Education – Teaching Fellows

The goal of the South Carolina Teaching Fellows Program at Francis Marion University is to recruit talented high school seniors into the teaching profession and then develop leadership qualities within them. Students in the Teaching Fellows Program participate in enrichment programs and professional development opportunities throughout the state and the Pee Dee area.

Teaching Fellows at Francis Marion University may receive up to $6,000 in yearly scholarships during the time they are completing a degree leading to teacher licensure. Upon graduation, a Teaching Fellow agrees to teach in South Carolina one year for every year he or she receives the Fellowship.

While enrolled in the Teaching Fellows Program, students must:

• Maintain successful progress toward SC teacher licensure.

• Successfully complete 30 semester hours per academic year.

• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8.

• Complete requirements for acceptance into the Francis Marion University Teacher Education Program by junior year.

• Remain a full-time student during each fall and spring term.

• Attend Francis Marion University events as assigned by the institution.

• Attend enrichment programs as assigned by Francis Marion University and CERRA.

To apply for the Teaching Fellows Program, a student must:

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident alien legally authorized to be in the US.

• Be a legal resident of South Carolina and a high school senior.

• Complete an application for the program online.

• Submit a high school transcript and SAT (code 3680) or ACT (code 3873) score reports.

• Submit three references using the official reference form.

Once you have applied to the Teaching Fellows Program, your application will be scored by an initial screening committee. Qualifying applicants will receive an invitation in early January to attend a regional interview in February. The purpose of this interview is to assess students’ communication skills, commitment to teaching, problem solving ability, originality and knowledge of world and educational processes. During the interview, applicants will have the opportunity to select Francis Marion University as their top institution of choice. Applicants will also need to apply for admission to Francis Marion University.

By early April, you will be notified if you have received a Teaching Fellows award.

For more information on the Teaching Fellows program at Francis Marion University, contact:

Dr. Patricia Boatwright or Dr. Lisa Midcalf-Carpenter