The CarolinaCAP Residency pathway to teacher licensure seeks to grow the profession in South Carolina by offering a state-of-the-art paid teaching residency grounded in coaching and co-teaching to support diverse school districts.
The South Carolina General Assembly allocated funding for this pilot program in 2022-2023 to advance and transform the state’s teaching profession.
Residency goals include diversifying the PK‑12th grade educator workforce, addressing teacher shortages through innovations in educator development, and accelerating student learning and systems of whole‑child education. The program features ongoing, consistent support and development by CarolinaCAP for partners, residents and coaching teachers. STEM content areas not offered in other residencies are emphasized.
Serving as an intensive and innovative doorway into the traditional three-year CarolinaCAP pathway, the Residency works to attract local and diverse community members who will join the teacher workforce. By recruiting participants who represent the diversity of the communities they serve, stakeholders and partners in education model a new entry into teaching through personalized support, rigorous yet flexible preparation and the retention of accomplished educators.
The Experience
Launched in the summer of 2023, the CarolinaCAP Residency provides real‑time, sustained classroom collaborations with qualified veteran classroom teachers for an entire school year to a cohort of up to 20 residents who will progress to CarolinaCAP candidacy and, ultimately, teacher licensure.
Residents have the full year to participate in preparation and support activities to take and achieve passing scores on Praxis exams.
Livable wages make this pathway an option for those unable to participate in other alternative licensure pathways, as CarolinaCAP provides each resident a $25,000 stipend (plus fringes), and districts provide additional funding as needed.
Through the Residency pathway, participants can access USC education courses and earn micro‑credentials.
Qualifications
- Residents must be rising college seniors or graduates majoring in mathematics, statistics, engineering, biology, physics, environmental science, chemistry, or a related field. This requirement ensures participants have enough credit hours to meet the minimum standards for certification in their specific areas.
- Residents with degrees in non‑math/science areas will certify in special education, early childhood, or elementary education.
- Rising seniors will complete bachelor’s degrees in their chosen fields during the residency year. Participants already holding degrees will certify in middle or secondary‑level math or science.
- Residents also serve as substitute teachers for their districts to accelerate growth and provide cost savings for the districts.
Partners
Barnwell County Consolidated School District
Dorchester County School District Four
Marlboro County School District
Richland County School District One
Williamsburg County School District
Ready to apply?
Visit CAP Residency Application to complete an application now.
Questions about the program?
Please reach out to us at CarolinaCAPResidency@sc.edu for more information or to register for a virtual information session.