Dear Incoming Students,
On behalf of the faculty of Bethlehem College & Seminary, I would like to extend a sincere word of welcome to you. We rejoice that God has led you through the Bethlehem College & Seminary application process and opened the door for you to join this community for the next few years. My prayer for you as you make preparations to enter Bethlehem College & Seminary this fall is “that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God” (Philippians 1:9–11). I am eager to see what God may be pleased to do in and through you in the coming years, and I look forward to meeting you at Orientation in August.
Dr. Brian Tabb
Academic Dean
Non-Traditional Orientation (Minneapolis and Rochester) | August 16, 4-9pm
Traditional Orientation | August 18, 9am—3:30pm
Welcome Picnic | August 18, 5pm—Sunset
MDiv Retreat (Telling God’s Story) | August 19—20
College Retreat | August 19—20
Download, complete, and return to the registrar by August 1, 2021. Forms are hyperlinked below.
DO NOT WAIT to complete these forms. Medical Contact & Health History and the Immunizations Record may take some time to complete. Students need to complete all forms and return them to Connie Kopischke (Registrar) before being registered for Fall 2021 classes.
You will learn in an extraordinarily small school with a tight-knit community of students, teachers, pastors, and church members who share a deep personal interest in both your academic performance and spiritual growth. And it all takes place amid the life of a globally-minded local church in a multi-ethnic urban center in which opportunities for equipping abound.
There are a few ways to set up a verified text number:
The first time you log in to Populi, you’ll be asked to enter a mobile number as part of the login process.
If your school requires you to use login approval passcodes, you’ll be given the option to enter a mobile phone number the next time you log in.
When you log in to Populi, a yellow banner will offer to let you set one up right then and there. Just enter your number, submit the verification code when it arrives, and you’re good to go.
You can set one up in your personal settings. This article covers that method.
The tuition rate for 2021– 2022 is $205/credit. Incoming Freshmen take 16 credits in the fall semester and 16 in the spring semester.
The 2021–2023 tuition rate for the M.A. program is $350 per credit.
The program fee for the 2025 M.Div. cohort is $24,000.00 (for the entire four-year program)/ $6,000 per year. Billing for this program fee is done in eight segments (each fall and spring semester).
Students have two payment options for tuition* (by semester only):
Lump Sum Option: Due no later than first day of each semester
Four-Payment Option:
1. 25% of the total tuition amount due no later than Day #1 of the semester;
2. 25% is due on Day #30;
3. 25% is due on Day #60; and
4. 25% is due on Day #90 of the semester.
Physical Check: Payable to Bethlehem College & Seminary.
ACH: payable on the Populi student portal (Finance tab).
Credit Card**: payable on the Populi student portal (Finance tab). Note: all credit card transactions for tuition and fees are assessed a 1.5% convenience fee.
*Only tuition charges are eligible for the four-payment options. All other charges (copying/printing, etc.) are due on the designated “Due Date”.
Logos Technology Fee – $300
Copy/Printing – 5¢/pg BW and 15¢/pg Color
*Please note that incoming freshmen will be charged for their course packet through Populi. Course packet costs vary by semester ranging from $40-90.
Bethlehem College & Seminary is not federally funded in any way, and so many common grants and loans (i.e. Perkins or Stafford loans, FAFSA etc.) cannot be applied to the Bethlehem College & Seminary tuition. Instead, Bethlehem offers every resident student a Serious Joy Scholarship of $10,000 per year, which is funded privately by generous contributors. If you have questions about possibilities and limitations for tuition assistance, contact admissions at [email protected]
Bethlehem College & Seminary has adopted the Community Declaration, found in the student handbook, to guide all Bethlehem College & Seminary students, staff, and faculty. Please take time to read it thoroughly. It will be signed at Orientation where staff will walk through it with you. If you have questions about the Community Declaration, please contact us.
Greek Intensive (all Yr 1 M.Div, unless tested out before the start date) | Begins July 7
Traditional Orientation | August 18
Telling God’s Story (M.Div. Retreat) | August 19-20
BBC Membership Class | August 28
Freshman Move-In | August 16-17
Orientation | August 18
Freshman Retreat (Undergrad) | August 19-20
BBC Membership Class | August 28
Orientation | August 16: Rochester 4-8pm; Minneapolis 6-9pm.
Welcome Picnic | August 18
Fall Classes Begin | August 23
Fall Break | October 14-15
Thanksgiving Break | November 24-26
Fall Finals Week | December 13-17
January Intensives (Seminary) | January 10-14
Spring Classes Begin | January 18
The academic calendar is available here.
Fall 2021 Class & Finals Schedule 07-26-21
The Fall 2021 non-traditional program schedules will be available by August 1 and handed out at orientation.
All of our program details and academic policies are to be found in our 2020-2021 Academic Catalog. The 2021-2022 catalog will be available by Orientation.
The 2020-2021 Student Handbook is included here for your perusal. You will receive a copy of the 2021-2022 handbook through Populi by August 1.
If you are planning on finding a job in Minnesota, you will need to bring original, unexpired documentation (photo copies are not acceptable) as directed on the I-9 Lists of Acceptable Documents found here.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) governs the privacy of all student records. We are required to follow the FERPA law. If you think you will want us to answer questions about you from your wife/parents/anyone you specifically designate (examples: your account balance; payment due; problem with a payment; classes you’re taking, etc), you need to complete/sign our attached FERPA Waiver form (return it to Connie Kopischke). If you aren’t sure, you can wait on completing the form until the need comes up.
Bethlehem College & Seminary is a non-residential campus and therefore does not have dormitories. Instead, many of our students live in the surrounding Minneapolis neighborhoods, often in housing owned and leased by friends of Bethlehem Baptist Church and Bethlehem College & Seminary. We aim to refer students to affordable and safe housing options, but ultimately cannot guarantee housing. For more information about housing, contact Cody Sandidge at [email protected] The housing survey will be sent out by July 1.
Our Housing Coordinator will intentionally assist single college freshmen and transfers, as they are encouraged to live in freshman housing during their entire first year at Bethlehem College. Freshman housing requires a 9 month lease (August-May) and is typically $450.00/month (all utilities included, except internet). The houses are typically within 1-2 miles of the Bethlehem Downtown campus, where Bethlehem College & Seminary holds classes. The Housing Coordinator will send a survey to all single college freshman who have paid their deposits. This survey officially begins the housing placement process.
Transfers, DCP students, and all married students can expect referrals and some assistance, but are ultimately responsible for their own housing arrangements. For available housing in the Twin Cities area, please visit our student housing website here.
Graduate students can expect referrals and some assistance, but are ultimately responsible for their own housing arrangements. For available housing in the Twin Cities area, please visit our student housing website here.
Because of the cohort-based, sequential nature of our undergraduate programs, Bethlehem allows a limited number of transfer credits into our program. Students seeking to transfer credits must submit official transcripts for evaluation by the registrar. In general, Bethlehem College & Seminary will accept transfer credits earned at a state-recognized institution of higher learning. Students must have earned a ‘C’ (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or above in each course they wish to transfer. The applicability of such transfer credits will vary by program. Students may not transfer more than 50% of the credits needed for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
Old & New Testament Exams. Applicants seeking to transfer additional credits so as to enter beyond the first semester may be required to pass a biblical competency exam administered by Bethlehem College & Seminary with a grade ‘C’ or better.
Acceptance of CLEP and AP Scores. Students enrolled in undergraduate programs at Bethlehem College & Seminary may submit testing results from qualified Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams (provided by the College Board) for credit at Bethlehem College & Seminary. A minimum score of 50 will be accepted for most CLEP examinations. Students must score a 3 or higher on AP exams. Credit hours will not be scaled to scores in either exam series. AP and CLEP exams vary in credit value. Credit is only awarded in those areas applicable to the undergraduate curriculum at Bethlehem College & Seminary. Please contact the registrar’s office for more information on which exams will qualify for credit. Only 30 credits can come from CLEP and AP.
The most current coronavirus information is available here: bcsmn.edu/coronavirus. The most recent procedures document can be found here.
No one is proposing that Minneapolis have no public safety function. As a practical matter the police department here is established in the city charter, specifying an officer-to-population ratio. To change that requires a unanimous vote of the City Council, the Charter Commission, and the approval of the Mayor (who is opposed). Otherwise it must go to the voters, where it is not expected to receive majority support. This is unlikely to be voted on until next year.
Business leaders have become more engaged in asserting their leadership, as have African-American leaders in support of Chief Arradondo, an African-American himself.
Serious conversations are being had about the wide array of responsibilities assigned to the PD, asking whether they need to be involved in so many peripheral areas.
For the most current information on the movement to defund the police, see this article: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/07/01/mpls-charter-commission-begins-work-on-proposal-to-eliminate-mpd
Because every student attends the same classes with their cohort, there is no need to register for individual classes. The registrar automatically does it for you.
We strongly encourage those moving to Minneapolis to arrive a few days before Orientation or Beginning Greek (M.Div) to get settled in, so that you can hit the ground running. Please keep us informed of your arrival plans.
Visit the official city website for general info about Minneapolis. Click links below for further details.
MetroTransit also has a College Pass that is purchased by semester for $165 and includes unlimited rides. Please contact D’Evan Porch at [email protected], if you are interested.
Four neighborhoods that students and church members typically live in: Elliot Park, Phillips, Powderhorn, and Longfellow.
*Subject to change due to COVID. Please refer to the website for various activities for changes and restrictions.
Ordering your Bethlehem College & Seminary textbooks is easy and convenient at our campus bookstore or online at the Populi website. You’ll get good prices—30% off many books—you’ll pay no sales tax or shipping AND, very importantly, you’ll be supporting Bethlehem College & Seminary when you get your books through the Bethlehem Bookstore. Our prices are very competitive with larger (and less gospel-oriented) online book sellers. We humbly and sincerely ask you for your business and kind support.
We strongly encourage you to order in advance of the new semester, and we’ll have everything set aside in the bookstore for you to pick up when you arrive on campus.
All textbooks for upcoming courses are listed on the bookstore website.
In addition to textbooks, a large variety of other books, Bethlehem College & Seminary t-shirts, and hoodies are available.
Thankfully it is not always winter and never Christmas here in Minnesota. We do have 3 other beautiful seasons, and when you come in August, it will still be summer time. If you’re moving from a typically warm state (like sunny California) and do not own a winter coat, we recommend that you wait to purchase those items until you arrive. They will be cheaper here in Minnesota, and you will also have the chance to ask us locals for tips on what you need most or where to get it.
What should a student read to prepare for the fall? Anything. We mean it. Just read. Read for the enjoyment of it. Read to meet interesting people, to travel to far-off places, read to learn about something of which you know very little. The more you read the better at it you get. The better you are at reading, the more eager you will be to read something more challenging or to consider a new idea or perspective. Just read.
And write. Write about what? Anything. We mean it. Just write. Write for the enjoyment of it. Describe the steps necessary to clean your rifle or to bake the best cheesecake or to get to your favorite hideaway without a map. Write about a cherished memory, a challenging concept, a perfect day on vacation, a dream for the future. The more you write the better you get at it. The better you are at writing, the more eager you will be to write on something more challenging or to try your hand at poetry or song. Just write.
The more you read, the better you write. The more you write, the better you read.
If you want to read about writing, the most enjoyable and practicable book is Style: Lessons in Clarity and Grace. There they teach you to write and read.
Seminary: If you are taking Greek in preparation for the M.Div. program, the Greek course will be your main way to prepare academically. We’ll also be in touch with some other specific recommendations for you.
Dear Incoming Students,
We are thankful for you and rejoice that God has graciously led you through the application process! I want to welcome you to the Bethlehem College & Seminary Memphis Extension. The next few years, I pray, will prove to be rewarding years of growth as you seek to know and love Christ deeper. My prayer for you is that Bethlehem College & Seminary will be a means of grace used by God to help “present you mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).
I trust that this webpage will give you the basic information needed to prepare for the upcoming semester. However, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected] I am excited to meet you and look forward to seeing what God will do in your lives.
Blessings,
Dr. Dallas Pitts
Coordinator of the Memphis Location
Complete, sign, and turn in the following to the Registrar by August 1, 2020. Forms are hyperlinked below.
The 2020–2022 tuition rate for the B.Th. program is $205 per credit.
The 2020–2022 tuition rate for the M.A. program is $350 per credit.
Logos Technology Fee – $300
Students have two payment options for tuition* (by semester only):
Lump Sum Option: Due no later than first day of each semester
Four-Payment Option:
1. 25% of the total tuition amount due no later than Day #1 of the semester;
2. 25% is due on Day #30;
3. 25% is due on Day #60; and
4. 25% is due on Day #90 of the semester.
Physical Check: Payable to Bethlehem College & Seminary.
ACH: payable on the Populi student portal (Finance tab).
Credit Card**: payable on the Populi student portal (Finance tab). Note: all credit card transactions for tuition and fees are assessed a 1.5% convenience fee.
*Only tuition charges are eligible for the four-payment options. All other charges (logos, etc.) are due on the designated “Due Date”.
Tuition and Payment Plans—Connie Kopischke (Registrar & Bursar)
Classes and Transfer Credits—Connie Kopischke (Registrar & Bursar)
Orientation, Schedule, Location—Dr. Dallas Pitts (Site Coordinator)
Logos Bible Software—Sarah Todd (Academics Admin.)
Access to the Bethlehem College & Seminary Online Library Catalog is available to anyone without login 24/7. Online databases on EBSCO-host are only accessible via the link on the homepage of the online catalog. Free web resources have been gathered on the main Bethlehem College & Seminary website on the Research Resources page.
The Bethlehem College & Seminary Library staff are available to provide assistance to library users in finding a certain item or information and instruction on using the library’s online catalog and electronic databases. Students can contact the Bethlehem College & Seminary librarian by email. Appointments for research assistance may be made with the librarian.
Please contact the library with any questions at [email protected]
All Bethlehem students have access to our library services, in addition to the Logos package and BibleArc.
Bethlehem students are eligible for Apple education discounts. Visit the Apple Educational Store for more information.
Aloha Incoming Students,
We are thankful for you and rejoice that God has graciously led you through the application process! I want to welcome you to the Bethlehem College & Seminary Hawaii. The next few years, I pray, will prove to be rewarding years of growth as you seek to know and love Christ deeper. We believe God will use your instructors and fellow students, together with your ongoing ministry and mentoring in your local church, to make this a fruitful time in your lives. My prayer for you is that your time with Bethlehem College & Seminary will be a means of grace used by God to help “present you mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).
This webpage will give you the basic information needed to prepare for the upcoming semester. However, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. I am excited to see what God will do in your lives.
Mahalo,
Chris Bruno
Coordinator of the Hawaii Extension Site
Complete, sign, and turn in the following to the Registrar by August 1, 2020. Forms are hyperlinked below.
The 2020–2022 tuition rate for the B.Th. program is $205 per credit.
The 2020–2022 tuition rate for the M.A. program is $350 per credit.
Logos Technology Fee – $300
Students have two payment options for tuition* (by semester only):
Lump Sum Option: Due no later than first day of each semester
Four-Payment Option:
1. 25% of the total tuition amount due no later than Day #1 of the semester;
2. 25% is due on Day #30;
3. 25% is due on Day #60; and
4. 25% is due on Day #90 of the semester.
Physical Check: Payable to Bethlehem College & Seminary.
ACH: payable on the Populi student portal (Finance tab).
Credit Card**: payable on the Populi student portal (Finance tab). Note: all credit card transactions for tuition and fees are assessed a 1.5% convenience fee.
*Only tuition charges are eligible for the four-payment options. All other charges (logos, etc.) are due on the designated “Due Date”.
Tuition and Payment Plans—Connie Kopischke (Registrar & Bursar)
Classes and Transfer Credits—Connie Kopischke (Registrar & Bursar)
Orientation, Schedule, Location—Dr. Chris Bruno (Site Coordinator)
Logos Bible Software—Sarah Todd (Academics Admin.)
Access to the Bethlehem College & Seminary Online Library Catalog is available to anyone without login 24/7. Online databases on EBSCO-host are only accessible via the link on the homepage of the online catalog. Free web resources have been gathered on the main Bethlehem College & Seminary website on the Research Resources page.
The Bethlehem College & Seminary Library staff are available to provide assistance to library users in finding a certain item or information and instruction on using the library’s online catalog and electronic databases. Students can contact the Bethlehem College & Seminary librarian by email. Appointments for research assistance may be made with the librarian.
Please contact the library with any questions at [email protected]
All Bethlehem students have access to our library services, in addition to the Logos package and BibleArc.
Bethlehem students are eligible for Apple education discounts. Visit the Apple Educational Store for more information.
Dear Incoming Students,
We are thankful for you and rejoice that God has graciously led you through the application process! I want to be one of the first welcome you to the Bethlehem College & Seminary Rochester Extension. It is my hope and prayer that the next few years prove to be rewarding and full of growth as you seek to know and love Christ deeper. Whether you plan to remain in the Rochester area, or to serve the church throughout the world, my prayer for you is that this will be a significant time of equipping, that is used by God to help “present you mature in Christ” (Colossians 1:28).
I trust that this webpage will give you the basic information needed to prepare for the upcoming semester. However, if you have any questions, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. I am excited to continue this journey with you, and I look forward to seeing what God will do in your lives.
Blessings,
Dr. Rocky Coleman
Coordinator of the Rochester Extension Site
Turn in the following to the Registrar by August 1, 2020. Forms are hyperlinked below.
The 2020–2022 tuition rate for the B.Th. program is $205 per credit.
The 2020–2022 tuition rate for the M.A. program is $350 per credit.
Logos Technology Fee – $300
Students have two payment options for tuition* (by semester only):
Lump Sum Option: Due no later than first day of each semester
Four-Payment Option:
1. 25% of the total tuition amount due no later than Day #1 of the semester;
2. 25% is due on Day #30;
3. 25% is due on Day #60; and
4. 25% is due on Day #90 of the semester.
Physical Check: Payable to Bethlehem College & Seminary.
ACH: payable on the Populi student portal (Finance tab).
Credit Card**: payable on the Populi student portal (Finance tab). Note: all credit card transactions for tuition and fees are assessed a 1.5% convenience fee.
*Only tuition charges are eligible for the four-payment options. All other charges (logos, etc.) are due on the designated “Due Date”.
Tuition and Payment Plans—Connie Kopischke (Registrar & Bursar)
Classes and Transfer Credits—Connie Kopischke (Registrar & Bursar)
Orientation, Schedule, Location—Dr. Chris Bruno (Site Coordinator)
Logos Bible Software—Sarah Todd (Academics Admin.)
Access to the Bethlehem College & Seminary Online Library Catalog is available to anyone without login 24/7. Online databases on EBSCO-host are only accessible via the link on the homepage of the online catalog. Free web resources have been gathered on the main Bethlehem College & Seminary website on the Research Resources page.
The Bethlehem College & Seminary Library staff are available to provide assistance to library users in finding a certain item or information and instruction on using the library’s online catalog and electronic databases. Students can contact the Bethlehem College & Seminary librarian by email. Appointments for research assistance may be made with the librarian.
Please contact the library with any questions at [email protected]
All Bethlehem students have access to our library services, in addition to the Logos package and BibleArc.
Bethlehem students are eligible for Apple education discounts. Visit the Apple Educational Store for more information.
Flying into the U.S.
When you arrive in the U.S., you will be asked to present the following documents at customs, so do not put them in your checked baggage.
When planning for arrival, make sure to bring sufficient funds to pay your immediate expenses, such as a security deposit for rent, two months’ room and board, phone and electricity charges, and, possibly, the purchase of warm clothing.
What to Bring
What to Purchase in the U.S.
Climate
In the winter, temperatures in Minneapolis can reach as low as -20 degrees, although a more common range is between -10 and +20 degrees. The summers in Minneapolis average highs of the mid 80s. To prepare yourself for the winter months, be sure you have sufficient clothing for cold temperatures such as warm coats and boots.
Schooling for Children
Most children in Minneapolis attend the local public school assigned to their home address. However, the following is a list of other schools in the area that Bethlehem families have sent their children to:
Driver’s License
Since you will be in the U.S. for several years, you will need to get a Minnesota driver’s license. You will be required to take a written test and a driving test in order to transfer your current license to Minnesota. Transfer your driver’s license within 60 days of moving to Minnesota. To do this, follow the instructions on this helpful website (note, this is NOT an official DMV site). We highly recommend taking a practice test before attempting to take the written test (see here for example).
You will be required to show two forms of identification including your passport with the unexpired I-94 form, and either a social security card or certified birth certificate.
Housing
Please visit the Bethlehem College & Seminary housing site for assistance finding housing near Bethlehem. You may also coordinate with your support family for help finding housing in the area.
Justice Department of Immigration and Naturalization Service (St Paul Field Office)
Immigration and Naturalization
2901 Metro Drive, Suite 100
Bloomington, MN 55425
By appointment only. To schedule an appointment visit: www.uscis.gov –Click on “Make an Appointment”
‘Ask Immigration Information’ phone number: 800.375.5283
Health Insurance
To apply for health insurance for you and your family, go to International Student Health Insurance to find a plan that works for you. Begin by entering your information underneath “Find plans that best fit your needs” on the right side of the page and proceed to apply once you choose a plan. You can also email [email protected] if you have questions regarding insurance. Know that you are free to choose whatever insurance that works for you. Bethlehem College & Seminary does not require you to have a specific insurance plan.
Below are a few options to help you choose your health insurance:
International Student Insurance (ISO)
To be eligible for ISO, one must have a Valid F-1 Visa, I20, and be a full time student. A social security number is not required to obtain this insurance. Fill in your information from this page to find a plan that best fits your needs. You can create an account on this website and submit your forms there can enroll for a minimum of 3 months to 1 year.
MnSure
You must have a social security number in order to enroll for MnSure. You will need to enroll in a different health insurance (that is not MnSure) starting on your arrival date in the U.S. and continuing through December 31. In the end of fall semester, you and your family will be able to enroll in health insurance through MnSure effective January 1st. By this time you will need to have obtained a social security number which is necessary to apply for insurance through this MnSure. You will continue to enroll in insurance through MnSure for the duration of your time at Bethlehem College & Seminary.
Health History Form/Immunizations
Minnesota law requires all students to be immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria. Complete the required forms and be sure to turn them in to the registrar’s office when you arrive in Minneapolis. These forms can be found on the new student site.
Tuberculosis
Most international students are required to complete a Tuberculosis (TB) screening the first week they arrive at Bethlehem. If students have ever been diagnosed or treated for TB, they should bring copies of all associated medical records.
Employment in the U.S.
International students with an F-1 visa are only legally allowed to work on their school’s campus. First, you must apply for a position working for Bethlehem College & Seminary. Once you have been chosen for a position, you will need to apply for a social security card in order to get hired. Available positions are limited and Bethlehem cannot guarantee employment for any students. Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
Obtaining a Social Security Number
You may apply for a Social Security Number once you have been hired at Bethlehem College & Seminary. Please contact Bethlehem College & Seminary Human Resources for information on employment and detailed instructions for obtaining a Social Security Number.
Bank Accounts
It is recommended that students have a bank account in Minnesota. While banks may ask for a social security number, you are not required to have a social security number in order to have a bank in the U.S. You will need to show some form of ID such as a passport. Banks near Bethlehem include:
Filing Taxes
You will be required to file taxes by April 15 if you earned money in the U.S. during the following year.
Note that funds from the Alex Steddom Fund are taxable for what is not applied to “qualified education expenses.” See IRS Publication 970: Tax Benefits for Education for more information.
The following is a list of ways to get involved in the Bethlehem community:
