Navigating Franklin University Login: A Comprehensive Guide

Franklin University provides students, faculty, and staff with access to a wide array of electronic resources and applications to facilitate instruction, administration, research, and study. Accessing these resources often begins with a successful login. This guide provides comprehensive information on how to navigate the Franklin University login process, covering account types, multi-factor authentication (MFA), password management, and troubleshooting tips.

Understanding Your Franklin University Account

While taking courses at Franklin University, a single account grants access to most university services. However, it's important to note that Franklin University reserves the right to terminate or deactivate accounts at any time for security or other reasons. Account deactivation by IT occurs after course completion. While some access remains during that year, access to other Microsoft services may not remain. OneDrive access is typically removed shortly after your last course completion, often less than a year, and before overall account deactivation.

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enhancing Account Security

Multi-factor authentication (MFA) adds an extra layer of security to your Franklin University account. MFA is required for all student, staff, and faculty accounts. Even if someone knows your password, they cannot access your account without your secondary authentication method.

First-Time MFA Enrollment

Setting up MFA enhances the security of your account sign-in. The default authentication method is the free Microsoft Authenticator app. If you have it installed on your mobile device, select Next and follow the prompts to add this account. A link is provided to download it if you don't have it installed.

Alternatively, you can opt to use SMS messages sent to your phone by selecting "I want to set up a different method." Generally, the additional verification method is only needed the first time you sign into a new app or device, or after you've changed your password.

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What to Expect After Initial MFA Configuration

In the days following enrollment, you may experience intermittent re-prompts to log in to various applications on your computer (Outlook, Word/Excel, OneDrive, Teams). This is expected due to a delay in your PC recognizing the new authentication method. Any mobile apps using your Franklin University credentials will likely re-prompt you to log in and use your secondary verification method.

Managing a Replacement or Lost Phone

Replacement Phone:

If you have a new phone and were already using text messages for your 2-factor authentication, you should be set. If you were using an authenticator app, a small configuration change is needed to sync the app on the new phone to your account. To do this:

Click on the tile entitled "Security Info" with the link to "Update Info."
Here you can click on "Add method" to add an additional authenticator app, which will provide the needed QR code.

Enrolling your phone number as an alternate sign-in method for text messages, even when using the authenticator app as the default method, is a good idea.

Lost Phone:

If you have lost your phone, you can still log in if you have enrolled other alternate methods of receiving multi-factor verification (assuming you have obtained a replacement device). When you are taken to the sign in page for Franklin University during the log in process, enter your username and password. When you see the screen regarding 2 factor authentication taking place, click on the Sign in another way link. If you do not have access to an alternate method after clicking the Sign in another way link, you may need to contact the Help Desk to reset your multi-factor authentication and to delete your old devices. Contact methods for the Help Desk can be found at helpdesk.franklin.edu.

MFA Prompt Frequency: Factors and Tips

When MFA is enabled on your account, keep in mind that Franklin University only controls part of the technology determining how often you are asked to re-enter an MFA code. Administrators have altered MFA settings within their control to limit MFA prompt frequency. However, factors outside of their control may contribute to the individual MFA frequency experience. Also, different services may prompt for MFA more frequently than others.

Here are some tips to potentially elongate the amount of time between prompts:

Keep an active browser session. Closing the entire browser instead of closing just a tab can make MFA prompts more regular.
Monitor your browser settings. Enabling settings to wipe out your browser's temporary data upon every close will likely result in a prompt for MFA upon each use of the browser.
When signing in on your personal computer (do not complete this step on a shared or public computer), use the "Keep Me Signed In" option to help reduce prompts.

Password Management

Setting or Recovering Your Password

Click on the Set/Recover Password button.
When prompted, click Continue.

If you are unable to reset your password using this method, contact the Help Desk for next steps.

Changing Your Password

Click on the Change Password button to change your password. Password criteria will be displayed to make sure your new password meets the correct format. You will be prompted to wait a few seconds after changing the password. Please allow the password to change before logging out.
If you do not know your password, you will need to click on the "Forgot your password?" link to create a new password.

Additional Resources and Support

Accessing Transcripts

Former students often need to access their accounts to view their transcripts. To retrieve an unofficial transcript, students must enter the requested pieces of identification.

Learning Commons

The Learning Commons (Frasch Hall) computers are available for use by Franklin University faculty, staff, alumni, and currently enrolled students. Computers that can be used by our student body outside of the classroom are located in the library area. The library is on the first floor of Frasch Hall within the Learning Commons. Currently enrolled students may use the labs. Please limit printed documents to 25 pages, and ensure cell phones are set to vibrate or silent mode.

Help Desk

For further assistance with any login-related issues, including MFA resets or password recovery, you can contact the Help Desk. Contact methods for the Help Desk can be found at helpdesk.franklin.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What happens if I lose access to all of my verification methods and I am unable to log in to my account?
You may contact the Help Desk and request that MFA be reset so that you can enroll a new verification method. Contact methods for the Help Desk can be found at helpdesk.franklin.edu.
Can I get an MFA exemption if I am traveling or lost my phone?
No, we can help reset MFA, but will not be able to bypass it for you. MFA is a regulatory requirement and is not optional.
If using an authenticator app for MFA, does it have to be the Authenticator app from Microsoft?
No. While we recommend using the Microsoft Authenticator app, there are many other options that will also work for MFA.
What if I do not have access to a secondary device for MFA (no phone right now)?
While a secondary device (most commonly a phone) is recommended for MFA, alternatively you can download a free authenticator app onto your computer or in your computer browser as a workaround. Then, those authenticator apps can be configured like an authenticator app on your phone. Franklin University does not directly recommend or support an computer software or browser MFA setup on your computer. Instead, we recommend using a phone.

Account Access for Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct faculty with active accounts, but who are not teaching within the current term, can still access the online version of Office365 Applications such as Online Word, Online Excel, and Online PowerPoint. However, not all licenses retain the same level of access.

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