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Prospective Transfer Students

Advising Center Prospective Students

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Advising Center

We’re glad you’re thinking of transferring to Bethel!

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Transferring often comes with many questions, but our admissions counselors and advisors are here to support you.

If you have questions about academics at Bethel, contact our Academic Advising Specialist at advising-center@bethel.edu or 651.638.6437. 

How will my credits transfer?

Using our Transfer Evaluation System (TES), you’ll find that many of your previous college-level courses will transfer to Bethel to fulfill Gen Ed or major requirements or count as electives toward the 122-credit minimum you need for graduation.

  • If your course or school isn’t listed, that doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t transfer to Bethel. It may mean that we simply haven’t evaluated the course yet. You can fill out a transfer course petition to have your classes evaluated.

Review the transfer policies in the Academic Catalog to get a better understanding of how courses transfer to Bethel.

Does Bethel accept the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum?

Yes! Students who enter Bethel having already completed the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum will be exempt from many of our General Education courses. Completion of the Minnesota General Education Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) will satisfy all general education requirements except the requirements listed below, which must be completed in residence:

  • Christianity and Western Culture (CWC)
  • One Biblical Foundations course
  • One Contemporary Christian Issues (P-tag) course

See the Entry Standing chart for details.

I have an A.A. degree. How does that affect my plan?

Students who enter Bethel having already completed an associate of arts degree will be subject to the same general education requirements (see above) as students who have completed the MnTC requirements.

What General Education courses will I need to take?

Bethel’s General Education curriculum includes 48-56 credits of courses from a wide range of academic areas. You may have already completed transfer courses that will fulfill a general education requirement, and if you transfer more than 29 college-level credits to Bethel, you’ll be exempt from some general education requirements (see "General Education Entry Standing Charts" on the Transfer Information page). Based on transfer courses and general education exemptions, many transfer students do not end up taking all General Education credits.

To learn more about our general education requirements, look through our General Education webpage.

What courses are required for my major?

Bethel's Academic Catalog contains information about each major and minor we offer, including a list of required courses for each program. Keep in mind that the catalog for the academic year you enter Bethel will be your official guide for degree requirements and academic policies. The catalog for the upcoming academic year is published each spring.

When will I graduate?

Every student’s path toward graduation looks different. Our online catalog contains sample academic plans for each major (select your major, then toggle to the “Academic Plans” tab on the program page and click the link). These samples show how a student with no previous college credits could complete the given major and General Education requirements in four years. To customize your plan, use our electronic academic planning sheet. This is a tool powered through Google Sheets that can help you organize your graduation requirements and course plan. You can also share this sheet with your admissions counselor or an advisor. As you plan, remember the following tips:

  • Your official catalog will be for the academic year you enter Bethel. Major requirements usually do not change too much from year to year, so you can get a good idea of your major requirements by using the most recent catalog.
  • Full-time enrollment is 12 to 18 credits.
  • For a core set of Gen Ed courses, Bethel students choose either the Modular (CWILT) or Humanities track. The Modular track is recommended for most transfer students.
  • Pay close attention to course prerequisites and terms courses are offered. Some courses must be taken in a particular offer, and not all courses are offered every term. The catalog includes this information for every course.
  • Consider opportunities like summer courses, study abroad (January session and semester options), the Pietas honors program, and Pre-Professional Programs.

Contact your admissions counselor if you want to set up a meeting with an Advising Specialist or a faculty advisor to talk about your academic plan.

What's Next?

Ready to call Bethel home?

Apply Online

Here's a timeline of what to expect after you apply:

  • After applying, send official transcripts and test scores to Bethel as soon as possible. You should request transcripts/scores for all college-level credits you have received. Make sure you request the transcripts/scores directly from the insitution that initially granted you the credit. Once Bethel receives your transcripts and test scores, our Transfer Evaluation Specialist will evaluate your credits and send you a summary of how they will be counted at Bethel. 
  • Bethel will make an acceptance decision based on your application and supporting documents. If accepted, pay your enrollment deposit as soon as possible through MyBethel (Bethel's portal).
  • Once your deposit is paid, you’ll have access to your Enrollment Checklist in Blink. The checklist will guide you through several items you’ll need to complete before you start at Bethel, including the FAFSA (fafsa.gov) and a form called the Academic Registration Information Form.
  • Based on your transfer work and your responses to the Academic Registration Information Form, Bethel faculty and staff will build a customized course schedule for your first semester at Bethel. You’ll receive an email from the Registrar’s Office when your schedule is ready. If you have questions or concerns about your first-semester schedule, you’ll be able to request changes online or set up a schedule change appointment with a member of Bethel’s Advising Team.
  • Attend Welcome Week and Move In!