2.7.2

The institution offers degree programs that embody a coherent course of study that is compatible with its stated mission and is based upon fields of study appropriate to higher education. (Program content)

Compliance Judgment

X     In compliance     Partially compliant     Non-compliant

Narrative

Evidence in regard to the compatibility of academic programs at Francis Marion University with the overall purpose of the university can be found in the alignment of the university mission with college and school missions. Sample four-year plans illustrate how degree programs encourage an evolution of knowledge among students. Internal and external review processes ensure that these programs meet higher education standards. Details about programs and their content are published in the University’s annual catalog, which is available both online and in-print.

Mission

The mission of the University can be found in the Catalog 2016-2017 [1]. Francis Marion is divided into four schools or colleges: business, education, health sciences, and liberal arts. Each school or college has a mission statement aligned with the threefold university purpose “to provide students with an excellent education, stimulate inquiry and research, and serve the Pee Dee region and the state of South Carolina [2].” Key phrases of mission statements for the School of Business, the School of Education, the School of Health Sciences, and the College of Liberal Arts are provided in Table 1 below. Furthermore, a breakdown of the Liberal Arts mission statement is provided in Table 2.


University Mission
BusinessEducation
Health Sciences

Liberal Arts
Provide students with an excellent educationTeach students to think logically, communicate effectively, develop an understanding and appreciation of the global business environmentTeaching and learning are highest prioritiesBecome lifelong learners and competent and caring healthcare professional leadersProvide students with skills and knowledge need for personal and professional success* [6]
Stimulate inquiry and researchDevelop conceptual and analytical skillsAcquisition of professional knowledge, skills, and dispositionsEvidence based practice*
Serve the Pee Dee region and the state of South CarolinaEnhance the region’s economic and industrial development; seeks students locally [3]Prepares educators in the Pee Dee region and beyond [4]Targeted clinical experiences [5]*

Table 1. Key Phrases Indicating Alignment of Mission Statements

*Each program within the college of liberal arts has a more specific mission statement.

University MissionDepartment of Chemistry
Department of Physics and Astronomy
Department of Psychology
Provide students with an excellent educationExpose [students] to scientific thoughtFundamental natural laws of the physical universe….are part of the liberal arts educationUnderstanding of psychology as the science of behavior and experience
Stimulate inquiry and researchLaboratory experience is required….to illustrate the importance of experimentation to the scientific endeavor.Opportunity to undertake undergraduate research is offeredDevelop competence with methods of scientific research and data analysis
Serve the Pee Dee region and the state of South Carolina.Prepared to enter work in local, regional, and national industries [7].Prepared for careers in industry and scientific research [8].Provides opportunities for internships in applied settings [9].

Table 2.  Key Phrases Indicating Alignment of Mission Statements within the College of Liberal Arts

Coherence of Programs

All programs at Francis Marion are coherent in sequencing, increasing complex, and linked within the program. Programs provide a projected four-year plan to students to ensure this sequence is followed. A representative sample of programs from across campus, specifically the departments of Mathematics, Sociology and Nursing are provided below in Table 3.

ProgramFour Year Plan (Coherent)Increasing ComplexityLinkages Between and Among Program Components
MathematicsFreshmen/Sophomore Years Include General Education [10]Courses increase by level/number.
Number of prerequisites increase [11]
Grade must be C or higher in prior math courses to get into upper level course, with some requiring junior/senior status and/or permission of the department [12]
Sociology Freshmen/Sophomore Years Include General Education [13]Courses increase by level/number.
Number of prerequisites increase [14]
Minimum number of sociology hours to get into upper level course, with some requiring junior/senior status and/or permission of the department [15]
NursingFreshmen/Sophomore Years Include General Education [16]Courses increase by level/number.
Number of prerequisites increase [17]
Admission to the program to get into upper level course and/or permission of the department [18]

Table 3. Examples of Coherent, Complex, and Linked Programs

Appropriate for Higher Education

Francis Marion ensures programs are appropriate to higher education through internal and external approval processes. The internal process consists of faculty governance, as seen below in Figure 1, and the external process consists of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education as well as various national accrediting bodies, which is shown below in Table 4 and available on the university’s website.

Figure 1. Internal Approval Process

 

FMU Programs and Accrediting Organizations
ProgramAccrediting Organization
Business AdministrationAACSBAssociation to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business – International
Early Childhood Education
NCATE (now CAEP)
National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (now Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation)
Elementary EducationNCATE (now CAEP)National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (now Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation)
Secondary EducationNCATE (now CAEP)National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (now Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation)
Art EducationNASADNational Association of Schools of Art and Design
Visual ArtsNASADNational Association of Schools of Art and Design
Theatre ArtsNASTNational Association of Schools of Theatre
ChemistryACSAmerican Chemical Society
Psychology Specialist –School PsychologyNASPNational Association of School Psychologists
Psychology M.S.MPACMaster’s in Psychology Accreditation Council
NursingACENAccreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Nurse Practitioner, M.S.N.ACENAccreditation Commission for Education in Nursing
Physician Assistant StudiesARC-PAAccreditation Review Commission for Physician Assistants

Table 4.  External Approval/Accrediting Bodies

Documentation

  1. Catalog 2016-2017, Purpose – Mission Statement, p. 9
  2. Catalog 2016-2017, Purpose – Mission Statement, p. 9
  3. Catalog 2016-2017, School of Business Mission Statement, p. 131
  4. Catalog 2016-2017, School of Education Mission Statement, p. 141
  5. Catalog 2016-2017, School of Health Sciences Mission Statement, p. 149
  6. Catalog 2016-2017, School of Liberal Arts Mission Statement, p. 67
  7. Catalog 2016-2017, School of Chemistry, p. 75
  8. Catalog 2016-2017, School of Physics and Astronomy Mission Statement, p. 113
  9. Catalog 2016-2017, School of Psychology Mission Statement, p. 122
  10. Catalog 2016-2017, Four Year Plan for Mathematics Majors, p. 112
  11. Catalog 2016-2017, Department of Mathematics, p. 108-111
  12. Catalog 2016-2017, College Algebra, p. 108
  13. Catalog 2016-2017, Four Year Plan for Sociology Majors, p. 130
  14. Catalog 2016-2017, Department of Sociology, p. 126-128
  15. Catalog 2016-2017, Survey Methodology, p. 127
  16. Catalog 2016-2017, Nursing Plans of Study, p. 156
  17. Catalog 2016-2017, Nursing, p. 152-154
  18. Catalog 2016-2017, Human Nutrition Elective, p. 153