Student Teaching Internship
The student teaching internship, mandated by the South Carolina Department of Education, serves as the pinnacle of your teacher education program at USCA. This hands-on experience allows you to apply your knowledge in real-world educational settings, guided by a Cooperating Teacher from one of our partner school districts.
Eligibility Criteria for Student Teaching Internship
- Admission to the Professional Program at least one semester prior to the internship.
- Completion of all coursework (excluding Internship and Senior Seminar) and specific university requirements including the Writing Proficiency Portfolio or equivalent, all Writing Intensive Courses, and all ICE Credits.
- Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA with a grade of ‘C’ or better in all relevant courses.
Advanced Opportunities: For those looking to challenge themselves further, the Internship Certificate allows you to take on the role of teacher of record. This option is designed for students who demonstrate exceptional knowledge, skills, and dispositions. Interested candidates must indicate their interest on the internship application and attend a mandatory informational meeting. Final approvals are contingent upon faculty recommendation and meeting all Praxis requirements.
Application Process
- Step 1: Complete the USCA School of Education Internship Application and specify any district or school preferences. Please note, requests are subject to availability and compliance with educational standards.
- Step 2: Register for an account with the SC Department of Education and submit the student teaching application along with the required fee (SCDOE processing fee is $105). This step must be completed within two weeks of advisement, one year before your planned internship.
- Step 3: Schedule and complete your fingerprinting for a national background check. This final step ensures you are cleared for student teaching and future certification.
Important Dates
- Applications and all associated steps must be completed by specified deadlines which vary by semester. Please refer to our date chart for detailed information
| Semester of Internship | USCA Application / SCDOE Application / SCDOE Application Fee Due Dates* |
SCDOE Fingerprint Completion |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | November 15, 2023 | End of Fall 2023 Semester |
| Spring 2025 | April 15, 2024 | End of Spring 2024 Semester |
| *if the due date falls on a weekend, the application will be due the following business day. | ||
Apply Here
To start your application, please click the button below. Let us help you take the first step towards a rewarding career in education!
For more information, please contact the School of Education. Please note that we can view the student list, but nothing more. This process is between you and SCDOE until you reach the status of 'cleared.' Please log in to your account throughout the process to see if there are any holds placed on your account, or if further information is needed.