School of Education

Transform Young Lives.

Whether you aspire to be an educator, school administrator, or any other classroom-related career, at the University of South Carolina Aiken, we’re passionate about inspiring the next generation of learners and leaders.

Our School of Education prepares you to succeed—and thrive— in classrooms and school districts, helping you to make a difference in the lives of others. Our education programs are recognized as some of the best in South Carolina and beyond. We offer undergraduate education degrees in:

• Early Childhood Education
• Elementary Education
• Middle Level Education (ELA, Social Studies, Mathematics, Science)
• Music Education
• Secondary Education (Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, ELA, Social Studies)
• Special Education

We also offer a master’s degree in educator leadership that prepares students for leadership roles throughout the field.

No matter your interests, our degrees in education—which are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation—will provide you with the knowledge, skills, and classroom experience that sets you up for success.

Department Highlights

Gain the tools and techniques to become a compassionate, competent, and socially conscious teacher who produces change in classrooms and communities in which you live and work. At USCA, our education degrees offer:

• Experienced K–12 classroom educators. USCA’s education programs have faculty members who have decades of expertise—both here on campus and in shaping the next generation of young minds. They’ll be there to mentor you, answer your questions, and help you find success in any school setting that interests you.
• Opportunities to get to know your classmates. With more than 90 student clubs and organizations, USCA students who pursue degrees in education frequently get involved with the South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children, the National Association for Music Education, the ACS Chemistry Club, the History Club, and national honor societies.
• An affordable way to become an educator. Did you know that USCA offers one of the lowest tuition rates among public schools in Georgia or South Carolina? Our education degrees also offer more than a dozen scholarships to help make your learning even more cost-effective.

Mission Statement

As an integral part of the University of South Carolina Aiken, the School of Education is committed to the university goals of active learning through excellence in teaching, faculty and candidate scholarship, and service. Candidates in the School of Education participate in a rigorous curriculum, which is anchored by a strong liberal arts and sciences component, comprised of courses in the humanities, fine arts, social sciences, mathematics, and natural sciences. These courses provide a foundation upon which the pedagogical content and pedagogy are built, and dispositions such as responsible citizenship, respect for diversity, and cross-cultural understandings are developed. The School of Education faculty model instruction based on research, infused with technology, and aligned with national, state, and local standards. The School of Education collaborates with schools, school districts, and community service organizations to provide numerous and varied field experiences that are structured to prepare candidates to work with all students.

The teacher education faculty in the School of Education challenges candidates to acquire and develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to become successful Dynamic Educators who can plan, instruct, manage, communicate, and grow professionally.

Vision Statement

As a leading teacher education program in South Carolina, the USCA School of Education prepares highly qualified, dynamic educators who have the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to create optimal learning environments to assist all individuals in reaching their potential.