Undergraduate Studies
The Bethany Plan
The Bethany Plan
A Great Future, Bethany will take you there.
That’s what we do.
Bethany College offers a distinctive academic experience shaped by close faculty engagement, a strong sense of community, and a learning environment where students are known, supported, and challenged to grow.
If you are looking for a place where academic focus meets connection and opportunity, Bethany offers an experience designed to help you build your future with intention.
The Bethany Plan Experience
Bethany is on the rise, and something uniquely special is happening here. You are invited to be a part of this extraordinary journey that dares you to follow your own trail while embracing your individuality as a Bethanian. By choosing Bethany, you choose an institution that celebrates boldness, uniqueness, and authenticity. You join a community that will support and challenge you, taking you to new heights and empowering you to change the world.
The Bethany Plan is the foundation of a Bethany education, guiding students through a four-year experience built around connection, critical thinking, communication, and personal growth. Beginning with a faculty-guided first-year experience, students develop the skills needed to succeed in college while becoming connected to the Bethany community. Throughout their academic journey, students apply their learning through major-specific capstone projects, internships, and hands-on experiences that prepare them for their futures.
The experience culminates with Bethany’s signature Senior Comprehensive Exams, a tradition that challenges students to demonstrate their knowledge, growth, and readiness for what comes next. Bethany is one of the few institutions requiring both written and oral comprehensive examinations, allowing students to reflect on their academic journey and demonstrate the depth of their learning within their chosen field.
Academic Experience at Bethany
The foundation of a Bethany education is its classical liberal arts curriculum, which provides the foundation for lifelong learning in a changing world. You’ll have opportunities to tailor your academic path to your interests and create a plan of study that reflects your goals.
Bethany offers more than 30 majors and minors, giving students space to explore academic interests while building a strong foundation for future study and careers.
The Bethany Difference in Learning
Bethany’s academic environment is shaped by direct access to faculty and consistent academic engagement across every program.
With a 12:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students receive focused attention in and out of the classroom. Faculty know students by name, understand their goals, and stay involved in their progress throughout their time at the College.
This structure creates room for deeper conversation, stronger feedback, and more meaningful academic development.
Academic Pathways
Bethany students take part in experiences that connect academic study with real-world application, including internships, study opportunities, and structured pathways into professional and graduate programs.
These opportunities help students apply classroom learning in practical settings and build experience that supports long-term goals.
Partnerships
Bethany College offers academic partnerships that expand opportunities for students pursuing careers in healthcare, law, education, and related fields.
These pathways provide additional opportunities for advanced study and professional preparation while building on a Bethany education.
Senior Comprehensive Exams
The peak of the Bethany College experience is undoubtedly the Senior Comprehensive Examination. Known as “Comps,” this time-honored tradition brings together students, family, faculty, and friends in eager anticipation. As the last week of the semester arrives, the campus resonates with chants of “let them out,” signifying the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
Comprehensive exams at Bethany College evoke a mix of emotions among upperclassmen Bethanians. The weight of the upcoming challenge brings about feelings of excitement, but the knowledge that it marks the pinnacle of their academic journey fills them with exhilaration.
One notable aspect that sets Bethany apart is its unique approach to comprehensive exams. Unlike many other undergraduate institutions, Bethany embraces these exams to assess students’ understanding of their subjects and their overall qualitative accomplishment. The exams serve as a testament to the student’s mastery of their chosen fields and provide a sense of self-confidence and achievement.
Comprehensive exams are divided into two days of written assessments, followed by a one-hour oral examination where a panel of faculty members evaluates the student’s knowledge and proficiency. This comprehensive evaluation ensures that students have truly absorbed the knowledge and skills necessary to excel in their respective areas of study.
As the confetti-ridden sidewalks fill with excitement, the culmination of the Bethany education becomes apparent. Comprehensive exams not only signify the end of an academic journey but also serve as a symbol of the journey’s fulfillment. These exams, dreaded and celebrated alike, leave an unforgettable mark on each senior Bethanian, shaping their sense of accomplishment and paving the way for a future filled with self-assurance and confidence.
Ready to Explore Your Academic Path?
Join a community where you’ll learn, grow, and follow your trail at Bethany College.
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