Admission Standards
To apply for cross enrollment at Bethel, students must:
- Be a junior or senior in high school by the time classes start
- Either have a GPA of at least 3.0 or submit a qualifying test score (ACT composite score of 24+ or 75th percentile on a standardized test)
Accreditation and Membership
Bethel University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The academic program at Bethel University is enriched by its membership and participation in programs of the Christian College Consortium and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. Bethel University is registered with the Minnesota Office of Higher Education pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, sections 136A.61 to 136A.71. Registration is not an endorsement of the institution. Credits earned at the institution may not transfer to all other institutions.
Early College students can see how a bachelor's degree is completed with an Associate of Arts degree by contacting an Early College Advisor. Associate degrees are only awarded after Bethel receives a transcript from the student's high school stating that a high school diploma has been awarded.
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 60 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.
Goal Area 1 - Communication: 8 credits
Inquiry Writing Seminar (GES 160) and one of the following courses:
- Basic Communication (COM 110)
- Basic Communication Skills (COM 164)
- Introduction to Creative Writing (ENJ 110A)
- Reporting (ENJ 120)
Goal Area 2 - Critical Thinking: 4 credits
Physiology of Wellness (GES 141) or Introduction to Wellbeing (GES 140) and one of the following:
- How Learning Works: Keys to College Success (GES 107)
- Introduction to Healthcare (CHL 110)
- Introduction to Logic (PHI 125M)
- Sustainable Living (ENS 205L)
Goal Area 3 - Natural Sciences: 8 credits
Any D-tagged Laboratory course and 4 credits from any of the following departments/programs: biological sciences, chemistry, environmental science, neuroscience, and physics and engineering or Physiology of Wellness (GES 141)
Goal Area 4 - Mathematics: 4 credits
Any M-tagged Mathematics course
Goal Area 5 - History & Social/Behavioral Science: 8 credits
- Any U-tagged World Cultures course
- Any L-tagged Contemporary Western Life and Thought course
- American Politics and Government (POS 100)
- Christianity & Western Culture (GES 130)
- Introduction to Anthropology (ANT 200)
- Introduction to Comparative Politics (POS 205)
- Introduction to Psychology I (PSY 101)
- Introduction to Psychology II (PSY 102)
- Introduction to Sociology (SOC 101)
- Socioeconomic & Justice Issues (SOW 240)
Goal Area 6 - Humanities and Fine Arts: 8 credits
Introducción a la Biblia (BIB 102) or Introduction to the Bible (BIB 101) and 4 credits from any of the following courses:
- Any A-tagged Artistic Experience course
- Any Bible (BIB) course)
- Any 200-level Theology (THE) course
- British Literature (ENJ 102)
- How Stories Change the World: How to Read & Why (ENJ 100)
- Humanities I: Greco-Roman Through Middle Ages (GES 145) and Humanities II: Renaissance and Reformation (GES 147)
- Introduction to the Creative Arts (GES 125)
- Introduction to Digital Media (DES 105)
- Introduction to Ethics (PHI 110)
- Topics in American Literature (ENJ 103)
Electives: 20 credits.
Additional Requirements
- A cumulative GPA of at least 2.00.
- At least 28 of the last 35 credits must be taken at Bethel.
- One January session course.
- Taken at Bethel:
- Upon completion of program, participation in commencement ceremonies is expected.
- 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.
Academic Policies
All policies and due dates linked below can be found in the Academic Policies section of the Bethel University catalog.
- Absence Notification: If a student has been absent from a face-to-face class for two consecutive weeks, or has not logged into the Learning Management System (LMS) for two weeks without communicating with the instructor, the advising office will notify the high school. This notification must occur within 48 hours of the advising office being made aware of the student's absence.
- Academic Honesty
- Academic Standing, Probation, and Dismissal
- Add/Drop/Withdraw Dates: Online courses' deadlines may vary slightly depending on length of term. If students have questions, they should reach out to their Early College Advisor for more information.
- After finals schedules are sent to the high school, Bethel University will inform the student's school within 10 business days after the student drops or withdraws from a course.
- Summer School and non-PSEO reimbursable courses:
- Students are able to participate in summer school between their junior and senior year of high school. Classes are billed to the student at a rate similar to the PSEO rate reimbursed by the state of Minnesota. See more about Summer Term on the PSEO website.
- Students may also participate in theology and Bible courses throughout the school year at the summer school rate. Since these courses are not reimbursed by the state of Minnesota, students will be billed.
- Student Privacy Cross Enrollment Courses (FERPA)
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- When a student enrolls in a postsecondary course (such as a dual credit class), the FERPA rights for those specific college/university records transfer from the parents to the student, even if the student is a minor.
- The university does not share the student's grades or other non-directory information with parents without the student's written consent.
- The high school, however, is permitted to share the student's data as it pertains to their high school records with the student's parent(s).
- Release form: Students may sign to allow information sharing by the university (see Appendix B).
Housing Policies
Textbook Information
Students are not charged for the cost of books. Online courses will have texts loaded into the Moodle course site. On campus classes will have their textbooks available in the campus bookstore prior to the start of the semester. These texts do need to be returned to the bookstore or you will be charged for them.
It is industry standard that used texts have a maximum of 5 pages with highlighting or writing in them. Students are encouraged to use post it notes on pages for note taking. Students will be charged if there are more than 5 pages with writing on them. This does not include workbooks.
Early College Courses
Course offerings vary by term and modality a listing of all courses can be found online. Students can participate in the majority of courses as long as they meet the prerequisites.
Student Resources
Students enrolled in Early College receive a Bethel student email account which grants them access to the Bethel community, the Bethel library, and IT Support, (when needed). Course syllabi and Moodle sites have links to extensive resources, from technology to academic support.
Moodle and MyBethel are the online platforms Bethel uses for online courses and access to Bethel library and textbooks. Students are given login information to access their individual Moodle accounts.
Bethel also has an online academic research center that students can utilize for math and writing help as necessary. Students on Bethel’s main campus can also access the in-person Academic Enrichment and Support Center.