Overview

The College of Adult & Professional Studies accepts transfer credit based on the source of credit, level of credit, and grade earned.

Credit is acceptable from institutions that have institutional accreditation as approved by the U.S. Department of Education and comparably accredited international institutions of higher education. Credit from any other institution will be accepted only when there is an officially approved transfer articulation agreement with the institution, or when approved as Prior Learning Credit. Coursework must be designated by the originating institution as freshman-level or higher.

Courses in which the student received a grade of D or higher will be accepted for transfer. With limitations, grades of CR (Credit), P (Pass), and S (Satisfactory) are acceptable. When grades are transcripted as percentages only, grades must be 70% or higher. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale on all academic work accepted in transfer. 

Some degree programs require a higher cumulative GPA on all academic work accepted in transfer, or a higher minimum grade for particular courses. Such requirements can be obtained from a student's enrollment counselor. 

Courses accepted in transfer must be relevant or equivalent to courses required for the student’s program of study at Bethel. CAPS broadly evaluates the relevancy or equivalency of transfer courses in light of its deep integration of the liberal arts and high quality professional education.

Transfer Levels

When a student enrolls as a degree-seeking student, a transfer level is assigned and general education requirements are determined and may not be modified unless at least two years have elapsed during which no courses have been taken at Bethel.

Students holding institutionally accredited Associate of Arts (A.A.) or Bachelor’s degrees, participating in a Bethel Post Secondary Enrollment Option (PSEO) program, or transferring completed Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MNTC) programs, are not categorized according to these numerical levels.

Prior Learning Assessment

A maximum of 30 combined CAPS undergraduate credits for prior learning assessment (PLA) may be awarded through the options described below. Credit earned through PLA is identified on the transcript as Prior Learning Assessment Credit and is eligible for elective credit only (not to fulfill the requirements of any major, minor, or certificate), unless otherwise stated in the options below.

Completion of the Bethel Distinctives and program-determined residency requirements for the degree cannot be fulfilled by any PLA option listed in this policy.

PLA Options:

1. Organizations with Formal Agreements

Students in CAPS academic programs that have formal agreements with non-accredited collegiate organizations or institutions may earn PLA credit for completing training at these organizations, as identified within the formal agreements. 

If a formal agreement does not exist, students may petition Bethel to evaluate the possibility of a new formal PLA transfer agreement with a non-accredited collegiate or para-college institution or organization. If an agreement is established, students may earn credit (retroactively, if applicable) for completing training as described within the formal agreement.

2. ACE-approved Training

Many career fields offer non-collegiate-sponsored training courses, examinations, or certifications. Students may earn PLA credit for completing such training that has been recommended for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE). 

Students may have their training evaluated by the Registrar’s Office for potential credit by submitting appropriate documentation to the College of Adult and Professional Studies. Credit earned through this option is eligible to meet any CAPS requirement, with PD review and approval, as requested by the Registrar’s Office. Exceptions to this include Bethel distinctives, program-determined residency requirements, capstone courses and 400 level courses; these requirements cannot be met through ACE-recommended PLA credit.

3. Other Non-Collegiate College-Level Learning

The training courses, examinations or certifications from a non-collegiate institution or organization in which no formal agreement exists, and which are not recognized by ACE, may, at the program director’s discretion, be considered for formal evaluation by the Registrar’s Office under the following circumstances:

• Students must submit to the College of Adult and Professional Studies, a comprehensive official description of the training course, examination or certification, which includes digital verification or contact information for the sponsoring organization, the format and content of the learning, estimated length of time to completion, and the standards for successful completion.  

• Additional information may be required by the Registrar’s Office or program director as part of the review and approval process. 

• The Registrar’s Office, in consultation with the program director, must approve the learning for PLA credit.

• Upon PD review based on Bethel course objectives, full credit (not partial) may be approved toward fulfilling a specific Bethel course requirement. The PD reserves the right to deny application of any PLA work toward Bethel course requirements.

• Students are awarded credits upon the successful completion of training courses, examinations, or certifications. Students must submit a verified certificate of completion, official transcript or examination score report to the College of Adult and Professional Studies as proof of that completion.