Students in BUILD will complete a minimum of 52 credits to attain a Certificate in Applied Studies. Those credits will include core courses, internships, and other selected Bethel University courses. Our courses are designed to meet students where they’re at and help each individual student develop essential skills for college, employment, and independent living.
BBT 013 • BUILD Bible, Theology, & Spiritual Formation: Old Testament 1 1 Credit
Utilize the biblical narrative and specific Old Testament character studies in Genesis to learn about the historical context of and how to read the Bible as well as an introduction to the redemptive nature of God’s Word and personal salvation through relationship with Jesus Christ by identifying and analyzing important theological elements, specific contextual understandings, and historical biblical criticism.
Offered: Fall.
BBT 023 • BUILD Bible, Theology, & Spiritual Formation: Old Testament 2 1 Credit
Utilize the biblical narrative and specific Old Testament character studies in Exodus through Malachi to learn about the redemptive nature of God’s Word and personal salvation through relationship with Jesus Christ by identifying and analyzing important theological elements, specific contextual understandings, and historical biblical criticism.
Offered: Spring.
BBT 033 • BUILD Bible, Theology & Spiritual Formation: New Testament 1 1 Credit
Utilize the biblical narrative and specific New Testament character studies in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John to learn about the redemptive nature of God’s Word and personal salvation through relationship with Jesus Christ by identifying and analyzing important theological elements, specific contextual understandings, and historical biblical criticism.
Offered: Fall.
BBT 043 • BUILD Bible, Theology & Spiritual Formation: New Testament 2 1 Credit
Utilize the biblical narrative and specific New Testament character studies in Acts through Revelation to learn about the redemptive nature of God’s Word and personal salvation through relationship with Jesus Christ by identifying and analyzing important theological elements, specific contextual understandings, and historical biblical criticism.
Offered: Spring.
BIL 010 • BUILD Independent Living 1 2 Credits
Learn to make choices that lead to living a healthy life. Develop and maintain healthy habits, such as eating healthy foods, getting enough sleep and water and making physical activity a regular part of life. Includes weekly social skills that focus on socially expected interactions, conversation starters, and how to deal with fear and worry.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIL 017. Offered: Fall.
BIL 017 • BUILD Independent Living 1 Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory experience accompanying BIL 010. Students practice self-care, home-care, and cooking skills.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIL 010. Offered: Fall.
BIL 020 • BUILD Independent Living 2 2 Credits
Learn to make choices that lead to opportunities for living independently and living a satisfying life. As part of a scenario, choose a job, and then learn to live on the pay received from that job. Problem solve typical challenges that individuals experience when starting out on their own through practice. Create and balance a personal budget, compare products and services through comparison shopping, reading labels, and shopping around. Includes weekly social skills with a focus on maintaining healthy and safe boundaries in dating relationships and friendships.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIL 027 is required. Offered: Spring.
BIL 027 • BUILD Independent Living 2 Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory experience accompanying BIL 020. Students practice self-care, home-care, and cooking skills.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIL 020. Offered: Spring.
BIL 030 • BUILD Independent Living 3 2 Credits
Learn to make choices that lead to successful adult life including choosing leisure activities and living independently. Gain an understanding of and explore available community resources and examine how healthy free-time activities link to self-care. Includes weekly social skills with a focus on managing emotions and expressing oneself appropriately.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIL 037 is required. Offered: Fall.
BIL 037 • BUILD Independent Living 3 Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory experience accompanying BIL 030. Students practice self-care, home-care, and cooking skills.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIL 030 is required. Offered: Fall.
BIL 040 • BUILD Independent Living 4 2 Credits
Learn to make choices that lead to opportunities for living independently and having a satisfying family life. Gain tools needed to make good decisions about relationships and learn the importance of maintaining a stable and healthy personal life so one can enjoy success in all aspects of life. Includes weekly social skills with a focus on empathy and understanding differing perspectives.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIL 047 is required. Offered: Spring.
BIL 047 • BUILD Independent Living 4 Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory experience accompanying BIL 040. Students practice self-care, home-care, and cooking skills.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIL 040 is required. Offered: Spring.
BIN 026 • Internship 2 2 Credits
Build skills and knowledge related to a career pathway through completion of a minimum of 60 internship hours. Internship placement considers interests and work-readiness. Specific job duties, support, and feedback will be provided by a job mentor.
Prerequisites: BLD 018, BJE 012. Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BJE 022 is required. Offered: Spring. Special Notes: This course is graded on an S/U basis.
BIN 036 • Internship 3 2 Credits
Continue building skills and knowledge related to a career pathway through completion of a minimum of 60 internship hours. Internship placement considers interests and work-readiness. Specific job duties, support, and feedback will be provided by a job mentor.
Offered: Fall. Special Notes: This course is graded on an S/U basis.
BIN 040 • BUILD Supplementary Internship 0.5-4 Credits
Continue building skills and knowledge related to a career pathway through completion of a minimum of 15 internship hours per credit. Internship placement considers interests and work-readiness. Specific job duties, support, and feedback will be provided by a job mentor.
Offered: Fall, January. Special Notes: This course is graded on an S/U basis.
BIN 046 • Internship 4 2 Credits
Continue building skills and knowledge related to a career pathway through completion of a minimum of 60 internship hours. Internship placement considers interests and work-readiness. Specific job duties, support, and feedback will be provided by a job mentor.
Offered: Spring. Special Notes: This course is graded on an S/U basis.
BIS 017 • BUILD Independent Study 1 1 Credit
Students begin exploration of their career pathway in order to confirm or refine their areas of interest. Students with and without disabilities engage in the same online learning modules and hands-on learning, which focus on skills and knowledge needed for employment and future learning in each student's career pathway.
Offered: Fall.
BIS 027 • BUILD Independent Study 2 1 Credit
Students build skills and knowledge related to their career pathway. Students with and without disabilities engage in the same online learning modules and hands-on learning that may be related to skills needed for current or future internships.
Offered: Spring.
BIS 037 • BUILD Independent Study 3 1 Credit
Students continue building skills and knowledge related to their career pathway. Students with and without disabilities engage in the same online learning modules and hands-on learning that may be related to skills needed for current or future internships.
Offered: Fall.
BIS 047 • BUILD Independent Study 4 1 Credit
Students continue building skills and knowledge related to their career pathway. Students with and without disabilities engage in the same online learning modules and hands-on learning that may be related to skills needed for current or future internships.
Offered: Spring.
BJE 012 • BUILD Jobs & Employment 1 2 Credits
Begin career pathway exploration in order to confirm or refine areas of interest. Complete learning modules focused on self-awareness, career exploration and development, and employability: interview skills, labor laws, resume writing, safety, and soft skills.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BLD 018 is required. Offered: Fall.
BJE 022 • BUILD Jobs & Employment 2 2 Credits
Gain knowledge of effective communication methods, steps to take to enter a career of choice, actions to take to become a valued and successful employee, and ways to become responsible members of the community. Learn, apply, practice, and evaluate skills to become a self-advocate in the workplace.
Prerequisites: BLD 018 and BJE 012. Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BIN 026 is required. Offered: Spring.
BJE 032 • BUILD Jobs & Employment 3 2 Credits
Learn a process for finding a specific job in the career of choice. Seek out possible job positions and companies for future job opportunities. Learn to make contacts within the business world and then prepare for interviews.
Offered: Fall.
BJE 042 • BUILD Jobs & Employment 4 2 Credits
Gain skills to become a valued employee, such as getting along with co-workers, listening to supervisors, and learning on the job. In addition, learn about going the extra mile and advancing. Spend time practicing communication skills as well as other skills needed to become successful on the job. Gather information about how to build a positive reputation and leave a job with style. Develop a growth goal for keeping a job and self-evaluating performance until the goal has been obtained.
Offered: Spring.
BLD 018 • BUILD Life at Bethel 2 Credits
Integrate foundational knowledge, experiences, and strategies to become successful whole and holy individuals as college students in the BUILD program and beyond. Opportunities are given for students to explore self-discovery, self-advocacy, accessing needed supports and services (including appropriate use of technology), integration of faith, and healthy habits.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BJE 012 is required. Offered: Fall. Special Notes: This course is graded on an S/U basis.
Elective Courses:
BUILD elective courses are listed as BEL and are taken at the developmental level (0##). Participation in elective courses require students to meet the attendance requirements set by the instructor. Students are also expected to engage in out-of-class work that enables them to contribute to and learn from future class sessions. Participation beyond attendance in class activities is described in the course syllabus. Electives are graded on an S/U basis, S (for students who earn a grade of 65% or above on class requirements) or U (for students who earn less than a grade of 65% on class requirements). All elective courses are taken with students without intellectual disabilities. Any given elective course may or may not be offered during a specific academic year.
BEL 010 • Introduction to Psychology 1 2 Credits
Demonstrate a beginning understanding of psychological investigation and identify major themes and theories of psychology through exploration of methods, theories, and principal findings of psychological investigation.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 011 • Introductory American Sign Language 2 Credits
Learn to function comfortably in a variety of communication situations. Focus on development of visual readiness skills, expressive, and receptive skills in basic ASL. Includes introduction to conversational vocabulary, finger-spelling, grammatical principles, and syntax. Information related to deaf culture is included.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 012 • Basic Communication 2 Credits
Introduction to some of the fundamental areas of communication studies. Basic concepts of public speaking, group communication, and interpersonal communication. Students use critical and analytical thinking, speaking, and practical skills to explore the informal and formal human communication process.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 013 • Personal and Community Health 2 Credits
Increase knowledge and understanding of the principles of health and exercise behavior. Primary focus is on health and fitness as a life-long habit. Various factors related to physical, mental, and social health are explored. Participation in discussions, daily activities, and the process of learning expected in and out of class. Students are to be role models of fitness and the wellness lifestyle. Discussion of personal opinions and experiences are encouraged.
Offered: Occasionally.
BEL 017 • Introduction to Business Applications 2 Credits
Gain a working knowledge of business applications software: word processing, presentation software, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and internet research.
Offered: Fall, January, Spring.
BEL 020 • Projects in Performance 1 Credit
An individual project in acting, directing, makeup, design, stagecraft, lighting, writing, choreography, props, sound, costumes, and touring.
Prerequisites: Music and Performing Arts department approval. Offered: Fall, January, Spring. Special Notes: Course can be repeated for credit with a maximum of 1 credit per area per semester and 4 credits total.
BEL 021 • Introduction to Psychology 2 2 Credits
Methods, theories, and principal findings of psychological investigation.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 024 • BUILD Individual Music Lessons 0.5 Credits
Private lessons are offered in bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, English horn, euphonium, flute, guitar, harp, oboe, percussion, piano, pipe organ, saxophone, trumpet, tuba, voice, viola, and violin. Lessons are offered in 30-minute sections for credit. Students receive 12 lessons per semester if they register before or during the first week of the semester. To receive a satisfactory grade, a student must have a minimum of 10 lessons. Students registering late are not allowed to make up the lessons they missed. Lessons cannot begin nor be registered for after the third week of the semester.
Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Fee of $480.00 attached to this course. Instructor approval is required prior to registration.
BEL 025 • Introduction to Creative Arts 2 Credits
Introduces the creative arts and their crucial role in human experience. Art forms included each term are chosen from dance, film, literature, music, theatre, and visual arts and highlight their crucial role in human experience. Creative works spanning stylistic, social, and historical contexts are examined in light of such issues as relationships, religion, death/despair, and humor. Students experience and interact with creative works and reflect on them from a Christian worldview.
Offered: Fall, January, Spring. Special Notes: Fee of $53.00 attached to this course.
BEL 030 • Lucia Chorum 2 Credits
Be part of an ensemble that specializes in the historic and contemporary treble choral music repertory. Rehearsals promote vocal development, musicianship training, vocal development, teamwork, artistic expression, and spiritual reflection.
Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Participation is open by audition. Fee of $25.00 attached to this course.
BEL 031 • Handbell Ensemble 1 Credit
Learn and perform Handbell music.
Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Participation is open by audition. Fee of $15.00 attached to this course.
BEL 033 • Disc Golf 1 Credit
Learn the history, equipment, etiquette, rules, techniques, strategy, and scoring of Disc Golf through playing the sport on the disc golf course.
Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Fee of $30.00 attached to this course.
BEL 034 • Royal Register 2 Credits
Royal Register is an ensemble that specializes in the historic and contemporary TTBB choral music repertory. Rehearsals promote vocal development, musicianship training, vocal development, teamwork, artistic expression, and spiritual reflection.
Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Participation is open by audition. Fee of $25.00 attached to this course.
BEL 035 • Bethel Choir 2 Credits
The Bethel Choir is open by audition and presents concerts throughout the United States or Europe during its annual concert tours. Rehearsals are four days a week.
Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Open by audition. Fee of $25.00 attached to this course.
BEL 036 • BUILD Elective Screen Printing 2 Credits
Explore screen printing as a means of creating hand-printed multi-color fine art prints. Methods include handmade and photo emulsion stenciling and studio art practice.
Offered: Fall. Special Notes: Fee of $120 attached to this course.
BEL 037 • Clay Forms 2 Credits
Explores hand building and wheel throwing techniques in the formation of archetypal ceramic forms and processes.
Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Fee of $90.00 attached to this course.
BEL 038 • Emerging Leaders 2 Credits
An introduction to leadership with a focus on effective characteristics and practices of leadership theories and styles, core leadership competencies, individual self-discovery, management, followership, and integration of faith and leadership. Opportunities given to identify, clarify, and develop individual leadership skills and abilities.
Offered: Occasionally.
BEL 042 • Introduction to Astronomy 2 Credits
The concepts, techniques, and tools of astronomy and astrophysics are made understandable. Topics include: historical overview; identification of constellations; telescopes; the nature of light, atomic spectra, and structure; the nuclear physics of stars; the life cycle of stars; and current theories of the fate of the universe.
Corequisites: Concurrent registrationt in BEL 043 is required. Offered: Fall.
BEL 043 • Introduction to Astronomy Lab 1 Credit
The laboratory experience accompanying BEL 042.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BEL 042 is required. Offered: Fall. Special Notes: Fee of $120.00 attached to this course.
BEL 044 • Beginning Tennis 1 Credit
Learn basic tennis strokes through instructions, drills, practice, and playing time. Covers rules, simple strategy, player position, etiquette, and guidelines for equipment selection.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 045 • American Sign Language II 2 Credits
Continuation of functional and practical understanding and communicative use of American Sign Language. Further study of the history and culture of the deaf community through films, discussions, and readings.
Prerequisites: BEL 011 or placement exam. Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 046 • Slow-Pitch Softball 1 Credit
Fundamental skills of slow-pitch softball for the recreational player.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 048 • Introduction to Special Education 1 Credit
Identification of the impact historical and philosophical foundations, legal bases, and contemporary issues have on special education. Identification of common disability category characteristics. Description of the impact culture, faith, and linguistics have on special education. Description of how the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) impacts special education.
Offered: Fall, January.
BEL 052 • Yoga 1 Credit
Development of physical fitness and self-awareness through core stabilizing and strengthening exercises as an integral part of health and wellness. Emphasis on the integration of Christian faith and exercise while learning correct postures, alignments, and focus.
Offered: Spring.
BEL 055 • Pickleball 1 Credit
Fast-paced net game with similarities to tennis, badminton, table tennis, and racquetball; content includes rules, strategies, techniques and court positioning for singles and doubles, and extensive active practice and play.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 056 • Educational Psychology 2 Credits
Psychological foundation of education. Various aspects of growth and development, the nature and conditions of learning, implications for teaching, and evaluation.
Prerequisites: BEL 010. Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 057 • Media Production 3 Credits
Equips with the most basic "hands-on" visual media production skills in which students learn the fundamentals of visual media production, including multi-camera studio production, digital filmmaking, and digital post-production.
Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Fee of $90 attached to this course.
BEL 058 • Community Engagement 0.5-2 Credits
Learn about a diverse group of people and broaden perspectives of co-laboring with people beyond one's immediate community. Build goal setting, planning, and collaboration skills while involved in an integrated community service-learning opportunity. Structured prepration and reflection assist in challenging personal and social values and beliefs.
Offered: Fall, January, Spring, Summer. Special Notes: Course can be repeated three times for credit. Credit is earned based on successful completion of the course including 30 hours of service learning per credit. Fee of $25.00 per .5 credit attached to this course.
BEL 060 • Physics of Everyday Life 2 Credits
Opens minds to new ways of thinking and seeing the world by increasing understanding of how physics apply to and can be seen in everyday life.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BEL 066 is required. Offered: January. Special Notes: Fee of $120 attached to this course.
BEL 061 • Foundations of Drawing 2 Credits
Development of visual perception through observation, drawing, and a study of structural form and space relationships. Experiences in line, value, texture, basic perspective, and composition using various materials and techniques.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor. Offered: Fall, Spring. Special Notes: Fee of $60.00 attached to this course.
BEL 062 • How to Write a Song 2 Credits
Students with no formal background in music analyze songs, learn basic song-writing strategies, and write and record their own song.
Offered: Fall.
BEL 063 • Applied Nutrition 2 Credits
Discover the effects of nutrition on health, human performance, and reduction of chronic disease throughout the lifespan. Topics include: disordered eating, supplements, societal and cultural issues related to nutrition, and weight management.
Offered: Fall, Occasionally January, Spring.
BEL 065 • Beginning Acting 2 Credits
An introduction to the art of performance/acting. Through a variety of acting exercises and performance experiences, students expand personal creative talents and grow in their understanding of the art and craft of acting.
Offered: Fall or Spring.
BEL 066 • Physics of Everyday Life Lab 1 Credit
Laboratory experience accompanying BEL 060.
Corequisites: Concurrent registration in BEL 060 is required. Offered: January.
BEL 070 • Walk, Jog, Run 1 Credit
Basic introduction to running for health. Learn to monitor heart rates as they progress from a walking/jogging base to runs of up to an hour in length. Proper warmup and recovery are stressed. Students begin with workouts appropriate to their fitness levels and set goals appropriate for those levels.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 072 • Reporting I 2 Credits
Introduction to fundamentals of reporting and writing for the news media, emphasizing print journalism. Covers news values, news judgment, the structure of news stories, information gathering, research techniques, and Associated Press style. Students learn to write quickly, accurately, and concisely on deadline.
Offered: Spring.
BEL 073 • Digital Storytelling 2 Credits
Experimentation in advanced forms of storytelling in multiple media - including images, audio/video and graphics - to build a more diverse set of storytelling tools, and understanding when and how to use them, especially on a storytelling team.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
BEL 074 • Introduction to Wellbeing 2 Credits
Explores many of the dimensions that influence wellbeing, including Spiritual, Cognitive, Emotional, Physical, Relational, and Meaning. Examines the dynamic interconnection between the dimensions. Students integrate foundational knowledge, experiences, and strategies to become successful whole and holy individuals not only in college but also throughout adult life.
Offered: Fall, Spring.