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Admissions

The requirements for student admission to Gardner- Webb Online include:

  1. Completion of an admission application;
  2. Submission of official transcripts from all colleges, universities, and any prior training institutions previously attended; and
  3. Submission of official transcripts from any institution attended during the interim if applying for readmission as a former student.

Applicants must have earned at least 24 hours of college credit; those with 48 or more transferable hours may be admitted without additional review. Applicants with fewer than 48 transferable hours will work with their assigned success coach in collaboration with the academic program leadership of the applicant’s chosen major program of study to produce a written curriculum plan establishing a clear path to graduation. Program-specific requirements for Birth to Kindergarten Education, Elementary Education, and RN to BSN are described in the applicable sections.

An applicant whose file is in the final stages of completion may be permitted to enroll in a first semester of study on the condition that the file be completed prior to registration for a second semester. Students who fail to complete their file by the end of the first semester of study may reapply for admission to the program once it is complete.

Due to the confidential nature of some items required for admission, the University reserves the right to reject any applicant without stating a reason.

Students may enter at the beginning of any semester or minimester. While there is no application deadline, typically two weeks are needed to complete the admissions process.

Non-Degree-Seeking Students

Classification as a “non-degree-seeking student” allows an adult learner who does not wish to pursue a degree or wishes to take a class for transient credit (i.e., if pursuing a degree elsewhere) to enroll in a Online Undergraduate Program course or courses for credit, provided course-level or major-level prerequisites are met. There is no maximum number of hours which may be accumulated as a non-degree-seeking student; however, if a degree is desired, official transcripts must be submitted for evaluation and an advisor assigned. Non-degree-seeking students must submit an application for admission. Non-degree-seeking students wishing to change their status to accepted in a degree program must follow the regular admissions process. Non-degree-seeking students are not eligible for financial aid.

International Students

In addition to the standard admissions/application procedures, international applicants must complete the steps listed below in order to be considered for admission to Gardner-Webb University.

  1. Proof of English proficiency in reading and writing must be provided. Test results from the following are accepted.
    1. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 500 (paper-based), 173 (computer-based), or 61 (internet-based)
    2. International English Language Test System (IELTS) with a minimum score of 5.0
    3. Duolingo with a minimum score of 95
    4. SAT or ACT scores may be used in lieu of TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo with minimum scores met
    5. Earned 24 credit hours at a U.S. university or community college with an earned grade of C or better in 6 hours of humanities or English Composition 1&2
    6. Earned degree from an accredited U.S. college
  2. Transcripts of college credit received from institutions outside the United States must first be submitted to World Education Services, Inc., (WES) or an approved similar evaluation service for a course-by-course evaluation before being submitted. Please email dcp@gardner-webb.edu for a complete list of evaluators. This must be done prior to enrollment at Gardner-Webb.

In addition to the items listed above, international applicants planning to study in the United States must submit the following documentation.

  1. Passport: A copy of a current passport is required as part of the admissions material.
  2. Visa Status: A copy of any current U.S. visa must be provided.
  3. Documents to Show Financial Responsibility: A copy of the most recent bank statement showing sufficient balance to cover financial support for first year of school is required. This can be the bank account of the prospective student, a family member, or other.
  4. International Student Information Form: Please submit this completed form with other admissions materials in order for the University to issue a Form I-20. The Form I-20 is necessary for an international applicant to apply for a student visa at the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate.
  5. International Students Transferring from Another U.S. Institution: Please submit the International Student Transfer Form, in addition to the International Student Information Form. Also, please submit copies of your current Form I-94, current Form I-20, and current student travel visa.

The visa status of students residing in the United States during the time of study will determine the availability of online and distance study. All students studying in the United States must follow the U.S. Department of Homeland Security regulations regarding online and distance courses. International students residing outside the United States are eligible for admission to fully online programs.

Additional information and international student forms may be obtained by emailing gradschool@gardner-webb.edu.

Second Baccalaureate Degree

A student who completes requirements for more than one major graduates from the University with only one baccalaureate degree. The diploma will show “Bachelor of Arts” or “Bachelor of Science” depending upon the area of the primary major. Students who return for further study at the baccalaureate level may add additional courses to their transcript or receive recognition for an additional major.

Normally, a student who wishes to pursue further study after receiving a baccalaureate degree will do so at the master’s or doctoral level. As an exception to this rule, a student may wish to pursue a second baccalaureate degree in a different field in order to qualify for a particular certificate or license for which the bachelor’s degree is the gateway credential. Students with a prior baccalaureate degree, whether from Gardner-Webb or another institution, may apply to the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program and, upon acceptance and successful completion, receive a second baccalaureate degree. Applications for admission into other baccalaureate programs by degree-seeking students who already hold a bachelor’s degree will require the approval of the Vice President for Enrollment Management and the Educational Policies and Standards Committee.