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 the 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, South Carolina area, and globally.
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.
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.


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 program. Students who take the pre-requisite courses can complete all of them in one semester, or spread them over two semesters.
Accreditation Status
The Master of Speech-Language Pathology (MSLP) education program in speech-language pathology {residential} at Francis Marion University is a Candidate for Accreditation 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. Candidacy is a “pre-accreditation” status with the CAA, awarded to developing or emerging programs for a maximum period of 5 years.
For complaints, please visit: https://caa.asha.org/programs/complaints/

CONTACT US
Department of Speech-Language Pathology
FMU Center for Speech, Language, and Hearing
FACULTY & STAFF
Manuela C. Aguilar, AU.D.
Part Time Instructor-Speech-Language Pathology
Office: CCHS 325
Phone: 843-661-1664
Mani.Aguilar@fmarion.edu
Afua M. Agyapong, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology
Office: LMEC 305
Phone: 843-661-1888
Afua.Agyapong@fmarion.edu
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 P. Moore
Administrative Assistant-Speech Language Pathology
Office: LMEC 307
Phone: 843-661-1847
Whitney.Moore@fmarion.edu
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 F. Rutland, Ph.D., CCC-SLP
Part Time Instructor-Speech-Language Pathology
Office: LMEC
Phone: 843-661-
Brittany.Rutland@fmarion.edu
Rebekah E. Wada, PhD, CCC-SLP
Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology
Office: LMEC 304
Phone: 843-661-1887
Rebekah.Wada@fmarion.edu
Dr. Debra Anderson
Coordinator of Clinical Education
Assistant Professor of Speech Language Pathology
Office: LMEC 020
Phone: 843-661-1664
Debra.Anderson@FMarion.edu
Anna Freeman
Clinical Supervisor,
Instructor
Office: LMEC 004
Phone: 843-661-1628
Anna.Freeman@FMarion.edu
CLINIC
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