Teach with purpose. Make a lifelong impact.
The Education major at Presbyterian College offers a unified path for students who are passionate about shaping future generations. Through four specialized concentrations—Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English Language Learners (PK–12), and Middle School Education—you’ll gain the academic foundation, field experience, and practical teaching skills needed to thrive as a compassionate and effective educator.
Whether you’re guiding toddlers through foundational skills, supporting multilingual learners, or inspiring young adolescents, our program prepares you to meet the needs of diverse learners with insight, empathy, and professionalism.
Presbyterian College’s educator preparation programs are accredited by CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation), ensuring our programs meet national standards for quality and effectiveness in preparing future educators.
The Power of Your Degree
- Expand your perspective.
Explore the stages of student development and the evolving needs of learners across age groups and cultures. - Broaden your knowledge.
Dive into research-based methods, inclusive strategies, and subject-specific instruction. - Solidify your skill set.
Gain hands-on experience through early fieldwork and a capstone student teaching experience. - Become a critical thinker.
Learn to assess learning environments, advocate for all students, and design equitable instruction for today’s classrooms.
64-79 Hours
Required for Education coursework, depending on concentration
Senior Capstone
Student teaching in the final year of the program
12:1 Student-To-Faculty Ratio
In discussion-based classroom settings
I wholeheartedly feel that PC’s program helped me prepare for my future as an educator. The courses as well as the instructors were phenomenal. After graduating with my middle level certification, I discovered that by taking just two additional algebra courses, I could advance to secondary math certification. The strong foundation from the middle level program made this transition seamless, requiring only two extra classes and a Praxis exam to add this valuable second certification.
Emily Rhodes ’20
What You’ll Study
Your journey begins with foundational courses in child and adolescent development, educational psychology, instructional planning, and diversity in the classroom. From there, your chosen concentration will guide you through discipline-specific methods, advanced curriculum design, and targeted field experiences.
Throughout your studies, you’ll apply theory in practice—from lesson planning to classroom management—and culminate your training with a full-time student teaching placement. You’ll graduate fully prepared for licensure and equipped with the skills to thrive in a wide range of educational settings.
Education majors are encouraged to develop their future roles as teachers by exploring a variety of concentrations.
Early Childhood Education
This concentration prepares you to teach the youngest learners in Pre-K through third grade. You’ll study child development, early literacy and numeracy, classroom routines, and how to create nurturing, inclusive environments. Field placements and student teaching experiences ensure you graduate with the confidence and expertise to foster growth during these critical developmental years.
Elementary Education
In the Elementary Education concentration, you’ll gain broad-based training to teach in self-contained or departmentalized elementary classrooms. You’ll learn how to foster curiosity in reading, math, science, and social studies while developing skills in differentiated instruction and data-informed decision making.
English Language Learners PK-12
PC’s ELL concentration—South Carolina’s first undergraduate degree of its kind—equips you to support English learners across all grade levels. You’ll study second language acquisition, linguistics, and culturally responsive teaching strategies while becoming proficient in a second language (Spanish or French). You’ll graduate ready to lead in multilingual classrooms with confidence and cultural competence.
Middle School Education
With this concentration, you’ll specialize in the developmental needs of early adolescents. Choose from one of four subject-area tracks:
- Language Arts – Focus on adolescent literature, writing instruction, and culturally relevant texts.
- Mathematics – Study geometry, discrete math, and calculus to build confidence in math instruction.
- Science – Learn across disciplines with courses in biology, chemistry, and earth science.
- Social Studies – Explore history, geography, and political systems to prepare informed young citizens.
Get Involved
At Presbyterian College, you can actively pursue your passion for teaching through programs and opportunities that take your discipline out of the classroom and into the real world—all while expanding your experience, perspective, and skillsets.
Careers in Education
A degree in Education from Presbyterian College prepares you for a broad range of careers in schools, nonprofits, and policy or advocacy organizations. Our graduates are widely respected for their deep content knowledge, instructional skill, and unshakable commitment to student success.
Whether your passion lies in early learning, literacy development, multilingual instruction, or middle grades leadership, your Education degree from PC empowers you to lead in the classroom and beyond.
Career Professions
Early Childhood Teacher (Pre-K–Grade 3)
Elementary School Teacher (Grades 2–6)
Middle School Teacher (Grades 5–8, subject-specific)
English Language Learner (ELL/ESOL) Specialist
Reading or Literacy Specialist
Curriculum Developer
Instructional Coordinator
Educational Consultant
School Counselor (with graduate training)
Special Education Teacher
Bilingual Education Teacher
School Administrator (Principal, Assistant Principal – with certification/graduate degree)
Child Development Specialist
Education Policy Analyst
Instructional Technology Specialist
Homebound or Hospital Teacher
After-School Program Director
Education Program Coordinator (nonprofits, museums, community orgs)
Online Learning Instructor or Designer
Teacher Preparation Faculty (postgraduate with advanced degree)
Acquired Skills
Instructional planning and curriculum development
Classroom management and organization
Literacy and numeracy strategies across grade levels
Assessment and progress monitoring
Collaboration with families and colleagues
Culturally responsive and inclusive teaching
Knowledge of child and adolescent development
Language acquisition and ELL strategies
Reflective and ethical decision-making
Technological integration in learning
Research and data analysis
Leadership and advocacy for equity in education
Critical thinking and creative problem-solving
Interpersonal and communication skills
Conflict resolution and behavior intervention
Adaptability to various educational settings
Policy literacy and educational law
Time management and multitasking
Lifelong learning and professional growth
Quick Stats
$51,000
Average Median Salary
Graduates with a degree in education typically earn a median salary of around $51,000 annually. Early-career professionals can expect to earn between $35,000 and $45,000, with potential for higher earnings as they gain experience. Top earners in the field can make up to $73,000 per year.
5% Growth
Projected Employment Rate
Employment for education, training, and library occupations is projected to grow by 5 percent from 2018 to 2028, about as fast as the average for all occupations. This growth is driven by increased enrollment in schools and the need for additional teachers and educational staff.
75% Versatility
Career Diversity Index
An education degree offers a wide range of career opportunities across various sectors. Graduates can pursue roles in teaching, administration, counseling, and educational support services. The versatility of the degree allows professionals to work in public and private schools, universities, and other educational institutions.
Source(s): U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
