The Albers School of Business and Economics at Seattle University offers the Bridge MBA, a unique one-year program targeting students without any business degree but intend to carve out a career in the sector.
This accelerated 12-month program requires students to complete 48 credits including 14 three-credit courses and a six-credit capstone.
The Bridge Program is meant for those of you who do not have a business degree and with less than two years of professional working experience.
The Bridge MBA students, on an average, have a GMAT score of 539, a 3.34 average undergraduate GPA and 1.7 years of work experience.
The curriculum is designed on the same lines as that of a 2-year full-time program. It allows the students to acquire essential business skills through a combination of course work and co-curricular activities based on a different theme each quarter, that is, the Language of Business, Analytical Process, Decision-Making, and Integration.
The students get enough opportunities to develop critical thinking skills and business knowledge sought by the employers.
The co-curricular work involves the participation of the students in some of the Seattle University Executive Speakers Series presentations and the mentor program. They should either compete in the business plan competition or complete an internship.
The co-curricular work involves the participation of the students in some of the Seattle University Executive Speakers Series presentations and the mentor program. They should either compete in the business plan competition or complete an internship.
A retreat and a week of seminars are also required before classes start in the fall quarter. Students must attend quarterly business communication seminars and participate in seminars with the placement office.
A dedicated Placement Center at the school helps prepare students career development through a series of mentor programs, resume reviews, mock interviews, and job fairs.
The small number of the cohort, an average of 25 students, ensures personal attention from the faculty.
Despite the full-time nature of the program, students may be able to find part time work as the classes are held Monday-Thursday from 9-11:40 am.
The School’s location in the heart of the greater Seattle area offers excellent access to business executives and job opportunities.
For admission, the GMAT or the GRE scores received within the last five years are accepted. There is no minimum GMAT or GRE requirement.
The average GMAT score for the class of 2016-17 was 539 or approximately 154 on each section of the GRE. International students are required to take the TOEFL/ IELTS.
The 1-year program begins in the fall quarter. It consists of 48 credits with no waivers.
“Choosing to do the Bridge MBA was one of the best decisions I ever made,” says former student Lauren Fleming.
“The cohort style of this program gave me a sense of community and helped me build my leadership skills. The small class sizes, group projects, and co-curricular activities provided me with the business knowledge and experience necessary to secure a job at a global Fortune 125 company,” he says.
“I was worried that a 12-month program wouldn’t prepare me to make the transition into the business world—but it most definitely did,” he adds.