Year 1
After you earn 15 semester credits, you’ll start your education courses. In the Introduction to Education course, you’ll complete a 30-hour field experience in a local classroom and apply to the Education Department. You can begin fall or spring semester. 

Years 2 and 3
You’ll continue taking education and content courses with ongoing field experiences in all programs.

Year 4
During your senior year, you’ll complete your student teaching in fall or spring semester. You’ll be placed with a local classroom teacher who will mentor you as you take responsibility for daily teaching. A Bethel University supervisor will also support you throughout this experience.

Elementary program
If you’re enrolled in the kindergarten-grade 6 elementary program, you will complete nearly 400 hours of field experiences in various classrooms. 

Grades 5-12 and kindergarten-grade 12 programs
If you’re in the grades 5-12 or kindergarten-grade 12 program, you’ll complete 100 hours of field experiences focused on the subject area you’ll be teaching. 

Partnerships
Bethel has partnerships with charter schools and local districts to give you more hands-on learning opportunities. Plus, through the Advancement Via Individual Determination (AVID) tutoring training program and other partnerships, you can earn compensation for your field placement hours.

Live Out Your Faith Through Community Engagement
As part of your program, you’ll complete a 25-hour community-engaged learning project by partnering with local organizations to provide tutoring and/or after-school care in underserved Twin Cities communities. Throughout the experience, you’ll engage in conversations surrounding the Christian call to seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly (Micah 6:8), especially within the context of education.

Experience Education and Culture Abroad
As a Bethel student, you have a variety of study abroad options during the month of January. You’ll live and learn in unique communities around the world, with the chance to take courses that focus on understanding education and culture in other countries.

Options include Exploring British Education and Culture (offered in January during odd years) and Modern Uganda (offered in January during even years), both of which include homestays and time spent in local schools.

At Bethel, your professors will take the time to get to know you and are personally invested in your success. From your first day, you’ll meet regularly each semester with your academic advisor, who will help guide you through your degree. Your advisor will be a faculty member with teaching experience and an advanced degree in teaching and learning.

You can also get involved with the Bethel Students Education Association, a student-led leadership team that hosts social events and brings in guest speakers from local schools to connect with both prospective and current students.

At Bethel, you’ll take methods courses focused on student-centered, culturally responsive teaching. You’ll also study the historical and systemic factors that impact student learning.

You’ll have opportunities to attend events where you can connect with education leaders, build your network, and meet potential employers—including a principal panel and Bethel Advance.