Franklin University - History

History

Franklin University has a history of serving adult students that spans more than a hundred years. It was founded in 1902 at the Columbus YMCA, under its sponsorship as the YMCA School of Commerce. It would change its name to Franklin University in 1933, and would amicably discontinue its formal affiliation with the YMCA in 1964.

Five years later, in 1969, the institution would open its first building, Frasch Hall. In 1976, Franklin University earned regional accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

In 1993, Franklin offered its first graduate program, the Master of Business Administration (MBA). In 1998, Franklin University created the Community College Alliance (CCA), a program designed to ease the way for community college students to transfer the maximum number of community college credits toward completing a bachelor's degree at Franklin.

In 2007, Franklin University identified and articulated the "Four Cornerstones" of its educational philosophy, which 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

In 2009, the university opened its first location outside of Ohio, in Indianapolis, and began offering its MBA at the Wroclaw School of Banking (WSB) in Wroclaw, Poland. Since signing this agreement with WSB, Franklin has entered into educational agreements with educational institutions in eight other countries.

Today, Franklin University offers a broad range of undergraduate majors and graduate programs. Its enrollment includes more than 300 international students from more than 72 countries. More than 265 community colleges across the U.S. have partnered with Franklin University to ease the way for community college students to transfer the maximum number of community college credits toward completing a bachelor's degree at Franklin. Franklin's Community College Alliance Program.

In August 2011, Franklin announced its newest college, the College of Health and Public Administration or COHPA. Franklin now has three colleges, Arts, Sciences, and Technology; Business, and COHPA. The College of Health and Public Administration is the fastest growing college at Franklin and reflects the university's commitment to meeting the needs of professionals that serve our communities in the healthcare, government, and nonprofit sectors.

During the 2011-2012 school year it launched new Criminal Justice Administration and RN to BSN undergraduate programs.

In Fall 2012, COHPA will launch a new undergraduate major in Public Administration, further expanding its ability to meet the needs of professionals in government and nonprofit organizations.