Saint Leo University

You’ll Love the Person You Become Here:

 The Bridge Program at Saint Leo University

About Saint Leo University

Saint Leo University is a Catholic, liberal-arts school established in 1889 and located in Tampa Bay area, Florida. At Saint Leo University's main campus, we offer more than 40 undergraduate academic programs and emphasize student-centered teaching as we recognize your college experience shapes your future. Because we commit to providing you the opportunity to grow intellectually, socially, and spiritually, we can say with confidence, "You'll value the connections you make here."

About The Bridge Program at Saint Leo University

Entering a new culture is an exciting yet stressful experience. For international students, the challenge is tripled: you need to adjust to a foreign culture, master the academic target language, and become part of your new academic community. The Bridge Program offered at Saint Leo University is designed to help international students like you face and overcome these challenges while thriving academically.

Bridge is an English for academic purposes program designed for international students whose language proficiency does not meet the University requirements; the courses support the development of academic language skills and prepare you to successfully take your mainstream classes. Depending on your language proficiency level, you join either the fast one-semester track or the regular two-semester track. For more specific information visit our website. The Program is accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA), a specialized accreditation agency focused on post-secondary intensive English Language Programs recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

But Bridge is not only about learning in the classroom – our students participate in a number of social activities and field trips organized by the program faculty or university organizations. Because Bridge emphasizes the community values fostered by Saint Leo, the friendships you create while in the program stay with you throughout the four years at the University and beyond.

Check the photo highlights on the Bridge at Saint Leo University Facebook.

Why Choose the Bridge Program at Saint Leo University?

The Bridge Program is an excellent choice for intermediate and advanced-intermediate language learners. Unlike the traditional English language schools, Bridge provides a direct pathway to the university classes and, while in the Program, you can earn up to 30 academic credits towards your undergraduate degree.

Here are some examples of how Bridge students benefit from our curriculum and program design:

• The credits earned in the Program are recognized as academic credits and are counted towards graduation. While in the Program, students can earn up to 23 elective and 7 general education credits.
• The Program’s overarching goal is to develop students’ academic skills.
• While in the Program, students take their first general education University courses.
• Bridge students become active members of Saint Leo University, an academic community that has a century-long tradition of welcoming students of all faiths.
• The class size for our Program is capped at 10-15 students and the overall Saint Leo University student to teacher ratio is 14:1.
• Our students enjoy learning at the beautiful state-of-the-art campus of the oldest Catholic institution of higher education in Florida.

What Our Students Say About Bridge

Our students work hard and are pleased with their experiences and the results of their studies. After being part of the Program, students reported feeling more at ease and confident with the American culture and their academic language skills as well as with the demands and requirements posed by the academic life within the U.S. setting.

Below are some quotes that attest to the quality of the experiences of our students:

 “Participating in the Bridge Program gave me the chance to meet students from all over the world. I made a lot of friends … The Bridge Program helped me to improve my academic writing.” (Ammar Mohrat, Syria)

 “I feel really satisfied and happy with all my experiences during this semester, and I look forward to the next one.” (Valeria Vespolli, Venezuela)

Saint Leo University Bridge Program’s core values and strong commitment to your success provide fertile ground for you to further your academic English skills while learning how to be contributing global citizens.