Students with little or no experience in the online learning environment will receive the coaching and mentorship needed to succeed outside the traditional setting of a brick-and-mortar campus through the Bridges to Business program offered by Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business.
The three-course Bridges to Business sequence, a mix of online and in-person instruction meant to transition students from the classroom to a fully online business degree program, will be offered at the Atascocita Center, which is affiliated with the Kingwood campus of Lone Star College, in spring 2022.
The program is designed for working students who have already completed their associate’s degrees. Courses in business ethics, marketing and business law, led by a team of established SFA professors, will launch students into a structured yet flexible curriculum that accommodates work and family.
“If you are a student who’s looking to enhance your value in the marketplace, this is the program for you,” said Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of the college of business. “Through Bridges to Business, you can improve opportunities for advancement with your current employer, or increase your chances of being hired by a company of your choice.”
The college offers online bachelor’s degrees in general business, sports business, and business communication and corporate education, as well as an MBA.
Graduates of the college have gone on to work for Amazon, Lockheed Martin, Merrill Lynch, the Houston Texans and Peloton Interactive, and some have become entrepreneurs in tech and accounting. Many have found great employment with excellent salaries throughout the state of Texas, Bisping said.
Students already enrolled in Rusche’s online degree programs speak to the accessibility of the faculty, the peer engagement during class, and the ability to shape their college experience around a life that in many instances includes family and career.
“SFA’s online business program has enabled me to work toward completion of my degree at the university I always felt most connected to, even from afar,” said Rick Lowry, an online student based in The Woodlands. “The instructors are accessible, engaged and experienced. They want to help students succeed.”
Eligible students must have completed 15 transferable hours and have at least a 2.0 GPA. Apply at sfasu.edu/apply. For more information, contact cob@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-3101. Learn more about the Rusche College of Business and Bridges to Business.
By Richard Massey, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University
