About Bethel University
Quick Facts
Locations
The residential campus of Bethel University is in Arden Hills, Minn. The College of Adult & Professional Studies and Graduate School also conduct courses in many other convenient locations for working adults across the Twin Cities. The seminary has campuses in Arden Hills and San Diego as well as teaching centers in central Massachusetts, Philadelphia, New York City, and Washington, D.C.
History and Affiliations
Bethel began as a seminary for Swedish Baptist immigrants in 1871 and in 1914 combined with a secondary academy, which later became a junior college. In 1947, the addition of a four-year liberal arts college created Bethel College & Seminary. The institution reorganized as Bethel University in 2004 to reflect its broad scope of programs. Bethel is sponsored by the churches of Converge Worldwide. The institution maintains alliances with many other evangelical organizations and churches.
Academic Programs
Bethel awards certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in the following fields. Students are prepared for licensure in education, educational administration, nursing, social work, marriage and family therapy, and counseling psychology.
College of Arts & Sciences Degrees and Majors
| B.A.: | |
|
Art (Studio or Art History emphasis) Athletic Training Biblical and Theological Studies Biology Business (Accounting, Finance, Human Resources Management, International, or Marketing emphasis) Business and Political Science Business Education 5-12 Chemistry Communication Studies (Organizational, Relational, or Rhetorical Studies emphasis) Community Health Computer Science Economics Economics and Finance Elementary Education with Pre- primary Specialty, Age 3-Grade 5 Elementary Education with Middle Level Specialty K-8 (English, Math, Science, Social Studies, Spanish, French, or German specialty) Engineering Science English Education 5-12 English Literature English Literature and Writing Environmental Studies French French Education K-12 Health Education 5-12 History Individualized majors International Relations Journalism |
Mathematics Mathematics Education 5-12 Media Communication (Media Criticism or Production emphasis) Music Philosophy Physical Education Physical Education K-12 Physics Political Science Psychology Reconciliation Studies Sacred Music Science Education 5-12 (Chemistry, Life Science, or Physics emphasis) Social Studies Education 5-12 Social Work Sociocultural Studies (with tracks in Urban, Cross-Cultural Mission, Anthropology, or Sociology) Spanish Spanish Education K-12 Teaching English as a Foreign Language Teaching English as a Second Language K-12 Theatre Arts (Acting/Directing, Musical Theatre, or Technical/ Design emphasis) Third World Studies Visual Arts Education K-12 Youth Ministry |
B.S.:
Applied Physics
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Environmental Science
Exercise Science
Individualized majors
Nursing
Physics
- B.Mus.: Music/Applied Performance (Composition, Keyboard/Instrumental, or Vocal emphasis)
- B.Mus.Ed.: Music Education K-12 (Instrumental or Vocal emphasis)
- Preprofessional tracks:
Prelaw, Premedicine, Additional health care professionnal programs
College of Adult & Professional Studies Programs
B.A. (minors are also available in these programs):
Business Management
Christian Ministries
Communication Studies
Human Resource Management
Organizational Leadership
A.A.: General Studies (plus 12 elective credits)
B.S.: Nursing
- Certificate: Human Resource Management
- Ed.D: Educational Admininstration (principal and/or superintendent licensure)
M.A.:
Adult Development and Aging
Communication
Counseling Psychology
Education K-12
Literacy
Nursing
Nursing Combined Option
Organizational Leadership
Special Education
Teaching (K-12 or 5-12 licensure)
- M.B.A. (Master's in Business Administration)
- M.Ed.: Special Education (E/BD and/or LD licensure)
Certificates:
International Baccalaureate
Literacy
Nursing Education
Postsecondary Teaching
- Postgraduate Certificate: Child and Adolescent Mental Health.
M.A.:
Children’s and Family Ministry
Christian Education
Christian Thought
Community Ministry Leadership
Global and Contextual Studies
Marriage and Family Therapy
Theological Studies
Transformational Leadership
- M. Div.
- D. Min.
- Postgraduate Certificate: Marriage and Family Therapy
Certificates:
Adult Development and Generativity
Biblical Studies
Chaplaincy and Crisis Response
Community Ministry Leadership
Lay Ministry
Pastoral Counseling
Sexuality, Wholeness, and
Community
Spiritual Formation
Theological Studies
Accreditation
Bethel University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Theological Schools. Teaching and nursing programs are approved by state boards, and many programs have received specialized accreditation, including teacher education, nursing, social work, and athletic training. Several, such as music and chemistry, are pursuing professional accreditation. Bethel is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, the Christian College Consortium, and the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities.
Faculty
Bethel selects distinguished faculty who are acknowledged leaders in their fields, live as committed followers of Jesus Christ, and are dedicated mentors of students in faith and learning.
Faculty-Student Ratio
There are 12 students to every faculty member. Average class size in the College of Arts & Sciences is 22 students.
Distinctives
Bethel University offers a broad scope of Christian higher education, serving specialized groups of students through a traditional residential college, a graduate school, degree completion programs for adults, and one of the nation’s top seminaries. While retaining the vital community life of smaller liberal arts Christian colleges, Bethel makes available the advantages and resources of a larger university. Specific distinctives include:
College of Arts & Sciences
- Ranked in “Top Colleges for Top Students” in Peterson’s Competitive Colleges and among top 20 Midwestern universities in the 2009 U.S.News & World Report listing of “America’s Best Colleges”
- High retention: 85% of freshmen return as sophomores and more than 70% graduate within five years
- Renowned professional and pre-professional programs in teaching, nursing, and the sciences
- Twelfth nationally in proportion of students who study abroad (in our category)
- The only Christian university to operate a New York City art studio offering a semester of study
- A unique major in Reconciliation Studies that includes a term in South Africa
- Physics department named one of 21 “great” undergraduate programs in the nation by American Institute of Physics
- Top Christian college forensics team, winning national titles in 2006 and 2007
- Child development centers in urban and suburban settings for practical teaching experience
- Strong endowed journalism major
Bethel Seminary
- Tenth largest accredited seminary in the nation, with enrollment doubled in 12 years and highest ever enrollment in fall 2008
- Teaching locations from coast to coast serving large, multi-ethnic population centers
- InMinistry, the leading seminary distance ed. program, helping 330 students in 42 states remain in active ministry while earning a degree
- Model M.A. in Children’s and Family Ministry recognized by a $2.1 million Scripture Press grant
- Progressive, new degree in cross-cultural missions: M.A. in Global and Contextual Studies
- Practical certificates in specialties such as chaplaincy or urban ministries
- Alliances with Willow Creek, Campus Crusade for Christ, Young Life, and similar churches and organizations
- One of only eight seminaries chosen to receive scholarships from Kern Family Foundation
College of Adult & Professional Studies and Graduate School
- Growth from 126 students in one program to over 2,000 in 23 programs since 1989
- Relevant undergraduate and advanced degree programs in high-demand fields for working adults
- A Doctorate in Educational Administration online with three two-week residences on campus in the summer
- An MBA using a blended model with both face-to-face and online classes
- Ethical questions, liberal arts, and academic major explored from a biblical worldview
- Christian faculty who bring a wealth of practical, professional experience to the classroom
- The convenience of evening and weekend classes in 10 locations, including greater Minnesota
- An innovative General Studies program serving adults who have no previous college credit
2007-08 Enrollment
Total enrollment of 6,338 for 2007-08 makes Bethel University the largest institution in the 13-member Christian College Consortium; among the top five in the 105-member Council of Christian Colleges and Universities; and among the three largest private colleges or universities in Minnesota.
- College of Arts & Sciences - 2,932
- College of Adult & Professional Studies - 876
- Graduate School - 1,187
Seminary
- Total - 1,343 St. Paul - 920 San Diego - 268 Seminary of the East - 155
Service Area
Bethel University is known nationally and internationally. Students come from 48 states and 29 countries and represent more than 65 denominations.
Technology
Bethel University is connected by a coast-to-coast network and uses state-of-the-art distance learning and teaching applications. There are more than 650 computers available for student use system-wide. In addition to shared high-speed internet and network access in each residence, wireless network access is expanding and Internet2 connectivity is in place. Students have access to a parallel wireless network in classrooms, offices, and lounges, and to Internet2 from any network connection.
Multicultural Commitment
Bethel teaches the love of Christ across lines of gender, race, and socio-economic status. The university has a comprehensive strategy for reconciliation, including a chief diversity officer, the intentional recruitment of trustees, faculty, staff, and students from many ethnicities and cultures; a university-wide commission to review policy and provide anti-racism training; an Office of Intercultural Diversity in student life to promote unity and support students; a nationally recognized major in Reconciliation Studies; 20 study abroad programs; service learning within an urban community; and financial aid programs that help meet the financial needs of students of color. To keep current on multicultural news and events at Bethel click here to view Tapestry, a publication aimed at building bridges between Bethel and communities of color.
Spiritual Growth
Bethel’s respected student life and campus ministries programs nurture the faith of students through chapel, Vespers, spiritual formation and Bible study groups, leadership development opportunities, pastoral counseling, and a focus on servant leadership. Growth opportunities are integrated into all areas of daily life from the classrooms to the residence halls. Hundreds of students volunteer for short-term missions or community service. The missions program has been recently named a Covenant Member of the Standards of Excellence in Short-term Missions.
Libraries
The libraries of Bethel University offer more than 530,000 paper volumes, 15,900 electronic books, 21,350 online journals, 5,800 print and microform serial titles, and 24,100 audio-visual items. Other services and facilities include free, electronic interlibrary loan; one-stop simultaneous search of multiple databases; computer labs; wireless network access; group and individual study rooms; reference, technology, and multimedia production support; media equipment for check-out; and technology consultants for faculty.
Athletics
- Home of Bethel Royals varsity sports
- 450 students participating in 18 varsity sports
- Member of National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III and Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Arts
- 13 music performance organizations
- Well-equipped art studios and four art galleries (two on campus; one in downtown St. Paul; another in New York City)
- Theatre season with four student productions
- Benson Great Hall, one of the premiere performance halls in the upper Midwest