Franklin University Expands Teacher Licensure Programs Nationwide to Address K–12 Workforce Shortages Across 9 Additional States

Contact:

Sherry Mercurio
Executive Director, Office of Community Relations
(614) 947-6581
Email: [email protected]

From its Ohio roots, Franklin scales flexible, workforce-aligned educator preparation to help working adults transition into high-need teaching roles nationwide.

Franklin University announced the expansion of its online teacher licensure programs from its Ohio foundation into nine other states to help address ongoing K-12 teacher shortages and increase access to licensed, classroom-ready educators. Launched in the state of Ohio, the program expansion includes Pennsylvania, Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee, California, Kentucky, Colorado, West Virginia and North Carolina, states where school districts continue to report teacher vacancies, high turnover and reliance on underqualified or provisionally licensed staff.

FACT BOX: Teacher Shortage and Franklin University Solution
• What: U.S. K-12 teacher shortages continue nationwide
• Scale of need: 400,000+ positions unfilled or filled by underqualified educators
• Where: Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Iowa, Tennessee, California, Kentucky, Colorado, West Virginia, North Carolina
• Ohio foundation: Established licensure programs and approvals serving working adults
• High-need fields: Math, science, special education, bilingual education
• Franklin solution: 100% online, flexible teacher licensure programs
• Who it serves: Working adults, paraprofessionals, career changers
• Outcome: More licensed, classroom-ready teachers entering local school systems

Franklin University's recent authorization in these nine additional states expands access to fully online undergraduate and post-baccalaureate teacher licensure programs, allowing residents to complete educator preparation from anywhere in the approved states while gaining real-world classroom experience.

Why are teacher shortages happening in the U.S.?
Teacher shortages are driven by a combination of workforce pipeline gaps, rising attrition, and limited access to flexible licensure pathways. More than 400,000 teaching roles nationwide are either unfilled or filled by individuals who are not fully certified, directly impacting student learning outcomes.

State-level data highlights the urgency:
• Pennsylvania: 2,000+ teacher vacancies statewide
• Missouri: 3,000+ unfilled or under-qualified teaching positions
• Iowa: Shortages reported statewide, especially in rural districts and STEM fields
• Tennessee: 1,000+ teacher vacancies with high turnover in key districts
• California: 10,000+ teachers underprepared or working on emergency credentials
• Kentucky: 2,400+ educator vacancies statewide
• Colorado: Nearly 7,800 educator vacancies (2024-2025 school year)
• West Virginia: 1,600+ teachers working under provisional credentials
• North Carolina: 3,000+ teacher vacancies
*(Sources: See below)

How is Franklin University helping solve teacher shortages?
Franklin University addresses teacher shortages by expanding access to flexible, online licensure programs designed for working adults who want to become teachers without leaving their current jobs.

"Teacher shortages are not just a hiring issue, they are a workforce pipeline issue," said a Dr. Brett Tozer, department chair, H.K. and Eva James College of Education, Franklin University. "By expanding from Ohio into additional states, we are creating accessible pathways for working adults to transition into teaching and immediately contribute in their local communities."

What makes Franklin's teacher licensure model different?
Franklin University's educator preparation model is built for the modern learner and focuses on three core elements:
• Flexible online learning: 100% online coursework with multiple start dates
• Real-world classroom experience: Structured field placements with K-12 partners prior to graduation
• Evidence-based instruction: Strong alignment to the science of reading, including phonics, fluency, and comprehension skills

This approach allows students to remain in their communities while preparing to become licensed teachers, strengthening local educator pipelines.

What impact will this expansion have?
By scaling its Ohio-based model nationally, Franklin University is helping school districts:
• Reduce reliance on emergency or provisional teaching credentials
• Increase the number of fully licensed teachers
• Strengthen staffing in high-need subject areas such as math, science and special education
• Build sustainable, community-based educator pipelines

Why this matters
Teacher shortages affect classroom stability, instructional quality and long-term student success. Expanding flexible, workforce-aligned licensure pathways increases access to the teaching profession and enables more qualified individuals to enter classrooms where they are needed most.

* Sources: Teacher Shortage Data by State
• Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Department of Education. Teacher Staffing and Shortage Areas Reports: https://www.education.pa.gov
• Missouri: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Educator Supply and Demand Reports - https://dese.mo.gov
• Iowa: U.S. Department of Education. Teacher Shortage Areas Nationwide Listing - https://tsa.ed.gov
• Tennessee: Tennessee Department of Education. Educator Vacancy and Pipeline Reports - https://www.tn.gov/education
• California: Learning Policy Institute. Teacher Shortages in California - https://learningpolicyinstitute.org
• Kentucky: Kentucky Department of Education. Educator Workforce Data and Vacancy Reports - https://education.ky.gov
• Colorado: Colorado Department of Education. Educator Shortage Survey Results - https://www.cde.state.co.us
• West Virginia: West Virginia Department of Education. Teacher Certification and Shortage Data - https://wvde.us
• North Carolina: North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. State of the Teaching Profession Report - https://www.dpi.nc.gov

About Franklin University

Accredited, nonprofit, and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at our Main Campus in downtown Columbus, Ohio, and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, masters, and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. Through agreements with partner institutions, the University also offers international academic programs, including its top-ranked MBA.

Franklin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, and the Commission on Accreditation of Health Informatics and Information Management Education. The National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Franklin University as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE).

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