Franklin Commends

Columbus, Ohio – Franklin University, a leading educator of working adults in central Ohio, supports the state’s Committee on the Transfer of Adult Career-Technical Programs and its recommendations aimed at raising the educational attainment of Ohioans (see http://universitysystem.ohio.gov/adult-ed/pdfs/Final_Report_from_State_Advisory.pdf for the complete report).

If Ohio is to raise its level of competitiveness in the 21st century global economy, its extensive network of colleges and universities, adult career-technical education, and Adult Basic and Literacy Education (ABLE) programs must create an educational system positioned to enable Ohioans to earn postsecondary credentials. 

Working adult students place a high priority on access, reasonable tuition rates, the ability to transfer seamlessly from community colleges to four-year schools, and scheduling convenience and flexibility.  Additionally, working adult students’ barriers toward earning an advanced education often include unwillingness on the part of higher education institutions to accept college credits previously earned. The Committee’s recommendations address the need to respond to these challenges by encouraging and supporting these potential students by meeting their unique needs.

Innovative delivery options such as evening classes and classes offered on campus at four central Ohio locations or online through a Virtual Campus are just a few examples of how Franklin University has overcome barriers to time and place.  Also imperative is an approach to transferability that works to maximize the transfer of existing credit and life experience, support services such as on campus and online tutoring that help address academic and non-academic challenges, and Student Services Associates who work with each student to ensure a successful path to graduation. 

However, such a path is less effective without creating a strong reputation with central Ohio employers, which will provide the direction to creating strategic relationships that allow for additional educational opportunities for working adult learners.  For example, the newly created role of Associate Dean for the Extended University is an essential part of these strategic relationships that will allow for the development of non-credit programs and educational services that will enhance the University’s presence in the community through the provision of non-credit programs, educational products, and related services.

The recommendations cited in the Committee’s Final Report highlight the need for accessibility and transferability once the working adult learner has committed to further his or her education.  However, affordability still remains an overwhelming obstacle for many to overcome.  Colleges and universities must make programs and services more affordable for the working adult learner and other non-traditional students.  With one of the largest career education systems in the country, Ohio’s colleges and universities need to expand their articulations with career and technical centers that provide post-secondary certification and licensure programs.  These articulations provide exposure to adult students, thereby increasing the number of potential new students entering Ohio’s University System as well as providing the ability to complete the early portion of their education at a lower tuition rate.  Franklin has engaged in this strategy, developing formal articulation agreements with a number of adult career education centers statewide.

Franklin has employed this same articulation model with more than 250 community colleges across the United States through its Community College Alliance articulation agreements.  Through the Alliance, students earn their associate's degree (or 60 semester hours of transferable credit) from their community colleges and then finish their degrees through a combination of bridge courses at their community colleges and online courses through Franklin University.  The Alliance allows for the ultimate accessibility and flexibility in course scheduling, letting students tailor their education around lifestyle, as well as personal, professional and affordability responsibilities.

As Ohio’s third-largest private university, Franklin University has historically focused its efforts on working adult learners.  When encouraged and supported to go back to school to improve their skills and marketability, these working adult learners will play a key role in achieving Governor Ted Strickland’s 10-year Strategic Plan for Higher Education.  Franklin University applauds the efforts made by the Transfer of Adult Career-Technical Programs Committee and offers its continued assistance in leading the way to providing educational opportunities to working adult and other non-traditional learners.

About Franklin University

Founded in 1902, Franklin University is central Ohio's leading and most experienced educator of adult students. Annually, more than 10,000 students attend Franklin, both on campus and online. Franklin offers 19 undergraduate majors and three graduate programs, and graduates more than 1,500 students annually. Further information regarding Franklin University can be found at www.franklin.edu.