College of Education

Clemson University’s College of Education is a transformational leader in education across the life-and-career-span. With a particular focus on rural and underserved schools and communities, the college has award-winning programs that prepare teachers, educational specialists, school- and community-based mental health counselors, human resource professionals, and leaders in education and allied fields. 

We equip our students for lives and careers that make a difference. Through innovative educational programming, high-impact research and transformative outreach, we respond to critical societal and educational issues, such as workforce development; the role of technology in education and society; teacher recruitment and retention; mental health and well-being; and leadership development. We lead these vital initiatives as part of Clemson University’s land-grant mission to serve the state of South Carolina and beyond.

The College of Education offers five Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees including Educational Leadership (Higher Education and P-12); Learning Sciences; Literacy, Language and Culture; Special Education; and Teaching and Learning, as well as one Doctor of Education (EdD) degree in Education Systems Improvement Science. There are four Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degrees offered including Middle Level Education; Secondary Education; Modern Languages Education; and Teacher Residency. Master of Education (MEd) degrees offered include Counselor Education (School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling); Educational Leadership; Learning Sciences; Literacy; Special Education; Student Affairs; and Teaching and Learning. Educational Specialist (EdS) degrees are offered in Counselor Education; Educational Leadership; and Teaching and Learning. Also offered is a Master of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and a Master of Science in Athletic Leadership (MS).

The graduate programs focus on preparing students for leadership positions in education and other organizations. Clinical and field experiences are common in many graduate programs. Some programs and courses are offered off campus and in the evening to accommodate the schedules of public schools, higher education, and other organizations. Off-campus course schedules for fall, spring and summer offerings for school personnel, school districts and other South Carolina agencies are published by Clemson Online. In addition, courses are taught by contract with local school districts in the Clemson University service region.

Degree programs in Educational Leadership (EdS and MEd), Literacy, Middle Level Education, Secondary Education, Modern Languages Education, and Teacher Residency are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), national specialized professional associations, and the South Carolina Department of Education. Counselor education programs in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

NOTE: A student’s advisory committee aids in developing an individualized curriculum. A student’s personal GS2 Plan of Study documents their specific curriculum as determined by the advisory committee and consistent with the program guidelines, as well as Graduate School and University policies. For more information, see the most current graduate program handbook(s) and the Graduate School Policies and Procedures handbook, which include important information related to degree and program requirements, and may contain more updated policy information than what appears in this catalog.