College Catalogue 2024-2025

Bethany, a small college of national distinction, was founded March 2, 1840, by Alexander Campbell, who provided the land and funds for the first building and served as the first president. Now entering its 184th year, Bethany College is a highly contemporary institution based in the tradition of the liberal arts.

The College offers a wide array of studies, awarding bachelor of science and bachelor of arts degrees in more than 25 fields of study, many with options for emphasis. Students also may include one or more minors as part of their program.  The College also offers a Master of Arts in Teaching, a Master of Education, and a Master of Business Administration.

The College’s program of liberal arts education prepares students for a lifetime of work and a life of significance. Bethany places particular emphasis on leadership and incorporates pre-professional education in dentistry, engineering, law, medicine, physical therapy, public administration, theology, and veterinary medicine.

Bethany’s 1,100-acre campus is located in the northern panhandle of West Virginia in the foothills of the Allegheny Mountains. Pittsburgh is 39 miles to the northeast. A half-hour drive from the College are Wheeling, West Virginia; Washington, Pennsylvania; and Steubenville, Ohio.

Since its inception, Bethany has been a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This religious body, of which Campbell was one of the principal founders, continues to support and encourage the College, although it exercises no sectarian control. Students from virtually every religious community attend Bethany.

Bethany College is a non-profit institution. Tuition, fees, and other general charges paid by the student cover approximately two-thirds of the College’s instructional and operational expenses. The remainder comes from income from endowment funds, gifts and contributions, and miscellaneous revenues. Bethany continues to keep costs as low as possible.

Charges and fees stated on the following pages apply only to 2022-2023 academic year.

Awards are made by the President and by the Honors Committee in accordance with the requirements of a particular endowed fund. Each year, Bethany offers entering students its Presidential Scholars Program, Kalon Leaders Program, and College Honors Program. Participants vie for tuition grants that can be renewed for four years, regardless of financial need. Selection is based upon past leadership achievements, secondary school record, a required essay, references, and interviews by Bethany faculty, current students, and alumni.

Education at Bethany is an experience in integrated living and learning. The College community offers a wide variety of activities, and students are encouraged to participate in those which best complement their educational experiences. Many opportunities for leadership are available.

Bethany encourages mature and responsible citizenship by its students. The Bethany College Policy Manual, Vol. VII, Student Life Policies provides information that depicts the campus climate through statements of the College’s mission, goals, and objectives. The Bethany College Policy Manual, Vol. VII, Student Life Policies also explains policies, procedures, and community expectations.

Bethany College also participates in Dual Degree Masters Programs with Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University, for additional information see the section on the Dual Degree Programs in this Catalogue.

All provisions in this Catalogue are subject to change without prior notice.

Bethany College admits students of any race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, and national or ethnic origin to all of the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Bethany does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or nation or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic activities, or other school-administered programs.

In all matters related to employees and students, Bethany College does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, national origin, religious preference, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam-era veteran, documented disability, or infection with AIDS or associated diseases. Further, the College takes affirmative steps to recruit members of minority groups and women, and in accordance with federal law, it gives preference in employment matters to Vietnam-era veterans and physically-handicapped persons.

Bethany College will not tolerate the harassment of its employees. Any form of harassment related to an employee’s race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or documented disability is a violation of this policy and will be treated as a disciplinary matter. For these purposes, the term harassment includes, but is not necessarily limited to slurs, jokes, other verbal, graphic, or physical conduct relating to an individual’s race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, or physical or mental handicap. Harassment also includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, graphic, or physical conduct of a sexual nature.