alternative Certification of Educators (PACE). Information on PACE, administered by theSC Department of Education can be found at www.scteachers.org. Through USC, we offer MAT degrees in various areas related to high school teaching. The MAT is for those who completed undergraduate degrees in areas related to high school subject areas and wish to pursue certification after earning the bachelor's degree. To qualify for admission to a USC MAT degree, you must have a major or the equivalent of a major in that subject area (English, mathematics, biology, Spanish, etc). To determine if your background is equivalent, you should meet with the MAT primary advisor. Information on who the advisor is for each subject can be obtained by contacting the Office of Student Affairs (803-777-6732 or Teach@gwm.sc.edu).

Internships

What is an internship experience?
Internships are opportunities for MT and MAT students to gain experience teaching in school settings. The A Internship involves one period a day (5 days per week) and the B Internship (often called "student teaching") involves the full teacher workday.

How long are internship placements?
Each internship last 12 weeks. The A Internship involves two placements, each for 6 weeks. The B Internship, as required by state regulations, lasts for 12 weeks. In the B Internship an absence must be made up.

What are my responsibilities in an internship placement?
To learn what is required to be an effective teacher. During the A Internship you learn to work with students, plan lessons, and implement the plans. During the B Internship, you continue this but over a broader range of classes doing everything a full-time teacher is expected to do.

How are placements made?
Placements are made in consultation with you, your university supervisor, and your education MT or MAT advisor. We work with you to find a placement at which you will have the opportunity to learn and to grow as a teacher. We want you to experience diverse school settings and instructional experiences. Your advisor will seek input from you regarding placements for the A Internship and select two based on requests by other students and available, qualified cooperating/coaching teachers. The B Internship will likely be at one of the A Internship sites, but this is not required. You and your A Internship supervisor will make a recommendation to your education advisor who will make the final recommendation.