Academics

Academics at FMU

The foundation you need to grow

FMU offers students more than 75 majors and courses of study. Core classes in the liberal arts and the humanities give every student the foundation they need to grow and develop as an individual. Professional schools and majors prepare them for a career in the field of their choice. FMU’s expanding graduate programs offer master and doctoral degrees for students who want to continue their studies. Explore the vast academic opportunity available at FMU!

The Liberal Arts Foundation

FMU’s educational goals are sustained by the tenets and mores of the classic liberal arts tradition and seek to provide all baccalaureate degree students with the following:

  • Proficiency in listening, reading, speaking, and writing
  • Proficiency in the use of quantitative skills and scientific method
  • Ability to access and use information
  • Introductory level of knowledge in a variety of disciplines in the Arts and Sciences
  • Understanding and appreciation of the Western heritage and cultures of the United States and the world
  • Basic computer skills
  • Global awareness and tolerance for a diversity of ideas
  • Sense of individual responsibility and ability to work cooperatively
  • Lifelong love for inquiry and learning

General Education Requirements

FMU’s General Education requirements are intertwined with our stated goals and seek to ensure that all students are firmly grounded in the liberal arts tradition. The foundational classes, which most students complete before advancing into the more focused academic work demanded by their majors, are designed to give students an introduction to the broad areas of knowledge essential to a successful life and career.

The General Education program provides students with a broad-based education by offering them a choice of courses from the humanities, the social sciences, the laboratory sciences and basic communications.

Through this program, students begin to acquire an awareness of the diverse cultures of the past and present. They also develop communication, conceptualization, and analytical and critical thinking skills.

PROVOST

The Provost is the chief academic officer of Francis Marion University and with the assistance of the associate provosts, school deans, and department chairs, oversees the undergraduate and graduate programs of the University.

DEANS AND DEPARTMENT CHAIRS

Francis Marion University’s academic departments and organized into three schools and the College of Liberal Arts. A dean presides of each school or college. A senior faculty member serves as chairperson of each academic department with the schools. FMU’s Rogers Library does not offer majors or degrees, but plays such a vital role in the academic life of the university that it is also led by a dean.

Dean
Dr. T. Alissa Warters
twarters@fmarion.edu

Biology
Dr. Vernon Bauer
vbauer@fmarion.edu

Chemistry
Dr. Jennifer Kelley
jkelley@fmarion.edu

English, Modern Languages, & Philosophy
Dr. Meredith Love-Steinmetz
mlove@fmarion.edu

Fine Arts
Prof. D. Keith Best
dbest@fmarion.edu

History
Dr. William Bolt
wbolt@fmarion.edu

Mass Communication
Dr. Stan Diel
sdiel@fmarion.edu

Mathematics
Dr. Thomas L. Fitzkee
tfitzkee@fmarion.edu

Physics and Engineering
Dr. Derek W. Jokisch
djokisch@fmarion.edu

Political Science and Geography
Dr. Dillon Tatum
dtatum@fmarion.edu

Psychology
Dr. Crystal R. Hill-Chapman
chillchapman@fmarion.edu

Sociology
Dr. Jessica Doucet
jdoucet@fmarion.edu

Dean
Dr. Hari Rajagopalan
hrajagopalan@fmarion.edu

Associate Dean
Dr. Johnathan G. Munn
jmunn@fmarion.edu

Interim Dean
Dr. Callum Johnston
cjohnston@fmarion.edu

Associate Dean
Dr. Cindi Nixon
cnixon@fmarion.edu

Dean
Dr. Karen Gittings
kgittings@fmarion.edu

Nursing
Dr. Rhonda Brogdon
rbrogdon@fmarion.edu

Speech Language Pathology
Dr. Frances Burns
frances.burns@fmarion.edu

Healthcare Administration
Dr. Sarah Kershner
skershner@fmarion.edu

Dean
Ms. Demetra Walker
demetra.walker@fmarion.edu

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