5-Year Bachelor's to Seminary Program

For a more detailed academic outline, see the program and degree requirements webpage. 

Tailorable Program Combinations

This accelerated program allows students from most majors to complete an accelerated seminary degree by meeting certain pre-seminary course requirements during the undergraduate years. So whether you want to major in missional ministries, business, or education, there's a pathway for you to complete your undergraduate degree and advance to a Bethel Seminary degree:

• Ministry (M.A.)
• Master of Divinity (M.Div.)*

*The M.Div. has a higher credit count and would take longer to complete

Ministry Engagement Experience

In addition to classroom experiences, the accelerated Ministry Scholars Program offers a unique collection of co-curricular opportunities to build students’ networks, expose them to a wide variety of ministry settings, and help them discern God’s unique calling for their lives. These experiences include:

Discipleship: Current Bethel Seminary students will serve as intentional discipleship leaders and in
one-on-one meetings will work through training specific to this program. Students will also meet with the program director each semester to discuss their personal growth and calling.

Fall and Winter Retreats: These off-site events will give students extended learning opportunities and connection with other. Retreats will focus on spiritual disciplines; what it means to live on mission; and exploring one’s strengths, personality and spiritual gifts. They will take place over interim break before the start of second semester.

Personal Retreat: Each student will be encouraged to take a 24-hour personal prayer retreat each year (they will be given $80 toward their travel and stay).

Spiritual Direction: Each semester, students will be encouraged to receive spiritual direction
up to three times from local formation centers (they will be given $50 towards each session).

Mentorship: Each year, students will be paired up with a mentor from a local church or ministry who can pray for and encourage them as they discern God’s path for them.

Training: Throughout each semester, there will be training for students to learn and practice ministry concepts otherwise not taught in the classroom.

Internships: Students will have the opportunity to intern in seminary with local churches and non-profit organizations to gain real-world experience in ministry settings and build their professional networks.

• Students who feel called to pastoral ministry in the United States. The grant-funded Kern Ministry Scholarship will be earmarked for those who use the program to fast-track their path into pastoral ministry. The $5,000 scholarship will be applied in a student’s fifth year, and—in addition to taking fewer credits and graduating faster—will help students graduate with less debt.

• Students who are ministry-minded but want to work outside of professional ministry. Program participants will gain a foundation in theology—with a robust co-curricular lineup—with less of a time commitment.

• Students who want to have both a main profession and a ministry role. The program allows for a wide variety of undergraduate degrees—and bi-vocational career paths—while still preparing students for missional living.

• Students who aren't sure where their lives and career will take them, but want to build their theological training and leadership agility for when they get there.

Learn more about program and degree requirements.