What exactly is the Rutgers Stackable Business Innovation Program? When did it first start being developed?
The Rutgers Stackable Business Innovation (rSBI)program is a comprehensive graduate certificate program, focusing on business-innovative cutting-edge subjects across all six departments of Rutgers Business School—Newark and New Brunswick (RBS). The term ‘stackable’ means that students can select courses a-la-carte at their own discretion and take them at their own pace, and “stack” them by applying course credits toward a variety of rSBI certificates. Course credits can potentially be transferred to Master’s-level degree programs at RBS, subject to their rules.
The program started development in summer 2019, was approved by the RBS faculty in fall 2019, and by Rutgers University in fall 2020.
Why did we decide to bring this program to Rutgers Business School? What does this program offer that already existing programs do not?
The nature of learning is changing, primarily as witnessed by the increasing ubiquity of online learning. The COVID-19 pandemic has given this trend major impetus. Additionally, the nature of work is changing too, with technology clocks running faster and faster. This has created a largely untapped segment of students who need to upskill periodically in order to remain relevant at work. In recognition of these trends, RBS has created rSBI as a flexible academic program with the mission of satisfying demand for lifelong learning for lifelong employability.
Existing stackable programs have been around for a few years, but those offer a limited scope of knowledge domains. In contrast, the rSBI program is comprehensive, offering 30 knowledge-domain concentrations and 90 courses on cutting-edge topics that are business-innovative and business-disruptive. We plan to update the rSBI catalog frequently to keep the rSBI curriculum relevant.
What real-world connections might students have access to by participating in this program?
All rSBI courses and certificates are designed to provide practical insight and skills needed right now in industry. The curriculum is developed and taught by faculty from our six departments: Accounting and Information Systems, Finance and Economics, Management and Global Business, Management Science and Information Systems, Marketing, and Supply Chain. It encompasses a broad range of cutting-edge knowledge domains relating to the business world, developed from years of research and professional experience. As we expect many of our students to be working professionals in need of upskilling, they in turn will bring real-world connections and application to the learning experience.
How does this program offer students flexibility in their studies?
The rSBI program is geared toward students who do not wish to make the time and financial commitments required for an academic degree. Instead this constituency looks for a very focused curriculum designed to refresh and upskill specific targeted domain knowledge. Accordingly, the rSBI program allows students to create their bespoke curriculum by selecting only courses and concentration certificates of interest, and to pursue their studies at their own pace. This flexibility also alleviates the attendant financial burden by stretching out tuition payments. As such, the rSBI also fulfills a social engagement function in that it facilitates admission of students with modest financial means, and especially those who are economically-disadvantaged. To this end, though being admission-based, the rSBI program does not require mandatory academic admission tests, such as GMAT and GRE.
Who is encouraged to participate in this program? What is the process of getting started?
rSBI encourages a broad spectrum of potential students to apply and take advantage of its cutting-edge courses, comprehensive curriculum, and the flexibility afforded by the program. This includes not only working professionals in search of upskilling opportunities, but also upper-level undergraduate students and other curious people who would like to try out the rSBI program by sampling courses of interest with minimal commitment of time and financial resources.
The rSBI program’s main page is www.business.rutgers.edu/rsbi. It can also be accessed via the ACADEMIC PROGRAMS menu on the RBS main page, www.business.rutgers.edu.
Applicants must enroll in one or more RBS departments, and then can choose any course or concentration offered by those departments. There is a single $70 application fee, no matter how many departments are applied to.
To apply, proceed as follows:
- To enter the rSBI enrollment portal, visit the rSBI main page above, and click the ADMISSIONS PROCESS button at its bottom.
- To locate a department of interest, click the PROGRAM OVERVIEW button on the main page above. Then click the associated LEARN MORE button to view all rSBI concentrations and courses offered by that department.
- To view course offerings for the current semester, click the PROGRAM OVERVIEW button on the main page above, and then the SCHEDULE OF CLASSES button.
What is the cost of the rSBI program?
The cost of the rSBI program is up to the student in the sense that there is no predetermined number of credits to be earned. In addition to the one-time application fee, course costs are under student control in the sense that the student decides which and how many courses to take and is charged for the corresponding course credits. To view per-credit costs, please view the Tuition & Fees. On-campus fees, off-campus fees, computer fees, and additional school fees may apply.