Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Business – Management and Entrepreneurship (BME) program unique?
This program has a strong focus on business trends, developing an entrepreneurial mindset, and innovation in a digital economy. It encourages your creativity, strategic thinking and originality, as you cultivate the skills to manage a business or start up and run a small business.

Explore your talents and creativity through hands-on projects that can be customized to your interests. Learn about business concepts and how to:

  • come up with a good business idea
  • create a business model
  • validate your business through market research
  • manage people and resources
  • understand financial information
  • gain customer attention and sell

Create a start-up idea that you develop and enhance throughout the program. Complete multiple team-based projects, including the creation and presentation of a comprehensive business plan. BME students also receive a free Shopify account for the duration of the program.

Our campus is the ideal place for an entrepreneur. Faculty consists of entrepreneurs and business owners who continue to keep up with trends in their areas of specialization. You have access to the Discovery, Applied Research and Entrepreneurship (DARE) district, our entrepreneurship and innovation centre, and several other business supports and competitions. Activities such as the BME Grill our program pitch competition, provide you with opportunities for hands-on, experiential learning.

Upon graduation, you are ready for a variety of career paths. You may start a business, manage an existing business, continue your education or find a career in:

  • ecommerce
  • digital marketing
  • visual merchandising
  • store planning
  • professional sales
  • sales promotion
  • marketing
  • social media
  • marketing research
  • purchasing
  • retail
  • customer service and management

Will I have a Spring/Summer break?
The timing of your mandatory break depends on when you start the program. Our program delivery requires two semesters of study (levels 1 and 2), then a mandatory break, then two semesters of study (levels 3 and 4) to complete the program.

If you start in September, your break is in the Spring (May to August).
If you start in January, your break is in the Fall (September to December).
If you start in May, your break is in the Winter (January to April).

What if I take a different semester break?
There is no guarantee that there will be space in the program if you take a mandatory break other than the one prescribed above.

If you have a break in studies of more than two semesters, you must request permission to return from the Academic Chair and you will return to the most recent version of the program of study.

If you take a semester off other than the one prescribed, you will have to contact the coordinator and/or student success specialist at least one month before classes start to request a timetable for the returning semester. A timetable will be provided only if there is space in the level/courses requested and if you have paid or deferred your fees.

When do I take the program break if I am an international student?
Please contact the International Education Centre to understand the impact of mandatory breaks and program progression on your visa status.

How long do I have to complete the program?
You have four academic years to complete the BME program. Please see policy AA39 for reference.

Who do I contact with program questions?
Please see program contacts here.

Who do I speak to if I have an issue in my course?
The best person to speak with is the course professor. The professor of the course should be contacted for any grade or course related issues. The majority of issues can be resolved via communication with the professor. However, if you have spoken with the course professor and the issue is still unresolved, or if you do not receive a response, you may then contact the program coordinator. If that does not resolve your concern, you may contact the Academic Chair.

When do I start? When do I graduate? When do I need to register? When do I need to pay?
Please find a link here to the Algonquin College calendar that lists all important dates for students.

I am having difficulties with my group and group assignment. What can I do?
Discuss when joining a group individual and assignment expectations. Determine who is responsible for what, how often you will meet, etc. It is best practice to take meeting notes during group meetings.

Often your class will have group contracts, these documents are there to support student discussion and issues.

When classroom group issues arise, we recommend that students discuss the issue directly with the team member/group. If the team member is nonresponsive or the issue is not easily resolved via communication with the team member, contact your Professor. When you discuss the situation with your course Professor, provide supporting evidence if possible as well as potential solutions.

I’m having trouble with Brightspace, what can I do?
If you are having issues with not seeing your courses in Brightspace or other issues, please contact Brightspace student support at https://www.algonquincollege.com/brightspace/students/

I am having issues with finding my books and/or accessing my e-text. Who do I contact?
You can purchase your books from the bookstore and if you have any issues you can contact them at campusstore@algonquincollege.com.

I’ve emailed my Professor but there has been no reply. What can I do?
Professors receive many emails, so please re-send the message if your email has not been answered within 2 business days.

What do I do if I fail a course?
First, don’t beat yourself up over it. We often learn more from our failures than successes. You will have to take the course at a later date. It is your responsibility to make sure you meet all your course requirements in order to graduate.

Reach out to your student success specialist or program coordinator after your final marks are posted to have the course added to your schedule.

If you need help to figure out when to take the course, you can contact your Student Success Specialist.

What do I do if I want to withdraw from a course?
If you’re thinking about withdrawing from a course or program, you must follow the official procedure and withdrawal dates below. Simply failing to show up for class does not constitute withdrawal and can adversely affect your academic record.

ALL PROGRAM WITHDRAWALS MUST BE INITIATED TO THE REGISTRAR’S OFFICE IN WRITING.

For more information on how to withdraw please visit this link.

Can I take the program online?
The BME program is an in-class program, consisting of four semesters, and is not available online. The program, however, requires three general elective courses, which are completed online.

Where can I see the courses I have passed or need to complete?
You can view your course progression via ACSIS on the left hand side under progression.

What can I do on ACSIS?
ACSIS is the student system that allows you to accomplish many College tasks.

  • You can defer fees via ACSIS
  • View your timetable only if fees are paid or deferred
  • Change your timetable
  • Print payment receipts
  • Print important letters (i.e. returning status, enrolment, graduation, and fee breakdown letters
  • Update contact information
  • Apply for external transfer of credits
  • Select General Education Electives (GEDs)

For more information on what you can do on ACSIS with instructions please visit this link.

How do I register for my General Elective Courses?
You register for your general elective courses via ACSIS the College’s online student portal.
Course selection and registering details can be found here.

Please see the course calendar for important GED selection dates and read your College emails as announcements will be sent regarding when and how to sign up.

Link to Academic Calendar: https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro/academic-calendar/

Is there a co-op in this program?
Yes, we do offer a co-op stream. Please contact the Cooperative Education department for more information.

I am an international student. Are there specific supports for me?
International students have the same supports as domestic students via Student Services. In addition, further support can be found at the International Education Centre.

I have specific accommodations that I need to be successful in the program. Who do I discuss the accommodations with?
The Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible campus. They provide support to students with visible and non-visible disabilities who self-identify.

Can the College help me find a job after I finish the program?
The Student Employment Centre supports students in their job search with numerous services. Find more details here.

I am experiencing financial difficulty. What can I do?
You can discuss your difficulty with a financial aid officer at the Registrar’s Office. In addition, you can find support and resources at https://www.algonquincollege.com/financial-aid/

I am finished the program, when will I graduate?
First off, congratulations on completing the program! The College Registrar provides graduated status and organizes the convocation. Here are links to key graduation information:

https://www.algonquincollege.com/ro/graduate/

https://www.algonquincollege.com/convocation/

What do I do if I have more questions?
If you have more questions as a current student, please visit the BME Brightspace homeroom, where there is an abundance of information regarding the program and College.

If you have more questions as a prospective student, please reach out to the program coordinator.