Ivy Tech, Franklin College Partner to Offer Bachelor's Degree Path

Accelerated pathway to a bachelor’s degree

                         (File Photo)

ANDERSON, Ind. – Ivy Tech Community College and Franklin College have partnered to provide an accelerated pathway to a bachelor’s degree, giving students an opportunity to earn both a high-value associate degree and a distinguished four-year bachelor’s degree in only three years.

Effective fall 2021, Ivy Tech students who have earned an associate degree in liberal arts through the College’s Associate Accelerated Program (ASAP) can easily transfer their credits to Franklin College and complete one of 17 liberal arts bachelor’s degree in two years. ASAP students are guaranteed admission to Franklin College, based on certain provisions, into select Franklin programs via a Guaranteed Admission Articulation Agreement.

Ivy Tech’s Associate Accelerated Program helps high school graduates earn an associate degree in just 11 months and prepares them to transfer seamlessly to a four-year college to earn their bachelor's degree. ASAP is a rigorous program for traditional-age college students, in which coursework is spread over five eight-week terms and classes are held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

The partnership with Franklin College builds on that foundation to give students a well-rounded, highly regarded bachelor’s degree that can propel them into their careers or on to additional higher education. Ivy Tech and Franklin’s guaranteed admissions partnership for ASAP students is the only arrangement of its kind in state.

“Our ASAP program has served as an innovative and inspiring format to help our most driven students earn their associate degree in less than one year,” said Ivy Tech President Dr. Sue Ellspermann. “Pairing it with a prestigious bachelor’s degree program at Franklin College will guarantee our students have the opportunity to continue their education, reach their academic goals, and prepare to succeed in their careers. We are grateful for Franklin’s partnership and the benefits this pathway will provide our students.”

Aligning current best practices and the state's established initiatives, the Guaranteed Admission Agreement spells out necessary coursework toward degree requirements at both institutions. Applying for admission to Franklin College is free, and the deposit to secure registration is $200. There is no additional cost to transfer to Franklin College from Ivy Tech. This guaranteed admission eliminates any loss of credits while minimizing cost to students and ensuring they can complete their bachelor's degrees on time. 

“Franklin College is committed to educational partnerships, and to supporting students in pursuit of their passions,” said Franklin College President Kerry Prather. “We are eager to welcome Ivy Tech’s Liberal Arts ASAP students into our college community, where they will have access to all the resources necessary to reach their academic potential and complete a bachelor’s degree program.”

For eligibility, students must enroll at Ivy Tech Community College and complete all ASAP course work for the Associate of Science degree and the Transfer General Education Core requirements, earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher, and meet any other eligibility requirements for their specific program. 

Students who meet the eligibility requirements can transfer into one of the following bachelor’s degree programs at Franklin College: Art History, Art Studio-Graphic Design, Art Studio-DFAP, Art Studio-Painting, Creative Writing, Economics, English, Multimedia Journalism, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Relations, Religion, Sociology: General Track, Sociology: Criminal Justice Track, or Theatre.

“Ivy Tech ASAP students from across the state will have the opportunity to take advantage of this unique partnership with Franklin College,” Dr. Steven Combs, Chancellor of the Ivy Tech Columbus campus, said. “As the campus that serves Johnson County and the Franklin area, we are particularly excited by this agreement that enables our ASAP students to smoothly transition to a four-year institution and continue their education close to home. We look forward to building a strong relationship with Franklin College and potentially developing additional opportunities for students.”

Once students transfer to Franklin College, they will be awarded no less than 60 semester hours of transfer credit toward their bachelor’s degree and will then pursue the additional 60 credit hours or more at Franklin to complete their specific degree. Students must also meet Franklin’s minimum grade requirements for specific courses and program requirement grade point averages.

“We are excited to partner with Ivy Tech through this targeted articulation with their Liberal Arts ASAP program,” said Dr. Kristin C. Flora, Franklin College Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College. “Such a partnership increases the accessibility of a Franklin College education to high-achieving students throughout the state who begin their educational journey on an Ivy Tech campus. We are confident that this relationship will positively contribute to our state’s goal of 60 percent of working-age Hoosiers having a quality college degree or credential by the year 2025.”

About Ivy Tech Community College

 Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana’s largest public postsecondary institution and the nation’s largest singly accredited statewide community college system, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Ivy Tech has campuses throughout Indiana and also serves thousands of students annually online. It serves as the state’s engine of workforce development, offering associate degree and short-term certificate programs, and trainings that align to the needs of the community. The College also offers courses and associate degree programs that seamlessly transfer to other colleges and universities in Indiana, as well as out of state, for a more affordable route to a Bachelor’s degree.

About Franklin College

Founded in 1834, Franklin College is a residential liberal arts and sciences institution located 20 minutes south of Indianapolis. Franklin offers a wide array of undergraduate majors as well as master’s degree programs in Physician Assistant Studies and Athletic Training. The unique curriculum merges classroom instruction with immersive experiences, research opportunities and study away programs. Students participate in 21 NCAA Division III sports, Greek Life, musical and theatre productions, and more than 40 student organizations. As the first college in Indiana to become coeducational with the admission of women, Franklin welcomes diversity of thought, belief and person into a community that values equity and inclusion. Franklin College maintains a voluntary association with the American Baptist Churches USA. For more information, visit FranklinCollege.edu. Find Franklin College on Facebook and follow @FranklinCollege on Twitter.