You’re a South Carolina educator, a tireless advocate for South Carolina’s public educational system, which has long been mired in challenges like chronic underfunding, an inadequate mental healthcare infrastructure, and inequities among students of color and among those living in poverty. Forging ahead is no easy task, but you were never one to back down from a challenge.
You’re in the trenches every day, encouraging, motivating, and nurturing your students for today’s achievements and tomorrow’s successes, and these challenges only solidify your commitment to them and to the educational system. A career in education is all you’ve ever dreamed of, so the public education system is where you’ll stay. But now it’s time to consider the benefits of applying your experiences as an educator to a new career as a principal or superintendent.
A bigger paycheck, new and exciting professional opportunities, and an undeniable sense of fulfillment are just some of the reasons why transitioning to educational administration and leadership is a smart move for the next phase of your career.
Your dedication to your craft and to the state’s more than 766,000 students is steadfast – now it’s time to earn the master’s, educational specialist (EdS), or doctorate degree in educational leadership that will prepare you to take on a role as a public school principal or superintendent.
How to Become a Principal in South Carolina – School-level Educational Leadership
To become a principal in South Carolina, you’ll need to add one of the following leadership fields to your existing South Carolina Professional Certificate through the South Carolina Department of Education:
- Elementary Principal - Tier 1 (PK-Grade 8)
- Secondary Principal - Tier 1 (Grades 6-12)
Before you can begin taking the steps to become a principal in South Carolina and add a leadership field to your existing South Carolina Professional Certificate, you’ll need to have one of the following:
- Elementary: At three years of teaching experience, including at least one year of teaching in grades PreK–8
- Secondary: At least three years of teaching experience, including at least one year of teaching in grades 7- 1 Verification of three years’ teaching experience, including at least one year of teaching in grades 7- 1
Once you have met the above requirements, you can begin taking the steps to become a principal in South Carolina.
Step 1. Complete a Minimum of a Master’s Degree and an Approved Preparation Program
You’ll need a minimum of a master’s degree, and you’ll need to complete an approved preparation program to become a principal in South Carolina.
South Carolina is home to a growing number of colleges and universities that offer graduate-level degrees in educational leadership or administration with embedded approved preparation programs.
These programs are offered as master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees that include all of the necessary coursework and practical experiences of an approved preparation program. Completion of one of these programs meets all of the educational requirements to add a principal leadership field to your current certificate. These programs are often designed as:
- MEd in School Leadership
- MEd in Education Administration
- EdS in School Leadership and Administration
- EdS in Educational Leadership
- EdD in Educational Administration and Leadership
If you already hold a master’s degree, you may also choose to complete a post-master’s program in educational administration or leadership. If you want to reach the MA+30 distinction without completing a graduate degree, you must complete at least 21 of the required 30 graduate semester hours within your area of concentration through a regionally accredited college or university. You can satisfy the remaining 9 semester hours by taking a professional education elective.
Step 2. Take and Pass an Approved Praxis Exam
You must take and pass one of the following Department of Education-approved Praxis exams to qualify for a Tier 1 Elementary or Secondary Principal certificate:
Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (5412)
This exam includes questions on the following topics:
- Strategic leadership
- Instructional leadership
- Climate and cultural leadership
- Ethical leadership
- Organizational leadership
- Community engagement leadership
School Leaders Licensure Assessment (6990)
This exam includes questions on the following topics:
- Strategic leadership
- Instructional leadership
- Climate and cultural leadership
- Ethical leadership
- Organizational leadership
- Community engagement leadership
- Analysis constructed response (CR)
You can take your chosen Praxis exam either online or at one of the testing centers located throughout the state.
Step 3. Complete the Principal Induction Program (PIP) During Your First Year
Once you’ve passed your Praxis exam, you’ll be able to apply with the Department of Education to add an Elementary Principal – Tier 1 (PK-Grade 8) or Secondary Principal – Tier 1 (Grades 6-12) leadership field to your South Carolina professional certificate.
During the first year of your employment as a principal, you’ll be required to complete a Principal Induction Program (PIP) and then receive an overall rating of Proficient or Exemplary on your evaluation in the second year of your employment to advance to Tier 2 certification:
- Elementary Principal - Tier 2 (PK-Grade 8)
- Secondary Principal - Tier 2 (Grades 6-12)
The PIP offers new principals personalized learning opportunities through activities focused on Personalization, Collective Leadership, and Equitable Access to Effective Instruction.
Step 4. Renew Your Professional Certificate
You’ll need to complete at least 120 renewal credits during your professional certificate’s five-year renewal period. (Note: Accrual rate: 1 semester hour of college course credit = 20 renewal credits.)
Principals may earn renewal credits by participating in the School Leadership Executive Institute (SLEI), a seven-month professional development opportunity that includes three, one-day sessions and two, two-day sessions.
School Principal Salary and Jobs in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), principals in South Carolina earned a median salary of $94,380 as of May 2021. The top earning principals in the state earned about $101,600 during this time.
Among South Carolina’s metro areas, the Columbia area reported the highest median salary for principals, at $99,030, followed by those in Charleston, at $98,870, and Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort, at $98,340.
How to Become a Superintendent in South Carolina – District-Level Educational Leadership
To become a superintendent in South Carolina, you’ll need to add the Superintendent (PK-Grade 12) leadership field to your existing South Carolina Professional Certificate (elementary, middle, or secondary) through the South Carolina Department of Education.
Before you can begin taking the steps necessary to add a Superintendent leadership field to your South Carolina Professional Certificate, you must have at least three years of experience as a PreK-12 or postsecondary teacher and at least two years as a school administrator, postsecondary administrator, or school business administrator.
Once you meet this requirement, you can begin taking the steps to become a superintendent in South Carolina.
Step 1. Complete a Minimum of a Master’s Degree and an Advanced Program for the Training of School Superintendents
You must complete an advanced program that’s approved by the State Board of Education for the training of administrators. These programs are often offered as part of master’s, educational specialist, or doctoral degrees. These programs are often designed as:
- EdS in Educational Leadership
- EdS in Educational Systems Administration
- EdD in Educational Administration
These programs include all of the practical experience and coursework requirements to become a superintendent in South Carolina. Some of the courses in these programs include:
- Educational Facilities and Operations
- Principles of Instructional Leadership
- Advanced Leadership and Ethics
- Organizational Development and Change
Step 2. Take and Pass an Approved Praxis Exam
You must take and pass one of the following Department of Education-approved Praxis exams:
Educational Leadership: Administration and Supervision (5412)
This exam includes questions on the following topics:
- Strategic leadership
- Instructional leadership
- Climate and cultural leadership
- Ethical leadership
- Organizational leadership
- Community engagement leadership
School Superintendent Assessment (6991)
This exam includes questions on the following topics:
- Strategic Leadership
- Instructional Leadership
- Climate and Culture Leadership
- Ethical and Policy Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Community Leadership
- Integrated Knowledge and Understanding (Case Study)
This exam includes questions on the following topics:
- Strategic Leadership
- Instructional Leadership
- Climate and Culture Leadership
- Ethical and Policy Leadership
- Organizational Leadership
- Community Leadership
- Integrated Knowledge and Understanding (Case Study)
You can take your chosen Praxis exam either online or at one of the testing centers located throughout the state.
Note: The School Superintendent Assessment will be required for superintendent certification after 8/31/2023.
Step 3. Renew Your Professional Certificate
You’ll need to complete at least 120 renewal credits during your professional certificate’s five-year renewal period. (Note: Accrual rate: 1 semester hour of college course credit = 20 renewal credits.)
Superintendents may earn renewal credits by participating in the Institute for District Administrators (IDA) for District Level Leaders. This program includes job-embedded experiences and fieldwork that support your role as a district-level leader. Completion of all pre-service work, class sessions, and homework assignments equals 80 renewal credits.
Superintendent Salary and Jobs in South Carolina
According to the BLS, superintendents in South Carolina earned about $124,840 as of May 2021. Among the state’s metro areas, the Charleston area reported one of the highest average salaries for superintendents, at $127,150, followed by:
- Spartanburg: $125,510
- Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin: $125,480
- Columbia: $123,790
- Myrtle Beach: $121,590
Educational Leadership Degree Options in South Carolina: EdS, Doctorate, and Master’s in Educational Leadership
Job growth among South Carolina’s principals and superintendents is projected to grow at a rate of 3.3 percent in the ten years leading up to 2030. This slow and steady growth equates to about 20 annual job openings in educational administration and leadership due to a blend of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.
A future in educational administration and leadership looks great in South Carolina. A growing number of colleges and universities now offer master’s, educational specialist, and doctoral degrees that are expertly designed to prepare you for certification as a principal or superintendent in South Carolina. You’re sure to love the convenience and flexibility that many of these programs offer, thanks to partially or fully online formats that allow you to study from the comfort of your home.
Bob Jones University
School of Education and Human Services
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online
MS in Educational Leadership
Also offers:
M.Ed in Teaching and Learning
Charleston Southern University
College of Education
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online
M.Ed
- Concentrations: Elementary School Administration and Supervision, Secondary School Administration and Supervision, Elementary and Secondary School Administration and Supervision, Physical Education and Sport Coaching
Also offers:
Ed.D in Leadership
Columbia College
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online
M.Ed
- Concentrations: Educational Administration and Leadership K-12, Higher Education Administration
Columbia International University
College of Education
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online
M.Ed
- Concentration: Educational Administration
Also offers:
Ph.D in Educational Leadership
Converse University
School of Education and Graduate Studies
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus
M.Ed
- Concentrations: Administration and Supervision
Also offers:
Ed.D in Professional Leadership
Furman University
Education Department
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Campus
MA.Ed
- Concentration: School Leadership
Also offers:
Ed.S (Educational Leadership track, School Leadership track)
Southern Wesleyan University
Department of Education
Accreditation: SACSCOC
Online
M.Ed
- Concentration: Administration and Supervision
Also offers:
M.Ed in Classroom Leadership
Graduate Certificate in Classroom Leadership
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for education administrators, kindergarten through secondary. Job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, Projections Central. Figures are based on state data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2023.