AACBE's Bridge Program

In today’s world, seasoned business professionals possess the valuable insights and real-world experience students need to understand the rapidly changing environment. Yet the challenge for academia is how to effectively bridge this expertise to the classroom. For this reason AACBE has introduced an innovative solution—the AACBE Bridge Program.

 

Developed as a way to prepare students for becoming industry experts or for a career in the classroom, this Program gives AACBE accredited member schools an inside look into academia—helping them understand how to transfer their real-world knowledge to the next generation of business leaders.

According to the AACBE Bridge Program, students of the network schools from all disciplines and industries can utilize their some of their initial credits toward the completion of another program at the partner institution offering offer related programs of interest. The completion of one program will directly lead to a specific degree program. Bridge Program students will have an excellent opportunity to strengthen their academic skills, develop a peer support network and to familiarize themselves with the campus and its resources. Also, Bridge Program students will be assigned an academic advisor who will serve as their permanent advisor providing guidance on course selection, career planning, and progress towards fulfilling degree requirements. Student participants have the opportunity to work alongside committed staff and student staff who will help them become socially integrated into the diverse culture of the campus. Students will be encouraged to become a part of a community of learners eager to develop and expand on their skill sets in order to become prosperous contributors to a diverse campus environment. The Bridge Program aims to prepare students for the academic rigors of the University by providing them with the tools and resources necessary to achieve academic excellence not only in their first year, but beyond.

The Bridge Program deals with one of the most fundamental challenges facing business schools today. The program is consistent with AACBE’s efforts to ensure that there is a rich pipeline of qualified professionals, beyond business PhDs, who can bring their expertise to the businesses and classrooms and educate effectively. 

To be eligible for the program, applicants must be studying at the AACBE accredited school and professional experience of significant duration and responsibility related to the area of assignment. Individuals are carefully selected to ensure they will have a powerful impact in the classroom. Prior to enrollment, each applicant’s experience is reviewed to ensure they meet the general requirements for a professionally qualified faculty member at an AACBE–accredited institution. As each business school has its own unique needs, graduates must apply to individual schools and each institution will assess how the specific experience and education meets those requirements.