Speech-Language Pathology

MSLP Program Mission

Preparing students to provide SLP services

Welcome to the Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) program at Francis Marion University.

The mission of Francis Marion University’s MSLP program is to provide a comprehensive academic course of study combined with diverse clinical experiences in order to prepare outstanding allied healthcare professionals capable of providing high-quality assessment and treatment for individuals with communication and swallowing disorders in the Pee Dee region, in the state of South Carolina, and around the globe.

The Department of Speech-Language Pathology’s Strategic Plan can be found  at https://www.fmarion.edu/healthsciences/speechlanguagepathology/slp-master-of-slp-strategic-plan/

Francis Marion University follows all state, local, and federal laws banning discrimination in public institutions of higher learning. FMU adheres to all Title IX policies, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status or any other protected category under applicable state, local, or federal law. General questions regarding Title IX can be directed to the Office of Civil Rights (www.ed.gov/ocr). Specific questions may be referred to the University’s Title IX Coordinator (titleixcoordinator@fmarion.edu) or the University’s Human Resources Office.

Meet our Faculty

View Our Qualified Faculty and Staff Members

Program Overview

The MSLP program offers a five-semester master’s degree in speech-language pathology (SLP) during which time students acquire the knowledge and skills needed for the Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC) in Speech-Language Pathology.

The knowledge and skills obtained prepare students to provide preventive, diagnostic, and rehabilitative services to individuals with speech, language, cognitive, feeding and swallowing delays and disorders.

For the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) 2020 Certification Standards, please visit: https://www.asha.org/Certification/2020-SLP-Certification-Standards/.

For the 2023 Revisions to CAA Standards, please visit: https://caa.asha.org/siteassets/files/side-by-side-revisions-to-standards-for-accreditation-2023.pdf

All students in the MSLP program are subject to the policies/procedures set forth in the MSLP Academic Handbook.

Access the MSLP Academic Handbook.

Program Enrollment

The MSLP program is designed for persons with a bachelor degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders or related disciplines. Graduates will be provided with the academic and clinical coursework required for pursuing national certification and state licensure as a speech-language pathologist.

Persons without a bachelor degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders must complete 15 hours of Speech-Language Pathology pre-requisites before being eligible to apply to our MSLP Program. Information about the MSLP pre-requisite course sequence can be found here.

Matriculation for students with Bachelor Degrees in Communication Sciences and Disorders is two (2) years or five (5) semesters.

Matriculation for students with bachelors in other areas will be at least two and a half (2.5) years or six-seven (6-7) semesters, which includes completion of the pre-requisite courses.  Students who take the pre-requisite courses can complete all of them in one semester or spread them over two semesters.  FMU offers online pre-requisite courses for individuals with bachelors in other areas.

Accreditation Status

The Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) education program in speech-language pathology {residential} at Francis Marion University is accredited by the Council on Academic Accreditation in Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology (CAA) of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association,  2200 Research Boulevard, #310, Rockville, MD 20850, 800-498-2071 or 301-296-5700.

For complaints, please visit: https://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/

CONTACT US

Department of Speech-Language Pathology

Current/Prospective Students
Contact: Ms. Whitney Moore
Office: 843-661-1847 Fax: 843-665-5350
Email: whitney.moore@fmarion.edu

FMU Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing

Current/Prospective Patients
Contact: Ms. Genien James
Office: 843-661-1486   Fax: 843-665-5350
Email: genien.james@fmarion.edu

FACULTY & STAFF

Afua M. Agyapong, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology

Office: LMEC 305
Phone: 843-661-1888
Afua.Agyapong@fmarion.edu

Ashleigh Collins

Ashleigh H. Collins

Clinical Supervisor

Office: 004
Phone: 843-661-1628
Ashleigh.Collins@FMarion.edu

woman smiling

Frances Burns, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Chair of Speech-Language Pathology,
Assistant Professor of Speech-Language Pathology

Office: LMEC 306
Phone: 843-661-1897
Frances.Burns@fmarion.edu

Ron Jones, Ph.D., CCC-A

Part Time Instructor-Speech-Language Pathology

Office: LMEC
Phone:
Ronald.Jones@fmarion.edu

Whitney Moore

Whitney P. Moore

Administrative Assistant-Speech Language Pathology

Office: LMEC 307
Phone: 843-661-1847
Whitney.Moore@fmarion.edu

Michelle Norman

Michele L. Norman, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Graduate Studies Coordinator
Associate Professor of Speech-Language Pathology

Office: LMEC 301
Phone: 843-661-1885
Michele.Norman@FMarion.edu

Brittany Rutland

Brittany F. Rutland, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Part Time Instructor-Speech-Language Pathology

Office: LMEC
Phone: 843-661-
Brittany.Rutland@fmarion.edu

woman smiling

Rebekah E. Wada, PhD, CCC-SLP

Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology

Office: LMEC 304
Phone: 843-661-1887
Rebekah.Wada@fmarion.edu

Marilyn E. McClam Mack

Coordinator of Clinical Education-Speech Language Pathology

Office: LMEC 020
834-661-1664
Marilyn.McClamMack@fmarion.edu

CLINIC

The Leatherman Medical Complex on a partly cloudy day.

Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing

Hugh and Jean Leatherman Medical Education Complex
Phone: 843-661-1486
Email: SpeechClinic@fmarion.edu
Address: 201 W Evans St., Florence, SC 29501