During the 2008-2009 school year, the FMU School of Education serves as the college partner for 20 area high school Teacher Cadet classes.  Teacher Cadets must be high school juniors or seniors, have a 3.0 or higher GPA on a 4 point scale, be enrolled in a college prepatory curriculum, submit essays on why they want to be in the Teacher Cadet class, and be recommended in writing by five instructors.

In addition to receiving honors credit for the Teacher Cadet class at their high school, these students are also concurrently enrolled at Francis Marion University and receive two semester hours of college credit for EDUC 290, "The Student, The School, and The Community."  Dr. Sharon Moore Askins, Teacher Cadet Coordinator for the School of Education, visits each Teacher Cadet class during the year for a special presentation to each cadet class.  FMU Admissions counselors also visit each Teacher Cadet class during the year.  In addition to registering the Cadets for their university credit hours, theAdmissions counselors also answer questions regarding college admission in general, financial aid processes and opportunities, and advantages of attending FMU.

We currently partner with the following area high schools:

The highlight of each semester for Teacher Cadets and their instructors is College Day, a fun-filled day of activities on the Francis Marion campus and a special luncheon in their honor.  On College Day, Cadets have their FMU identification cards made, tour various parts of the campus, and participate in group activities.  The current SC Teacher of the Year always serves as the main speaker for the opening session.