Accreditation Status (A3.12a, D1.02a,b)

Francis Marion University Physician Assistant Studies Program has applied for Accreditation – Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). Francis Marion Physician Assistant Program anticipates matriculating its first class in August 2026, pending achieving Accreditation – Provisional status at the March 2026 agenda ARC-PA meeting. Accreditation – Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.

Accreditation-Provisional Applicant status does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at Francis Marion PA Program.

The ARC-PA agenda meeting occurring in March 2026 to determine program accreditation status. If the Francis Marion University Physician Assistant Program is non-accredited and is not to matriculate the first class of students in August 2026, then students may contact university accounting here for deposit refund information.  (D1.02c)

Accreditation

SACSCOC Accreditation

Francis Marion University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. Francis Marion University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the status of Francis Marion University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA  30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

Accreditation for University Programs

Upon request, accreditation documents may be viewed in the Office of the Provost during normal business hours. The University is approved by the South Carolina State Board of Education and is a member of the American Council on Education and the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

In addition, several individual academic programs have been recognized by specialized accrediting organizations:

Graduate and Undergraduate Degrees and Undergraduate Majors at Francis Marion

Bachelor of Arts

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Biology 260101
     Economics 450601
     English 230101
     History 540101
     Mass Communication 090102
     Mathematics 270101
     Modern Languages 160101
     Political Science 451001
     Psychology 420101
     Sociology 451101
     Theater Arts 500501
     Visual Art 500701

Bachelor of Science

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Art Education 131302
     Biology 260101
     Biology (Medical Technology Emphasis) 260101
     Chemistry 400501
     Computer Science 110101
     Early Childhood Education 131210
     Economics 450601
     Elementary Education 131202
     Engineering Technology 159999
     Health Care Administration 510701
     History 540101
     Industrial Engineering 143501
     Mathematics 270101
     Middle Level Education (Mathematics/Science Licensure) 131203
     Middle Level Education (Mathematics/Social Studies Licensure) 131203
     Middle Level Education (Mathematics/English Licensure) 131203
     Middle Level Education (Science/Social Studies Licensure) 131203
     Middle Level Education (Science/English Licensure) 131203
     Middle Level Education (Social Studies/English Licensure) 131203
     Music Industry 501003
     Pharmaceutical Studies 512099
     Physics 400801
     Political Science 451001
     Psychology 420101
     Sociology 451101

Bachelor of Business Administration

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Accounting 520301
     Business Administration 520201
     Economics 520601
     Finance 520801
     Management 520201
     Management Information Systems 521201
     Marketing 521401

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Nursing Generic (No RN) 513801
     Nursing (RN to B.S.N.) 513801
     Nursing (RN to B.S.N.) – Blended Distance Education 513801

Bachelor of General Studies

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

   General Liberal Arts and Sciences 240101

Master of Business Administration

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Business Administration  520201

Master of Education

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Instructional Accommodation 131011
     Learning Disabilities 131011

Master of Arts in Teaching

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

  Learning Disabilities 131011

Master of Science

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Applied Psychology 422813
     Physician Assistant Studies 510912

Master of Science in Nursing

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Family Nurse Practitioner 513805
     Nursing Educator 513817

Specialist in School Psychology

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     School Psychology 422805

Professional Doctorate

Major:                                                                     CIP Code:

     Nursing Practice 422805
     Occupational Therapy 51.2306

CIP Codes

Accredited Academic Units at Francis Marion & Date of Next Site Visit

Accrediting Body and Academic Unit Cycle Last Accreditation Site Visit Scheduled Sanctions
*SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools)

University

10 years 2018 Spring 2028 None
CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation)

School of Education

7 years 2020 Fall 2027 None
AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)

School of Business

5 years Spring 2020 2024-2025 None
MPCAC (Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accrediting Council)

Department of Psychology

10 years Spring 2018 Fall 2028 None
*APA (American Psychological Association)

Doctor of Psychology

Application Submission Fall 2024
NASP (National Association of School Psychologists)

Masters of School Psychology

Specialist in School Psychology

7 years 2023 Fall 2029 None
*NASAD (National Association of Schools of Art and Design)

Department of Fine Arts

10 years 2014 Fall 2023 None
*NAST (National Association of Schools of Theater)

Department of Fine Arts

10 years 2017 Spring 2025 None
ACS (American Chemical Society)

Department of Chemistry

6 years 2018 Periodic Summer 2025 None
ABET

(Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology)

Department of Physics & Astronomy – Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Programs

6 years 2024 Fall 2030 None
*CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN Program

Pre-licensure and RN to BSN

Department of Nursing

5-6 years Fall 2019 Fall 2024 None
*CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)

Master of Science Nursing (MSN) Program

Nurse Educator, Family Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

5-6 years Fall 2019 Fall 2024 None
*CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education)

Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) Program

BSN to DNP/FNP,  MSN to DNP

    5-6 years Fall 2019 Fall 2024 None
*CAA-ASHA (Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology-American Speech Language Hearing Association)

Masters Speech Language Pathology Program

Initial Accreditation= 5 years Fall 2023 Fall 2028 None
*ACOTE (Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education)

Doctor of Occupational Therapy

Occupational Therapy Doctoral Program-Fall 2024

Candidacy March 2024 Pre-accreditation Review November 2025 TBD
ARC-PA (Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant)

Masters of Physician Assistant Studies- Fall 2026

Application for Candidacy due May 2025 August 2025

(March 2026)

*Agencies which are recognized by the U.S. Department of Education