The Studio for Vocation and Calling
The Bethel Career Commitment
The Bethel Career Commitment is our bold investment in your future. If you haven’t secured a job offer or graduate school acceptance within six months of graduation, we’ll step in with meaningful support to help you get there. At Bethel, you’ll graduate with more than a degree—you’ll graduate with confidence, purposeful preparation, and a clear path forward.
Designed to help you thrive
How it works
Real support to help you launch
If you haven’t secured a job offer or graduate school acceptance within six months of graduation, Bethel will step in with meaningful support to help you take your next step.
Every graduate will continue to receive career coaching and guidance through The Studio for Vocation and Calling. Those who need additional help may also be eligible for:
- Up to eight graduate-level credits at no cost in select Bethel programs
- Transitional employment opportunities at Bethel, based on staffing needs and availability
Few universities offer this kind of support after graduation. At Bethel, it reflects our deep commitment to walk alongside you—even after you leave campus.
Built-in preparation for every student
At Bethel, career preparation is part of every student’s journey. Through The Studio for Vocation and Calling, you’ll explore your career interests, discover who God is calling you to become, and gain the tools to pursue your calling with purpose.
Along the way, you’ll find:
- One-on-one career coaching and guidance
- Hands-on learning built into your academic program
- Mentorship and leadership opportunities
- Real-world experience through internships, research, clinicals, or student teaching
Every student benefits from these experiences as part of their Bethel education—so you’ll be prepared to launch your future with confidence.
A roadmap to your future
Requirements and eligibility
- Exploring career options early through coaching and networking
- Clarifying goals with mentorship and real-world exposure
- Engaging in hands-on learning and career events
- Launching with a polished resume, interview experience, and a completed internship or similar opportunity
Completing these milestones keeps you on track for graduation—and ensures you remain eligible for additional support through the Bethel Career Commitment.
A path with promise
Know what your education costs—and where it's taking you
At Bethel, you’ll start with a clear price—thanks to transparent tuition with no inflated sticker prices or hidden fees. And because nearly every student receives financial aid, a Bethel education is even more accessible.
Your experience is shaped by hands-on learning, spiritual formation, and a supportive community—each step preparing you for what comes next. The Bethel Career Commitment is the final step in that path—a path with promise—ensuring you graduate with confidence and a clear plan for your future.
Frequently asked questions
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The Bethel Career Commitment is Bethel University’s bold investment in your future. Beginning with the class of 2026, all bachelor’s students in the College of Arts & Sciences are automatically included. Career preparation is built into your experience from day one through The Studio for Vocation and Calling, where you’ll explore career paths, connect with mentors, and gain real-world experience through internships, research, or other hands-on learning. You’ll also complete key steps like meeting with a career coach and preparing your résumé. If you haven’t secured a full-time job or graduate school acceptance within six months of graduation, Bethel will step in with meaningful support to help you get there.
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Eligible graduates may receive up to eight graduate-level credits at no cost in select Bethel programs—about one semester of graduate study. The benefit applies to nearly all of Bethel’s master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs, with a few exceptions (including the physician assistant, medical sciences, nurse-midwifery, counseling, and post-baccalaureate nursing programs). Examples of included programs:
Masters programs
- Children's, Youth, and Family Ministry (M.A.)
- Christian Thought (M.A.)
- Education K-12 (M.A.)
- Marriage and Family Therapy (M.A.)
- Master of Business Administration (MBA)
- Master of Divinity (M.Div)
- Master of Social Work (MSW) (M.A.)
- Ministry (M.A.)
- Special Education (M.A.)
- Teaching (M.A.)
- Theological Studies (M.A.)
Most of these programs require 30-40 credits in total. The career commitment covers the first eight, giving students a head start toward an advanced degree.
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The Bethel Career Commitment is only for bachelor’s degree-seeking students in Bethel’s College of Arts & Sciences. All eligible students are automatically included beginning with the class of 2026. Students in BUILD, adult undergraduate, graduate, and seminary programs are not eligible for these benefits, but they continue to receive career coaching and support through The Studio for Vocation and Calling.
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No. All bachelor’s students in the College of Arts & Sciences are automatically included beginning in fall 2025. Students are responsible for completing key milestones before graduation and within six months after, such as working with a career coach, completing internships, and preparing résumés or graduate school applications.
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To be eligible, students complete a series of milestones—like working with a career coach, preparing a résumé, and completing internships—that are built into their Bethel experience. These steps ensure students graduate ready to launch with confidence and remain on track for post-graduation support if needed.
For full details on the phases, timelines, and eligibility criteria, visit the career commitment requirements and eligibility page.
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The Bethel Career Commitment begins with Bethel's 2026 graduates. However, students with 60 or more credits at the start of the fall 2025 semester will only be eligible for the graduate credit support. Students with 59 or fewer credits at the start of fall 2025 will be eligible for both graduate credit support and transitional employment opportunities. Graduates before 2026 will still have access to ongoing career coaching and support.
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You’ll continue to receive career coaching and guidance. Eligible graduates may also be able to choose from:
- Up to eight graduate-level credits at no cost in select Bethel programs, or
- Transitional employment opportunities at Bethel, based on staffing needs and availability
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Very few schools nationwide combine a clear, transparent tuition model with a career commitment. Bethel is the first in Minnesota to offer both, giving families confidence about what college costs—and where it leads. With a clear price, you’ll know your cost from the start. Paired with the Career Commitment, you’ll also know that Bethel is invested in your future, with built-in preparation and support after graduation.
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Families are asking that question more urgently than ever. At Bethel, our answer is clear: yes. Nearly all recent Bethel graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. And the Bethel Career Commitment provides added confidence by ensuring that no student has to navigate life after graduation alone.
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This commitment reflects Bethel’s 150-year legacy of preparing students for lives of purpose and leadership. It formalizes what has always been true: at Bethel, you get more than a degree. You get the preparation, support, and community to launch into your calling with confidence. And while it’s designed for all students, it’s especially valuable for first-generation and under-resourced students who benefit from a clear, structured path forward.