Save time and money with a combined bachelor’s + master’s program

Bachelor’s and master’s combined programs provide a faster and more affordable way to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree by enabling you to apply master’s level coursework (8 credits or two courses) toward your bachelor’s degree. This approach also reduces the total bachelor’s degree credit requirement by 14-19 credits, resulting in a cost savings of $5,572-$7,562.*  Franklin offers four master’s degrees (M.S. in Cybersecurity, M.S. in Human Resource Management, M.S. in Information Technology and Master of Public Administration) through streamlined combined programs. 

*Based on $398 per credit hour

If you are a well-prepared student and know that you ultimately want to earn a master’s degree, taking advantage of a combined program can reduce the time and tuition you’ll invest than if you choose to pursue a bachelor’s and a master’s degree separately. At Franklin, you can earn a master’s degree in cybersecurity, human resources, IT or public administration in a streamlined format combined with a bachelor’s degree.

Any student can enroll in a bachelor’s and master’s combined program. However, prior to enrollment in the first graduate course, you must complete the Graduate Application for Admission. This initiates the formal admission process to the master’s program and ensures you are academically prepared for graduate-level work. You must complete the admission process and be accepted into the master’s program prior to being registered for any graduate-level course.

Students with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 in their undergraduate coursework at Franklin will automatically be granted acceptance to the master’s program. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.75 in the terms leading up to the first master’s courses, the student’s acceptance status may be changed. 

If you are interested in the combined bachelor’s and master’s program, you should apply as soon as possible by selecting this option on the Franklin University Admission Application and discussing this option with your admissions advisor.

While enrolled in bachelor’s courses and the first two master’s courses, you  will have the undergraduate academic level assigned to your account. This academic level will be used for purposes of reporting, billing/tuition, scholarship eligibility and Title IX financial aid eligibility. Once you have successfully completed your first two master’s courses, you will be assigned the graduate academic level for purposes of reporting, billing/tuition, scholarship eligibility and Title IX financial aid eligibility. You cannot enroll in bachelor’s courses and master’s courses in the same term.

No. Upon successful completion of all courses required for the bachelor's and master's combined program, you will be awarded your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. During your final term of enrollment, you will complete two graduation applications - one for the bachelor’s and for the master’s degree - and pay the required graduation fees for both degrees.

No, you will not be awarded the bachelor’s degree until completion of all courses in the combined program.

You can opt out of the combined program and change to the bachelor’s degree program by submitting a major declaration form. Please note that all degree requirements will need to be met. Students who leave the combined program and enroll and graduate from the standard bachelor’s degree cannot return to the combined program. Students must apply for the master’s degree through the standard admission process and meet all admission requirements, residency requirements, and other graduate policies to earn the master’s degree.

Yes, Franklin’s generous bachelor’s- and master’s-level transfer credit policies are still applicable to combined programs. Students can transfer up to 94 credits toward the bachelor’s degree and up to 12 toward a master’s. Students must earn a total of 40 credit hours at Franklin to meet residency requirements for a combined bachelor’s and master’s program.

Students with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 in their bachelor’s coursework at Franklin will automatically be granted acceptance to the master’s program. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 2.75 in the terms leading up to the first master’s level courses, the student’s acceptance status may be changed.

Students with a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.5 in their bachelor’s coursework at Franklin will automatically be granted conditional enrollment status. 

Students with a cumulative GPA of lower than a 2.5 GPA 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 master’s 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.

Conditionally admitted students are required to achieve a final grade of “B” (3.0 GPA) or better in the first master’s-level course of their program and are restricted to taking one master’s course at a time until this requirement is met. Students admitted to the cybersecurity and information technology programs may take two 12-week classes concurrently and would be required to earn a final grade of “B” in each course. 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 the master’s degree from Franklin University. 

Time to completion varies based on the amount of transfer credits students have - if any. Students must earn a minimum of 40 credit hours at Franklin to earn the combined degrees. Students will have up to 9 years to complete the combined program.