Clemson elementary education program earns top marks in report from the National Council on Teacher Quality
June 9, 2026
The undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program at Clemson University has earned an A+ rating from the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) for its preparation of future teachers to teach reading. The designation applies to the College of Education’s Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program.
In its report, Teacher Prep Review: Decoding Progress in Reading Preparation, released June 9, NCTQ recognized Clemson for preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension and vocabulary.
Clemson is among a select group of teacher preparation programs nationwide recognized for aligning reading instruction with research-based practices. The Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education program prepares teachers for grades two through six and includes more than 100 hours of classroom field experience prior to student teaching.
Students also complete a 72-day student teaching internship, exceeding South Carolina certification requirements, and have the option to pursue a combined bachelor’s and master’s degree through Clemson’s teacher residency program.
