The Bridge Academy is an opportunity for high achieving, Philadelphia-area high school students to take courses here at Drexel. There are no tuition costs associated with the program, allowing students the opportunity to earn college credit and prepare for the college environment.

Students may register for one course per term and must maintain good academic standing ("B" or better in their course) to take courses continuously throughout the academic year. Students have the opportunity to select a course based on the program requirements, which are outlined in the "Placement in Courses" section on this page. It is important to note that students in the Bridge Academy are not placed in courses until every Drexel student has had the opportunity to register for a given term. These students fill remaining seats in courses that have space available.

Role of Faculty

Faculty play an important role in the Bridge Academy by serving as our student's direct connection to the university through their role as educators. When a Bridge Academy student enrolls in a course, the expectation is that they are held to the same academic standards as all other students. These students earn credit and receive a transcript from Drexel. As such, we expect that you treat them as you would any other undergraduate student enrolled in your course.

When a Bridge Academy participant under the age of 18 enrolls in a course, that faculty must complete the Pennsylvania Enhanced Background Check (PEBC). This background check is an enhanced background check that is only conducted on individuals interacting with non-matriculated minors on campus. This process includes:

• PA State Police Criminal Record Check
• FBI Fingerprint Check
• PA Child Abuse History Clearance

All faculty with non-matriculated minors enrolled in their course through the Bridge Academy will receive notification prior to the initiation of the PEBC. Once completed, this background check is valid for five years.

If a Bridge Academy participant under the age of 18 enrolls in your course, you will be notified by the Center for Inclusive Education and Scholarship (CIES) professional staff prior to the initiation of the background check. Once the background check is initiated, Human Resources will be in contact to help you complete the next steps. This background check process will include:

1. Completing information disclosure forms.
2. Scheduling and completing an FBI fingerprinting check.
3. Completing an electronic PA Background Check.

For more information about this process, view the Guidelines for PA Enhanced Background Certifications (PEBC) on the Human Resources website.

Placement in Courses

Bridge Academy students are enrolled in courses by CIES professional staff — students are not permitted to register themselves for courses.

Bridge Academy students submit their top three (3) course choices for each term by a given deadline. Students are given the opportunity to select courses of interest to them, as long as they meet the following requirements:

• Offered by:
  • College of Arts and Sciences
  • Bennett S. LeBow College of Business
  • Charles D. Close School of Entrepreneurship
• No prerequisites or restrictions.
  • Students may fulfill prerequisites for a course only by taking that course at Drexel through the Bridge Academy.
  • Bridge Academy students are permitted to take courses at the 100 and 200 levels that are restricted to only first-year students.
• Must be in-person or hybrid courses.
• No Saturday courses.
• Registration for any given term occurs after every Drexel student have been given the opportunity to register for that term.
• Bridge Academy students are only permitted to enroll in introductory-level courses with no prerequisites or restrictions. These courses must also have space available.

Please note: Students in the Bridge Academy are encouraged to explore courses at the introductory level (100- or 200-level), as they generally fit the requirements outlined above. When a student selects a course that meet these requirements at the 300-level, faculty approval is required before registration. Other exceptions to these requirements are made on a case-by-case basis with department or faculty approval.