Teaching Fellows Program

Fostering excellence in education.

The College of Charleston promises to assist the State of South Carolina in attracting and retaining the brightest and best students as its next generation of teachers. Teaching Fellows develop into educational leaders, and add to the pool of outstanding South Carolina teachers.

The Teaching Fellows Program is designed to provide students with an environment that promotes learning and growth with a group of individuals who intend to teach in South Carolina. The College of Charleston Teaching Fellow Program, in addition to the enriched curriculum, provides future teachers with a community both on and off campus and professional development opportunities.

About Teaching Fellows

Program Background

Administered by the Center for Educator Recruitment, Retention, and Advancement (CERRA), Teaching Fellows enrolled in the program receive up to $6,000 annually for four years in forgivable student loans to support their pursuit of coursework leading to South Carolina teacher licensure. In return, Fellows commit to serving in South Carolina public schools for a period equivalent to the duration of their fellowship. Additionally, Teaching Fellows awards are compatible with other scholarships and loans, offering students a comprehensive support package to facilitate their educational journey. 

Teaching Fellows at CofC

Positioned within the heart of downtown Charleston, the urban campus offers a picturesque setting conducive to personal and academic exploration. Students immerse themselves in a diverse array of courses designed to stimulate critical thinking, impart foundational knowledge, and nurture holistic personal development. At the College of Charleston, the Teaching Fellows fellowship is underscored by a profound sense of responsibility and commitment. 

The College of Charleston is one of only eleven institutions in the state identified as a South Carolina Teaching Fellows institution. For further details and to submit your application for the program, please click the link below to explore more at CERRA.

Explore More at CERRA

Learn More About the Program

The Teaching Fellows program prepares future teachers to positively impact education in South Carolina. Explore more about program structure, eligibility and requirements below.
  • Program Structure

    The Teaching Fellows Program at the College of Charleston is governed by its students. 

    In addition to an elected Governance Council comprising of a president, vice president, and secretary, each Fellow actively participates in one of five specialized committees: Communications, Greater Community, Our Community, Professional Development, and Recruitment and Retention.

    Teaching Fellows engage with their class cohorts, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose. At the conclusion of each fall semester, committee and cohort members elect chairpersons and vice-chairpersons who serve until the subsequent fall semester. 

    Empowering students to shape the program's direction, each committee and cohort collaborates to organize service projects, fundraisers, and professional development initiatives for the collective benefit of all Teaching Fellows. This unique governance structure offers myriad opportunities for leadership cultivation and personal growth. 

    Teaching Fellows form a tight-knit community dedicated to supporting one another and the students they serve. Distinguished by their active involvement in various campus activities, Fellows often assume leadership roles in student government, mentoring initiatives, Greek life, and athletic programs.

  • Eligible Majors

    Our Teaching Fellows will study in the University’s nationally-ranked School of Education, majoring in one of our signature programs: 

    • Early Childhood Education 
    • Elementary Education 
    • Middle Grades 
    • Secondary Education 
    • Special Education 
    • Theater Arts 

     

  • Application Process

    The selection process for Teaching Fellows emphasizes academic accomplishment, school and community involvement, and leadership skills. To apply for the Teaching Fellows Program, a student must: 

    • Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien legally authorized to be in the U.S. 
    • Be a legal resident of South Carolina 
    • Be a high school senior or junior graduating early. 
    • Complete an online application for the program. The application window is open from September December 1. 

     Once you have applied to the Teaching Fellows Program on the CERRA website, your application will be reviewed. Qualifying applicants will receive an invitation in early January to attend an interview day in February where they interview in front of a team of three educators, deliver a short presentation on an assigned topic, and write an essay in response to a prompt. During the interview, applicants can select the College of Charleston as their top institution of choice. Applicants will also need to apply for admission to the College of Charleston. Award notifications will be made in early spring. 

    Apply Now through CERRA
  • College of Charleston Requirements

    The College of Charleston remains steadfast in its mission to cultivate a cadre of exceptional educators who will positively impact the future of South Carolina’s educational landscape. Through the Teaching Fellows Program, participants evolve into educational leaders, enriching the pool of esteemed teachers dedicated to nurturing the state's youth. 

    While enrolled in the Teaching Fellows Program at the College of Charleston, students must: 

    • Maintain successful progress toward S.C. teacher licensure. 
    • Successfully complete 30 semester hours per academic year. 
    • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8. 
    • Attend School of Education events and Teaching Fellows events and activities as assigned.