Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation
About
The Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation (CarolinaCAP) is a pathway that offers full certification for people who already have a bachelor's degree. CarolinaCAP is a unique partnership of the University of South Carolina, South Carolina Districts, and the Center for Teaching Quality designed to provide individualized, personalized support for candidates as they complete program requirements.
I have had a phenomenal experience with the CarolinaCAP program coordinators and instructors. My coursework professors through USC were so inspiring and focused on all the important areas for building well-rounded teachers. The support I have received from this program is incredible and I feel lucky to be part of the first cohort of CarolinaCAP.
If you are considering a career in education, don't hesitate! This program gives individualized support to help everyone become successful. If you have a heart for education, CarolinaCAP can make it happen.
Brittany Caniglia
Certification-only
Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation (CarolinaCAP)
At CarolinaCAP, you'll find personalized, individualized support to become a South Carolina certified teacher. CarolinaCAP supports career changers and recent college graduates by honoring and building upon the skills and experiences you bring.
At CarolinaCAP, you will:
Receive individualized support from a coach selected by the district and trained in the CarolinaCAP Coach model.
Participate in engaging coursework designed by expert University of South Carolina faculty.
Complete micro-credentials that you choose with the support of a coach.
Experience multiple opportunities to learn and grow in virtual learning communities.
CarolinaCAP cultivates strong, collaborative partnerships with South Carolina school districts, the University of South Carolina, and the Center for Teaching Quality with the goal to create a high-quality alternative pathway into teaching that marries the expertise of local teachers, schools, and districts with non-profits, data collection partners, and institutions of higher education.
Students at Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation have reduced the cost of their program using these methods. Check with Carolina Collaborative for Alternative Preparation to see if you can, too!
Amount
Description
7500 (3 Year Fee) - District Support Available
CarolinaCAP Program Fee
The cost to participate in CarolinaCAP includes a $7,500 program fee and a $50 application fee. Applicants will make the $50 application fee payment directly to the University of South Carolina when they enroll as non-degree seeking graduate students. The $7,500 program fee covers the cost of three years of support from CarolinaCAP. The program fees do not come directly from CarolinaCAP participants but are paid to CarolinaCAP on behalf of the participant by district partners. Concerning the $7,500 program fee, interested candidates should check with partner districts to determine if:
the district will pay all or a portion of the program fee
the candidate will be charged the program fee
all or a portion of the program fee will be paid by the district in exchange for the participant teaching in the sponsoring district for a specified amount of time
Full Amount
Men of CHS Teach
Charleston County School District covers the entire cost of CarolinaCAP for all the Men of CHS Teach residents. It is free to all who are eligible. Learn More.
Grants, Stipends, Scholarships
Districts will determine the amount of financial aid received by each student. Additional grants and support are available.
Certifications
Biology 9-12 Chemistry 9-12 Early Childhood Education Pre-K-3 Elementary Education 2-6 Mathematics 9-12 Middle Math 5-8 Middle Science 5-8 Physics 9-12 Special Education / Multi-categorical Pre-K-12
Program Overview
You will complete two graduate courses:
EDTE 600 – Systematic Effective Teaching
EDUC 632 – Inquiry into Teaching: A Study of Effective Practice
Submit no less than two micro-credentials aligned to SCTS 4.0 and literacy.
Begin to engage in monthly virtual learning communities with your peers, coaches, and guest educators to discuss your practice and share ideas.
Receive individualized support from your CarolinaCAP coach.
Submit no less than four micro-credentials aligned to your certification area, SCTS 4.0, and literacy.
Engage in monthly virtual learning communities with your peers, coaches, and guest educators to discuss your practice and share ideas.
Participate in a year-two summer experience—a conference where you engage in sessions designed to continue to build on your knowledge and skills along with the opportunity to showcase your growth.
Receive individualized support from your CarolinaCAP coach.
Submit no less than four micro-credentials aligned to your certification area, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and literacy.
Engage in monthly virtual learning communities with your peers, coaches, and guest educators to discuss, practice, and share ideas.
Receive individualized support from your CarolinaCAP coach.
Program Hallmarks
The CarolinaCAP pathway is filled with hands-on experiences because CarolinaCAP allows you to serve as the teacher-of-record while working towards full certification. While teaching, you will be supported by university faculty with creative courses and 1:1 support from CarolinaCAP coaches.
CarolinaCAP prepares you for diverse populations through your graduate coursework and support from CarolinaCAP coaches. In addition, you will complete micro-credentials showing your competency in content areas, instructional practice, and engaging diverse learners.
As a CarolinaCAP student, you are paired with a trained CarolinaCAP coach throughout the program. Your coach will help you engage your students in their own academic learning while supporting their social-emotional need for connection to caring adults.
Your CarolinaCAP coach will support you through co-planning, co-teaching, and co-assessing, engaging in coaching conversations and providing access to resources to help you successfully complete program requirements and support your students.
CarolinaCAP is committed to innovation and improvement. The program provides key partnerships that are important to your success. The CarolinaCAP Steering committee, is composed of one district representative from each district partner, two CarolinaCAP coaches, three CTQ staff members, and five UofSC faculty and staff members, who meet quarterly to provide feedback and recommendations to meet your needs. CarolinaCAP also provides resources to help you to pass your Praxis content and certification exams.
Get Started
Own the application process. Start a checklist to put yourself on track to becoming the best teacher you can be.
