Extension Studies (BU-X)
Degrees and Programs
Students can choose from associate- or bachelor-level programs at a reduced cost per year, offered at local churches and organizations that are a Bethel University Extension location.
Program Options
After your site is up and running, you may wish to add new programs, increase available delivery types, and possibly, hire professors to teach face-to-face classes on site. Expanding your academic offerings is a great way to gain more interest at your site and create a vibrant student experience.
Bachelor’s Degrees
B.S. in Behavioral & Social Science
This program is designed for students with an interest and passion for helping people. It develops the skills needed for working in social service agencies, group homes, crisis centers, mental health agencies, religious organizations, extended care facilities and substance abuse centers. This degree would also position students to earn a master’s degree in counseling or social work.
B.A. in Business Administration
This degree is designed to provide students with the necessary tools to begin a career in business or to increase the skillset for those already working in a business setting. Students will choose a concentration area to expand their business knowledge and become more marketable in human resource management, non-profit management, health care administration or organizational leadership. All content is delivered through the lens of a Christian worldview to enable students to integrate faith in decision making to promote sound business ethics.
B.A. in Business Marketing
This program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to communicate effectively to target audiences, develop promotional materials and implement successful marketing strategies. With a comprehensive curriculum that features core business topics and specialized marketing coursework, the online Bachelor of Arts in Business Marketing features an emphasis on social media and the latest industry approaches. This program is an accelerated course of study, transfer-friendly, and can be completed in four years.
B.A. in Computer Science
The computer science degree program is primarily for traditional students interested in the areas of technology and software development. Students will be prepared to innovate, design and build computing systems at tech-driven companies.
B.A. in Cyber Security
This program is designed to train graduates to meet the cybersecurity needs of organizations in financial, educational, corporate and government settings. With a rigorous curriculum that provides a deep understanding of key topics in computer systems, cyberlaw, policy creation and compliance, it combines industry best practices with real-world application.
B.A. in Ministry Leadership
The degree is designed to offer a more robust general studies core to traditional-aged students while providing them with a cognate of Christian ministries-related courses and a series of church-based supervised ministry practicums. The goal of the degree is to foster students’ ability to think deeply and Christlike and to minister and communicate well in an increasingly diverse American context. As students engage in coursework, the goal is for them to experience deeper personal spiritual growth that will enable them to provide Christ-centered leadership to meet a variety of needs.
B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies
This innovative degree allows students to custom design their degree plan to better pursue unique avenues in their professional development. Rooted in liberal arts, the core curriculum gives students a comprehensive academic foundation through courses in communications, humanities, diversity and global awareness, social science, natural science and math, religion and philosophy and wellness. Beyond this core curriculum, students may structure their degree with up to three different concentration areas, depending on transfer credits and topics of interest.
B.A. in Worship Ministry Leadership
The Worship Ministry Leadership major prepares students for a career in leading worship ministry and creative arts in a local church. The major can be tailored to the particular interests of students in areas such as worship leadership, technology and media management, church operations, songwriting, or studio recording. Combined with a strong core of ministry leadership and biblical studies courses and regular practicums in a local church, this major is uniquely designed for students who prefer a practical degree that matches their personal skills and interests.
- Designed for students from all cultural and denominational backgrounds. Courses will provide students with a necessary, strong understanding of church administration.
- A subsidiary of Bethel University, HCM Records serves the new Worship Arts major. The CD project is part of the larger mission of the program, to help prepare men and women for professional leadership in church worship, Christian music and the creative arts. Anchor in the Undertow and Undone have been released under this label.
- Potential careers include working musician or worship leader. This degree will lead to a job, as there is a rising demand within churches for professional leadership at all levels within a worship program.
Associate Degrees
A.A. in Computer Science
The computer science degree program is primarily for traditional students interested in the areas of technology and software development. Students will be prepared to innovate, design and build computing systems at tech-driven companies.
A.A. General Studies
The foundation of the program is a Christ-centered liberal arts general education curriculum, which consists of a wide range of general studies from communications skills, humanities, diversity and global awareness, social science, natural science and math, Bible and religion. These courses serve as fulfilling most of the general studies requirements of any four-year degree. Students have the opportunity to individualize their education in order to achieve a balance between developing their known interest and exploring new subject areas. This associate of arts degree includes the opportunity to learn via a series of supervised practicums, if desired.
A.A. in Ministry Leadership
The degree is designed to offer a more robust general studies core to traditional-aged students while providing them with a cognate of Christian ministries-related courses and a series of church-based supervised ministry practicums. The goal of the degree is to foster students’ ability to think deeply and Christlike and to minister and communicate well in an increasingly diverse American context. As students engage in coursework, the goal is for them to experience deeper personal spiritual growth that will enable them to provide Christ-centered leadership to meet a variety of needs.
A.A. in Pre-Education Studies
This affordable degree track is a 2+2 program designed for students to complete the first two years at an extension site. After the initial two years, students will transition to finishing their education degree at Bethel University. The goal of the A.A. is to foster students’ ability to think deeply, give them appropriate exposure to a K-12 classroom, and prepare them to finish their bachelor’s degree in education. The degree is especially well-poised to appeal to students who have an interest in education, while allowing them experiences to determine their area of specialty within the field of education.