The Major
Each candidate for a baccalaureate degree must choose a major field of study. This selection must be made before entering the junior year. However, students in education, music, natural sciences, nursing, and world languages should begin their major in their first year. Requirements for each major are listed within each department or school.
The declaration of major form is completed and submitted online. Academic Advising processes the request and sends email notification to the dean or chair. The dean/chair assigns the student to an advisor within the school/department. The academic advising of all declared majors within the school/department is the responsibility of the dean/chair. This responsibility may be delegated to any faculty member within that school/department for that period of time which best serves the interest of the student.
A student may elect to complete more than one major. To do this the student meets the requirements of a primary major plus 30 credit hours or more in a secondary field as approved by the dean/chair of the secondary major. No course may be counted in both majors. A student graduating with a double major receives only one degree, that of the primary major. However, the transcript denotes both primary and secondary majors. A transfer student must complete at least one-half of the major(s) at Gardner-Webb.
Certain majors may require specific General Education courses. While a course may fulfill a requirement in both the General Education curriculum and the major field of study, credit hours for the course can only be counted toward one or the other. Prescribed General Education courses, as identified by the specific major, are typically prerequisites or provide foundational knowledge for advanced courses in the major. Taking them to fulfill General Education requirements provides the most efficient way to progress toward the completion of the degree. Consult with the school/department of the major to determine specific guidelines for General Education course selection.