Comprehensive Standard 3.4.6
CS 3.4.6
The institution employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the
amount and level of credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery.
(Practices for awarding credit)
Compliance Judgment:
X
In compliance
Partially compliant
Non-compliant
The following narrative provides evidence that:

FMU employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the amount of
credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery.

FMU employs sound and acceptable practices for determining the level of
credit awarded for courses, regardless of format or mode of delivery.
Rationale:
Francis Marion University determines the amount and the level of credit awarded for
courses (100-700) through a rigorous process involving both internal and external review.
Internal Review
Whether created by individuals or by committees, course proposals are drafted in a
standardized form (Francis Marion University),1 which organizes course information for
eventual submission to the faculty at large. Course proposals must include descriptions
of the course level and number of credit hours to be assigned, and both criteria must be
justified by sample syllabi and/or descriptions of course content.
Generally, these proposals are reviewed first by departmental curriculum committees,
then departments as a whole, before they are submitted to the university’s Academic
Affairs Committee or Graduate Council. Academic Affairs, a twelve-member body
comprised of faculty delegates from all three university divisions (Liberal Arts, Business,
and Education) is charged in the Faculty Senate’s By-Laws to:
a. advise the Faculty Senate on all curriculum matters, including proposed courses,
course changes, or new academic programs, being responsible in particular for
checking all such proposed courses, changes, or new programs for accuracy,
numbering courses, prerequisites, issues of redundancy or overlap with existing
courses, and related matters taking in account the impact of curricular proposals
on other disciplines and the university as a whole;
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Comprehensive Standard 3.4.6
b. review guidelines and make recommendations when appropriate for the general
education program requirements for the various degree programs of the
University (By-Laws of the Faculty Senate).2
The recently established Graduate Council serves a similar function. Beginning in Fall
2007, this council is charged in the Faculty Senate’s By-Laws to:
a. propose policy changes for the Honors Program to the Academic Affairs
Committee;
b. select, with department or School concurrence, the Honors courses that are offered
each semester;
c. approve proposals for Honors Independent Studies;
d. propose changes in requirements for the admission of students to the Honors
courses;
e. certify those students who fulfill the requirements for a degree with University
Honors;
f. select the student who receives the Honors Award on Awards Day;
g. maintain contact with Honors students through advising, registration, and informal
meetings;
h. assist and encourage academic achievement at the University. (Faculty Handbook
2007, p. 102)3
If a course proposal clears the Academic Committee or Graduate Council, it must pass
through the faculty senate and the faculty as a whole before it can be included in the
Francis Marion University Catalog.
External Review
Externally, Francis Marion University’s assignments of course level and credit hour
ratings are gauged by the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education and several
individual accrediting agencies.
The S.C. Commission on Higher Education:

Provides a list of 86 courses that, by law, are “universally transferable” among
state colleges and universities in South Carolina.
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Comprehensive Standard 3.4.6

Provides an external guide to content, the level, and the amount of credit awarded
for transfer courses that must be the same throughout the state system (List of 86
Universally Transferable Courses).4

Reviews the amount and level of credit awarded for graduate and undergraduate
courses as a part of the regular external program review of existing programs
(Commission Division Description).5

Reviews the amount and level of credit awarded for graduate and undergraduate
courses as part of the approval process for new programs and modifications of
existing programs (Guidelines for New Academic Program Approval).6
In addition, several individual academic programs at FMU have been recognized by
specialized accrediting organizations (Accreditation for Francis Marion University).7
These individual accrediting agencies review all courses within the discipline for course
level, content, and credit hour assignment:

The business program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate
Schools of Business (AACSB International).

The teacher education programs are accredited by the National Council for
Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and approved by NCATE, the
State Department of Education and Specialized Professional Association (SPAs).

The chemistry program is approved and certified by the Committee on
Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.

The nursing program is accredited by the National League for Nursing (NLN).

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 school psychology option of the graduate program is approved as a specialistlevel training program by the National Association of School Psychologists
(NASP).

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).
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Comprehensive Standard 3.4.6
Action Plan:
Implement the following improvements:
Maintain our ongoing practice, as is.
X
None required.
Evidence:
The supporting documents that verify this judgment compliance include:
1
“Francis Marion University: Description of Proposed New Course or Modification of an
Existing Course." Internal document only. 30 October 2006. Available online at:
http://images.acswebnetworks.com/2017/614/New_Course_Form.doc.
2
“By-Laws of the Faculty Senate.” Francis Marion University Faculty Handbook 2005.
Florence, SC: Francis Marion University. p. 95. Available online at:
http://images.acswebnetworks.com/2017/614/Combined_Fac_Hdbk_04_24_07.doc.
3
“By-Laws of the Faculty Senate.” Francis Marion University Faculty Handbook 2007.
Florence, SC: Francis Marion University, 2007-2008. p. 102. Available online at:
http://images.acswebnetworks.com/2017/614/FacultyHandbook2007Compiled.doc.
4
“List of 86 Universally Transferable Courses.” Transfer and Articulation in South
Carolina. Commission on Higher Education. Updated: September 2002. Available
online at: http://www.che.sc.gov/AcademicAffairs/TRANSFER/Transfer.htm.
Accessed 30 October 2006.
5
“Academic Affair and Licensing Division.” SC Commission on Higher Education.
Available online at: http://www.che.sc.gov/New_Web/AboutCHE/AADesc.htm.
Accessed 26 February 2007.
AND
“A Closer Look at Public Higher Education in South Carolina: Institutional
Effectiveness, Accountability, and Performance.” January 2006. p. 14 & 17.
Available online at: www.fmarion.edu/sacs/article90823.htm.
6
“Guidelines for New Academic Program Approval.” SC Commission on Higher
Education. Updated: 27 March 2006. Available online at:
http://www.che.sc.gov/AcademicAffairs/Guidelines_for_New_Prog_Approv.pdf.
Accessed 26 February 2007.
266
Comprehensive Standard 3.4.6
7
“Accreditation for Francis Marion University.” About FMU. Francis Marion
University. Available online at: http://www.fmarion.edu/about/accreditation/.
Accessed 26 February 2007.
267
Comprehensive Standard 3.4.6
268