Franklin University Expands Teacher Licensure Program Availability to Georgia, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota Residents

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: sherry.mercurio@franklin.edu

Expansion supports educator workforce development and growing national demand for flexible teacher preparation pathways

Franklin University has announced that residents of Georgia, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota are now eligible to apply to and enroll in the University’s undergraduate and post-baccalaureate teacher licensure programs, further expanding Franklin’s national reach in educator preparation and workforce-aligned teaching pathways.

The expansion increases access to flexible online licensure programs designed for working adults, transfer students and career changers seeking to enter the teaching profession while balancing work and family responsibilities. The newly approved states strengthen Franklin’s ability to help address educator workforce shortages and support school systems seeking qualified, classroom-ready teachers.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of kindergarten, elementary, middle and high school teachers is projected to generate hundreds of thousands of openings nationally each year throughout the decade, driven largely by workforce replacement needs and ongoing educator shortages across many regions and subject areas.

Recent state-level workforce data further underscores the growing demand for qualified educators across the newly approved states:
Georgia: More than 2,500 teacher vacancies reported statewide, with continued shortages in special education, STEM and rural districts
Indiana: Ongoing statewide teacher shortages, particularly in secondary education, special education and high-need subject areas
Michigan: More than 3,500 teacher vacancies and long-term substitute positions reported across districts statewide
Minnesota: Persistent teacher shortages reported statewide, especially in special education, math, science and rural communities

The expansion positions Franklin University to help support educator pipeline development by providing flexible pathways into the profession for aspiring teachers who may otherwise face geographic or scheduling barriers to licensure preparation.

Additionally, with the inclusion of Georgia, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota, Franklin University’s undergraduate and post-baccalaureate teacher licensure programs are also available to residents in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee, California, Kentucky, Colorado, West Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota, reflecting the University’s continued expansion of workforce-aligned educator preparation pathways designed to support growing national demand for qualified teachers.

“Expanding access to our licensure pathways reflects Franklin University’s commitment to supporting workforce and community needs through career-connected education,” said Dr. Patrick Bennett, Vice President for Academic Quality & Planning and Dean of the H.K. and Eva James College of Education. “Many aspiring educators today are working adults or career changers seeking flexible pathways into the profession. By expanding into additional states, Franklin can help prepare more qualified educators while supporting schools and communities working to strengthen their talent pipelines.”

Franklin’s undergraduate and post-baccalaureate licensure pathways include programs in Primary Education (PK-5), Middle Childhood Education (4-9), Adolescence to Young Adult (AYA) Education and Intervention Specialist programs. Coursework combines online learning flexibility with clinical experiences and classroom-based preparation designed to align theory with practical teaching application.

The expansion aligns with Franklin University’s broader institutional strategy focused on workforce-aligned education, career mobility and preparing graduates for high-demand professions. Designed specifically for modern learners, Franklin’s programs emphasize flexibility, transfer-friendly pathways, applied learning and career relevance.

Students enrolled in Franklin’s licensure programs receive support through faculty mentorship, online learner support services, field placement coordination and structured student teaching experiences intended to connect academic preparation with real-world classroom readiness.

State-specific licensure disclosures and program availability information are available through Franklin University’s Teacher Certification and Licensure Information webpage.

For more information about Franklin University’s educator preparation and teacher licensure programs, visit the H.K. & Eva James College of Education page.

FACT BOX
Institution: Franklin University
Announcement: Expansion of Undergraduate and Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Licensure Program Availability
Challenge Being Addressed: U.S. K–12 teacher shortages continue nationwide
Scale of need: 400,000+ positions unfilled or filled by underqualified educators
Newly Added States: Georgia, Indiana, Michigan and Minnesota
Program Delivery: Online coursework with local field experiences and student teaching placements
Target Learners: Working adults, transfer students, paraprofessionals, career changers and aspiring educators
Licensure Pathways Available: Primary Education (PK-5), Middle Childhood Education (4-9), Adolescence to Young Adult (AYA) Education, and Intervention Specialist Programs
Strategic Workforce Focus: Teacher workforce development, educator pipeline expansion, workforce-aligned preparation and community impact
State-Level Workforce Need Highlights: Georgia (2,500+ teacher vacancies statewide), Indiana (Ongoing shortages in secondary and special education fields), Michigan (3,500+ teacher vacancies and substitute openings statewide), and Minnesota (Persistent shortages in special education, STEM and rural districts)
Professional Advantage: Flexible online programs designed to support state licensure preparation while allowing students to continue working and serving their local communities
Student Support Model: Faculty mentorship, field placement coordination, online learner support and structured clinical teaching experiences
State Authorization Information: www.franklin.edu/about-us/university-details/state-authorization-profes…
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics; state departments of education; statewide educator workforce reports and teacher shortage assessments.
 

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).