Bethel’s education programs receive praise for fostering community and equity during accreditation renewal

Bethel University’s education programs recently received a significant endorsement for their commitment to preparing future teachers to serve all students.

The Minnesota Professional Education Licensing Standards Board (PELSB) renewed the accreditation of Bethel’s teacher licensure programs at the undergraduate, adult undergraduate, and graduate levels for the maximum period of seven years—without requiring any interim reporting. “This is really a time to celebrate,” says Associate Dean of Education Katie Bonawitz, Ed.D. “It means a Christian university gets to continue to prepare public school teachers for years to come because we are preparing teachers well and meeting the highest standards set by our state body.”

Bethel’s legacy of training teachers dates to the 1940s, with over 50 years of continuous accreditation. This accreditation renewal affects the following teacher licensing programs:

• Undergraduate education (B.A)—all licensure programs/majors
• Special Education (B.A.)—adult undergraduate
• Special Education (M.A.) with Academic Behavioral Strategist, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Developmental Disabilities License, and Emotional and Behavioral Disorders licenses
• Teaching (M.A.)
• Teacher Coordinator Work-based Learning License
• Teaching License 

Bethel’s Education Unit also includes several advanced programs for educators pursuing leadership roles, such as an M.A. in Education K-12, superintendent and principal licenses, a director of special education license, and Ed.D. programs in K-12 administration and higher education leadership.

Bonawitz was especially encouraged that PELSB reviewers praised Bethel’s programs for preparing teachers to disrupt patterns of racism and oppression. “It means we are serving all of God's children beautifully and in really important ways,” she says. "It is a specific example of how we value all of God's children in K-12 schools.” Teacher candidates demonstrated a strong understanding of specific strategies and practices they plan to use in their classrooms to advance equity and justice. And the recognition highlights Bethel’s commitment to meeting and exceeding state standards for serving every student—regardless of religion, culture, language, or sexual orientation. “For us, it means every child is made in the image of God,” Bonawitz says. “Therefore, we prepare our future teachers to work with every child who walks into their classroom.”

While most graduates go on to teach in public schools, Bonawitz emphasizes the impact of a Christ-centered education on Bethel’s students. “We have data demonstrating our teachers are supporting every child and earning above-average ratings from our external partners,” she says.

The review team also praised Bethel for the strong sense of community its education programs foster. Students reported feeling supported and cared for by faculty and program leadership, as well as experiencing purposeful efforts to build relationships with their peers. One teacher candidate shared a powerful story of faculty members stepping in to provide personal items and emotional support following a traumatic event, underscoring the depth of care that sets Bethel apart.

That sense of community extends beyond graduation. Students find ongoing support after graduation, including through efforts like Camp Hope, an annual three-day retreat to provide emotional and spiritual restoration for P-12 educators, and Refresh: A Gathering for Educators offered each June.

Bethel’s education programs also earned accolades for their robust partnerships with local schools. Several designated school partners participated in the review process and shared glowing feedback about their experiences with Bethel students. “All of our school partners love working with Bethel,” Bonawitz notes. “Many of them even said, ‘We will only take teacher candidates from Bethel.’”

For Bonawitz, the accreditation renewal serves as an official endorsement of Bethel’s mission and impact. “The messages we’re hearing from our school partners and the fact that Bethel’s programs are disrupting racism in a Christian environment—and getting the highest ratings from our state accreditor—should give any student confidence that their choice of Bethel is a great one,” she says.

Study education at Bethel.

Prepare to make a difference in classrooms and communities through Bethel’s education programs. Whether you’re pursuing your first teaching license, advancing your skills in special education, or pursuing leadership roles with an M.A. in Education K-12 or an Ed.D., you’ll be equipped to serve every student with excellence and care.

Explore our:

• Undergraduate programs
• Adult undergraduate programs
• Graduate programs