Franklin University Transfer Credits Guide — ACE & NCCRS Course Equivalency

Yes. Franklin University can review ACE and NCCRS recommendations as part of its transfer-credit process. The registrar and academic departments look at the course content, the recommendation, and how it fits the degree plan. Franklin also evaluates CLEP and military learning, so non-traditional credit isn’t unusual there. For example, a self-paced UPI Study course in a gen-ed subject may be posted as elective or requirement credit after review.

Franklin accepts a large amount of outside credit, but the exact limit depends on the degree and college. For most bachelor’s programs, students need to complete a minimum number of credits at Franklin, often the last 30 hours, to earn the degree there. External credits can usually apply toward general education or electives first, then major requirements if the department approves them. The registrar checks the full transcript, but the academic college makes the final call on major credit.

Franklin works with many community college transfers, especially from Ohio schools through established articulation pathways. Common examples include Columbus State Community College and other regional two-year colleges with course-to-course matches. UPI Study credits are evaluated differently because they come with ACE or NCCRS recommendations instead of a college transcript. In practice, Franklin still reviews the learning outcomes and course level before deciding whether the credit fits gen-ed or elective space.

First, finish the UPI Study course and request your transcript from UPI Study. Then send it to Franklin University’s registrar for evaluation. After that, the registrar and the relevant academic department review the credit and decide where it belongs on your degree audit. The process usually takes a few weeks, and students can ask for a pre-check before they enroll if they want a better idea of how the credit will land.

Franklin’s undergraduate tuition is about $398 per credit hour, so 30 credits would cost roughly $11,940 if you took them there. UPI Study’s $499/year plan is far cheaper than paying Franklin for those same credits directly. That gap gets even bigger if the credits replace general education courses you’d otherwise have to take on campus or online through Franklin. The savings are real, not theoretical.

Franklin is best known for business, health care, and information technology programs. Students usually hear about the Ross College of Business, the College of Health and Public Administration, and the College of Information Studies and Technology. Transfer credits work best when they clear general education early, because that leaves more room for upper-level major courses and required electives. If you’re heading into a business or health program, that can shorten the time you spend in the degree plan.

The usual transfer minimum is a 2.0 GPA for undergraduate admission. Some majors can be stricter, especially if they have technical or licensure-related requirements. UPI Study course grades don’t replace your transfer GPA, but the completed credits can still help you move through the degree faster once you’re admitted. Franklin looks at the transcript as a whole, not just one number.

Franklin has rolling transfer admissions for many programs, so there usually isn’t one hard cutoff like at some schools. Fall and spring entry are both common, and students should apply early enough for transcript review before registration opens. If you’re using UPI Study credits, finish them well before you apply so the registrar has time to evaluate them. That saves headaches later when you’re building your schedule.

Franklin generally admits students for fall and spring, and some programs also allow more flexible start dates. Transfer students often have the most options because the university is built around adult and working learners. The exact timing can vary by program, so it’s worth checking the start date for your major.

Franklin uses rolling admissions for many transfer applicants, so deadlines are less rigid than at semester-only schools. Fall and spring start dates are both common, and program-specific dates can apply for certain majors. If you’re transferring in credit, apply early enough for the registrar to review your transcripts before you register.

Yes. Franklin was built for students who already have college credit, and a big share of its students are adults transferring in from other schools. It also has long-running transfer pathways with community colleges and a process for evaluating military and non-traditional credit. That makes it easier to piece together a degree from multiple sources.

Franklin does not normally require SAT or ACT scores for transfer admission. First-year applicants may have different review rules, but transfer students are usually evaluated on college work instead. If you already have credits, your transcript matters much more than test scores.

Yes, Franklin offers orientation for new students, and transfer students usually have their own onboarding path. It’s meant to help with advising, registration, and degree planning. Online students can typically complete orientation remotely.

Franklin offers both online and on-campus study, but most students use the online or adult-friendly format. Its Columbus campus is small and urban, not a residential college setup. It doesn’t operate like a traditional dorm-heavy university, and most students live off campus.

Franklin offers merit-based and need-based aid, plus some scholarships for transfer and adult students. Program-specific awards may also exist through individual colleges or departments. Transfer students can qualify for many of the same aid options, so it’s worth checking with financial aid early.

Most students finish a single course in 2–4 weeks studying a few hours per day. There are no deadlines. You can go faster if you already know the material, or spread it out over a couple of months if you're working full-time. The self-paced format means your schedule decides the timeline, not a semester calendar.

ACE (American Council on Education) and NCCRS (National College Credit Recommendation Service) are organizations that evaluate non-traditional coursework and recommend it for college credit. They're the same bodies that evaluate military training and CLEP exams. Over 2,100 US universities have policies to accept credits from ACE/NCCRS-evaluated sources. The recommendation doesn't automatically mean a specific university will take every course — each registrar evaluates independently — but it's the standard credential for this type of transfer.

Once you pass a course, you can request an official transcript through the UPI Study portal. Transcripts are processed within a few business days and sent directly to your university's registrar, or provided as a PDF for you to submit yourself. The transcript lists completed courses, credit hours, grades, and the ACE/NCCRS recommendation reference.