Statement of Purpose

Graduate School Graduate Admissions Apply Application Checklist Items

The Statement of Purpose is designed to give the enrollment office insight into your goals regarding graduate school as well as your ability to express yourself through academic writing. Please note that this document is part of your admissions materials and should reflect your best writing ability.Your statement should be sent as a double-spaced Word (.docx) or PDF (.pdf) file to gs-apply@bethel.edu. Please be sure to include your full name and the program to which you are applying.

M.A. in Counseling program

The Statement of Purpose essay is used to determine your academic fit with Bethel's graduate programs. In 800-1,000 words, your essay should address all of the following questions:

  • Describe why you want to become a clinical mental health counselor and why you would like to pursue this training at Bethel University.
  • Explain your commitment to an in-person counselor training program and any life changes you may be making to adjust to such a program, if you are admitted.
  • Share your perspective on diversity and how your own values and experiences influence this perspective.
  • Explain how past personal and professional experiences have positively influenced your potential to succeed as a clinical mental health counselor.

M.S. in Nurse-Midwifery program

The purpose of this essay is to invite thoughtful reflection on your preparedness for graduate education and the profession itself—including your capacity for leadership, service, advocacy, cultural humility, clinical growth, and commitment to improving maternal and reproductive healthcare outcomes. In 1,000-1,500 words, your essay should address at least three of the following questions:

  • Why are you choosing to pursue advanced practice nursing in nurse-midwifery at this point in your career? Discuss your understanding of the unique role of the Certified Nurse-Midwife (CNM) within the broader maternal and reproductive healthcare system.
  • Nurse-midwives play a crucial role in addressing health disparities and systemic inequities in maternal and infant care. Discuss the social determinants of health that impact birthing populations in your community. How do you plan to use your education to address and advocate for these vulnerable groups?
  • Midwifery often requires balancing low-intervention, physiologic birth support with the ability to respond immediately to complications. Describe how you handle high-pressure situations, and discuss a time when you successfully collaborated within an interdisciplinary team to improve a patient's outcome.
  • Discuss your short- and long-term professional goals after graduation. How will completing your education at our institution specifically enhance your ability to achieve these goals and contribute to the mission of our program?
  • What steps are you taking to prepare yourself to begin this program (e.g., reading/researching, attending seminars)? What changes do you anticipate will be needed to adjust to being a graduate student with approximately 30-40 hours of dedicated academic work each week?

All other graduate programs 

  • The Statement of Purpose essay is used to determine your academic fit with Bethel's graduate programs. In 800-1,000 words, your essay should address at least three of the following questions:
  • Why are you pursuing this program at Bethel? How will this program help you achieve your career goals?
  • What steps are you taking to prepare yourself to begin this program (e.g., reading/researching, attending seminars?) What changes do you anticipate will be needed to adjust to being a graduate student?
  • How have past personal and professional experiences positively influenced your potential to succeed in graduate education?
  • What relationship do you see between this area of study and your religious faith?
  • What do you believe qualifies you intellectually and academically for this program? What are your strengths and weaknesses?