To be considered for admission to Francis Marion University, incoming freshmen must earn a high school diploma with a satisfactory academic record, and must successfully complete all required college preparatory courses (see list below).
Beyond that, admission depends on the evaluation of your application with a particular focus on your high school academic, SAT or ACT scores (optional), recommendations, and participation in extracurricular activities.
Special note: GED recipients can be considered for admission but will need to include a letter of intent with their application that adds further detail to their situation.
A complete set of admissions documents to FMU includes all of the following:
1. Proper completion of all application materials, and a $41 non-refundable application fee or signed fee waiver.
2. (Optional) Official results from either the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). Scores can be sent to the FMU Admissions Office either through the testing service or by your high school guidance office. FMU’s codes for SAT and ACT reporting are listed below. Use these codes where appropriate in order to have your test results transmitted to FMU.
SAT Code: 5442 ACT Code: 3856
*Submission of ACT and SAT scores are optional.
3. Official transcript of a student’s high school academic record. Request and send an electronic copy of your high school transcript to FMU, or have the appropriate transcript document sent to FMU at documents@fmarion.edu.
Core curriculum requirements
Students seeking admission to FMU must complete the following courses during their high school career.
English – 4 units
Of the four English units, at least two of the units (classes) should include strong grammar and composition components, at least one should focus on English literature, and at least one should focus on American literature. Generally speaking, completion of college preparatory-level English I, II, III, and IV at most high schools will meet these requirements.
Math – 4 units
Mathematics units should include college Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry in college prep-level courses. A fourth, higher-level mathematics course can be selected from among Algebra III/trigonometry, pre-calculus, calculus, statistics, discrete mathematics, or a capstone mathematics course. The fourth would typically be the final math course taken during a student’s senior year.
Laboratory Science – 3 units
Two units must be taken in two different fields. Fields of study include: biology, chemistry, or physics. The third unit may be from the same field as one of the first two units (biology, chemistry, or physics) but must have biology, chemistry or physics as a prerequisite. NOTE: Physical Science is not considered as a laboratory science for admission purposes.
Foreign Language – 2 units
Two units of the same foreign language.
Social Science – 3 units
One unit of U.S. history is required. A half unit of economics and a half unit in government is strongly recommended.
Fine Arts – 1 unit
One unit in appreciation of, history of, or performance in one of the fine arts. Fine Arts credits are difficult to obtain in some S.C. districts and schools. Contact the FMU Admissions Office for guidance on this topic.
Electives – 1 unit
One college preparatory unit must be taken from the following fields: computer science (strongly recommended), English, fine arts, foreign languages, humanities, laboratory science (excluding earth science, general physical science, general environmental science or other introductory science courses for which biology and/or chemistry is not a prerequisite), mathematics above the level of Algebra II, and social sciences. Note: electives cannot be courses counted for other core requirements.
Physical Education or ROTC – 1 unit
Applicants will receive an email confirmation once the application is submitted. Once all the required documents are received, an admissions decision will be rendered, and an email notification sent to the applicant to log into their FM Link account.
Have questions? Call the Admissions’ office at 843-661-1231.
Transfer students should meet the following criteria for admission:
(Students who have less than 22 transferable credit hours are still encouraged to apply; however, a high school transcript should be submitted for review, and SAT or ACT test score submission is optional.)
Students interested in transferring from a South Carolina Technical College can view the Transfer Guide indicating which courses will transfer to FMU.
For more information about transferring into Francis Marion University, please refer to SC TRAC, a helpful website that aims to guide students through the transfer process. From the home screen there you can plan your transfer, find course equivalencies and learn more about the transfer process. The site is being updated regularly and just because the courses you’ve taken aren’t listed as an equivalent doesn’t mean it won’t transfer. To get the most accurate credit evaluation you’ll need to apply for admission and send us your official transcripts.
*Request and send an electronic copy of your official college transcript to FMU. You may also request your high school transcript via this method.
NOTE: Students who do not meet these criteria may apply and will be considered on a case by case basis.
Transfer Scholarships are available. Click HERE to complete the Admissions Scholarship Application.
International Student Admissions Requirements
Francis Marion University is committed to promoting international understanding through intercultural exchange. The admission of qualified international students from countries throughout the world allows FMU to offer a uniquely diverse student body.
Francis Marion University welcomes applications for admission from international students. To ensure ample time for all required documentation to arrive at Francis Marion, it is important to apply as early as possible. International degree-seeking students must be accepted to FMU by: July 1 to begin classes in the Fall Semester; November 1 to begin classes in the Spring Semester and April 1 to begin classes in the Late Spring and Summer Semesters. Students applying for undergraduate study (to receive a bachelor’s degree) are responsible for all expenses. The University does not award financial aid to international students for undergraduate study although some scholarships are available for qualified students.
International students must be proficient in the English language and must be good students in their own country before they are accepted to FMU. The course of study must include course selections from English, history, mathematics, and science as well as appropriate test scores. International students should complete the educational equivalent of an American High School diploma to be considered for admission to FMU. Further information about these requirements can be obtained from the educational system in the applicant’s own country or from the Admissions Office at Francis Marion University.
Some international students may qualify for in-state tuition under the South Carolina Sister-State initiative. Students from Brandenburg, Thuringen, or Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany, state of Queensland, Australia and province of Taiwan, Republic of China could be eligible. Once you’ve applied for admission and you think you may be eligible to receive the waiver please contact our Residency Officer in the Admissions Office.
In addition to all other admissions materials, students must complete an Einwohnermeldeamt certificate of residency (translated into English) or send, in English, a letter from the Education Ministry in Germany confirming residence in one of the states listed above. Certificates are available from the FMU admissions office. For more information on the Sister-State initiative, consult the SC Commission on Higher Education web site at http://www.che.sc.gov/.
Our Coordinator for International Programs is Melissa Dungan. For questions or additional information, Melissa can be contacted at 843-661-1647 or melissa.dungan@fmarion.edu.
The following steps must be completed in order for international students to be considered for admission to FMU:
When the FMU Office of Admissions receives official copies of all required credentials, a letter of acceptance or denial will be sent. If an applicant is accepted, the University may require additional proof of financial status before an I-20 is issued. Immigration laws of the United States require every institution to certify that each international student has adequate finances to cover expenses incurred while pursuing a baccalaureate degree. Please note that all documents such as TOEFL scores, financial information, and transcripts must be sent directly from the applicable institution to the Francis Marion University Admissions Office. Facsimiles of documents except for the admissions application, will not be accepted nor will copies mailed directly from the applicant or his family.
Included with the acceptance letter will be a student health form. International students are required to complete a health history form, supply dates of previous immunizations, and have a current PPD, which is a TB skin test. The current immunization form must be presented to FMU Student Health Services before the student will be allowed to register for classes. Additionally, International Students are required to provide proof of insurance. Questions regarding the immunization form should be directed to the FMU Student Health Center at 843-661-1844.
All international students must have health insurance for the duration of enrollment at FMU. If an international student has insurance that meets these requirements below, they must submit a copy of the policy coverage and proof of validity in English to the International Student Advisor upon arrival in the United States.
Students with a F-1 Visa
Students may acquire insurance coverage from the following vendors:
Upon acceptance to FMU, the Admissions Office will send the student an I-20 that is used to obtain an F-1 student visa. Visas may be obtained at the American Embassy or Consulate. To obtain a visa the following documents must be provided to the Embassy or Consulate staff:
Current financial certification (official documents should be obtained by the student and taken to the Embassy at the time of application for a Visa)
Applicants who are already in the United States will not need to obtain a new Visa but are still required to submit Visa information to get a new I-20. These applicants should request a transfer in SEVIS before the new I-20 will be issued by FMU. International students must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 hours) during the Fall and Spring semesters in order to maintain student immigration status.
Second degree seeking students are any students who have already obtained a Bachelor’s degree and wish to continue their education at the bachelor’s level for a different program of study.
To be admitted as a second degree seeking student:
– Submit an Application for Admission with the $41 application fee.
– Submit official transcript from the institution first degree was awarded from:
Francis Marion University
Office of Admissions
PO Box 100547
Florence, SC 29502
(Francis Marion graduates do not need to complete this step.)
Request and send an electronic copy of your official college transcript to FMU.
Once you have been admitted, the Registrar’s Office will be able to evaluate your official transcript(s) and enter applicable transfer credits to your FMU academic record. Once entered, your transfer credits will be available to view on the Progress view of your Patriot Portal.
If you have questions about your transfer credits, contact the Registrar’s Office at (843) 661-1175 or Registrar@fmarion.edu
If you are looking to complete second bachelor’s degree in Nursing, please contact Kelly Heavner to find out the prerequisite requirements to our nursing program:
Kelly Heavner
Coordinator of Nursing Student Services
(843)-661-1226
kelly.heavner@fmarion.edu
School of Business
School of Education
Master of Education Degrees
Master of Arts in Teaching
School of Health Sciences
Department of Psychology
Get more information about our Graduate admissions here or contact:
Request and send an electronic copy of your official college transcript to FMU.
A concurrent student is any student who is currently enrolled at a high school but wishes to be dual-enrolled with Francis Marion University.
To be admitted as a concurrent high school student:
– Once you have been admitted as a concurrent student, please contact the Office of Admissions to be assisted in registering for courses.
To apply for admission to FMU’s Dual Enrollment program, students should submit the following:
For more information or questions regarding Dual Enrollment, contact April Johnson at aljohnson@fmarion.edu.
A readmit student is any student who has previously been enrolled at Francis Marion University and who has not attended continuously one or more semesters (fall or spring).
For students who have not attended another institution since leaving FMU:
– Once you have been admitted, you may contact the department of your major to register for classes.
For students who have attended another institution since leaving and wish to return to FMU:
– Once you have been admitted, you may contact the department of your major to register for classes.
For any questions regarding your eligibility to return to Francis Marion, please call the Admissions office at 843-661-1231.
Request and send an electronic copy of your official college transcript to FMU.
Transient students are students who attend another institution and choose to enroll at Francis Marion for one term to take courses needed for their programs of study.
Admission to undergraduate courses for one semester or summer session may be granted to students from other colleges and universities whose courses of study have been approved by their academic deans or registrars.
To be admitted as a transient student:
After receiving the above information, you will be admitted to attend Francis Marion for one semester for only the courses provided on your transient permission form.
Military and Veteran Students should meet the following criteria for admission:
*Request and send an electronic copy of your official college transcript to FMU. You may also
request your high school transcript via this method.
NOTE: Students who do not meet these criteria may apply and will be considered on a case by case
basis.
If you have any questions pertaining to benefits, please contact the School Certifying Officers (SCO) in
the Registrar’s Office, Room 118, in the Stokes Administration Building or at 843-661-1174.
The Bridge to Francis Marion University Program is a distinctive academic transfer program available to students throughout the state. Beginning with a strong first-year academic experience at one of the technical colleges listed below, the Bridge program includes dedicated academic advising and student support services — all of which are designed to help students succeed in meeting Bridge academic requirements and transferring to Francis Marion University. Advisers from both institutions assist students with selecting courses that transfer to Francis Marion University. The successful collaboration between the technical colleges and Francis Marion allows Bridge students to make progress in their intended Francis Marion major during their freshman year while preparing to enroll at Francis Marion beginning their sophomore year. The Bridge program staff is committed to providing students with the educational tools and services they need to succeed.
Technical College Partnerships
Bridge students enroll at one of the above technical colleges for their freshman year and start their course work in the fall semester. To be admitted to Francis Marion University for the sophomore year, Bridge students are required to earn a minimum of twenty-two (22) transferable semester credit hours and a 2.0 grade point average during their freshman year. Students who satisfy Bridge academic requirements will be admitted to Francis Marion for the subsequent Fall semester without being required to resubmit a Francis Marion University admission application. Students who do not satisfy the Bridge academic requirements will be encouraged to apply for admission to Francis Marion University at a later date. A list of transferable courses may be found here.
In addition to the technical college application, students must complete the Francis Marion application as well as the Bridge Enrollment Form to be admitted to the Bridge Program. Once a student is ready to transfer to Francis Marion, the Bridge Update App Request Form will need to be completed and submitted to the Admissions Office at Francis Marion University.
While grades earned at technical colleges will not subsequently be included in a student’s Francis Marion grade point average (GPA), the grades and credit hours a student earns at the technical school will count toward determining the student’s eligibility for the South Carolina LIFE scholarship.
Special Benefits for Bridge Students
Technical College Tuition and Fees
The tuition and fees for the technical college are located on each institution’s website. Technical college tuition and fees vary based on residency classification and the number of credit hours in which a student is enrolled. Please visit the website of the technical college you wish to attend for the current tuition and fees for full-time students.
Financial Aid
Each technical college processes and awards all federal and state financial aid during the Bridge students’ freshman year. Students should complete and submit the FAFSA (available online at FAFSA.gov) and enter the technical college for which they want to attend. Students who have already submitted their FAFSA coded to Francis Marion University should log in to their submitted FAFSA form at FAFSA.gov and add the selected technical college’s federal code.
Advisement
Each Bridge student will have access to the Degree Pathway of their desired major at Francis Marion University. The student is advised to follow the Pathway in order to make the transition to FMU a smooth one. The Pathway is not a binding schedule but an extra stepping stone to assist across the Bridge.
We know that the college selection process can be a fun and exciting time. We also know that it can, at times, be stressful. With that in mind, we have created this website to aid you and your student with that process. We hope that you will find all of the information you need to help your student make a smooth transition from high school into college life. If at any time during the process, we can be of help please, feel free to contact us… We’re here for you!!