Potential Residents must:
- Have earned a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 2.5 undergraduate GPA
- Complete transcript review with SC-DREAM project faculty prior to submitting USC application to determine required prerequisite coursework
- Apply and be admitted to the Elementary Education Masters of Arts in Teaching program at the University of South Carolina
- Graduate School Application Deadline - October 15
- Application requires two professional letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all institutions attended, a statement of interest, and an updated resume
- Have a successful pre-admission interview with SC-DREAM and partner district faculty/staff
For more information contact: scdream.usc@gmail.com or complete the SC-DREAM Information Request Form
SC-DREAM includes an eighteen-month degree-earning program and residency beginning in January (i.e., spring semester) with prerequisite coursework and ending the following June (i.e., end of elementary school year).
Following the completion of the MAT degree and residency, all residents are committed to teaching within their partner school district for a minimum of three years post graduation and engaging in induction support with CarolinaTIP.
SC-DREAM will have three cohorts beginning in the following years:
- Cohort 1 - Application Process in Fall 2024 & Coursework Beginning Spring 2025
- Cohort 1 - Application Process in Fall 2025 & Coursework Beginning Spring 2026
- Cohort 1 - Application Process in Fall 2026 & Coursework Beginning Spring 2027
*Note: Fall and Spring refer to USC academic terms
Cohort I: Coursework, Residency, & Induction Timeline
Fall 2024
- Individual advising (project, coursework review, financial aid, etc.)
- Apply to graduate school by October 15
- Interview with SC-DREAM faculty and district partners as part of application process
- Onboarding with USC & SC-DREAM
- Virtual SC-DREAM Kickoff
- Begin Praxis support and testing
Spring 2025
- *ISCI 325 - Children’s Literature (3 credits)
- *EDTE 500 - Mathematics Knowledge for Teaching I: PK-8 (3 credits)
- Additional prerequisite courses as needed
- Praxis support and testing
- TB/SLED Requirements for Clinical Placements
Summer 2025
- One-week Summer Institute (June 9– June 13, 2025)
- Campus Kickoff & Equity-Centered MTSS content
- *EDEX 523 - Introduction to Exceptional Children (3 credits)
- EDEL 701 - Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy for the Elementary Classroom (3 credits)
- EDRD 600 - Foundations of Reading Instruction (3 credits)
- Additional prerequisite courses as needed
- Praxis support and testing
- School-based professional learning and coaching
- TB/SLED Requirements for Clinical Placements
Residency begins on teacher’s first day in partner elementary schools
Fall 2025 (Two Days of Coursework + Three Days of Residency)
- Residency in elementary classroom with coaching teacher
- EDTE 733 - Reading and Language Arts in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (6 credits)
- EDEL 743 - Studies and Internship I in Teaching Social Studies–Elementary (3 credits)
- EDPY 705 - Human Growth and Development (3 credits)
- Praxis support and testing
- School-based professional learning and coaching
Spring 2026 - One Day of Coursework + Four Days of Residency
- Residency in elementary classroom with coaching teacher
- EDEL 790 - MAT Internship in Elementary Education (9 credits)
- EDEL 744 - Studies and Internship in Teaching Science–Elementary (3 credits)
- EDTE 771 - Studies and Internship I in Teaching Math-Early/Elementary Education (3 credits)
- Praxis support and testing
- School-based professional learning and coaching
- USC Graduation (May)
Residency ends on teacher’s last day in partner elementary schools
Summer 2026 - Praxis support and testing (as needed) and prepare for your own classroom!
Post Graduation - Teaching within partner schools (three years minimum) + Induction Support with CarolinaTIP (two years minimum)
Teaching and Learning Support
- Individual advising, mentoring, and coaching by SC-DREAM project faculty, supervisors, and school-based mentors
- SC-DREAM Summer Institute - a week long, hybrid professional learning experience
- Year long residency - work side-by-side with a classroom teacher to grow as an educator coupled with mentoring and coaching from supervisors and faculty
- Intentionally designed professional learning experiences in addition to coursework
Praxis Support
- The South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) requires subject content and pedagogy assessments for teacher certification. Candidates for certification in Elementary Education may take either the Praxis 5001 or Praxis 7811 series for the content assessment and the Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) for the pedagogy assessment. All required certification assessments are administered by Education Testing Services (ETS) at many testing sites across South Carolina. To learn more about SCDE Certification Assessments click here.
- SC-DREAM offers extensive and individualized Praxis support for all residents across the duration of the 18-month degree seeking portion of the project. Praxis supports include, but are not limited to: (a) preparation books, (b) online study resources, (c) individualized study plans, and (d) synchronous study sessions.
Financial Support
- Living Wage Stipend - a minimum of $25,000 to support residents during SC-DREAM project.
Important Note: Stipend is contingent upon successful completion of project requirements and three years of full-time teaching in the partner school district after graduation.
Induction Support - CarolinaTIP
- The Carolina Teacher Induction Program, known as CarolinaTIP, is a collaboration between the University of South Carolina’s College of Education and school districts across South Carolina. This three-year program helps new teachers make the transition from learning how to teach to teaching and leading in classrooms of their own. The program provides support to novice teachers through CarolinaTIP Teacher Sessions, personalized coaching, and a community of novice educators. Through completion of the program and with the guidance of Carolina Coaches, participating teachers are able to increase their self-efficacy and build a solid professional foundation.
https://web.qa.sc.edu/study/colleges_schools/education/my_coe/gamecock_edquarters/carolinatip/index.php
- Living Wage Stipend
- Summer Institute at University of South Carolina
- Year long one-on-one mentorship and support from coaching teacher and university supervisor
- Professional Development
