Education

The Graduate Studies in Education programs are designed for passionate educators who want to improve the quality of education in their communities and have a profound impact on the lives of their students.

Furman offers three master’s degree programs with an education focus: The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), the Master of Arts in Education (MAEd), and a post-master’s degree program in either School or Educational Leadership (EdS). Through challenging coursework, field experiences, and internships, our programs offer you the chance to gain the pedagogical skills and knowledge to advance your career in education.

At Furman and in partner schools, you will interact with leading professionals and practitioners in the field of education. High-quality mentoring with observations and feedback will ensure that you can teach effectively in different school settings and contribute significantly to the profession.

All programs are nationally accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

All Education Programs are charged at a cost of $425 per credit.

Non-degree Students

Individuals who have earned teacher certification and are not pursuing a master’s degree are considered non-degree students when they enroll to:

earn credit for certificate renewal;
add certification in another area;
add a teaching endorsement, or
earn credit for the master’s plus 30 credits (Class I Specialist certificate classification) following South Carolina Department of Education guidelines.

Non-degree student admission requires:

a non-degree student application submitted to Graduate Studies, accompanied by a one-time, nonrefundable application fee
a copy of teaching certificate
2 recommendations (required for some ND paths)
a transcript from each and every higher education institution previously attended (unofficial or official will depend on the ND path chosen)

Non-degree students may become degree candidates by consulting with Graduate Studies and meeting admission criteria for a specific degree program.

Initial Teacher Certification

Individuals who hold bachelor’s degrees intending to enroll at Furman to earn initial teacher certification on a post-baccalaureate basis should visit Graduate Studies to discuss their plans. The initial interest meeting will generate a student file and course checklist for review in the appropriate content area. Once the review is complete, prospective students will meet with an education faculty advisor to examine the scope and sequence of the program.

Admission

Students choosing to pursue initial teacher certification on a post-baccalaureate basis at Furman must submit:

an admission application to Graduate Studies, accompanied by a one-time, non-refundable application fee
an application for entrance into the teacher education program to the Education Department
an official transcript from each and every higher education institution previously attended

Teacher Certification

Many concentrations in the graduate education program of study correspond to South Carolina certification requirements. If you wish to add another teacher endorsement or certification area, consult the South Carolina Department of Education’s Division of Teacher Quality for information on course requirements and on requirements for the Praxis or the South Carolina Teaching Area Examination. If you are seeking certification in another state, you should consult the department of education in the respective state, as certification requirements may differ.