Clemson University’s College of Education offers certificate programs designed to help professionals expand their expertise, develop specialized skills and strengthen their impact in the places they work and serve.
Our certificates provide focused learning opportunities that complement existing degrees and professional experience while supporting continued growth and new career opportunities. Grounded in Clemson’s commitment to developing leaders who improve education and communities, these university-awarded credentials prepare professionals to apply new knowledge and make a meaningful difference in classrooms, schools, organizations and beyond.
Explore our certificate programs below and find the opportunity that aligns with your professional goals.
Note: Students may earn a certificate en-route to a degree; however, an additional graduate school certificate application is required. Please reach out to your program contact (listed under each certificate’s ‘find out more’ section) for details.
Educators looking to expand their professional credentials may be eligible to add specialized endorsements or certification areas to their existing South Carolina educator certificate. Awarded by the South Carolina Department of Education, these credentials recognize additional preparation and expertise and can help educators broaden the roles, subjects and learning environments in which they are prepared to serve. In some cases, an endorsement or additional certification may be required to teach specific courses or serve in particular roles.
Clemson University offers several programs and pathways that can prepare eligible educators to apply for these state-issued credentials.
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If you are not a Clemson student and wish to find licensure/certification information, the following documents might be helpful. If you cannot find what you need here, please contact the S.C. State Department of Education or more specifically for licensure/certification here.
Expired License/Certificate or Renewing a License/Certificate
The South Carolina State Department of Education authorizes requirements to renew an expired educator certificate. Please refer to this site for details. If you have any questions, please contact the South Carolina State Department of Education.
Reciprocal Applicants
Teachers with a valid certificate issued by another state may be eligible for licensure/certification through South Carolina’s reciprocity agreement. Please contact the South Carolina State Department of Education for details and contact information.
Foreign Applicants Applying for Certification
The South Carolina State Department of Education will determine the eligibility of foreign teachers applying for educator licensure/certification. If you have any questions, please contact the South Carolina State Department of Education.
Completion of Recommendation/Verification Forms from Other States
Clemson alumni who need to have verification or recommendation forms completed for licensure/certification in other states should contact Jen Hall at 864-656-7692 in the Office of Field & Clinical Experiences, 100 Tillman Hall.
The South Carolina Department of Education requires all candidates take required literacy courses at Clemson University. If courses are taken at another institution, the candidate will not receive their teaching license. Additionally, all candidates must earn a C or better in these courses; candidates who do not earn a C or better cannot be recommended for licensure.
EDEC 4400: Language Arts in the Primary School
EDEC 4500: Early Childhood Curriculum and Social Studies Methods
EDEC 4600: Critical Issues and Cultural Diversity in Early Childhood Education
EDLT 4580: Early Literacy From Birth to Kindergarten
EDLT 4590: Teaching Reading in the Early Grades, K-3
EDEC 4850: Early Childhood Capstone Seminar or ED 8480: Teacher Residency Seminar
EDEL 4820: Capstone Seminar in Elementary Education
EDEL 4880: Elementary Methods in Language Arts Teaching
EDF 4800: Foundations of Digital Media and Learning
EDLT 4600: Foundations of Reading: Assessment and Instruction
EDLT 4610: Content Area Reading and Writing: Grades 2-6
EDLT 4630: Teaching Reading and Writing to English Language Learners
ED 8090: Teacher Residency Internship
ED 8480: Teacher Residency Seminar
EDEL 4880: Elementary Methods in Language Arts Teaching
EDF 4800: Foundations of Digital Media and Learning
EDLT 4600: Foundations of Reading: Assessment and Instruction
EDLT 4610: Content Area Reading and Writing: Grades 2-6
EDLT 4630: Teaching Reading and Writing to English Language Learners
EDLT 4800: Foundations of Reading: Assessment & Instruction or EDLT 8100: Foundations of Reading and Writing
EDLT 4980: Content Area Reading and Writing for Middle and Secondary Teachers or EDLT 8270: Content Area Reading and Writing for Middle and Secondary Teachers
EDLT 4800: Foundations of Reading: Assessment & Instruction or EDLT 8100: Foundations of Reading and Writing
EDLT 4980: Content Area Reading and Writing for Middle and Secondary Teachers or EDLT 8270: Content Area Reading and Writing for Middle and Secondary Teachers
EDLT 4600: Foundations of Reading: Assessment and Instruction
EDSP 4900: Teaching Writing to Students with Disabilities
EDSP 4910: Assessment of Students with Mild Disabilities
EDSP 4950: Communication & Collaboration in Special Education or ED 8480: Teacher Residency Seminar
EDSP 4980: Directed Teaching in Special Education or ED 8090: Teacher Residency Internship
EDLT 4980, Content Area Reading and Writing for Middle and Secondary Teachers
EDC 8130, Assessment in Counseling
EDEC 8510, Leadership in School Counseling
