Requirements and Eligibility

The Studio for Vocation and Calling Career Commitment

Preparing for your career is a collaborative process that happens throughout your Bethel experience.

In addition to the knowledge and skills you gain in the classroom and through your academic program, you’ll engage in a series of intentional steps designed to help you explore career paths, clarify your goals, gain hands-on experience, and confidently launch into your next chapter after graduation. The Career Commitment outlines these steps, so you know exactly what to expect and how to stay on track.

Current students

The Bethel Career Commitment begins with the class of 2026. However, students with 60 or more credits at the start of the fall 2025 semester will only be eligible for the graduate credit support. Students with 59 or fewer credits at the start of fall 2025 will be eligible for both graduate credit support and transitional employment opportunities.

Your steps

After following these steps, eligible graduates who haven’t secured a job offer or grad school acceptance will have access to additional support. For most students, this means eight graduate credits at Bethel or, in some cases, a temporary full-time role at Bethel as determined by Bethel.

The following steps are designed to be completed in order and to build on each other. If you miss a step at the listed phase, you can make it up later, but all of Phases 1-4 must be finished before graduation and Phase 5 within six months after. Missing or delaying steps may limit your time to complete requirements and could affect your eligibility for post-graduation support. 

Phase 1: Explore

By the time you’ve completed 30 credits

  • Activate your Handshake account
  • Create a LinkedIn profile
  • Create a resume

Phase 2: Clarify

By the time you’ve completed 60 credits

  • Meet with a Career Development coach or attend a Career Development workshop
  • Conduct an initial informational interview
  • Attend an initial networking or Career Development-approved event

Phase 3: Engage

By the time you’ve completed 90 credits

  • Meet a second time with a Career Development coach or attend another Career Development workshop
  • Conduct a second informational interview
  • Participate in a mock interview
  • Attend at least two Career Development-approved events
  • Update your resume and LinkedIn profile

Phase 4: Launch

Before you graduate

  • Meet two more times with a Career Development coach
  • Conduct two more informational interviews
  • Attend at least two additional Career Development-approved events
  • Complete an experiential learning opportunity or internship
  • Apply for at least 20 jobs or at least four graduate programs

Phase 5: Post-graduation support for eligible alumni

Within 6 months of graduation

  • Monthly meeting with a career coach
  • Apply for at least 20 jobs per month, or apply to an additional six graduate school programs within six months of graduation.

To help you stay on track, you’ll have access to tools that make it easier to search, apply, and stay organized. With guidance from your career coach, you’ll focus your search on opportunities that fit your skills and goals.

Maintaining eligibility

To be eligible for support through the career commitment, you’ll need to complete Phases 1-4 before graduation and Phase 5 within six months after. Transfer students who enter Bethel with more than 30, 60, or 90 credits must still complete all phases at Bethel to remain eligible. In addition, you must:

  • Graduate with a bachelor’s degree and a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA
  • Be in good financial standing with the university
  • Meet requirements and pass any necessary licensure exams for your field (for example, NCLEX)
  • Have no criminal background that prevents employment in your chosen field (such as nursing or education)
  • Be legally eligible for employment in the U.S.
  • Be willing and able to meet any job or industry location requirements, including possible relocation

The career commitment

Eligible graduates who haven’t secured a job offer or graduate school acceptance within six months of graduation may receive one of the following, as determined by Bethel:

  • Graduate credit option. A tuition waiver for up to eight credits in select Bethel University graduate programs. Program availability may change, and to qualify you must apply in a timely manner and be accepted into an eligible program.
  • Temporary employment option. Full-time employment at Bethel University for approximately six months. Roles are based on the university’s staffing needs and may not align directly with your field of study. Pay and benefits depend on the position, current market conditions, and other relevant factors. To qualify, you must meet Bethel’s employment criteria and be able to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Career commitment benefits, eligibility requirements, and program details are subject to change at the discretion of Bethel University. Availability of benefits depends on meeting all requirements and on the university's capacity when the benefit is awarded.