Scholarship affects undergraduate students enrolling in Bethel’s online or face-to-face Professional Studies programs
Clarksville, TN – Eligible soldiers and veterans enrolling in Bethel University’s College of Professional Studies undergraduate programs can now enjoy the benefits of a special scholarship opportunity, school officials announced today. The scholarship will be applied to all active-duty military and veterans who are eligible for the Department of Defense Tuition Assistance program (TA) or for the GI Bill through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
“The scholarship rate for the College of Professional Studies means that more military and veteran students will have the opportunity to obtain a respected bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited university,” says Military Advisor/School Certifying Official Sherry Lyle. “Bethel University is committed to honoring our military and veteran students. We see the sacrifices that they have made for our country, and we are honored to give back in the form of a quality education.”
Bethel University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) — the same accreditation as Vanderbilt, Austin Peay State University, and Belmont.
Michael Bryant, a military and veterans recruiter for Bethel’s College of Professional Studies who currently serves in the National Guard, says the length of Bethel’s classes, combined with the scholarship, makes Bethel particularly attractive to military students.
“Each class is just five weeks in length,” he said, “That’s huge, because if they are attending face-to-face classes and have a deployment or training, they can stick that class on the back-burner until their return. Many of our active-duty students taking online classes actually complete their coursework during down-time while deployed or training.”
Bethel University accepts ACE (American Council of Education) and military training credits, in addition to offering a Portfolio program that allows students to earn college credit for substantial and documented “life-learning.” Students also receive credit for prior learning from other regionally-accredited institutions. Credit granted for transfer courses is based on the evaluation of official transcripts issued directly by the credit-granting institution.
Kelly Sanders-Kelley, Executive Vice President of the College of Professional Studies, says that military students recognize the benefits of continuing education, and appreciate the thoughtful design of Bethel’s coursework.
“We have developed a program that is rigorous, relevant, and essential in today’s dynamic and competitive world — both in and out of the military,” Sanders-Kelley said. “In addition, Bethel is one of the oldest institutions of higher learning in the state of Tennessee,” she said. “Military students seeking to earn a degree are looking for a real campus and a rich history, but they also need significant flexibility. We’ve combined heritage and innovation in our degree programs, offering students the best of both worlds.”
Bethel University Registrar John Hinds – himself a military veteran — sees Bethel as an outstanding option for soldiers. “With our acceptance of military ACE and training credits, the length of undergraduate classes, and our new scholarship, there has never been a better time or place to complete a bachelor’s degree.”
Bethel University’s College of Professional Studies maintains satellite campuses in Clarksville, Nashville, Memphis, Jackson and Chattanooga, and offers both online and face-to-face business management classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To determine eligibility for Bethel’s tuition-reduction scholarship, log on to www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal.
For more information about Bethel University’s programs, call 1-877-4BETHEL, or log on to BethelSUCCESS.net. For specific information regarding enrollment procedures for eligible military students, contact Michael Bryant at bryantm@bethelu.edu.
