Graduate credits are the most flexible way to renew a South Carolina teaching certificate, and they're the only renewal option that can also raise your pay. But not every course counts the same way, and the rules for renewal and for salary advancement aren't identical. This guide explains which graduate credits count for South Carolina teacher license renewal, how they convert to renewal credits, how to document them, and how to choose courses that pull double duty for your certificate and your salary Class. For the full renewal process from start to finish, see our guide to South Carolina teacher license renewal requirements.
The short answer: South Carolina counts graduate coursework from any regionally accredited college or university toward renewal, as long as it relates to your certification field or professional goals and you earn a C or better. Each semester hour is worth 20 renewal credits, so 6 graduate semester hours cover the full 120-credit requirement for a five-year Professional Certificate.
What Counts as a Graduate Credit for South Carolina Renewal?
Under South Carolina's college coursework renewal option, a course counts when it meets four conditions:
| Requirement | What It Means | Quick Check |
|---|---|---|
| Regionally accredited institution | The credit must come from a regionally accredited college or university. South Carolina doesn't require separate provider pre-approval. | Required |
| Graduate level | The course should be graduate-level coursework that appears on an official university transcript. | Official transcript |
| Relevant to your work | The course should relate to your certification field or your professional goals as an educator. | Field or goals |
| C or better | You need a grade of C or higher for the credit to count toward renewal. | Minimum grade |
Online courses count the same way as in-person courses. What matters is the institution's accreditation, the level of the course, its relevance, and your grade, not how the course was delivered.
How Graduate Credits Convert to Renewal Credits
South Carolina measures renewal in renewal credits, not hours. The conversion for college coursework is fixed: one graduate semester hour equals 20 renewal credits. A Professional Certificate needs 120 renewal credits every five years.
| Graduate Semester Hours | Renewal Credits | Share of the 120-Credit Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 semester hour | 20 | One-sixth |
| 3 semester hours (one course) | 60 | Half |
| 6 semester hours (two courses) | 120 | Full requirement |
You can also combine college coursework with district- or SCDE-approved activities. One 3-credit course plus 60 renewal credits from approved professional development, for example, also reaches 120. Keep in mind that the Jason Flatt Act training and any Read to Succeed requirements that apply to you are separate and don't count toward the 120.
How to Document Graduate Credits for Renewal
- Confirm the course before you enroll. Check that the issuing university is regionally accredited and that the course is graduate level.
- Complete the course with a C or better. Keep your syllabus and course description in case you need to show how the course relates to your field or goals.
- Request an official transcript. Once your grade posts, order an official transcript from the university that issued the credit.
- Submit it with your renewal. If you're employed in a South Carolina public school, submit through your district, which processes renewals in the My SC Educator Portal. Otherwise, submit directly to the SCDE Office of Educator Services through the portal.
Pro-Tip: Order two official transcripts at the same time: one for renewal and one for your district's salary Class review. It saves a second request later and keeps both processes moving.
Using the Same Credits for a Salary Class Change
Graduate credits are the only renewal option that can also move you up South Carolina's salary schedule. The state minimum schedule pays more at each higher Class, and districts add local supplements on top. Under the FY 2026–27 state minimums:
| Class (State Minimum) | Year 0 | Year 28+ (Top) |
|---|---|---|
| Class 3: Bachelor's | $50,500 | $64,500 |
| Class 1: Master's | $54,500 | $70,250 |
| Class 7: Master's+30 | $56,000 | $72,500 |
Moving from the Bachelor's Class to the Master's+30 Class is worth roughly $163,000 over a 25-year career at state-minimum rates, before any local supplement. Our South Carolina teacher salary schedule guide has the full breakdown, and how teacher salary lanes work explains how Class changes are processed.
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Get My Salary Roadmap →Renewal Approval vs. Salary Class Approval
The two decisions are made by different people. The state sets the rules for what counts toward renewal, while your district decides what counts toward a salary Class change. A course that clearly qualifies for renewal may still need district approval before it moves you up the schedule.
| Question | Renewal | Salary Class Change |
|---|---|---|
| Who decides? | South Carolina's renewal rules | Your district |
| Pre-approval needed? | No separate provider pre-approval for regionally accredited credit | Check with HR |
| What you submit | Official transcript, through your district or the My SC Educator Portal | Official transcript to district HR |
Note: Before you enroll, email your district HR department with the course name, the issuing university, and the number of credits, and ask whether it will count toward your next salary Class. Keep the reply.
How to Choose Graduate Courses for South Carolina Renewal
A few practical guidelines make it easier to pick courses that count for both renewal and salary:
- Choose courses tied to your classroom. Courses on topics like instructional strategies, classroom management, literacy, or your subject area make the "relates to your field or goals" requirement easy to show.
- Check the issuing university, not just the provider. Many online course providers partner with universities, and the university's accreditation is what counts.
- Think in 3-credit blocks. Two 3-credit courses cover a full renewal cycle, and each one also counts toward your next Class.
- Leave time for transcripts. Grades and transcripts take time to post, so finish coursework well before your certificate expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do graduate credits count for South Carolina teacher license renewal?
Yes. Graduate coursework from a regionally accredited college or university counts toward renewal when it relates to your certification field or professional goals and you earn a C or better. Each semester hour is worth 20 renewal credits.
How many graduate credits do I need to renew in South Carolina?
Six graduate semester hours, usually two 3-credit courses, equal the full 120 renewal credits a Professional Certificate needs every five years.
Do online graduate courses count?
Yes. Online courses count the same as in-person courses, as long as they're graduate-level, from a regionally accredited institution, relevant to your work, and completed with a C or better.
Can the same graduate credits count for renewal and a salary increase?
Often, yes. The same official transcript can be used for renewal and submitted to your district for a salary Class change. Confirm with your district HR department first, since salary Class approval is a separate decision.
Does South Carolina require pre-approval for graduate courses?
South Carolina accepts college credit from any regionally accredited institution for renewal without separate provider pre-approval. Your district may have its own approval process for salary Class changes.
The Bottom Line
For South Carolina teachers, graduate credits are the simplest way to renew: 6 semester hours from a regionally accredited university, completed with a C or better, cover the entire 120-credit requirement. Choose courses that relate to your work, confirm salary acceptance with your district, and the same transcript can renew your certificate and move you up the salary schedule. For the bigger picture, see South Carolina Teacher Certification: The Complete Guide.
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