Bethel University
Known for its academic excellence, Bethel University has an overarching mission of graduating men and women whose academic preparation, spiritual maturity, and broad Christian vision give them exceptional potential for leadership and service. Bethel seeks to integrate faith and learning in all of its programs, challenging students to grow academically, socially, and spiritually in a distinctive Christian environment. Bethel has a strong academic program with supportive and expert faculty to prepare students for a successful career or graduate study. Outside the classroom, Bethel offers exciting campus activities, excellent music performance groups, varsity and intramural sports, and a wide variety of student clubs and organizations.
Contact
Bethel University
Office of Admissions
3900 Bethel Drive
St. Paul, MN 55112
(651) 638-6242 Phone
(800) 255-8706 Toll-free
(651) 635-1490 Fax
BUadmissions-cas@bethel.edu E-mail
http://www.bethel.edu Web site
Academic programs
Degrees offered: Associate of Arts (A.A.), Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.), Bachelor of Music Education (B.Mus.Ed.), Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.).
Top five majors: Biology, Business, Education, Nursing, Physics/Engineering
Faculty: 207 full-time, 256 part-time; 77 percent of full-time faculty members hold the doctorate or highest degree in their field.
Student/faculty ratio: 13:1
Average class size: 22
Number of library volumes: 194,000
Academic calendar: Semesters, January interim, one summer term
Accreditation & approval: The Higher Learning Commission (North Central Association of Colleges and Schools), Teacher Education Accreditation Council, Council on Social Work Education, Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education Programs (CAATE), Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, Minnesota Board of Teaching, Minnesota Board of Nursing, American Chemical Society.
Teaching licensure programs: Early Childhood Education Licensure, Elementary School Licensure, 5-12 Licensure (business, communication arts & literature [English], health, mathematics, science [chemistry, life science, or physics], social studies), K-12 Licensure (instrumental music, vocal music, physical education, visual arts, world languages & cultures [French and Spanish], and teaching English as a second language [TESL]), Post baccalaureate Licensure, Special Education Licensure (graduate), and Teachers of Reading Licensure K-12 (graduate).
Pre-professional programs: Pre-Law, Pre-Medical, Health Professional (Nursing, Pre-Chiropractic Medicine, Pre-Dentistry, Pre-Medicine, Pre-Occupational Therapy, Pre-Optometry, Pre-Osteopathic Medicine, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Physician’s Assistant, Pre-Podiatry), Pre-Ministerial.
Independent study: Students can earn academic credit for a directed study experience under the guidance of a faculty member.
Non-traditional/adult education programs: College of Adult and Professional Studies (CAPS) and Graduate School (GS).
International study opportunities
Hundreds of off-campus study opportunities are available through the Office of Off-Campus Programs / International Studies. Students may study off-campus for a semester, interim, or summer. Programs and courses vary from major-specific studies to general cultural surveys. Bethel-sponsored semester programs include the following: Australia term, England term, Europe term, Guatemala term, New York Center for Art and Media Studies (NYCAMS), Spain Term, South Africa Term, and Thailand Term. In addition, recent Bethel offerings for interim included Ecuador/Galapagos, Egypt/Jordan, Europe (multiple sites), Greece/Turkey, Guatemala/El Salvador, Hong Kong/China, India, Thailand, Mexico (Guadalajara), Uganda, and Hawaii. Other Bethel-affiliated programs include studies programs in Latin America, Oxford, Australia, China, Middle East, Russia, Uganda, Lithuania, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, and many domestic opportunities. See http://cas.bethel.edu/off-campus-programs for a complete list of off-campus and international study options.
Student organizations
Bethel recognizes 93 student groups, including academic groups, debating group, performing arts organizations, radio station, student government, newspaper, international student groups, literary magazine, minority student groups, social services groups, and student film society.
Athletic programs
Conference membership: NCAA Division III, Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC).
Men's varsity: Baseball, basketball, cross-country, football, golf, ice hockey, soccer, tennis, track and field.
Women's varsity: Basketball, cross-country, golf, ice hockey, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball.
Intramurals: Basketball, broomball, dodge ball, flag football, floor hockey, lacrosse, racquetball, rugby, softball, volleyball. Recreational: aerobics, self defense.
Club sports: Men's and women's lacrosse, men’s ice hockey, men’s rugby, men's volleyball.
College services and facilities
On-campus housing: Bethel offers a variety of housing options for freshmen through seniors, from traditional dormitories to apartment-style living.
Fitness/recreation facilities: The campus has a sports and recreation center, weight rooms, gym, field house, racquetball courts, and tennis courts.
Technology: Computers are available in many technology labs on campus and in the residence halls. Students have access to high speed Internet connections in their dorm rooms. All academic buildings are equipped with wireless Internet. Bethel offers and supports both PC and Macintosh platforms for students.
Internships: Academic credit can be earned through some departments for off-campus academic internships.
Career services: The Office of Career Services offers career planning and placement services including resume and cover letter assistance, vocational assessments, job search advice, practice interviews, career fairs/workshops, and online career resources.
Counseling and guidance services: Personal counseling is available for individuals, couples, and groups. Academic counseling is provided through the Writing Center, Academic Enrichment Center and Computer Center.
Undergraduate enrollment
Full-time: 3,421 students
Part-time: 621 students
Women: 60%
Men: 40%
All undergraduate students: 72 percent live on campus; 33 percent are Baptist; 14 percent are Lutheran.
Racial/ethnic distribution: 4.4 percent African-American; 2.5 percent Asian/Pacific Islander; 1.6 percent Hispanic/Latino; 0.2 percent American Indian/Alaskan; 90.8 percent White; 0.4 percent International.
Graduate enrollment
Full-time: 690 students
Part-time: 253 students
Women: 66%
Men: 34%
Racial/ethnic distribution: 4.0 percent African-American; 2.6 percent Asian/Pacific Islander; 0.2 percent American Indian/Alaskan; 1.4 percent Hispanic/Latino; 89.4 percent White; 2.3 percent International.
First-year student profile
First-year students: 50 percent from Twin Cities area; 25 percent from Greater Minnesota; 24 percent from other states; 1 percent from other countries; 98 percent live on campus.
Scholastic aptitude test: 11 percent of first-year students submitted the SAT as part of their applications. The average SAT Math: 583; average SAT Verbal: 575
American college test: 93 percent of first-year students presented the ACT as part of their applications. The average ACT composite score was 25
High school rank: 78 percent of first-year students reported their high school class rank; the distribution of reported rankings was: Top 10 percent = 32 percent; Top 25 percent = 59 percent; Top 50 percent = 87 percent.
Admissions
On-line application: http://cas.bethel.edu/admissions/application-details/
Application deadline: Rolling. Priority date: November 1.
Application fee (amount): free
Admissions tests required: ACT or SAT
High school preparation: A college preparatory curriculum is recommended for all applicants.
Advanced placement credit: Up to 8 courses in advanced placement can be obtained through appropriate scores on a CEEB Advanced Placement examination, College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) test, departmental placement exam or other departmental evaluation.
Transfer process (deadlines and materials): Rolling admissions. Applications must include pastoral reference, academic reference, high school transcripts (for some applicants), ACT or SAT results (for some applicants) and all college transcripts.
Transfer criteria (credits, GPA): 28 of the last 35 credits of the 122 required for a degree and at least half of the courses required for the concentration must be taken in Bethel programs. A 2.5 GPA is required.
Campus visits: Campus visits may be arranged by contacting the Office of Admissions on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Overnight visits and meal tickets are available.
Financials
Tuition and required fees: $28,080
Room and board: $8,220
Comprehensive charges: $36,300
Percentage of new-entering students receiving financial aid from any source: 92%
Financial aid applications: To apply for financial aid, families should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov and the Bethel Financial Aid Application at www.bethel.edu/finaid/application.
FAFSA code: 002338
Financial aid deadline: April 15