Bethel College Business Department Suspends Accounting Concentration
Bethel College’s Business Department has announced the immediate suspension of its accounting concentration, citing ongoing faculty hiring challenges, declining enrollment, and concerns over the quality of online course delivery. The decision, outlined in an email from Business Department Chair Dr. Allison McFarland, will take effect in the 2025-2026 academic year, marking a significant shift for the department and raising concerns about the future of accounting education at Bethel.
The accounting concentration was first introduced in 2012 following the approval of a dedicated faculty position and the addition of five specialized accounting courses. Initially, the program was supported by a full-time professor, but for the past six years, it has relied on adjunct instructors and temporary one-year appointments. During the current academic year, all accounting courses have been taught online, a practice McFarland acknowledged as “not best practice for the business department.”
Despite repeated attempts to secure a full-time faculty member, the search has proven unsuccessful for three consecutive years. “Many candidates need employment sponsorship because they are not U.S. citizens, others do not possess the academic qualifications required by our accreditation agency, and the remaining candidates often withdraw their application after considering Bethel’s salary schedule,” McFarland explained. The lack of qualified and willing candidates ultimately contributed to the decision to discontinue the concentration.
Alongside faculty hiring difficulties, low enrollment in elective accounting courses played a role in the program’s suspension. As a result, the only accounting course that will remain is ACC 252: Principles of Accounting, which is a required course for all business majors. To improve the quality of instruction, the department is making an effort to hire an adjunct instructor who will teach ACC 252 in person. Additionally, the course is expected to be moved to an evening schedule next fall to accommodate potential instructors with daytime obligations.
The change directly impacts three current students pursuing the accounting concentration, and both the Registrar’s Office and the business department have committed to helping them complete their degrees. However, students who have only completed ACC 252 will be required to select a different concentration within the business program.