Multiple Major Policy

Multiple majors will be awarded and recorded on a student’s official transcript upon fulfillment of all course work for each program under the conditions of the multiple major policy.

Bachelor’s Degree Policy

The student must pass 21 distinct hours of course work that are unique between the two majors earned. No course can be counted in both majors and count toward the 21 distinct hour rule.

Associate Degree Policy

The student must pass 15 distinct hours of course work that is unique to any other Associate major earned. No course can be counted in both majors and count toward the 15 distinct hour rule.

Minor Policy

The student must pass nine distinct hours of course work that are unique to any other major or minor earned. Only students earning a bachelor’s degree may be awarded a minor.

General Policies

1. Students must meet all Bethel Core requirements for each program.

   Clarification: If one program requires a specific Bethel Core course, Introduction to World Civilization for example, and the other program lists only a history elective, the specified course in the first major will meet the history elective required for the other program.

   If each program were to list specific, but different, general education courses for their major, the student would need to pass both classes.

2. The distinct hours requirement applies to courses within each major only, and do not include Bethel Core courses or free electives. A course listed as a Bethel Core requirement can meet specific major requirements in another program but cannot be used as distinct hours.

   Example: Compare the Biology Major and the Science Education Major: General Chemistry I is listed as a Bethel Core requirement for the Biology Major but as a major requirement for Science Education. The class can be used to meet requirements for both majors but may not be used as a distinct hours class.

   Clarification: No course can be used in both majors to meet the distinct hours requirement.

   Courses can be used in both majors to meet major requirements of both programs, but again, cannot be used to meet the distinct hours requirement.

3. Students pursuing multiple majors in both bachelor and associate programs must meet the 21 distinct hour rule.
4. Multiple majors which include Liberal Studies also use the distinct hours rules listed above. There must be 21 distinct hours between the major and the concentration requirements.
5. Professional Education courses cannot be used to fulfill the distinct hour requirement.
6. The distinct hours requirement does not apply to completion of a B.A. and B.S.