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 GPA shows that additional preparation is needed in order to increase the probability of success in CAPS programs.
FAR courses are required for all new students provisionally admitted into the General Studies program with a GPA below 3.0 and at transfer levels 1, 2, or 3 (with fewer than 45 credits). Provisional students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher may also voluntarily enroll in FAR courses to refresh their academic skills, which has helped many students.
If conversations with faculty and student success advisors indicate that a student would not be successful in attempting Bethel’s preparatory FAR courses, 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.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CORE 300 | Community, Self and Formation: Ancient and Contemporary Narratives | 3 |
| CORE 330 | Examining Crucial Questions | 3 |
| Total Credits | 6 | |
Foundations of Academic Readiness (FAR)
Bethel desires to serve all adult students in their experience of a transformative, Christ-centered education. The design for completing general education courses 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 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 Foundations of Academic Readiness (FAR) curriculum comprises preparatory non-degree-applicable courses for students whose GPA shows that additional preparation is needed in order to increase the probability of success in CAPS programs.
FAR courses are required for all new students provisionally admitted into the General Studies program with a GPA below 3.0 and at transfer levels 1, 2, or 3 (with fewer than 45 credits). Provisional students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher may also voluntarily enroll in FAR courses to refresh their academic skills, which has helped many students.
If conversations with faculty and student success advisors indicate that a student would not be successful in attempting Bethel’s preparatory FAR courses, 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.
The FAR curriculum consists of 9 credits of foundational courses that do not apply to degree, certificate, or license requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 029 | Foundations of Reading and Writing I | 3 |
| ENGL 030 | Foundations of Reading and Writing II | 3 |
| MATH 080 | Foundations of Mathematics | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
| 1 | Course must be taken for credit at Bethel. |
ARTC 150 • Responding to the Arts 3 Credits.
Cultivation of critical reading and writing skills through examination of artistic “texts” from a variety of genres: literature, drama, cinema, music, or the visual arts. Discernment of rich dimensions of the texts--technique, genre, social-historical context—and reflect on their spiritual signification.
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 285 • Information and Organizations 3 Credits.
Examination of both information and information systems including their use in making knowledge based decisions and analyzing strategic organizational goals. Identification of quality information that is required for organizations, as well as applicable ways to store, organize, and retrieve this information in a secure way. Consideration and discussion around the ethical issues and policies organizations face.
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.
An examination of the fundamentals of the human communication process. Emphasis on communication in these areas: interpersonal, small group, public speaking and computer mediated. Concentration on how meaning is created, communicated, and transformed within personal, professional, and global 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.
Preparation for college-level courses in reading and writing. Effective reading strategies and online literacy skills. Analysis of different types of text using 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: ENGL 029. 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, testing theses through consultation of scholarly sources, and formal documentation of research sources.
Prerequisites: ENGL 130 Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 1, General Education Category R.
HEPE 260 • Physical Wellness 3 Credits.
Synthesis of current evidence-based knowledge empowering healthy decisions around nutrition, fitness, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Identification of patterns of stress reduction through spiritual and physical health. Explanation of biological processes in the body. Analysis of the influence of culture, media, technology, and other factors on health.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 3.
HIST 250 • U.S. History in Dialogue with the Present 3 Credits.
Examination of selected historical events using both primary and secondary sources. Development of connections between historical events with larger social, economical, and political trends and developments. Recognition of multiple perspectives when investigating historical questions as well as the influence these viewpoints have on both current developments and future challenges. Consideration of personal faith while exploring history’s significance.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 5.
MATH 080 • Foundations of Mathematics 3 Credits.
Preparation for college-level math courses. Developmental math topics include percent, decimals, fractions, solving basic algebraic equations, exponents, calculating values using a formula, and measurement. Utilization of spreadsheets to perform basic arithmetic calculations.
Grade exceptions: Graded on an S/U basis. Special Notes: Credits do not apply to certificate, degree, or license programs.
MATH 180 • Mathematics in Real Life 3 Credits.
Intermediate-level study of college liberal arts mathematics: financial mathematics, mathematical models of growth, statistics and probabilities. Emphasis on application of quantitative reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving methods to real-life problems.
Fulfills: CAPS Goal Area 4.
NASC 275 • Environmental Studies 3 Credits.
Examination of how science, engineering, and economics work together to address and solve environmental problems. Exploration of 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 170 • 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 255 • 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.