Bethel University

bethel-university

Quality, Christian Liberal Arts Degrees From Bethel

Bethel University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Online Christian Colleges for Future Missionaries.

Ranked Forbes’ 224th top private institution, Bethel University builds atop a Biblical Foundations core sponsored by Converge for two associate, 80 bachelor’s, 19 master’s, and four doctoral majors, including 25 entirely online, at an 11:1 learner-faculty ratio.

For example, the B.S. in Accounting logs into Moodle for a 57-credit online completion program of six-week courses like Corporate Auditing to satisfy Certified Management Accountant requirements in only 21 months. The 120-credit, on-campus B.A. in English Literature offers opportunities to intern at Pioneer Press, study abroad in Stratford-upon-Avon, earn the Healy Poetry Prize, and join Bethel Forensics.

Chaired by Dr. Diane Dahl, the M.S. in Nurse Midwife builds a 57-credit, ACME-accredited online curriculum with one-week Saint Paul intensives and four clinical practica for 100 percent certification success.

Other offerings include the B.S. in Data Science, B.A. in Biokinetics, B.A. in Special Education, B.A. in Graphic Design, B.S. in Business Management, M.S. in Athletic Training, M.A. in Christian Thought, Ed.D. in School Leadership, and D.Min. in Congregation & Family Care.

About Bethel University

Bethel University originated in 1871 when U.S. Navy Captain John Alexis Edgren of Varmland started the Baptist Union Theological Seminary in Chicago for men pursuing Christian ministry. In 1914, it was acquired by the Baptist General Conference. That year, it relocated to Minnesota’s Twin Cities to form Bethel Seminary & Academy. In 1931, the Baptist Church made it Bethel Junior College for associate-level degrees.

Four-year liberal arts degrees started in 1947 at Bethel College & Seminary. Fully accredited in 1959, Bethel relocated again in 1972 with the purchase of 289 acres in Arden Hills. In 1989, the Graduate School was established for the first non-theological master’s. By 2004, the Bethel University name was adopted for the CIC member.

During the 2000s, the College of Adult & Professional Studies developed six-week online courses. Endowed for $33.8 million, Bethel University now serves 5,600 Royals from 23 nations and 48 denominations from St. Paul to San Diego with 30+ clubs like Mu Kappa. The U.S. News & World Report named Bethel the Midwest’s 17th best college, 22nd top value, and 11th best for vets. On Niche, Bethel boasts the 47th best dining, 166th top nursing program, and 205th safest campus nationally.

Bethel University Accreditation Details

On April 24, 2019, Bethel University will start another reaffirmation cycle with the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (HLC-NCA) Institutional Actions Council to extend the Level V accreditation through 2029-30 under its fifth president, Dr. Jay H. Barnes, who earned a Harvard Institute for Educational Management Certificate. Located 411 miles southeast via Interstate 94 in Chicago, this large 19-state Upper Midwest Region accreditor is recognized by the U.S. Education Department and Minnesota Office of Higher Education. The Academic Affairs Team also boasts the following programmatic approvals:

  • Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Accreditation Commission for Midwifery Education
  • Council on Social Work Education Office of Accreditation
  • Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Association of Theological Schools Commission on Accrediting
  • Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education
  • Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy

Bethel University Application Requirements

Attendance at Bethel University is labeled “moderately selective” by Peterson’s because 1,512 of the 1,812 Fall 2017 applicants were triumphant for 83 percent acceptance. Freshman Royals must graduate from an accredited high school or equivalent. Preference is given for AP courses scored “3” or higher. International Baccalaureate exams must be graded at least 50. First-year minimum GPAs of 2.5 are required. On average, undergrads present an 1180 SAT and 24 ACT mark. Online B.A./B.S. programs are reserved for transferring adults with GPAs above 2.5 in 60+ credits. The Graduate School necessitates high academic merit in four-year bachelor’s. Online MBA entrants must hold 24 or more months of related experience. The M.A. in Counseling has five prerequisite courses, including Developmental Studies and Statistics. The M.S. in Physician Assistant requires 3.25 science GPAs plus 250 work hours. M.S. in Athletic Training candidates need 3.0 GPAs in Anatomy, Biology, and Physiology prerequisites. Doctor of Nursing Practice students need a CCNE- or ACEN-accredited master’s and APRN licensure.

Bethel University has rolling undergrad admission starting September 1st. Priority deadlines for financial aid consideration are April 15th for Fall and December 20th for Spring. The Graduate School has an array of final deadlines though. For instance, the M.S. in Athletic Training considers online cohorts until March 1st. The M.S. in Physician Assistant has an open review period from April 15th to August 1st. Incoming Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership students apply by January 1st. Accordingly, complete the Bethel or Common Application online for free ($30 if graduate). Official transcripts can be mailed physically to 2 Pine Tree Drive in Arden Hills, MN 55112. Supporting materials include the recent test score, Covenant for Life Together affirmation, 150-word faith essay, financial affidavit, two references, professional résumé, and industry license. Contact (651) 638-6242 or undergrad-admissions@bethel.edu for more.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Bethel University is charging full-time undergrads $19,150 each term or $38,300 annually. Taking under 12 credits will cost $1,600 each. Overload credits above 18 are $1,060 apiece. Summer Session tuition drops to $530 per credit. Students pay the $160 activity fee per year. Living at the St. Paul campus’ housing like Lissner Hall adds $5,900 each year. The Block B 250-meal plan for Monson Dining Center is $4,880 extra. Bethel budgets $1,240 for texts and $2,640 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $51,700 on-site and $42,960 with parents. The Graduate School has a standard $535 per credit price, but rates range. The M.A. in Literacy Education cost just $400 per credit. Meanwhile, the Online MBA bills $723 per credit and the M.S. in Nurse-Midwifery requires $804 per credit.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Aid Office in Clauson Center Room 432 connects 99 percent of incoming Bethel Royals with median assistance of $19,821 for $10.98 million combined. University funds include the Abens Family Scholarship, Paul & Laura Ackerman Scholarship, Charlotte Anderson Nursing Scholarship, Violet Bergquist Spanish Scholarship, David & Sadie Blomberg Scholarship, Donald Constable Scholarship, Deubener Juenemann Students of Color Scholarship, Gruez Physics Scholarship, Stacey Hunter Hecht Scholarship, Ardys Jordan Music Scholarship, and Stephen Nelson Science Scholarship. The Royal Merit Scholarship gifts up to $20,300 based on freshmen GPAs. Since 1948, the Minnesota Private College Fund has developed 20 yearly awards, such as the Cargill Access & Equity Scholarship. The $1,200 Bethel Military Scholarship is added to GI Bill benefits for Armed Forces veterans. FAFSA applications coded 002338 determine Federal Pell Grant, TEACH Grant, Opportunity Grant, Work-Study, and Direct Loan eligibility. Minnesotans also claim the State Grant, Horatio Alger Scholarship, Tribal Scholarship, Hubert Humphrey Award, and more.

Search through four accredited, nonprofit divisions with 115+ areas of study on the Bethel University website.

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