General Education Program

General Education Program

The Bethel Core at Bethel University provides an academic base and educational experience for all students in the liberal arts and professional disciplines. As such, it is designed to assist students to develop essential skills in written and verbal communication, in analytical abilities, and in critical thinking. The program gives students a basic knowledge of and appreciation for the humanities, natural sciences, Social Sciences, Christian thought, and physical wellness. An understanding of these broad fields of knowledge assists students to establish a foundation for lifelong intellectual, spiritual, and physical growth. In addition, the Bethel Core seeks to instill ethical, aesthetic, multicultural and evangelical Christian faith values to help students live meaningful, productive, and satisfying lives of service to family, church, and community.

The Bethel Core includes the following courses which are required for the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Sciences degrees. Some academic majors may require different courses or specific courses within a broad area requirement. See the academic department sections of this catalog for those requirements.

a) Communication

ENGL 101Written Communication II

3

ENGL 102Written Communication III

3

COMM 171Speech Communication

3

Foreign Language (two semesters)

6

OR

1 semester at 200 (Intermediate) level

3

ENGL 102, COMM 171: Must earn a “C-” or better grade

b) Mathematics

MATH
College Level Mathematics

3

c) Humanities/Fine Arts

FA
Music/Art/Theatre

3

LIT
Literature

3

PHIL 250Introduction to Philosophy

3

PHIL 452Senior Experience

1

d) Natural Sciences

Science with Lab

4

e) Social Sciences/History

PSYC 182General Psychology

3

SOC 151Principles of Sociology

3

HIST
History Elective

3

f) Bible/Religion

THEO 110Exploring the Christian Faith

3

BIBL 215Old Testament Literature

3

BIBL 216New Testament Literature

3

g) Health/Physical Education

KINE 252Fitness/Wellness

1

 

KINE 117On the Ball Training

1

OR

KINE 124Aerobics

1

OR

KINE 128Physical Fitness

1

OR

KINE 135Weight Training

1

Total Credits  49-52

Each student who enrolls at Bethel University must demonstrate proficiencies in the areas of English and mathematics. These proficiencies must be met before a student completes 24 semester hours at Bethel.

English Proficiency can be demonstrated in any of the following ways:

Provide evidence of holding an Associates or Bachelors degree from an accredited college/university.

Provide a college transcript that certifies completion of 62 transferable hours of coursework at C- or better.

Pass the Bethel University prescribed English test.

Provide a college transcript that certifies completion of a college-level course in writing (passed with a C- or better). This course might also be used to satisfy Written Communication II requirements toward a degree.

Receive a satisfactory score on the SAT Verbal or ACT English.

Successfully complete the Bethel University course, ENGL100, College English, 3 hours. Tutoring may be provided when deemed necessary.

Mathematics Proficiency can be demonstrated in any one of the following ways:

Provide a college transcript that certifies completion of a college-level course in mathematics (passed with a C- or better). This course might also be used to satisfy college math requirements toward a degree.

Provide a college transcript that certifies completion of a remedial mathematics pre- college-level course (passed with a C- or better).

Receive a satisfactory score on the SAT-Quantitative or ACT-Mathematics.

Pass the Bethel University mathematics test.

Successfully complete the Bethel University course, MATH 070, Math Lab, 1-3 hours.