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Start to Finish – Our Hoop-Free Path to Your Master’s Degree

Everything about Franklin University – from our academic programs to course formats and student services – is designed specifically for working adults, like you, who balance multiple priorities. Our admission process is no exception. Because we value your time, we keep things straightforward and hassle free.

Count on the Graduate Admissions team to guide you through each phase by answering questions and providing resources that save you time. Our team empowers you to succeed – from start to finish. The information below details, step-by-step, everything you’ll need to know from application to orientation.

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Admission Requirements

The admission process reflects Franklin University’s efforts to clearly identify the performance standards that can help predict student success in graduate level study. The selection criterion for Franklin’s graduate programs, as determined by faculty, emphasizes academic ability, contributory work experience, and personal qualities and characteristics.

Requirements for admission include having earned a bachelor's degree from an institution accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization with a GPA of at least a 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Applicants who earned at least a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their earned bachelor’s degree will automatically be granted conditional enrollment status. Applicants who earned lower than a 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale in their earned bachelor’s degree can petition for conditional enrollment status to the program chair by submitting an essay detailing other criteria that the applicant believes should be considered to demonstrate their ability to be successful in a graduate program. This petition could include details on the applicant’s work experience, work ethic, level of professionalism, personality characteristics, level of difficulty of program of study previously completed, etc.

Conditional enrollment requires students to achieve a final grade of “B” (3.0 GPA) or better in the first graduate-level course of their program. If the terms of the conditional enrollment are not met, the student will not be allowed to advance in their program and will be unable to earn this graduate degree from Franklin University.

English Language Testing & TOEFL IELTS

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 earned appropriate scores on language proficiency exams taken within the last two years, as listed in the Academic Catalog.

*For more information about English proficiency, including a list of English-speaking nations, please visit our International Students section.

M.S. Nursing Program Prerequisites

Applicants must hold a bachelor's or associate's degree in nursing from a regionally accredited institution.

Evidence of Active Nursing License

Applicants must have a valid, active and clear/unencumbered RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN).

Applicants holding the equivalent of an RN licensure or certification outside the U.S. must submit a Credential Evaluation Services (CES) Academic Report from the Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS).
All students must maintain licensure throughout the program of study.
License information should be submitted here.

Time

Cost

Completion

Notes

How Long will it Take?

On average, our online application can be completed in 20 minutes.
Once submitted, applications are processed within 48 hours.

How Much Will It Cost?

For domestic applicants, there is no fee to apply.

For international applicants, the following apply:

Master’s programs, there is a $30 application fee.
Doctoral programs, there is a $50 application fee.

How will I know It’s Complete?

A member of our Admissions team will contact you within 48 hours to provide you with a username, password, and link to our myTools applicant system so you can track the status of your application.

Notes & Tips

Admission requirements vary based on the program and start date you choose. Be sure to review program specific requirements as you evaluate your start date.

Start Your Franklin Application

Submit Support Material

Transcripts

With your consent, we can attempt to request transcripts on your behalf. If we are unable to obtain a transcript for you, a graduate admissions advisor will contact you to provide details on which transcripts you will need to request.

Send your official, sealed transcripts from all colleges or universities where you have completed a bachelor’s degree and any master’s coursework. Colleges or universities attended must be an accredited institution.*

For applicants to all MSN programs, requirements for admission include having earned a BSN or ADN/diploma from an accredited institution. *

Contact your previous school's Registrar's Office to request your transcript be sent directly to Franklin. There are no costs or fees related to us receiving and evaluating your transcripts, however, other institutions may charge a processing fee when you request your transcripts. You can expect to spend $3- $10 per transcript and should allow 7-10 days for them to be received.

Franklin accepts electronic transcripts from other institutions and from third-party transcript providers. In both cases, electronic transcripts must be emailed from the provider directly to Franklin University. Electronic transcripts sent from the applicant will not be accepted as official.

Your official transcripts can also be sent through the mail directly from the provider to:
Franklin University
ATTN: Office of Transfer and Articulation
201 S. Grant Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215-5339

Note: If your transcripts are from post-secondary institutions located outside the U.S., please submit them to an approved third-party transcript evaluation agency. Once the agency has completed the evaluation of your transcripts, have your official evaluation submitted to the Office of Transfer and Articulation. Your transcript evaluation also must include a course-by-course evaluation, including a GPA calculation.

Résumé

Résumés are recommended for applicants to the following programs to evaluate your work experience as it may relate to foundational program requirements.

Accounting
Computer Science
Cybersecurity
Information Technology
Cyber Defense and Cyber Governance (Graduate Certificates)

Résumés are required for applicants to all master’s-level nursing programs.

Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Administrator
Nurse Educator
Nurse Generalist
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner

Detail your professional experience, including jobs, year-of-service experiences, and volunteer opportunities that are relevant to your field of study and future career by submitting an up-to-date, one to two-page résumé.

Your résumé must include:

Your current work experience
Your full name as submitted on your Application for Admission

Submit your résumé through your applicant portal or email it to graduate.admissions@franklin.edu.

Nursing Applicants

In addition to submitting your transcripts and résumé, applicants to all tracks within the M.S. in Nursing (MSN) must also complete the following steps.

Submit Nursing License Information: Applicants must have a valid, active RN license in the U.S. or in a jurisdiction that is an associate member of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCBSN). Applicants holding the equivalent of an RN licensure or certification outside the U.S. must submit a Credential Evaluation Services (CES) Academic Report from the Council of Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS). License information is submitted within the admissions application.

Complete Applicable Handbook Review and Submit Program Packet:

MSN Generalist, MSN Nurse Administrator, MSN Nurse Educator, and Nurse Educator Graduate Certificate Applicants: Review the MSN Handbook and complete the MSN Programs Packet, which can be found here.

MSN Nurse Practitioner Applicants: Review the Nurse Practitioner Handbook and complete the MSN Programs Packet, which can be found here.

International Applicants

If you are an international student, your admission process will require additional steps. Please visit our International Admissions section for detailed information about the process.

Time

Cost

Completion

Notes

How Long will it Take?

You should allow 7-10 days for us to receive your transcripts from your previous schools.

How Much Will It Cost?

There are no costs or fees related to us requesting, receiving and evaluating your transcripts, however, other institutions may charge a processing fee when you request your transcripts. You can expect that cost to be between $3-$10 per institution.

How will I know It’s Complete?

Typically, within 10 days after the Admission Committee reviews your application, your admissions advisor will notify you of your acceptance in the program.

Notes & Tips

You can check your applicant portal to make sure all of your materials have been received.

In order for us to accept your transcripts, please complete our online application.
Once you submit your application, you will receive a form that you will need to complete that grants us permission to obtain transcripts on your behalf. Transcripts will be requested at no cost to you.
When requesting your own transcripts, please be sure that they are sent to us in an official sealed envelope, stamped with ink to verify that the document has not been altered or request that your transcripts be sent electronically to transcripts@franklin.edu
Expect us to process your transcripts once we’ve received all of them.
We/You will not be able to request transcripts from institutions in which you have a financial hold.

Finance Your Education

Minimize the out-of-pocket expense of your degree

Make your degree more affordable by taking advantage of employer tuition reimbursement, federal financial aid or installment payment plans.

Your admission advisor, along with our Financial Aid Office will work with you to help identify what opportunities are available given your specific situation.

Learn how the cost of a degree at Franklin University will impact your finances with our cost estimate calculator. From funding sources to education expenses, you’ll get a comprehensive view of the variables that can alter the bottom line.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement

Many of our graduate students take advantage of tuition assistance programs offered by their employer.

Some students are reimbursed by their employers upon receipt of each trimester's grades (Deferred Tuition Reimbursement), while other employers pay the University directly for student tuition.

Get in touch with your HR department to learn how they can support your education. We'll work with you to ensure that you have any paperwork required to take advantage of this great benefit.

Federal Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to qualified students who apply to Franklin.

To find out if you're eligible for federal financial aid, complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online application. If you indicated on your admission application that you will be using federal financial aid, you must submit your FAFSA before you can be registered for your first-term courses.

Be sure to include the Franklin University FAFSA code: 003046.

Apply For Federal Financial Aid

Payment Options

When you register for classes, you will receive a statement of tuition and fees. These are due by the first day of class unless you have:

Enrolled in an installment payment plan (The installment payment plan allows students to make scheduled payments throughout the trimester)
Enrolled in a deferred tuition reimbursement plan

The University accepts eChecks (ACH), MasterCard®, VISA®, American Express® and Discover® credit card payments.

View More Information About Payment Options

Time

Cost

Completion

Notes

How Long will it Take?

The process to secure financing will depend on how you decide to pay for your education. Be sure to have conversations about your options early with your admissions advisor to determine the best course of action.
If applying for federal financial aid, you can expect your application to be processed within a few days after it has been submitted.

How Much Will It Cost?

There are no costs or fees related to applying for financial aid, scholarships or grants.

How will I know It’s Complete?

Knowing when you've secured financing will depend on how you decide to pay for your education. If you applied for financial aid, then receiving, reviewing and submitting your signed financial aid award letter will mean you've completed the process.
You can also log into our MyTools applicant system to check the status of the documents required for financial aid.

Notes & Tips

If applying for financial aid, please be sure to meet the priority deadlines listed below. These dates ensure we are able to process your funding before your first term payment is due.

Summer Financial Aid Priority Deadline: March 15
Fall Financial Aid Priority Deadline: June 15
Spring Financial Aid Priority Deadline: Oct. 1

Register For Classes

Prepare for your success as a Franklin student

Once your admissions advisor notifies you of your acceptance, they will reach out to you to set up a phone meeting to register for classes.

This is a required step that enables your admissions advisor to register you for your first term courses. However, if you indicated that you plan to use federal financial aid, you must submit your FAFSA before you can be registered for your first-term courses.

Once you're registered, you'll be emailed a registration statement and a “First Steps” flyer that provides you with helpful tips for success.

Time

Cost

Completion

Notes

How Long will it Take?

Your advisor will contact you within 48 hours to register for your first class.
The registration appointment will take approximately 30 minutes.

How Much Will It Cost?

There are no fees related to registering for classes.

How will I know It’s Complete?

You will receive an email with your registration statement.

Notes & Tips

An academic advisor will serve as your personal contact from your first class all the way through graduation to help keep you on track and connect you to important resources along the way.

Attend Your Online Orientation

Time

Cost

Completion

Notes

How Long will it Take?

The Online Orientation takes about 8 hours to complete and can be completed at your own pace. It is recommended that you complete it prior to your first class, but it will remain open during your first trimester as a resource.

How Much Will It Cost?

There are no costs or fees related to orientation.

How will I know It’s Complete?

At the end of your orientation session, you will be asked to complete a simple quiz to ensure you clearly understood the content. Once you've submitted the quiz, your orientation is complete.

Notes & Tips

You'll get access to online course materials for your first class a few days before the term begins. Take an opportunity to familiarize yourself with the assignment schedule and make a plan for the term.

Technology Requirements Six Reasons Online Studies Are Awesome

Hear What Our Master's Degree Graduates Are Saying

Angela B.

M.S. Human Resource Management '20

I'm overjoyed. In just a short time, I was able to transition from my previous job, to a career in HR. Make a plan and turn it into reality.

Matt, B.S. '16 + MBA '18

U.S. Army Veteran

"I started my degree online at Franklin while I was still enlisted. Franklin accepted my previously earned credit and made the transfer process easy."

Tonya P.

Master of Healthcare Administration '21

"Obtaining my master's degree in healthcare administration allows me to expand my horizons and my career."

Nathan, MBA '20

“A dream come true for me! Dreams can come true if you work hard and set your sails toward the goal.”

Derrick Y.

Master of Healthcare Administration '20

Franklin University's Master of Healthcare Administration program fundamentally taught me about myself. This program has helped prepare me to become the best healthcare professional possible and helped me become a continuous and lifelong learner.

Oyauma G.

MBA

"I learned how to stand out and become the leader I knew I could be."

Christie A.

MBA

"Franklin really has prepared me for my career and my future. Franklin taught me how to interact in the business community. The networking side of it really helped prepare me for the working world and beyond. It made me a well rounded person. I really grew as an employee right before my employers eyes just because I was at Franklin."

Nicole E.

MBA '20

“Earning this degree means having so much more confidence in myself! I am eternally grateful to my professors, classmates and my family for the support and guidance that has been given to me.”

Mahlet B.

M.S. Computer Science '20

Receiving my degree from Franklin University means a lot to me. I was always taught that education is a path to reach ones' destiny, create a cultivated mind and enable growth personally and professionally.

Alexandra D.

Master of Healthcare Administration '21

"This accomplishment gives me the ability to have a greater impact and give back to healthcare in our community."

Emily M.

M.S. in Business Psychology '21

Completing my master’s degree has provided me the opportunity to show my children that it is possible to accomplish your goals, no matter what.

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*Accredited Institution

Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (ACCJC), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE), Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), or a Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)-recognized accrediting organization.

Franklin University Founded in 1902, Franklin is an accredited nonprofit university offering flexible college degrees online and at locations in Ohio and the Midwest.

Franklin University
201 S Grant Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215

Local: (614) 797-4700
Toll Free: (877) 341-6300
admissions@franklin.edu

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440) and authorized by the Ohio Department of Higher Education.

Franklin University is committed to being an inclusive community free from all forms of discrimination and harassment.

Start to Finish – Our Hoop-Free Path to Your Master’s Degree

12-28 Month Completion

No GRE/GMAT Required

Skip the Essay

Lock-In Your Tuition

Finish Faster

Apply Online

Apply. Anytime. Anywhere.

English Language Testing & TOEFL IELTS

M.S. Accounting Program Corequisites

M.S. Nursing Program Prerequisites

Submit Support Material

Complete & Submit Supporting Materials

Finance Your Education

Minimize the out-of-pocket expense of your degree

Register For Classes

Prepare for your success as a Franklin student

Attend Your Online Orientation

Log in and get started. We'll help navigate.

Hear What Our Master's Degree Graduates Are Saying

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