Student load for fall and spring semesters is 12 to 18 credits for full-time students and fewer than 12 credits for part-time students. Student load for interim is a maximum of five credits. To enroll for more than 18 credits, a student must have a grade point average of at least 3.25 in each of the two preceding semesters, show in a petition the reason(s) for the overload, and receive the approval of the advisor and the registrar. No overloads are permitted during interim.

A minimum of 122 credits is required for graduation. Three interim sessions (with at least three credits in interim) are required.

INTERIM

Interim courses sometimes differ from those taught in the fall and spring semesters. Some are offered at on-site locations away from the campus. An interim catalog is issued annually with complete course descriptions. In addition, a student exchange program with other colleges and universities, the Upper Midwest Association for Intercultural Education (UMAIE), international study courses, and courses at the Au Sable Institute for Environmental Studies are available during January interim sessions.

SUMMER SCHOOL

Bethel conducts a summer school in late May and early June. A summer school bulletin is issued by the Office of Academic Affairs each spring.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

Students are accountable for all required work in each of their courses. They must assume full responsibility for class attendance in a way satisfactory to the instructor and for work missed because of absence. Since class sessions function not merely for individual learning but for group interaction, absences can become a serious problem both for the individual and for the group.

PREREQUISITES

Course prerequisites are listed with each course description. In some instances the prerequisite may be waived by consent of the instructor.

CHANGES IN REGISTRATION

A new course may not be added after the sixth day of classes (excluding weekends) without consent of the registrar. See regulations for dropping a course after the first week of classes under “Grading System” on the following page.

GRADING SYSTEM

Course work is evaluated on the following scale:

Grade	Definition	Grade Points	Grade	Definition	Grade Points
A	Exceptional	4.0	D	Minimally Acceptable	1.0
A-		3.7	F	Failing	0.0
B+		3.3	W	Withdrawal
B	Good	3.0	I	Incomplete
B-		2.7	S	Satisfactory
C+		2.3	U	Unsatisfactory
C	Satisfactory	2.0	X	Audit
C-		1.7	NR	Not Reported
D+		1.3	IP	In Process

An instructor has the option of affixing a minus to the grade of A, a plus or a minus to the grades B and C, and a plus to the grade of D. A plus increases the number of grade points awarded by 0.3, and a minus decreases the number of grade points awarded by 0.3.

The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the number of grade points by the number of credits the student has attempted. Courses with the following grades are not included in the GPA calculation: W, I, S, U, X, NR, IP. Any course may be repeated, in which case only the last attempt is used in computing the GPA.

The GPA is calculated only on the basis of credits attempted at Bethel. In order to receive a degree, a student shall have earned at least a 2.00 overall GPA and the required GPA in the major. Most departments require a 2.25 GPA in the major, but some departments require a higher GPA in the major. See requirements for the majors in this catalog.

The grade X is given when a student audits the course. Students wishing to audit a course must secure the consent of the instructor for such enrollment status. A student may change to or from audit status with the instructor’s approval only during the first five weeks of the semester. Auditing at Bethel is defined as observation in the classroom setting. Auditors are required to meet the attendance requirements set by the instructor. Students and those who do not meet the attendance requirements will be graded W. Participation beyond attendance in class activities is at the instructor’s discretion.

The grade W is given only to a student who officially drops a course after the first six days of the term (excluding weekends) and before the end of the 12th week of a term. Course drops are official on the date written notice is received by the Office of the Registrar. No course drops are accepted after the 12th week.

The S/U grading option is used in student teaching and internships, as well as music performance organizations and private lessons taken without credit. Other courses are graded on an A-F basis, unless the S/U option is indicated on the course schedule. A student may count no more than 12 hours of S/U graded courses toward graduation requirements (in addition to the four instances listed in the first sentence of this paragraph). For each course, the student must declare this option no later than the end of the first week of classes. The S grade indicates at least D level achievement.

The grade I is given when students are unable to complete the course requirements in the regular time due to causes that are beyond their control and when approved by the instructor (see the Office of the Registrar for approval forms). Remaining work must be of a kind that can be done largely through the independent effort of a student. Unless removed within eight weeks after the start of the next semester (fall or spring), the student will be graded for the course.

All grades are considered final and are not subject to change except for errors in calculation, or as a result of a formal grade appeal process (see the registrar for procedure). The I is changed when work is completed as stated above.

The grades IP and NR are generated for administrative use only.

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION

Within the structures outlined below, Bethel University awards advanced placement in recognition of learning that has been achieved apart from a college classroom situation. A maximum of 30 credits in advanced placement can be applied toward a degree program.

Credit may be awarded to a student who receives a qualifying score on an Advanced Placement Examination (AP) of the College Entrance Examination Board. Consult the Office of the Registrar for details.
Credit may be awarded to a student who receives a qualifying score on either a General Examination or a Subject Examination of the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Consult the Office of the Registrar for details.
Credit may be awarded to a student who receives a qualifying score on a DANTES Subject Standardized Test (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support), which is equivalent to a college course. Consult the Office of the Registrar for details.
Full credit may be awarded for a particular course in which a student is able to demonstrate sufficient knowledge and ability as determined by standards of evaluation worked out and approved by the departments concerned in consultation with the dean of academic programs. This option is available only in those subject matter areas that are not covered by exams in categories 1-3, and only by consent of the related department and the Office of Academic Affairs. Credit awarded by this procedure is entered on the student’s record with an S (satisfactory) grade. A fee is charged by the university to cover testing costs.
Exemption from certain first-level courses may be granted on the basis of an adequate score on special placement examinations devised by the respective departments.
Bethel awards credit only for Higher Level IB Examinations through the International Baccalaureate program. A student may receive up to eight semester credits for each Higher Level Examination completed with a score of five, six, or seven. Course equivalents are determined by the registrar in consultation with the appropriate department on an individual basis.

ADVANCED STANDING

Students who have completed courses at other institutions of higher education may receive a limited amount of credit for those courses that are equivalent to work offered at Bethel. The amount of credit, the courses to be accepted, and the method of evaluation will be determined by the nature of the courses and the merits of each application. An applicant who has attended any school or college after graduation from high school must submit an official transcript from that institution. Only courses with a C grade or higher will be accepted in transfer.

(See requirements for a baccalaureate degree for transfer students and new students entering Bethel with college credits.)

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

At the close of the fall and spring semesters, one week is provided for final examinations. Two hours are allowed for each examination. The examination schedule is prepared by the registrar and published at the time of registration. Students are required to take examinations at the indicated time. Exceptions necessitated by conflicts with an established work schedule, severe personal hardships, or academic hardship (in the form of having three examinations on one day) must be approved by the faculty member. Exams will not be rescheduled merely for the economy and/or convenience of the student.

Final examinations are usually given in interim and summer school courses, but no special days are specifically set aside for this purpose.

BACHELOR DEGREE HONORS

Honors at graduation for bachelor’s degrees are awarded on the basis of a student’s cumulative grade point average.

Students who complete at least 68 credits at Bethel receive honors based on the following cumulative GPA criteria:

Summa Cum Laude	3.90
Magna Cum Laude	3.75
Cum Laude	3.60

Transfer students who complete fewer than 68 credits at Bethel receive honors based on the following cumulative GPA criteria:

Summa Cum Laude	3.92
Magna Cum Laude	3.80
Cum Laude	3.68

DEAN’S LIST HONORS

Students receive Dean’s List honors for each semester in which they earn at least 12 semester credit hours that carry grades used in the calculation of the grade point average (GPA) and earn a grade point average of 3.6 or better. The Dean’s List is final as of 10 days after the last day of final examinations. Students completing work after this date do not become eligible.

ACADEMIC PROGRESS, PROBATION, AND DISMISSAL

Academic Warning: Students are given an academic warning any time the regular-term GPA is below 2.00.
Academic Probation: Students are placed on academic probation when they are not in good academic standing. Good academic standing is defined as a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Academic Dismissal: The following students may be subject to academic dismissal: (1) regularly admitted freshmen whose cumulative GPAs are below 2.0 at the end of their second semester; (2) provisionally admitted students whose cumulative GPAs are below 2.0 at the end of their second semester at Bethel; (3) all other students whose cumulative GPAs are below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters; (4) students who do not meet the stipulations set by the registrar at the time of being placed on academic probation. Patterns of poor performance not listed in items 1-4 above may also lead to academic dismissal.

Academic dismissal of any student is the decision of the Bethel University Registrar. Academic warning and academic probation may not always precede academic dismissal.
Appeals: Student appeals of academic decisions of the registrar must be made directly to the Academic Appeals Committee for review.

ACADEMIC HONESTY

Since Bethel University is a Christian academic community, its fundamental purpose is the pursuit of knowledge and the development of growing Christian persons. Essential to the success of this educational mission is a commitment to principles of ethical academic integrity. Every member of the university community is responsible for upholding the highest standards of honesty at all times. Students, as members of this community, are also responsible for adhering to the principles and spirit of academic honesty. Violation of honesty standards can result in denial of credit (U or F) in a course, as well as dismissal from the university. Penalties are given at the discretion of the faculty member, and offenders may be referred to the dean of academic programs. Students charged with a violation have the right to appeal any disciplinary action. Contact the Office of Academic Affairs for details on the appeal process.

Academic Dishonesty Definitions

Activities that have the effect or intention of interfering with education, pursuit of knowledge, or fair evaluation of a student’s performance are prohibited. Examples of such activities include, but are not limited to, the following definitions:

Cheating: Using or attempting to use unauthorized assistance, material, or study aids in examinations or other academic work, or preventing or attempting to prevent another from using authorized assistance, material, or study aids. Examples: using a cheat sheet in a quiz or exam; altering a graded exam and resubmitting it for a better grade, etc.
Plagiarism: Using the ideas, data, or language of another without specific and proper acknowledgment. Examples: misrepresenting another’s work (paper, lab report, article, or computer work) as one’s own original creation and submitting it for an assignment; using someone else’s ideas without attribution; failing to cite a reference or to use quotation marks where appropriate, etc.
Fabrication: Submitting contrived or altered information in any academic exercise. Examples: making up data for an experiment; fudging data; citing nonexistent or irrelevant articles, etc.
Multiple submission: Submitting, without prior permission, any work submitted to fulfill another academic requirement. Example: submitting the same paper for two different classes, etc.
Misrepresentation of academic records: Misrepresenting or tampering with or attempting to tamper with any portion of a student’s transcripts or academic record, either before or after coming to Bethel University. Examples: forging a registration form or a change of grade slip; tampering with computer records, etc.
Facilitating academic dishonesty: Knowingly helping or attempting to help another violate any provision of this code. Example: working together on a take-home exam or other individual assignment, etc.
Unfair advantage: Attempting to gain unauthorized advantage over fellow students in an academic exercise. Examples: gaining or providing unauthorized access to examination materials (either past or present); obstructing or interfering with another student’s efforts in an academic exercise; lying about a need for an extension for an exam or paper; continuing to write even when time is up during an exam; destroying, hiding, removing, or keeping library materials, etc.
Computer crimes: Damaging or modifying computer programs without permission. Examples: software piracy; hacking; constructing viruses; knowingly introducing viruses into a system; copying programs and data belonging to others, etc.

ACADEMIC APPEALS

Appeals related to academic dismissal are made to the Academic Appeals Committee. Consult the registrar for procedures. All other academic appeals (course grades, graduation, status in programs, academic dishonesty, decisions of the registrar in applying academic policies, complaints about course content or procedures, etc.) are handled in the following manner: (1) As soon as possible following the decision or incident in question, the student will seek to resolve the matter first with the instructor, or with the party directly responsible for the decision, and then with the department chairperson. (2) If, after talking with the instructor and the department chairperson, the student still thinks he or she is being treated unfairly or not in accordance with announced academic policies, the student may appeal in writing to the dean of academic programs. This written appeal must be received within three weeks after the decision or incident in question. If the concern is a complaint about course content or procedures, the student should talk with the dean of faculty growth and assessment.

REGISTRATION IN OTHER INSTITUTIONS

Students who are regularly registered at Bethel University may take courses at other accredited institutions for transfer credit if they have prior consent of the registrar. Only courses with a C grade or better are accepted in transfer.

ROTC

The resources and programs of ROTC are available to Bethel University students. These resources include scholarships and other forms of financial aid. All credits earned in the program will transfer to Bethel. For full information contact:

ARMY	AIR FORCE
University of Minnesota Department of Military Science (Army ROTC) 101 Armory Building 15 Church Street S. E. Minneapolis, MN 55455	Air Force ROTC Det. 410 University of Saint Thomas, #5016 2115 Summit Avenue St. Paul, MN 55105-1096
612.626.1584	651.962.6320

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS

The official classification of students for each academic year is made at the beginning of the fall semester on the basis of a student’s having completed credits according to the following schedule:

Freshman: fewer than 30 credits

Sophomore: least 30 credits

Junior: at least 60 credits

Senior: at least 90 credits

READMISSION PROCEDURE

Former students who wish to reenroll at Bethel, whether away for one semester or more (except interim), must file an application for readmission. Contact the Office of Admissions for forms and procedures.

HONORS PROGRAM

The Honors Program is designed to encourage and serve students desiring a challenging academic program that pursues Bethel’s long-standing commitment to the integration of faith and learning. See the Honors section of this catalog for specifics on this program.

INDIVIDUALIZED STUDY

Directed Studies

Because a significant amount of learning can take place outside the formal classroom, juniors and seniors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher may take a directed study experience in their major under the guidance of a faculty member and receive academic credit. A directed study course may not be used to meet General Education requirements. It may consist of independent reading and/or research, or travel with related study. Students may design such an experience in cooperation with their academic advisor and the faculty member who is to supervise the study. An application for directed study must then be submitted to the registrar no later than one week before the beginning of the semester in which it is to take place. A copy of the regulations governing directed study, as well as an application form, may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

Academic Internships

An academic internship is an off-campus learning/practicing experience in which students apply a body of knowledge and skills in a structured “real world” setting. Credit is available through some departments to qualified students in their majors. The registrar reserves the course numbers ending in 81 to designate an internship in all participating departments. Inquiries should be directed to department chairpersons.

Individualized Major

A student may choose to develop an individualized major designed to meet his or her needs and interests. Any such program should have a coherent organizing principle that differs significantly from those underlying standard majors. The program must be developed in consultation with an academic advisor and must be submitted and approved by the end of the first semester of the student’s junior year. The complete policy and guidelines may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar.

College of Adult & Professional Studies

The College of Adult & Professional Studies (CAPS) at Bethel University helps busy adults achieve their educational goals within a framework of Christian values. Through the General Studies program, learners can fulfill two years of college credit and earn an associate’s degree. Six bachelor’s degrees are offered in business management, Christian ministries, communication studies, human resource management, nursing (R.N. to B.S.), and organizational leadership. Classes are held evenings and weekends on the St. Paul campus and other convenient Twin Cities locations. The college also offers professional development opportunities for individuals, churches, and other organizations. Contact the College of Adult & Professional Studies for a viewbook or explore online at http//:caps.bethel.edu.

Graduate School

The Graduate School at Bethel University offers 12 advanced degree programs, as well as education licensures, certificate programs, and professional development seminars. Designed to help adults enhance or redirect their careers, the programs include an MBA and Ed.D. in Educational Administration, as well as master’s programs in communication, counseling psychology, education K-12, ethnomusicology, gerontology, literacy education, nursing, organizational leadership, special education, and teaching. The programs are academically rigorous, offered on an accelerated schedule, and taught within a framework of Christian values. Classes are held on the St. Paul campus and other convenient Twin Cities locations. Contact the Graduate School for a viewbook or explore online at http://gs.bethel.edu.