Teaching Fellows

Clemson’s fellows will study in the University’s nationally-ranked College of Education, majoring in one our signature programs:

Here is the complete information on the Teaching Fellows 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 will be able to select Clemson University as their top institution of choice. Applicants will also need to apply for admission to Clemson University. Award notifications will be made in early spring.

While enrolled in the Teaching Fellows Program, 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 Clemson University College of Education and Teaching Fellows events and activities as assigned.

The Teaching Fellows program prepares future teachers to positively impact education in South Carolina. Because Teaching Fellows have agreed to teach in a South Carolina public school one year for every year they have accepted the fellowship funds, most fellows are indebted for four years of service to the state. Current data shows that 77% of Teaching Fellows graduates who have taught for the required number of years to satisfy their loan through service are still employed in districts across the state. This retention rate is remarkable when compared to the attrition rate among teachers in the first five years of their career. Several studies have found that as many as 50% of new teachers leave within the first five years of entry into the profession (Smith & Ingersoll, 2004). Teaching Fellows participate in advanced professional development from their first year in the program. The professional development includes diversity education, leadership development, advocacy, and the use of technology to improve student achievement. The Teaching Fellows program helps prepare these novice teachers to lead from the beginning of their careers.

Download Brochure

Teaching Fellows Newsletter

Staci Koonce 
Campus Director, Clemson Teaching Fellows
College of Education
864-656-0491
teachingfellows@clemson.edu