Lander University, Florence-Darlington Technical College Sign Transfer Partnership for Early Childhood Education Majors
February 23, 2024
In recognition of the state’s high demand for more qualified K-12 teachers, Lander University and Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) have formed a partnership to enhance the transfer of students from FDTC to Lander. An agreement signed by both institutions will allow early childhood education students at FDTC to easily transfer their credits to Lander’s College of Education, providing a path towards a four-year degree and teacher certification.
“Lander University and our technical college partners share a common mission to prepare our students to meet the needs of South Carolina’s workforce,” said Dr. Jim Colbert, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs at Lander. “This partnership with Florence-Darlington Technical College demonstrates the commitment of both institutions to producing more highly qualified educators for our state’s classrooms.”
Students who meet the requirements of the agreement will be guaranteed admission to Lander and will receive priority acceptance. Prior to transferring to Lander, students will complete their A.A.S. in Early Care and Education at FDTC. At Lander, they will complete their BS in Early Childhood Education, which will lead to teacher certification in Pre-kindergarten through Grade 3. Lander’s BS in Early Childhood Education program is available in-person and online.
“This transfer agreement comes at a critical time for our state, as South Carolina faces an ongoing teacher shortage,” said Dr. Sarah Hunt-Barron, dean of the College of Education at Lander University. “We are pleased to give students pursuing an A.A.S. in Early Care and Education a definitive path to becoming certified classroom teachers and uphold our commitment to preparing educators for our state.”
FDTC President Dr. Jermaine Ford said there is a need more teachers within South Carolina and that “we are pleased students are pursuing an A.A.S. in Early Care and Education because it is a direct pathway to becoming a certified teacher.”
“With this agreement, we continue to provide our students post-graduate success leading to a family-sustaining wage,” said Dr. Ford. “Partnerships like this allow us to provide students with vitally important pathways to continue their career advancement. We couldn’t be happier to partner with Lander University and provide more opportunities for our students to succeed.”
“Our focus is opening the door to possibilities for students by developing caring teachers who love South Carolina and the Pee Dee region,” said FDTC Interim VP or Academic Affairs Dr. Luegina Mounfield. “Teachers who want to build our communities extends the work of Florence-Darlington Technical College to the next generation. Teachers who want to live and work in their home communities are role models for the future. We appreciate the partnership with Lander University. “
This transfer partnership is only the latest in a series of partnerships between Lander University and South Carolina’s technical colleges.
To learn more about transferring to Lander, or to apply now, please visit www.lander.edu/transfer.
This transfer partnership is the second Early Childhood agreement that FDTC has signed since November 2023.
Students can begin taking advantage of this opportunity immediately. Anyone who is interested in beginning their career journeys in one of these programs should contact FDTC’s Admissions office at: Phone: 843-661-8289 Text: 843-351-1940 or Email: [email protected].
ABOUT FLORENCE-DARLINGTON TECHNICAL COLLEGE:
Florence-Darlington Technical College (FDTC) has provided affordable technical education to many thousands of Pee Dee-area students since 1963. The college strives for student success and workforce development while providing its students with a high-quality education that leads to post-graduate success and little to no debt. FDTC currently enrolls more than 3,000 curriculum students and nearly 3,500 noncredit students annually through the college’s Corporate and Workforce Development division. Additionally, the College is home to the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology (SiMT). For more information, visit www.fdtc.edu.
ABOUT LANDER UNIVERSITY:
Founded in 1872, Lander University is a co-educational, state-assisted, four-year university serving over 4,300students and offering more than 90 areas of study in the liberal arts and sciences. Located in Uptown Greenwood, the University has a long-standing tradition of providing a challenging, enriching education that prepares graduates to lead lives of meaningful activity, of personal satisfaction and of service to others. Learn more at www.lander.edu, or call toll free 1-800-4-LANDER.
