Admission procedures should be started early to maximize scheduling options and financial planning. (See the  “Recommended Application Completion Dates” section).  The following procedures apply to all undergraduate  applicants seeking admission as degree seeking students:

1. Complete an application for admission and forward it along with an official high school transcript or an official test score report (such as GED or HiSet score) (see “Admission Requirements”).  Students who have already received an associate or a bachelor’s degree do not need to have a high school transcript on file.
2. Forward all official transcripts directly from the attended institution(s) to Franklin University, (see “Transfer Student Guidelines” if necessary).
3. After all required, official transcripts have been received by the University and any required placement tests completed, arrange an appointment with an Undergraduate Admissions Advisor by calling toll free 1.877.341.6300, or by visiting the Paul J. Otte Center for Student Services (located on the Main Campus in downtown Columbus), or by contacting a University representative at any of Franklin’s other locations.

Applications will not be considered complete for any student who is officially classified as degree seeking until all required, official transcripts are received and placement tests completed (see specific requirements in the “Placement Testing” section), and will therefore be unable to register for courses. Students who have applied but not enrolled within one calendar year must complete a new application for admission and may need to request transcripts to update their records. 

1. Documentation of high school graduation or equivalence - required for applicants who are transferring fewer than 24 semester hours that apply towards a degree. 
2. If the student has transferable hours of 24 credit hours or more from a U.S. regionally accredited institution of higher education, then they will not have to provide a high school diploma or equivalence. Acceptable forms of documentation of high school graduation or high school equivalence for undergraduate admission must include one of the following:
   • Official high school transcript listing the date of graduation
   • Official GED certificate 
   • Official documentation of having passed a State High School Equivalency examination
   • Official documentation of a home school completion certificate/transcript
   • Official transcripts from all educational institutions (college, universities, professional schools, etc.) attended

A student classified as degree seeking will not be permitted to register for courses in their initial term of registration until unofficial domestic transcripts or official transcripts are received and placement tests, if needed, are completed (see specific requirements under “Placement Testing”). Official transcripts must be received and evaluated before registering for the second term.

Franklin University accepts applications for admission on a rolling basis throughout the calendar year, and students may select from several dates each semester to begin coursework.

To ensure a strong, successful start at Franklin, there are several steps to complete, including submission of an application online, the submission of official transcripts from previously attended institutions, the identification of financing options, completion of placement testing (for students not transferring in any college-level credits), a registration appointment to select courses and completion of our online orientation program.

To be certain that students have enough time to complete all steps necessary to begin classes when desired, application to Franklin University should be completed several weeks in advance of the intended course start date. Meeting these recommended dates helps students to maximize their scheduling options based on their preferences and personal schedules and to have adequate time for appropriate financial planning.

Franklin recommends that the admission application process be completed at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the student’s intended course start date. Applications are not considered complete until all required transcripts have been received. Once the application is complete, a first-term registration appointment will be scheduled with an Undergraduate Admissions Advisor. Meeting with an Admissions Advisor provides the student with the opportunity to select first trimester courses, get final questions answered, and start the Franklin Experience in the best way possible. This is a required meeting for new students. Additionally, each new student must complete an online, one-hour New Student Orientation soon after they register for classes, and at least three days prior to the start of the first course.

While meeting the recommended completion dates is not required, it is important to allow enough time to complete all required activities to begin courses on the date that best meets the student’s individual needs. Franklin University’s accelerated curriculum may require additional preparation in advance of the first class meeting. Please review the recommendations below. To explore all options for registration and course start dates based on individual needs, contact admissions@franklin.edu.

These start dates are preferred for new students because they provide the opportunity to maximize course selections, financial aid, and credits for the term.

Prospective students must demonstrate English language proficiency. The requirement is met through any of the following:

• The applicant is a citizen of a country where English is the official language.*
• The applicant has received a bachelor’s degree (or higher) from an institution located in an English-speaking country in which the courses were taught in English.*
  • The applicant has successfully completed Franklin University’s English at a Second Language (ESL) courses at the High-Intermediate level with a score of at least 75%. Students receiving a score lower than 75% are eligible to take Accuplacer ESL exam suite to appeal.

*Students admitted conditionally will be required to successfully complete ESL 092 (Intensive American English for Business) before beginning their program. Students in Global programs with scores below the level required for  conditional admission may be placed into a developmental series of ESL courses available through their home  university and then retested. 

Students applying for admission to undergraduate programs to be attended from outside the U.S. or offered through Global Partnerships must submit official English proficiency scores from one of the approved exams: TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge English, or Accuplacer ESL. Minimum overall and subsections, listed in the table below, must be met.

ACCUPLACER Assessments for Admission: 

• Prospective students may demonstrate English language proficiency through the ACCUPLACER ESL® examinations administered by Franklin University. The ACCUPLACER ESL® suite of examinations are internet-based, computer-adaptive assessments designed to properly assess students’ English language competencies.
• Testing fees and any related administrative or proctor fee will be assessed for the administration of the ACCUPLACER examinations. Students are also responsible for all fees incurred for retake examinations.
• Students who do not meet the minimum score requirements may retake the examination(s), but not more than twice within a two-week period. If students take the exam twice within two weeks, subsequent examination retakes will be considered only after a three-month waiting period. Passing scores will remain valid with Franklin University for a period of two years.
• All ACCUPLACER examinations must be administered by an approved proctor that meets specific criteria, as defined by our proctor expectations and Accuplacer. An alternative to finding a proctor in your area is Examity, an online proctoring service, approved by ACCUPLACER. For additional information, contact the Office of International Students and Programs.

International students must submit the following to be considered for admission to undergraduate programs:

• a completed application for admission, available at https://apply.franklin.edu.
• proof of completion of secondary education and/or official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. Please note: Transcripts from institutions outside the U.S. must be submitted to an approved transcript evaluation agency, a list of which is available at http://www.naces.org/members.html. Please request a course-by-course evaluation and request that the evaluation be submitted directly to the University. Transcripts from institutions within the U.S. must arrive at the University in an official, sealed envelope from the institution;
• official proof of English proficiency (see “English Language Proficiency Requirements"); and
• an international student application fee.

In addition, international students intending to enter the U.S. on an F-1 visa and/or attend the University in F-1 immigration status must submit the following in addition to all other required admissions materials:

• a financial sponsorship form signed by the student and sponsor;
• financial statements from the sponsor that demonstrate sufficient funding for the student’s intended program; and
• a copy of the biographical information page of the international student’s passport.

Additional funding and information will be required if the international student intends to include dependents in F-2 immigration status.

Note: Accident & illness insurance coverage is required for all international students with an F-1 visa. Insurance premiums are billed automatically to the student’s tuition account. A waiver of this accident & illness insurance coverage may be granted to students who meet the waiver requirements and submit the waiver petition and documentation by the
beginning of each term. Students taking a vacation trimester may elect to continue insurance coverage by completing a bridge application. Spouse and dependent coverage is also available. Forms and additional information regarding this insurance requirement may be obtained from the Office of International Students and Programs.

Individuals who are immigrants (e.g. Lawful Permanent Residents, Political Asylees, and Refugees) and wish to apply to one of the undergraduate programs at Franklin University need to contact Undergraduate Admissions for assistance at 614.797.4700, toll-free 1.877.341.6300, or via email at admissions@franklin.edu. Immigrant applicants may be required to submit documentation of legal status in the U.S.

Franklin University offers three levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction: intermediate, high-intermediate, and advanced. Students must present a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) on-campus score of 450 (paper-based), 133 (computer-based), 45 (internet-based) or higher for entrance. Placement in the ESL program is based on a written essay, a reading test, and a note-taking test.

Intermediate level students enroll in an eight credit hour reading and writing course and a four credit hour listening and speaking course.

High-intermediate level students take an eight credit hour reading and writing course and a four credit hour listening and speaking course. Advanced level students take a six credit hour reading and writing course and a six credit hour listening and speaking course. They may also take one other course (for which they meet the prerequisites) for degree credit.

Credits earned in the advanced level meet the University’s College Writing (ENG 120) and Speech Communication (SPCH 100) or Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) requirements. Transfer students may apply college level ESL coursework from another institution toward free elective credit, depending on the specific major program.

Franklin University also offers an intensive-immersion program. Students will progress through up to four levels of ESL instruction and participate in academic-community activities. There are no English proficiency requirements for admission, but students must be high-school graduates and will advance through the first three levels: high-beginning, intermediate, high-intermediate, as a cohort, and then have the option to complete an additional term.

During the first term, students will take a six-week high-beginning reading and writing course and a six-week listening and speaking course. They will also begin a sixteen-week university seminar course.

During the second term, students will take a twelve-week intermediate reading and writing course and a twelve-week listening and speaking course, and they will complete the sixteen-week university seminar course.

During the third term, students will take a twelve-week high-intermediate reading and writing course and a twelve-week listening and speaking course.

In the fourth-term, students who have successfully completed the high-intermediate courses may enroll in a fifteen-week advanced reading and writing course and a fifteen-week listening and speaking course. Credits earned in these courses meet Franklin University’s College Writing (ENG 120) and Speech Communication (SPCH 100) or Interpersonal Communication (COMM 150) requirements. Students will also have the option to take an approved general education course during this final term of the program.

Transfer credit may be awarded for courses or professional training offered through business and industry. For example, the University awards transfer credit for courses taken through the American Institute of Banking (AIB) or the Life Office Management Association (LOMA). Such credit will be awarded based on the recommendations found in The National Guide to Educational Credit for Training Programs (published by the American Council on Education), or The Directory of the National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored Instruction. Official transcripts or original certificates of completion must be submitted for evaluation. Nontraditional certificates may also be reviewed for consideration of credit. In addition to official transcripts or original certificates, the student must provide their Academic Advisor with a syllabus or workbook for the course, evidence of a test and the amount of time spent in class.

Transfer credit also is awarded for courses taken in the armed services. Such credit will be awarded based on the recommendations found in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Original military certificates and appropriate military records must be submitted before military credit can be evaluated.
Students who are, or have been, in the military will need to submit the following paperwork for possible transfer credit:

• The Joint Services Transcript (JST) is available for Army, Coast Guard, Navy, or Marines personnel with a Basic Active Service Date (BASD) on or after October 1, 1981. Any student meeting the above criteria must submit a JST for evaluation. The JST can be requested by visiting the Joint Services Transcript System website: https://jst.doded.mil/smart/signIn.do.
• Active personnel who do not meet criteria listed above for an Joint Services Transcript (JST) must submit a DD295. Separated or retired personnel who also do not meet the requirements must submit a DD214.
• Air Force personnel must submit a transcript from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) for a complete military evaluation. Transcripts can be requested by visiting the CCAF website: http://www.au.af.mil/au/barnes/ccaf/.

All courses at the University are offered on a semester credit hour basis (1 quarter hour = .67 semester hour). Students may be deficient in credit hour requirements and degree components, and may fill deficiencies in the following ways (A transfer deficiency occurs when a student transfers less than the required number of credit hours for each course):

• General Education core deficiencies must be met with General Education electives.
• Business/Professional Core deficiencies may be met with Major Area electives or Business/ Professional Core equivalent credit.
• Major Area deficiencies must be met with Major Area electives.
• A student may be required to take additional University elective credits to complete the total credit hours required to earn a specific degree

A student disagreeing with the application of transfer credit by the receiving institution has the right to appeal the decision. To submit an appeal, see an Academic Advisor for guidelines and procedures. A course syllabus from the date in which the course was taken will most likely be required for an appeal regarding specific course credit. All
decisions for appeals are granted by the Program Chair or Lead Faculty member.

• Students should review the acceptance and application of transfer credit with their Academic Advisor who may apply appropriate substitutions to major requirements in consultation with the appropriate Program Chair.
• Transfer students must meet University residency requirements (see “General Degree and Residency Requirements”).
• Students who wish to declare a major program other than that designated upon entry must confer with an Academic Advisor to determine how transfer credits will apply to the new major program. If they choose to declare a new major program based on the results of that consultation, they will be bound by the requirements in effect at the time they re-declare.
• If students repeat a course equivalent to one for which they have been granted transfer credit, the transfer credit will be removed.
• All submitted transcripts become the property of the University. Duplicates of the transcripts will not be released to a student or a third party.

Students are required to demonstrate reading and writing proficiency at a 9th grade level, as determined by placement tests. This must be demonstrated prior to enrolling for developmental-level courses at the University. Students placing below this 9th grade threshold will not be enrolled in University courses and will be provided resources and pathways to develop their skills. All students have the option for a placement test retake. See specific retake policies below. Students are required to pass all developmental education courses prior to enrolling in any course at the 200 level or above.

The reading and writing placement tests determine a student’s first writing course. The math placement test determines the initial math course required. New degree-seeking students may waive participating in math placement testing during the admission process. If a student chooses to waive testing during the admission process and has not yet enrolled in Math 040 the student must complete testing by the end of the second registered term. If the student does not test by the end of the second registered term, the student will be required to take Math 040 or transfer in the equivalent or higher mathematics course.

Students should arrange to take placement tests through the University testing site to ensure students take the proper placement tests that will provide them the best opportunity for the highest course placement possible. Due to other Accuplacer tests available (at other institutions), it is appropriate that students take the “Franklin” branching profiles ONLY so that they can be placed in the appropriate Franklin courses. If a student has scores from a recent Accuplacer placement test taken elsewhere, those scores may be reviewed by faculty, admissions teams and testing staff. A student may still need to test using Franklin sanctioned placement tests.

ACT or SAT scores may be submitted in lieu of taking placement tests. These exams must have been taken in the past two years. The tables below list ACT and SAT placement categories.

If students are dissatisfied with their ACT or SAT score placement, they may take the placement test in an attempt to upgrade placement. Students for whom English is not their native language take the same math placement test, but separate placement tests for Reading & Writing and Listening & Speaking course placement.

Transfer students who have satisfied the University mathematics or English degree requirements at another institution are not required to take placement tests. An official transcript evaluation will determine if appropriate credit has been awarded. 

Placement tests are administered year round. Admissions and Academic Advisors will advise students on the placement tests required, ACT or SAT score placement, ways to prepare for tests, and retake and/or appeal procedures.

Students may appeal placement for any test if they have reason to believe that a placement test did not give an accurate assessment of their skills. To appeal the results of placement tests, an applicant may request permission to complete a “retake” assessment, which will cover the same material, but will not be identical to the original placement assessment. Alternately, the applicant may request a holistic review of the high school transcript to determine academic preparedness for college study in lieu of retaking the placement test, if the applicant's high school graduation date is within one year of the intended matriculation term. If permission by the Admissions Advisor or Academic Advisor is granted, there is a one-week waiting period between the original and retake placement test to allow students time to review the placement study guides before re-testing. A $15 fee is assessed per test for retakes. Subsequent test retakes will be considered after a three-month waiting period. Placement scores will be valid for two years. All placement tests are arranged through the Learning Commons Testing Center. 

Students are not eligible to take a placement test for a course in which they have received a “W” or failing grade, or if it is during or after the second week of a course in which they are currently enrolled.

*Students with scores in this range must take PF 121 in place of PF 321, regardless of the number of credit hours transferred into Franklin.

The CCP program provides an opportunity for qualified students to take high school and college courses at the same time. This program allows students to earn college credits that can be applied directly toward a bachelor’s or an associate degree, and to also become familiar with the rigors of college-level coursework.

Through CCP, students can choose to earn only college credit or both high school and college credit. Any hours approved by the state as part of the College Credit Plus program will be free to the student. Any hours not approved by the state will be billed at the tuition rate set by the state as part of the College Credit Plus program. A memorandum of understanding, signed by the district, will outline whether the district or student is responsible for any tuition cost not covered by the College Credit Plus program.

After completing the application process and meeting eligibility requirements, students can pursue CCP coursework in three ways:

1. Take university courses at their own high school
2. Attend classes on the university campus
3. Take university courses online

Regardless of how the courses are completed, when students finish the CCP program they will have earned college credits that apply towards a degree at the university. Students may also be able to transfer CCP credits to another college or university; however, the acceptance of transfer credit is at the discretion of the receiving institution. Students should verify the transferability of all Level I or II credits before enrolling in CCP courses.

Eligibility and admission requirements vary based on how a student wishes to take CCP courses. Interested students should contact their school guidance counselor, or the CCP office for detailed information about program requirements.

Students may apply for admission by using the university’s online College Credit Plus fast application. There is no fee to apply for admission to the CCP Program. To be considered for admission, additional materials, including high school transcripts and standardized test results, must also be provided. Please see the College Credit Plus Admission Requirements for more detailed information about what is required.
 

The Advanced Placement Program is an opportunity for high school students to pursue and receive credit for college level work. A student who has taken an Advanced Placement test in high school and received a score of three, four or five may be awarded University credit. Students wishing to receive advanced placement through this program should arrange for test scores to be sent to the Office of Transfer and Articulation. More specific information about the Program also is available through the Office of Student Services.