Profile of Franklin University

About Franklin

Educational Philosophy

For more than 110 years, Franklin University has been committed to providing high-quality, flexible, innovative, responsive, and affordable education. Founded in 1902 as the Y.M.C.A. School of Commerce, Franklin University has since become central Ohio’s foremost educator of working adults. As a learner-centered institution, Franklin’s four cornerstones of educational philosophy are:

  • Ensuring academic quality
  • Providing access to educational opportunities
  • Adapting to the needs of students
  • Responding to changes in society, professions, and the business community

Combining theory with practice, Franklin’s focus on applied learning gives working professionals knowledge that they can immediately apply in the workplace. We provide working adults with the convenience of evening classes, a choice of class schedules, and a variety of learning formats to accommodate students’ busy schedules and their individual learning styles. In addition, with a generous transfer policy and accelerated degree programs, Franklin helps students invest in their future by keeping education affordable.
 

Franklin’s Students

Since 1902, Franklin University has been a pioneer in meeting the needs of students who have the ambition to continue their education in combination with other responsibilities. The student body is diverse in both background and experience. Most of the students who attend the University work full-time, raise families, and remain active in their communities while pursuing their education. While Franklin attracts students of varying ages, the average age of the institution’s students is in the mid-30s. Among the student population are those who transfer from other institutions, students who seek to start a career, change careers, advance in their careers and those who simply want to stay ahead in a changing world. A testament to Franklin’s adoptive culture and generous transfer policies is that the majority of the University’s students transfer credits from other institutions toward a Franklin bachelor’s degree. 

As career-focused professionals, most Franklin University students desire to gain high-quality, relevant knowledge that will enhance their immediate value on the job. They also seek an education that provides a foundation of broad-based knowledge that will help them move into higher-level positions and experience continual progress throughout their careers. Franklin University strives to be adaptive to the needs of adult learners, the business world in which they work and societal shifts as a whole.

Student-Centered Education

As a student-centered institution of higher learning, Franklin University has long been committed to providing personalized services that cater to busy adults.

One of the key features of Franklin’s outstanding customer service is the University’s staff of academic advisors. Every Franklin student is assigned an academic advisor who assists them with establishing educational goals, charting a course toward graduation, and finding answers to any questions that arise during their entire time at Franklin.

Franklin’s courses are enhanced by the experiences shared by full-time and part-time faculty members who are successful professionals currently working in their fields of expertise. Tapping into the knowledge of proven professionals lets Franklin augment curriculum with current business practices and market trends, and affords students the opportunity to build professional networks in their fields of interest.

History of the University

Throughout Franklin University’s history, the institution has been dedicated to removing the barriers to higher education for working adults, while recognizing and responding to their needs for high-quality, professional-based instruction. Early on, business and professional leaders recognized the need for a low-cost, practical, yet effective way of obtaining higher education. Founded in Columbus in 1902, the Y.M.C.A. School of Commerce started with just a few students studying bookkeeping. In 1913, a two-year college course in accounting was added, and by 1917, more than 40 students were studying accounting. As the need arose, other professional-based courses such as exporting, advertising, and insurance were offered.

In 1917, offering programs that led to degrees became a goal of the Y.M.C.A. school. In 1921, the institution received degree-granting authority from the State of Ohio.
By 1920, attending classes was not only affordable but also convenient. Classes were scheduled primarily in the evening, so they would not interfere with students’ full-time jobs. Production engineering, accounting, banking and finance, marketing, and business administration were offered in four-year evening programs leading to a Bachelor of Commercial Science degree. Law courses were organized into a Bachelor of Law degree, and this evolved into a fully accredited law school in 1954.

Faculty members were professionals who held jobs in Columbus area businesses during the day and taught at night. Curricula were developed with the goal of helping students advance in their professions.

The school’s first formal commencement was held in 1923 with a total of 24 students in the graduating class. In 1933, the name Franklin University was adopted, chosen to honor the innovative spirit of Benjamin Franklin. At this time, the University was organized as a separate branch of the Columbus Y.M.C.A.

As Franklin University worked toward full regional accreditation, the University made the strategic decision to focus resources on undergraduate programs rather than continue to maintain the law school. In 1965, an affiliation with Capital University was announced, and the law school was moved to Capital’s grounds. Franklin University eventually ended its association with the law school altogether.

A Separate Entity

Franklin University amicably separated from its Y.M.C.A. sponsorship in 1964 and became incorporated under Ohio law as a nonprofit, independent educational institution governed by its own Board of Trustees. In 1974, Franklin University was accepted as a candidate by the North Central Association (NCA) and, after two years, full accreditation was granted.

In 1977, the Main Campus expanded significantly to a total area of more than 11 acres in downtown Columbus and launched its first capital campaign, which provided funding for University buildings and properties.

In 1993, after several years of research and planning, the University expanded its academic offerings to include graduate level programs. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree was introduced; the first MBA class graduated in 1995. In 1997, two additional master’s degree programs were added: the Master of Science in Marketing & Communication and the Master of Science in Human Services, which was offered until 2003. The University continues to add master’s level offerings to meet student and employer demand. Franklin University currently offers over 15 master’s degrees.

In 2017, Franklin University successfully launched its first doctorate programs: The Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), the Doctor of Healthcare Administration (DHA), and the Doctor of Professional Studies in Instructional Design Leadership (DPS IDL). An additional doctorate program was launched in January 2019, the Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership.

Franklin Today

Under the leadership of University President, Dr. David R. Decker, Franklin University remains firmly grounded in the central Ohio community, where it has been anchored for more than 115 years, providing higher education to working professionals who often balance multiple responsibilities. Additionally, the University serves students around the world through the GoArmyEd program, as well as its Community College Alliance program, and online degree offerings.

Expanding Educational Opportunity

The Franklin University Community College Alliance (CCA) program was established in 1998, and today expands educational opportunities for students from more than 135 community colleges in more than 33 states. CCA students take preparatory courses onsite at their community college, and completion courses via Franklin’s online option to earn a Bachelor of Science degree from Franklin University. In addition, many of these students have gone on to pursue a graduate degree through one of Franklin’s online graduate programs.

In response to students seeking high-quality, affordable education close to home and work, Franklin University offers classes and student services not only at the Main Campus in downtown Columbus, but also at its Delaware, Ohio location.

Franklin University’s online degree programs give students the ultimate flexibility and convenience of online learning, removing educational barriers for students whose schedules or locations would otherwise prevent them from pursuing a degree. With more than 50 undergraduate majors and over 16 graduate programs from which to choose,

Franklin’s online delivery options bring the University’s quality programs to students in central Ohio and around the world.
Franklin University’s distance learning also reaches soldiers around the world through the GoArmyEd program. In 2001, Franklin was selected as one of the 29 initial institutions to partner with the U.S. Army in providing eligible enlisted soldiers the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree while serving our country. To date, over 3,000 soldiers have attended Franklin University via GoArmyEd.

Innovation in Education

Franklin University takes an innovative approach to higher education, always seeking new ways to extend educational opportunities to those wishing to pursue a college degree. With award-winning student services, vast online offerings, innovative delivery formats, and dedication to quality, Franklin continues to fulfill its mission to provide flexible, affordable, high-quality education for today’s working adults, both in central Ohio and around the world.

Mission Statement

Mission

The University of Opportunity

Franklin University is a student-centered, nonprofit, independent institution.

Franklin University provides high quality, relevant education enabling the broadest possible community of learners to achieve their goals and enrich the world. 

Philosophy

Since 1902, Franklin University has been a pioneer in meeting the needs of adult students who have the ambition to continue their education in combination with other responsibilities.

As a learner-centered institution of higher education, the Four Cornerstones of the Educational Philosophy are:

  • Ensuring academic quality
  • Providing access to educational opportunities
  • Adapting to the needs of students
  • Responding to changes in society, professions, and the business community