The student-advisor relationship is an important aspect of the Bethany education. Although students are responsible for understanding Bethany’s curriculum, knowing the requirements for graduation from Bethany, and recognizing their progress toward fulfilling all requirements, students and advisors work together to determine and schedule classroom and experience- based academic activities appropriate for individual students.
First-Year Seminar instructors serve as advisors for entering students and for other students who have not yet officially selected a major. All students are encouraged to discuss their academic plans with a faculty member from their intended major department as soon as they have decided what that department is to be. Students must declare a major before the end of the second semester of the sophomore year; at that time, they are assigned formally to an advisor from the chosen department.
There are also special advisors to assist students with specific academic activities, such as fulfilling particular requirements, preparing for specific careers, and planning for applying to graduate and professional school programs. A list of special advisors appears in the directory section of this Catalogue.