Professional Development
The Office of Staff and Leadership Development of Greenville County Schools is committed to raising student achievement through high quality professional learning and leadership development that enhances the performance of all district employees.
Over 4000 workshop and seminar sessions are provided to GCS staff members on a yearly basis. Employees may view a list of these offerings and register to attend them on the portal.
Tuition Support for Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees
Greenville County Schools is offering a tuition reimbursement program to fund half the cost of degree program courses to gain certification in select teaching fields. This program will advance degree attainment and opportunities as employees obtain the following:
Certified teachers: First-time master’s degree in selected certification areas
Classified employees: First-time bachelor’s degree in selected certification areas. To be eligible, employees must have already completed 60 hours of college credit toward the bachelor’s degree.
Tuition support is also available for teachers who are adding on Special Education Certification and teachers who need to take course work to teach Dual Credit Courses.
More information about Tuition Reimbursement Program
Questions: reimbursement@greenville.k12.sc.us
Add-on Certification by Exam Only – Expanded Offer
GCS will reimburse the PRAXIS exam fee to teachers who add certification in select teaching fields. This incentive accompanies the State Dept. of Education’s process allowing a Professionally Certified teacher to add certification areas by presenting a passing score on the required exam. This offer is relevant to teachers at all grade levels. For more information: Add-on Certification - Praxis Reimbursement Updated July 2024
Contact: Maria Hilderbrand – mhilderb@greenville.k12.sc.us
Read to Succeed
Greenville County Schools Leader Academy
GCS Leader Academy develops leaders from the classroom to the central office, creating a strong pipeline of school leaders and ensuring a culture of academic excellence, and student well-being - equipping every student to meet their maximum potential.
Professional Development Opportunities
SBHA - SC School Behavioral Health Academy
The South Carolina School Behavioral Health Academy seeks to help districts respond to the youth mental health crisis by integrating behavioral health into the Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS). Courses are available free of charge, completely self-paced, and easily accessible on our online platform. Participants will receive a Certificate of Completion for successfully finishing each course along with contact hours, CEU's, and Educator Renewal Credits.
Renewal Credit Option: Professional Learning Library
The Professional Learning Library (PLL) is an online library of resources that provide opportunities for personalized professional development for South Carolina educators and administrators. The PLL includes free, self-paced courses, mini courses and videos that provide effective, research-based instructional and leadership practices aligned to the South Carolina Teaching Standards (SCTS) and the Program for Assisting, Developing, and Evaluating Principal Performance (PADEPP) Standards. For more information: Professional Learning Library - South Carolina Department of Education
Greenville County Schools Partners with WGU for Degree Opportunities
Greenville County Schools has announced a new partnership with accredited nonprofit Western Governors University to provide its employees with flexible, personalized pathways to higher education through affordable bachelor’s and master’s degrees. As part of the partnership, Greenville County Schools employees will be eligible to apply for WGU K-12 Partner Scholarships valued at $2,500. Recently celebrating its 25th anniversary, WGU is accredited through the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). WGU’s Teachers College is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP). Tuition is around $4,000 per term for most undergraduate degree programs, and students can take as many classes within a term as they wish with the consent of their assigned program mentor.
Designed to meet the needs of adult learners, WGU’s online, competency-based learning model allows students to take advantage of their knowledge and experience to move quickly through material they already know, so they can focus on what they still need to learn. Students complete their programs by studying with schedules that fit their lives, advancing as soon as they demonstrate mastery of the subject matter.
To learn more about WGU, visit www.wgu.edu .
To apply to WGU or request additional information specifically for Greenville County Schools employees visit the WGU Greenville County Schools Landing Page.
Clemson University
Educational Leadership (MEd)
Online program for experienced educators who want to learn how to serve students and communities collaboratively and to acquire the necessary skills to solve the complex problems facing schools today. Our 36-hour program leads to either elementary or secondary building-level administrative certification in just 24 months.Literacy (MEd)
Online program for educators interested in developing expertise as a literacy teacher in their classroom, a literacy leader at their schools, or an ESOL teacher. Our high-quality program, which is accredited by the International Literacy Association, can be completed in 2 years. Our 30-hour program includes all coursework for the Literacy Teacher Certification and either Literacy Coach or ESOL Certification.Special Education (MEd)
Online graduate program for educators interested in enhancing the field of Special Education. Students take coursework in Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) in academics and behavior. The rich, engaging curriculum will prepare you to advance your professional standing in just 24 months.Teaching and Learning (MEd)
Online graduate program for current PK-12 educators. The rich, engaging curriculum will prepare you to advance your professional standing in just 18 months. Students have the option of personalizing their experience by selecting from one of four specialization areas: Effective and Reflective Teaching, Experiential Learning for Early Childhood, Instructional Coaching, or STEAM.
Educational Leadership (EdS)
Online program for experienced educators who want to learn how to serve students and communities collaboratively and to acquire the necessary skills to solve the complex problems facing schools today. Our specialist degree leads to either elementary or secondary building-level administrative certification OR district-level administrative certification.Teaching and Learning (EdS)
Online or in-person program intended to support those who want to learn more about educational research and research in teaching and learning cognate areas by integrating methods, data, technology, and practices from a variety of fields of study. The degree could be applied in educational settings, curriculum development, professional learning development and facilitation, and/or in industry spaces where the design of effective educational pathways is desired.
Education Systems Improvement Science (EdD)
Online applied professional doctoral degree designed for certified PK-12 practitioners who have previously completed an Education Specialist (EdS) degree or equivalent. Students complete a Dissertation in Practice (DiP) focused on systemic, complex challenges facing educators related to race, rurality, and poverty in which they identify systems-level opportunities to apply improvement science for change and innovation.Educational Leadership (PhD)
Students may select a combination of coursework among courses for both higher education and P-12 concentrations. Students may also choose to obtain state of South Carolina licensure for work as school administrators at the building level, district level or both while enrolled in the program. Students who plan to obtain certification will take coursework with master's and specialist students and must complete the state’s licensure approved program requirements.Literacy, Language and Culture (PhD)
Online or in-person program concentrating on issues related to learning about literacy and language in formal and informal settings such as schools, communities, and families. Some of the issues that can be explored include biliteracy and bilingualism, children’s and young adult literacy, digital literacy, diversity and critical literacy, early literacy development, elementary literacy development, English education, literacy assessment, literacy in the disciplines, and writing.Special Education (PhD)
Online or in-person program that prepares scholars to be researchers, teacher educators, and leaders in the field of special education in order to address the needs of individuals with mild/moderate disabilities from high poverty and culturally diverse backgrounds.Teaching and Learning (PhD)
Online or in-person program designed for individuals who seek to investigate learning and teaching, as well as the dynamics within and surrounding educational school systems. The program offers students a range of scholarly focus areas including - Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, English Education, Equity Oriented Education, Mathematics Education, Secondary Education, Science Education, Social Studies Education, Social Foundations, Literacy, Professional Development, Instructional Coaching, and Pre-Service & New Teacher Education.
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina - College of Education offers special reduced tuition for SC certified educators, Add-On Certification, Endorsements and customized degree programs.
These affordable 100% online programs provide the flexibility and convenience needed to fit into your schedule. USC Programs
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Educational Practice and Innovation with concentration options in:
Curriculum Studies
Education Systems Improvement
Learning Design and Technologies
STEM Education
Masters Programs in:
Adapted Physical Education
Education Administration (for administration certification)
Educational Psychology and Research
Learning Design and Technologies
Language and Literacy
Teaching
Specialist Program in:
Education Administration (for superintendent certification)
To learn about these online programs and apply, visit www.sc.edu/education/onlineprograms and contact the College of Education at coestudy@mailbox.sc.edu.
USC has also created a platform for the state called mCrED, and allows SC educators to choose from stacks of micro-credentials to develop a skill sets and demonstrate mastery in specific areas. These micro-credentials are practical, job-embedded learning opportunities, targeted to the specific skills of an educator.
Additionally, USC offers an Alternative to Teaching (CarolinaCAP), and a Teacher Retention Program (CarolinaTIP).
Furman University
Put yourself on the path to success at Furman. Our Graduate Studies in Education programs are designed for passionate educators who want to improve the quality of education in their communities and make a profound impact on the lives of their students.
**Furman University offers a specialized, affordable tuition for SC certified educators, Add-On Certification, Endorsements, and customized degree programs with some flexible online-hybrid options for working educators.**
Educational Specialist (M.A. or Ed.S.) Degree with specialties in:
School Leadership - This program, which leads to principal certification, is available online in a hybrid/blended format and can be completed in approximately 20 months. Flyer: School Leadership Flyer
Masters of Arts in Education (MAEd) Degree with specialties in:
Literacy – This 33 hour program leads to certification as a K-12 literacy teacher; and once a teacher has 5 years’ teaching experience, he/she can also add on literacy coach certification…which would allow him/her to function much like an instructional coach, only focused on literacy skills. It also covers the R2S endorsement.
Special Education (Learning Disabilities & Emotional/Behavioral Disorders)
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) Degree for content specialists
For district employees who have a degree in one of 8 critical needs areas but who are not certified to teach, Furman offers a full-time Master of Arts in Teaching degree program, which allows students to gain a master’s degree and teacher certification in as little as one year!
Endorsements in:
Gifted and Talented
Begin your application, To learn more, contact Kay Goodwin at the Office of Graduate Studies: kay.goodwin@furman.edu or (864) 294-3164.
Furman University has recently reconfigured its Educational Leadership Program. Program completion leads to certification as a District-Level Superintendent. The program is now in a fully online format with completion reduced from 3 years to 20 months. Coursework is self-pace, but may include weekly Zoom meetings with professors to discuss content, explain concepts, and answer student questions. Tuition is $450/credit, and the entire cost of the degree is $14,850. Furman has a partnership with Clemson and USC, and with the acceptance of the Furman Leadership course credits at these institutions, a transition to the Clemson or USC Doctoral program is seamless. For more information, contact Kay Goodwin- (864) 294-3164 or kay.goodwin@furman.edu
Anderson University
At Anderson University, we're dedicated to empowering you on your educational journey. Our programs cater to working adults, offering flexibility and support tailored to your needs. From our Master of Education to our Doctor of Education programs, we're here to support every stage of your academic and professional growth.
Our commitment to the community runs deep, especially in our partnerships with school districts. Through our Preferred Partnership Program, employees within the school district receive the benefits of our partnership tuition grant with financial assistance for part-time and full-time enrollment.
Let's embark on this journey together, enriching lives and building brighter futures. If you have any questions about the Preferred Partnership Grant or would like to learn more about our programs, contact us at enrollment@andersonuniversity.edu
Converse University
Converse is a nationally recognized and regionally accredited doctoral university. From add-on certifications, endorsements and recertification courses (online, on campus, and at the University Center of Greenville), to Read to Succeed, workshops and speakers who strengthen our teaching community—we work to prepare students to be leaders in education across our region. Our graduates earn honors such as Presidential Educator of the Year, National Marine Educator of the Year, and the Order of the Palmetto. Beyond degree programs, we offer classes, add-on certifications and recertification opportunities in a plethora of formats and content areas.
Opportunities for Teachers and Educators
From teacher re-certification courses – online, on-campus, or in your district – to Read to Succeed and Common Core, to workshops and speakers who inspire and strengthen our teaching community, you’ll want to stay tuned in to these ever-changing opportunities for educators.
AP Teacher Institute for Art & Design
SCDE Grant Funded Gifted and Talented Endorsement and Advanced Gifted Courses
Graduate Education Degree Programs
Read to Succeed Literacy Courses
Alternative Certification in Art Education
TeacherStep.com
Project Create
Converse’s Doctorate in Professional Leadership (EdD) is offered at both our Spartanburg campus and at the University Center of Greenville. The 60-hour program provides valuable professional development and advancement opportunities for those seeking to accelerate their education or administrative careers. The program supports students each step of the way by embedding the dissertation into the curriculum.
Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT)
Art Education
Early Childhood
Elementary Education
Special Education: Intellectual disabilities
Special Education: Learning disabilities
Secondary: English or Social Studies
Middle level: Language Arts, Mathematics, Science, or Social Studies
Master of Music in Education (MM)
MM in Music Education – For Certified Teachers
MM in Music Education – Initial Certification
Master of Education (MEd) – For Certified Teachers
Administration and Supervision
Advanced Studies – Online (with a new concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Art Education – Online
Elementary Education
Gifted Education – Online
Special Education
Education Specialist in Literacy (EdS) – Online
Educating the next generation is the most important job anyone can ever have. Whether you are seeking a Doctorate in Education, a Master of Arts in Teaching, a Master of Music, a Master in Education or an Educational Specialist’s degree, Converse is here to help you on your journey.
Request more information or apply today
North Greenville University
North Greenville University Graduate School of Education offers a Master of Education Degree in Curriculum and Instruction.
There are three endorsement tracks from which students can choose as a concentration: *Teacher Leader, Literacy Coach/Specialist, and Teaching Children of Poverty/Gifted and Talented. All of these tracks lead to SCDE endorsements. If you do not want to pursue the full M.Ed., you can take the courses for *endorsements as a non-degree-seeking student.
Why choose NGU?
FLEXIBLE: 100% Online, access your courses anywhere at any time.
DOABLE: 30 credit hours, geared to the full-time working adult.
FAST PACED: 8-week sessions, completion in as little as a year.
AFFORDABLE: $415.00 per credit hour, and we can explore tuition discounts for cohorts with 10 or more students from the district.
If you are interested in pursuing a Post-Master's Certification in Administration and Supervision, we'd like to hear from you. We are in the proposal stage of program development, and this will be the only post-master's certification program in the state! Prospective students will need to hold an M.Ed. from an accredited university to pursue this program. It will be an 18-credit-hour program with five courses and an internship. All courses will be offered in 8-week sessions.
For information about either of these programs, please contact Dr. Ann Aust (ann.aust@ngu.edu), Program Director for the Master Degree in Education.
Gardner-Webb Online Program
Gardner-Webb offers Master’s, EdD, and EdS programs in fully online and hybrid formats. View/Download more information.
Gardner-Webb University also provides a unique opportunity to complete your bachelor's degree.
The Degree Completion Program offers traditional undergraduate classes at a more convenient time and location for working adults. Evening classes are held at 12 sites across North Carolina. Eight programs are offered completely online. If you have a minimum of 48 transferable hours from an accredited college, you are now ready to complete your bachelor's degree. Since 1978 Gardner-Webb University's degree completion program has proven to be a greater opportunity for adult learners.
Grand Canyon University
Grand Canyon University offers continuing education Master Degrees and single courses for certified educators in a variety of areas. Tuition discounts are currently available to employees in our district and a number of popular programs offer new cohort classes, which allow teachers to save money on classes and begin with a larger support group. Programs are 100% online and are South Carolina approved.
Special option for Teacher Assistants: If you have an undergraduate degree, GCU has a program that leads to teacher licensure at a Master’s level in 21 months. In addition, there are many Bachelor’s programs available in education that accept transfer credits.
Master Degrees:
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood and Early Special Education
Elementary Education
Elementary and Special Education
Special Education
Secondary Education with an emphasis on Humanities (English, Social Studies and Business Ed)
Secondary Education with an emphasis on STEM (Science and Math)
School Counseling
Bachelor’s Degrees:
Elementary Education
Secondary Education (Humanities, English, Business or Mathematics)
Elementary Education and Special Education
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood and Early Special Education
For information on the programs, grants, scholarship, and loan forgiveness in South Carolina, feel free to contact local Greenville representative Lenee Burgess at lenee.burgess@gcu.edu or 864-913-3376.
Scholarship Opportunities:
GCU Initial Teacher Licensure Scholarship 32% off Tuition:
Available to undergraduate and graduate students who wish to gain Initial Teacher Licensure
Must be an employee of the school district!
Palmetto State Teachers Association (PSTA) Cohort Scholarship 25% off Tuition:
This scholarship if for all undergraduate, graduate, and EdS students who wish to go into education or to add to their current position in the education field.
Open to all teachers, TA’s, paraprofessionals, and support staff in your district who wish to pursue degrees in the education field.
Membership to the PSTA is required for eligibility but there is an unlimited quantity of scholarships available for your district.
College of Education Graduate Cohort Scholarship – 18%
GCU District Partners Scholarship
Paraprofessionals and assistants -15%
All others, all degrees – 10%
All programs are 100% online with no designated class times
Scholarships for each program are offered, and there is no minimum GPA required to keep the scholarship
The application is free, and when using financial aid students pay $0 during the program
Courses are taken one at a time with no designated class times. Seats are first come, first served (pending acceptance)
There are 25 seats available for each start date, and the deadline to apply is 10 days before class starts
Free Praxis preparation for licensure programs
Limestone College
Limestone University Corporate Grant Partnership
Greenville County School employees are eligible to receive tuition discounts through our Corporate Grant Partnership with Limestone University. The undergraduate discount is 10% and all graduate students receive a 15% discount each semester. Limestone is a pioneer in providing educational opportunities for working adults with a flexible schedule of classes that are only 7.5 weeks in length. For more information about this program, please go to our website and/or contact our program at corpgrant@limestone.edu.
Walden University
Walden University is an online CAEP-accredited institution, and offers a wide range of programs including bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in such areas as education, management, health sciences, social work, psychology, and information technology. The Riley College of Education and Leadership meets rigorous national standards by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement. Programs are taught by nationally recognized education experts, policymakers, and scholar-practitioners and range from teacher preparation to doctoral degrees.
Walden offers eligible Greenville County School employees a 10% discount on tuition. More information about Walden University degree programs and courses.
Information about tuition reductions available to Greenville County Schools employees visit www.waldenU.edu/gcs or contact Walden University partnership manager, Katie Hykes-Waddell at 443-286-3196 or katie.hykes@mail.waldenU.edu.
Southern Wesleyan University
SWU has classes starting three times each year in August, January, and May.
Online Degree Programs for Educators:
M.ED. in Classroom Leadership
M.ED. in Administration and Supervision
M.ED. in E-Learning and Instructional Design
ED.D. in Curriculum and Assessment
Graduate Education Teacher Endorsement:
Teacher Leader Endorsement
Literacy – Read to Succeed Endorsement Coursework
Learning Disabilities
Gifted and Talented
Early Childhood Special Education
Project Read Grant
This EIA-funded grant provides free materials and training for SC public elementary level and any level special services teachers. We offer four strands: Phonics, Linguistics, Written Expression, and Reading Comprehension. For schools interested in learning more about this valuable training for their teachers, please contact: Peggy Bodie, 864.644.5343, pbodie@swu.edu
Additional professional development is also offered by:
Professional Development for Teachers and School Counselors
National Alliance on Mental Illness Basics “OnDemand”
Free, online course for teachers & counselors: Improving the Lives of Children and Those Who Care for Them (15 PD Credits) Registration
Course Description: NAMI Basics OnDemand is a six-session online education program whose goal is to improve the lives of children and youth living with mental health conditions and neuro-diverse disorders, and to improve parenting and caregiving skills for those who live with and care for them. Developed by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, together with parents and caregivers, OnDemand is an adaptation of the in-person NAMI Basics course, and is taught by a trained team with lived experience raising a child with a mental health condition. In addition to parents and caregivers, it is now approved for specific groups of professionals, including teachers as caregivers, to help them understand the impact mental health conditions have on youth as well as their family. Course information will equip teachers with unique insights that can enable them to work more collaboratively with families as part of a team. Contact Name: Tammy Looper Email address: tammy@namigreenvillesc.org
Directions for Downloading Certificate of Completion:
Upon completion of the course, or upon re-entering the course after completion, you should see a message starting out with "Congratulations!" Click the box that says "OK".
Go down to the last module titled 'Wrap Up" and click where you see the word "Launch". (If you have already completed the course, you should see a check beside the word, 'launch'.)
This will take you to the page "Connecting with NAMI" where you will see a narrow sidebar to the far left. (This is under the words "NAMI - Wrap Up".)
Click on the second selection down, "Resources”.
This takes you to the page titled, "Resources".
Click the bottom selection, "Optional Certificate for NAMI Basics OnDemand". Download, sign your name, and write in 15 PD points.
Upload into the GCSD online PD portal application as an Out of District Option. For assistance with the PD portal application contact Patty Fox at pfox@greenville.k12.sc.us
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate
The Children’s Museum of the Upstate offers professional development courses for educators that provide practical and innovative ways for educators to inspire their students’ passion for learning in and out of the classroom. Workshops are free and take place at the Children’s Museum. Educators will receive a certificate of participation at the completion of each course. For questions please contact Jane A. Gomez, Director of Educational Outreach jgomez@TCMUpstate.org
Lifelong Learning
Lifelong Learning - Lifelong Learning, Adult Education and Training for Greenville County Schools, provides academic and pre-employment education and training opportunities for adults to achieve success.
South Carolina Virtual Professional Development
e-Learning South Carolina - Online education portal provided by the S.C. Department of Education (including graduate and SDE renewal courses)
University Center of Greenville
University Center of Greenville - Graduate courses: visit website or call 864.250.1111
HotChalk Partner Network
HotChalk Partner Network – M.Ed and Ed.D Programs Available ~ HotChalk Partner Network and Concordia University provide scholarship opportunities to Greenville County Schools employees who are interested in obtaining Master or Doctoral degrees through any of our partner Universities. Teachers can choose from multiple accredited universities and their 100% online programs. We now offer many education, sciences, math, business and healthcare options for staff. (FLYER).
VESi
VESi has partnered with Georgia College to offer online, self-paced, continuing education courses. VESi Courses make is easier to recertify. All courses are now tablet compatible for your convenience. Courses are offered for 3 or 4.5 CEUs with fees starting at just $195.
All Professional Development content and links provided on this site are for informational purposes only. We strive to provide our employees with information about opportunities they may be interested in that are generated by other institutions. Employees are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions based on the information on this site. Greenville County Schools will not be liable for any errors in this information nor will we compensate you in any way whatsoever if you make use of information on this site.