MSPAS – Accreditation

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)

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).

Substantive Change Policy and Procedures

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:

• The business programs are accredited by the The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
• The teacher education programs are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and approved by the South Carolina Board of Education.
• The chemistry program is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.
• The graduate psychology program is accredited by the Master’s in Psychology Accreditation Council (MPAC) and meets the standards of training approved by the Council of Applied Master’s Programs in Psychology (CAMPP).
• The specialist degree in school psychology is approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).
• The music industry program is accredited by the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association (MEIEA)
• The theatre arts program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).
• The visual arts and art education programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).
• The baccalaureate degree program in nursing/master’s degree program in nursing and/Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Francis Marion University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (http://www.ccneaccreditation.org).

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