Dear Incoming Students,
On behalf of the faculty of Bethlehem College and Seminary, I would like to extend a sincere word of welcome to you. We rejoice that God has led you through the Bethlehem College and 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 and 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
President
Non-Traditional Orientation | August 19, 6:30–8:30pm (Dinner will be provided.) | The North Church
Traditional Orientation | August 20, 9am–3pm (Continental breakfast begins at 8:30am) | Bethlehem Baptist Church
Welcome Picnic | August 20, 5pm–Sunset
College Retreat | August 21–22
M.Div. Retreat (Telling God’s Story) | August 21–22
CityVision Tour | August 23
Paying your deposit by May 1 guarantees your spot in the incoming cohort. You can pay your deposit here.
Download, complete, and return to the registrar by August 1, 2024. 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 2024 classes.
Please RSVP for Orientation by August 2. Non-Traditional students can RSVP here. Traditional students can RSVP here.
Membership in a local church is a vital part of Christian life and is essential to Bethlehem College and Seminary’s model as a church-based institution. Traditional college and seminary students are required to become members of Bethlehem Baptist Church, The North Church, or a local partner church (see map below). Students who desire to pursue or maintain membership in another biblically faithful church during their studies may request an exemption from the school’s administration. Contact the Registrar’s office for a church membership petition.
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 bachelor’s and master’s tuition rate for 2024–2025 is $250/credit. Incoming Freshmen take 16 credits in the fall semester and 16 in the spring semester.
The 2024–2025 tuition rate for the M.Div. program is $275 per credit.
The 2024–2025 tuition rate for the Th.M. program is $275 per credit + $600 dissertation defense fee.
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 and 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 2.5% convenience fee (the increase from 1.5% to 2.5% is effective July 1, 2022.
*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 and 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 and 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 and Seminary has adopted the Community Declaration, found in the student handbook, to guide all Bethlehem College and 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.
Beginning Greek 1 (all Yr 1 M.Div., unless the student tested out before the start date) | Begins July 8
Orientation | August 20
Telling God’s Story (M.Div. Retreat) | August 21–22
Freshman Move-In | August 19
Orientation | August 20
Freshman Retreat (Undergrad) | August 21–22
Orientation | August 19
Welcome Picnic | August 20
Fall Classes Begin | August 26
Fall Break | November 14–15
Thanksgiving Break | November 25–29
Fall Finals Week | December 16–20
Spring Classes Begin | January 13
The academic calendar for traditional students is available here. The non-traditional program schedule will be available June 1.
The fall class schedule will be available in August 2024.
The Fall 2024 non-traditional program schedules will be available by August and handed out at orientation. Both cohorts meet on Monday evenings from 6–10pm.
The 2023–2024 Student Handbook is included here for your perusal. You will receive a copy of the 2024–2025 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 and 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 and 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 once the deposit have been paid.
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 and 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 and 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 and Seminary with a grade ‘C’ or better.
Acceptance of CLEP and AP Scores. Students enrolled in undergraduate programs at Bethlehem College and 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 and 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.
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 Bethany Briggs 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. Please refer to the website for various activities for changes.
Ordering your Bethlehem College and 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 and 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 and 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 summertime. 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 locals for tips on what you need most and 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.
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 and 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 and 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 Barbara Jackson at [email protected] if you have questions regarding insurance. Know that you are free to choose whatever insurance that works for you. Bethlehem College and 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 and 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 into 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 and 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 very limited and Bethlehem cannot guarantee employment for any student. Contact Bethany Briggs at [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 and Seminary. Please contact Bethlehem College and 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:
Other like-minded churches in the area can be found here.
