The General Studies curriculum comprises lower-division general education courses required of students intending to earn an Associate of Arts (A.A.)., Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree through the College of Adult & Professional Studies. Certain general education courses are also required for the Associate of Science (A.S.) degree. A.A. degree students will take elective courses or earn credits through the other elective credit options to complete the remainder of the 60 credits required for the A.A. degree.

The Bethel Distinctives curriculum comprises two upper-division courses (6 credits) required of students intending to earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree through the College of Adult & Professional Studies.  Bethel Distinctive courses must be taken in residence.

The Foundations of Academic Readiness (FAR) curriculum comprises preparatory non-degree-applicable courses for students whose Accuplacer assessment scores show that additional preparation is needed in order to increase the probability of success in CAPS programs. Students may also voluntarily enroll in FAR courses to refresh their academic skills.

Accuplacer Assessments

Accuplacer assessments are required for all new students provisionally admitted into the General Studies program at transfer levels 1, 2, or 3 (with fewer than 45 credits). Accuplacer assessments are taken prior to the first course at Bethel, which is usually SOCS 110.

  • Satisfactory scores on all three assessments will allow registration for further college-level courses in the General Studies program.
  • If scores indicate a need for pre-college coursework in order to be successful in college-level classes, students will be required to complete all or some of the FAR courses. Satisfactory grades in required FAR courses will allow registration for further college-level courses.
  • If scores and conversations with faculty and Student Success Advisors indicate that attempting Bethel’s pre-college courses will not be successful, the student is encouraged not to register for courses at Bethel at that time.  However, the decision as to whether a student should register ultimately lies with the student.  

General Education

The General Studies curriculum comprises 45 credits of lower-division general education courses required of students intending to earn an Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree through the College of Adult & Professional Studies.  Refer to the General Education Overview for more information.

Bethel Distinctives

The Bethel Distinctives curriculum consists of 6 credits of courses that are required to be taken for credit at Bethel. 

CORE 300Community, Self and Formation: Ancient and Contemporary Narratives3
CORE 330Examining Crucial Questions3
Total Credits6

Foundations of Academic Readiness (FAR)

Bethel desires to serve all adult students in their experience of a transformative, Christ-centered education. The General Studies Program design meets the needs of busy adults. The level of preparedness of some adult students will make it difficult for them to succeed. Life experiences have prepared them with knowledge and wisdom, but not with a comfort level with reading or writing that would prepare them for writing-intensive courses. Limited math skills may leave students deeply anxious about our math courses. Yet, with some support, these students can succeed. We have designed the FAR curriculum to support these students in raising their core skills to the point where they can confidently achieve course outcomes and earn college credits. Students can succeed by improving in these areas:

  • Core reading skills to prepare students in mastering challenging academic texts.
  • Core writing skills to prepare students for the challenge of college composition courses.
  • Core math skills to prepare students for the challenge of a college math course.

The FAR curriculum consists of 9 credits of foundational courses that do not apply to degree, certificate, or license requirements.

ENGL 029Foundations of Reading and Writing I3
ENGL 030Foundations of Reading and Writing II3
MATH 080Foundations of Mathematics3
Total Credits9

ARTC 150A • Responding to the Arts 3 Credits.

Cultivation of critical reading skills through literature, music, and the visual arts. Students will apply core artistic terms and concepts to rich readings of artistic works: context, genre, technique, and themes. Students will reflect on human and spiritual dynamics of relationship and faith.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 6.

BIBL 230 • The Bible in Real Life 3 Credits.

Exploration of connections between key portions of the Bible and challenges faced by students in their own lives. Students trace the journey of God's people from Abraham and Sarah through the New Testament church, tracing God's self-disclosure through biblical cultures and their genres of writing.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 6.

BUSN 285T • Studies in Technology and Society 3 Credits.

Introduction to the present management and future use of information and information systems in organizations. Analyze how information and information systems are used by organizations in setting goals, making decisions, and analyzing knowledge. Investigate how technology transforms information systems. Examine ethical issues and policies surrounding information and information systems.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 3.

CHMN 140 • Spiritual Quest 3 Credits.

An exploration of spirituality from a Christian perspective in which students identify the spiritual influences in their lives, explore spiritual disciplines, evaluate impacts of Christian spirituality on their personal lives and set goals for personal spiritual development.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 6.

COMM 160 • Basic Communication Skills 3 Credits.

Examination of the fundamentals of the communication process with an interactive emphasis on interpersonal, groups/teams, and public speaking; integrating these three specific components and concentrating on how meaning is created, communicated, and transformed within the social, social diversity, and human contexts.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 1.

CORE 300 • Community, Self and Formation: Ancient and Contemporary Narratives 3 Credits.

An exploration of self in the world, based on personal experience and classical spiritual practices. Students are challenged to think systemically about contexts of family, faith community, workplace, and broader culture as they plan for lifelong formation and contribution to the well-being of others.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Areas 2, 5. Special Notes: Enrollment is open to students with sophomore class standing and above.

CORE 330 • Examining Crucial Questions 3 Credits.

Summary of the Christian biblical narrative. Identification of the roles of scripture, history, experience, and reason as they form convictions related to social and ethical issues. Examination of selected theological concepts using the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, as well as the application of those concepts to real life situations.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Areas 2, 5, 6. Special Notes: Enrollment is open to students with sophomore class standing and above.

ENGL 029 • Foundations of Reading and Writing I 3 Credits.

This course is designed to prepare students for college-level courses in which they will need to be successful in reading and writing. Emphasis is on foundational reading and writing strategies.
Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis. Special Notes: Appropriate placement assessment score required for enrollment. Credits do not apply to certificate, degree, or license programs.

ENGL 030 • Foundations of Reading and Writing II 3 Credits.

This course is designed to prepare students for college-level courses in which they will need to be successful in reading and writing. Emphasis is on foundational reading and writing strategies and builds upon strategies learned in ENGL 029.
Prerequisites: Appropriate placement assessment score; ENGL 029 Foundations of Reading Writing I. Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis. Special Notes: Credits do not apply to certificate, degree, or license programs.

ENGL 130 • Successful Writing 3 Credits.

Development of skills necessary for expressing oneself competently through writing. Emphasis is on the writing process, critical thinking, sensitivity to audience, core documentation skills and responsibilities, and revision (with peer and instructor feedback).
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 1.

ENGL 225R • Academic Research and Writing 3 Credits.

Development of core academic skills in research and writing: critical evaluation of rhetorical persuasion, forming and answering research questions and testing hypotheses through consultation of scholarly sources, and formal documentation of research sources (attributions, in-text citations, and a source list) according to APA format.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 1, General Education Category R.

HEPE 260Y • Physical Wellness 3 Credits.

Current evidence based knowledge to empower healthy decisions around nutrition, fitness, and emotional and spiritual well-being. Basic biological processes as they relate to health promotion, everyday practices to reduce stress, and skills to distinguish myth from fact.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 3.

HIST 250 • U.S. History in Dialogue with the Present 3 Credits.

Explores a narrative of United States history by following themes that connect past events to our experiences today. Investigates compelling and relevant historical questions and events by applying historical inquiry, using critical thinking, and considering multiple perspectives. Presents history as a dialogue between past and present, propelling action as stakeholders in society.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5.

MATH 080 • Foundations of Mathematics 3 Credits.

This course is designed to prepare students for college-level math courses. Developmental math topics include percents, decimals, fractions, solving basic algebraic equations, exponents, calculating values using a formula, and measurement. This course will also cover using spreadsheets to perform basic arithmetic calculations.
Prerequisites: appropriate diagnostic assessment score. Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis. Special Notes: Credits do not apply to certificate, degree, or license programs.

MATH 180M • Mathematics in Real Life 3 Credits.

Intermediate-level study of mathematical procedures: algebra, equation solving, statistical reasoning, mathematics of finance, coordinates and graphs, and inequalities. These procedures will be applied as analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving models to real-life problems.
Prerequisites: Admission category other than Provisional Acceptance, or appropriate Accuplacer score, or MATH 080. Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 4.

NASC 275V • Environmental Studies 3 Credits.

Examine how science, engineering, and economics work together to address and solve environmental problems. Explore the importance of the scientific method as it relates to the environment, conservation of resources, and energy. Evaluation of case studies will develop a deeper sense of stewardship to our planet.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 3.

ORGL 120 • Personal Mission and Leadership Development 3 Credits.

Development of an understanding of personal mission and a study of the application of that mission to leadership. Emphasis is on identifying personal talents and gifts, and developing leadership goals for future roles.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 2.

SOCS 110 • Succeeding in College 3 Credits.

Prepares students for independent and collaborative college-level academic work through an introduction to campus technology and support; assessing reading, writing, and math skills; and reflecting on one's personal commitment to academic goals.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 2.

SOCS 170W • Conflict Management and the Social Scientific Perspective 3 Credits.

Applies samples of social scientific reasoning and research in psychology, sociology and social work to the challenges of conflict management, forgiveness, and reconciliation. Students reflect on the relevance of social scientific models to their own lives and consider applications in their workplaces, families, and social spheres.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5.

SOCS 255E • Studies in the American Mosaic 3 Credits.

Exploration of various diversity issues within the United States, particularly as they impact personal experience, identity, relationships, and opportunity. Examination of personal values, assumptions, and perspectives as they relate to diversity and strategies for approaching diverse or conflicted settings with a biblical, peacemaking stance.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5.