For the associate’s degree, a student’s program of study includes the graduation requirements for an associate’s degree. 

For the bachelor’s degree, a student's program of study includes the graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree (listed below) as well as additional majors, minors, endorsements, and certificates declared by the student.

Students are required to meet the graduation requirements of the printed version (or *.pdf version) of the catalog that is published for the academic year in which they enter Bethel. If new majors or minors are added to the curriculum after the publication of the printed version of the catalog, currently enrolled students may choose to enroll in a newly added major or minor. They must meet the requirements of that major or minor as it is first published.

Each student is assigned an academic advisor to assist with academic and career planning. Students may also work with the Office of Career Development and Calling to explore career options. Students are responsible to ensure that they have fulfilled graduation requirements and should use their degree evaluation to do so.

Majors

All students choose a major from an academic department or multidisciplinary program. They may also choose to develop an individualized major designed to meet their needs and interests. Majors at Bethel range between 30-93 semester credit hours. It is possible to complete a second or third major by using elective credits or increasing the total number of credits taken. At least half of the credits used to meet the requirements of a major must be taken at Bethel. A 2.25 GPA in the major is required unless otherwise noted in the Academic Programs section of this catalog.

Double Majors

The overlapping of requirements in any combination of majors chosen by a student is permitted as long as the student meets the requirements listed for each major. All completed programs [e.g., Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.Mus.Ed.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)] will be indicated on the transcript, regardless of overlapping course requirements and without the addition of extra required hours. The senior seminar in both majors is required of students unless the student receives written approval from one of the departments to waive that seminar. Students should have an official advisor in one of the two majors, but they should regularly check with an advisor in the second major to make sure they are on track with their second major. 

Minors

Though not required, many students choose to complete one or more minors in order to pursue areas of interest or to complement their major. Students may choose from the minors in this catalog and may not create an individualized minor. Minors range between 18-24 semester credit hours. Students may choose to take additional credits toward the minor or use their elective credits. Students may not earn a minor in a program in which they are receive or have received a major except where specifically noted in the Academic Program section of this catalog. At least nine (9) credits of any minor must be completed at Bethel.

Program Overlap Policy

Students may not earn a minor that has the identical name as their major. Some minors and secondary majors are not allowed with particular majors. Consult the major/minor requirements listed in this catalog for further information.

Endorsements

Though not required, students may choose to complete one or more endorsements in order to pursue areas of interest, or to complement their major. Students may choose from the endorsements in this catalog and may not create an individualized endorsement. Endorsements range between 6-17 semester credit hours. Endorsements may have additional non-credit requirements. Students may choose to take additional credits toward the endorsement or use their elective credits. Upon completion of a degree, an endorsement is listed as a comment on the academic transcript. 

Certificates

Though not required, students may choose to complete a certificate in order to pursue a specific area of interest or to complement their major. Students may choose from the certificates in this catalog and may not create an individualized certificate. Certificates range between 18-34 semester credit hours. Certificates may have additional non-credit requirements. Students may choose to take additional credits toward the certificate or use their elective credits. Upon completion of a degree, a certificate is listed as a comment on the academic transcript.

General Education Requirements

Print Version: General Education Requirements by Entry Standing: 2023 and forward (pdf)

¹

P course and GES 130 Christianity and Western Culture requirements cannot be fulfilled through transfer courses. 

²

May be taken concurrently.

 

Letters (e.g., A, D) indicate a General Education category from which students select a course of their choice.

General Requirements for a Baccalaureate Degree

Degrees Offered: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.Mus.Ed.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) NOTE: DegreeWorks identifies each degree separately, and related majors, minors, and endorsements are listed in the evaluation for that degree.

After students declare majors, minors, certificates, and endorsements, Degree Works identifies each degree separately.

1. A cumulative overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.00. The cumulative GPA includes only courses taken at Bethel.
2. A 2.25 GPA in one’s major, unless otherwise noted. The major GPA includes all courses required in the major and all electives taken for the major at Bethel.
3. A minimum of 122 semester credit hours.
4. The following must be taken in programs that meet Bethel residency requirements or at Bethel (see Office of the Registrar or Office of International and Off-Campus Programs):
   • at least 28 of the last 35 credits,
   • at least half of the credits used to meet the ­requirements of the major,
   • at least 30 of the 122 credits needed to graduate,
   • GES 130 Christianity and Western Culture or GES 145 through GES 244 in the Humanities Program (must be taken at Bethel; cannot be brought in through any other programs),
   • a Contemporary Christian Issues (P) course (must be taken at Bethel; cannot be brought in through any other programs).
   •  GES 140 Introduction to Wellbeing must be taken at Bethel except by students who are exempt from this requirement because of their entry level. 
5. A minimum of three (3) semester credit hours in General Education Biblical Foundations courses.
6. A minimum of 36 credits at the upper-division level (300 and 400).
7. All General Education required courses and experiences listed on the General Education Entry Standing chart that are indicated by a “Yes” for their entry level.
8. Completion of january session courses as indicated on the General Education Entry/Transfer Level chart on the following pages (minimum of three [3] credits, maximum of five [5] credits per january).
9. Completion of the requirements of a major (listed by department in this catalog).
10. Demonstration of basic competencies in:
    • Writing: One course is designated in each major, in addition to the required GES 160 Inquiry Seminar course and a writing emphasis in Contemporary Western Life and Thought (L) course, Comparative Systems (G) course, Interpreting Biblical Themes (J) course, and Contemporary Christian Issues (P) course.
    • Speaking: One upper-division course is designated in each major, in addition to required speaking assignments in the GES 160 Inquiry Seminar course, the Humanities Program, and Contemporary Christian Issues (P) courses.
    • Computing: As Bethel faculty increase the applications of computing to regular courses in each major, student knowledge of basic uses in their fields will be required. Students are encouraged to bring their laptops with them to campus.
11. In order for multiple majors and minors to be considered as one degree program, they must be taken simultaneously and completed within one academic year of each other. Bethel University will award a student’s degree when a student’s degree program requirements have been completed, whether or not the student applies to graduate. Students typically maintain eligibility for financial aid while completing their degree program provided that their total credits do not exceed 150% of the credits required for their degree program. Exceptions will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
12. Completion of any departmental and institutional assessment activities.
13. Upon completion of program, participation in commencement ceremonies is expected.

Additional Baccalaureate Degree

An additional Bethel University Baccalaureate Degree [e.g., Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.Mus.Ed.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.)] may be awarded, upon request, when a student has met all requirements of the additional degree and earned, in residence, a minimum of twenty-seven (27) unduplicated semester credits from the department in which the additional degree is earned. Unduplicated semester credits are those that are not used to meet the requirements of any other Bethel University Baccalaureate Degree. Transfer students who hold a Baccalaureate Degree from another institution may earn a Bethel University Baccalaureate Degree if they meet all the requirements of the degree program including the general education requirement and the residency requirements. 

Commencement Ceremony Participation

Students who have not completed all required courses for graduation may participate in the commencement ceremony provided that they have no more than a total of seven (7) credits remaining. For May commencement, students must plan to complete their courses by the end of the Fall term of the next academic year. For December commencement, courses must be completed by the end of the Spring term of the same academic year. 

Policies regarding residency requirements, as well as any departmental residency requirements, apply. 

General Requirements for an Associate of Arts Degree

The associate of arts degree contains a balanced program of liberal arts education without orientation to a particular major or minor. Requirements for the degree include 61 semester credit hours and the designated competencies as listed below. These requirements can usually be met in two years of full-time study. General Education Entry/Transfer levels apply to students seeking an associate of arts degree.

General Education Courses: 29-31 credits

Introduction to Wellbeing (GES 140)

Inquiry Writing Seminar (GES 160) or Western Humanity in Christian Perspective I-III (GES 145, GES 147, and GES 244) 

Introduction to the Bible (BIB 101)

Christianity & Western Culture (GES 130) or Western Humanity in Christian Perspective I-III (GES 145, GES 147, and GES 244) 

Artistic Experience (A)

Mathematics course (M)

Laboratory Science course (D)

Introduction to the Creative Arts (GES 125) or Western Humanity in Christian Perspective I-III (GES 145, GES 147, and GES 244) 

World Cultures course (U)

Contemporary Western Life and Thought course (L) (prerequisite: GES 130 or GES 145 and GES 147) or Western Humanity in Christian Perspective I-IV (GES 145, GES 147, GES 244, and GES 246) 

Students entering Bethel with credits may be exempted from some of the General Education requirements based on their General Education Entry Standing. See the Transfer of Credits section of this catalog.

Arts, Humanities, and Science: 5 credits

Choose courses from: humanities, social science, communication studies, natural sciences, or mathematics

Electives: 25-27 credits as needed to complete the required 61 credits for the Associate of Arts degree. 

Additional Requirements

1. A cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.
2. At least 28 of the last 35 credits must be taken at Bethel.
3. One january session course.
4. Taken at Bethel: 
   1. A minimum of 3 semester credit hours in General Education Biblical Foundations courses.
   2. ​GES 130 Christianity and Western Culture or GES 145 through GES 244 in the Humanities Program.
5. Upon completion of program, participation in commencement ceremonies is expected.
6. Participation in commencement ceremonies is permitted for students who have not completed all graduation requirements provided they have no more than seven (7) credits by the end of the fall term of the next academic year. For December commencement, courses must be completed by the end of the spring term of the same academic year. Policies regarding residency for particular courses apply.