Academics
Academic Support
Do you need help with math, writing or strengthening more general academic skills? The specialists at Bethel's CAPS, Seminary and Graduate School Academic Resource Center (ARC) will help build your skills so you're prepared to succeed in your academic work and professional life.
Help with math
If you would like help with math-related courses, please contact the ARC director, Lisa Bekemeyer at ldb86486@bethel.edu, and she will put you in touch with our math specialist.
Help with writing
Writing sessions last for 50 minutes and are available by appointment only.
Summer 2026 schedule
Date and time |
Specialist |
|
Mondays 7-11 a.m. Noon-8 p.m. 6-10 p.m. |
Sue Howell Lisa Bekemeyer Sandra Oslund (Turabian only) |
|
Tuesdays 7-11 a.m. |
Sue Howell (starting in July) |
|
Wednesdays 7 a.m.-7 p.m. |
Lisa Bekemeyer |
|
Thursdays 9 a.m.-Noon 4:30-9:30 p.m |
Drew McLaughlin (starting in July) Kyle Lemberg |
|
Fridays 9 a.m.-Noon |
Drew McLaughlin (starting in July) |
Note: All appointments are with APA specialists, unless indicated otherwise. Also, Lisa and Drew have received special training in working with multilingual learners (MLLs), although they work with all students.
Your writing appointment—essential steps
1. Choose your appointment type
We offer both email and Zoom writing appointments.
- Email appointment—This is the ARC's default appointment format. You submit your paper prior to your appointent time without needing to attend a live session. A writing specialist will review your work and provide written feedback, comments, and editing suggestions before returning the paper to you via email.
- Zoom appointment—This is a live session held online. You can discuss your writing, assignment, or questions in real time with a writing specialist. If you prefer this format, simply email us after scheduling your appointment to request a Zoom link. Because specialists typically do not have time to review the paper in advance, feedback is provided during the session itself.
2. Schedule your writing session
Choose the appropriate scheduling link below to select an available time slot. You must be logged into your Bethel email. If there are no available time slots during the week displayed, use the arrows to navigate to future weeks.
3. Email your paper or request a Zoom link
Email caps-sem-gs-arc@bethel.edu and follow the instructions for the meeting style you chose. This must happen at least one hour before your appointment—several hours or the preceding day is preferable.
Email appointment
- Email a copy of your paper in Word or Google doc format (no PDFs)—remember to grant us editing access—and include the following:
- Date and time of your appointment
- Your professor’s first and last name
- Your course title and course number
- Your academic program/major
- Assignment details to help the specialist better understand the paper
- The specialist will review your paper and send it back to you with comments and edits later that same day
Zoom appointment
- Request a Zoom link and include the following:
- Date and time of your appointment
- Your professor’s first and last name
- Your course title and course number
- Your academic program/major
If you have trouble scheduling your appointment, email caps-sem-gs-arc@bethel.edu.
Help with academic skills
The Academic Resource Center offers free, 20-minute, one-on-one sessions to help you strengthen key academic skills. Whether you want strategies for time management, study habits, reading comprehension, or another area, these short appointments provide personalized support to help you work more effectively and confidently. All learners can benefit from refining their skills, and we’re here to encourage you at every step.
Frequently asked questions
- Our writing specialists are exceptional writers with graduate degrees in writing-related subjects. Most of them have additional experience in writing-related professions such as teaching. All of them are proficient in working with English learners (ELs).
- Yes. For the most part, each specialist works the same shifts each week.
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Our writing help sessions are 50 minutes long, and we welcome you to schedule a session once per week. Many students work with a specialist at the Academic Resource Center several times each month or even on a weekly basis.
If you are working on a thesis or capstone paper (that is 50 pages or more) you may make two, back-to-back appointments, once per week. This will allow the specialist to have more time to review your paper.
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The writing specialist can assist you at any stage of your paper, whether you are seeking assistance outlining, writing a thesis, developing paragraphs, implementing APA or Turabian style documentation, formatting, or revising. They can also assist with grammar, punctuation and mechanics.
Our specialist will work with you on the mechanics of APA (for CAPS and GS students) or Turabian style (for Seminary students). Please be sure to sign up for appointments specifically with the Turabian specialist if you desire assistance with Turabian style.
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Because you are enrolled in a Bethel University graduate or adult program or a Bethel Seminary program, assistance with writing, is free. We are able to help you for one 50-minute session per week. Many students visit us every week, and we look forward to getting to know you.
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Some students want more assistance with a trained writing specialist than the one, 50-minute free session available from the Academic Resource Center. The ARC maintains a list of writing specialists who do editing and proofing as independent contractors (for an hourly rate) for CAPS and GS students. Email the ARC if this interests you and we will try to help you find a private tutor.
- Our specialists are in high demand. If you need to cancel your appointment, please do so 24 hours in advance by going into your Google Calendar and deleting the appointment so we can open the slot for other students. If you miss two appointments and do not cancel them in advance, we reserve the right to refuse you future sessions with our specialists.