Students whose undergraduate coursework or degree is in a field related to their seminary studies may seek advanced standing. Advanced standing allows students to take one advanced course as a substitution for a required course for which advanced standing was granted. The advanced course must be in the subject area in which advanced standing was granted and must be taken at Bethel Seminary; transferred courses cannot be used. Advanced standing is not a means to reduce the credits or time required to complete a degree at Bethel Seminary. It provides the student with a better educational experience by reducing the repetition of course content acquired in the student’s prior learning. To be eligible for advanced standing, students must contact their student success advisor and apply for faculty approval of their prior coursework.

Students who have completed Greek language courses before entering the seminary will take an examination covering basic vocabulary, morphology, and elementary syntax to determine readiness for entrance into New Testament exegetical courses. Students who pass the Greek qualifying examination will then receive advanced standing in the Elementary Greek courses and will be able to select other courses in place of the basic language courses.

Students who have completed an approved Bethel bachelor-to-master’s undergraduate degree can apply for advanced standing with credit waiver. If approved, this will reduce the number of overall credits needed to obtain a master’s degree. Advanced standing with credit waiver is only available for designated courses in bachelor degree programs with which Bethel Seminary has a partnership approved by the Academic Programs Committee. The process for receiving the credit waiver through the approved bachelor-to-master's program is initiated during the admission process.