Policies

Academic Policies

A minimum of thirty-six (36) hours of credit toward the M.Div. degree must be earned in the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University. These hours are exclusive of any hours gained through Credit By Examiniation (see below). The last twenty-four (24) hours must be earned consecutively at Gardner-Webb University unless the student obtains permission from the Dean of the School of Divinity.

Transfer of Credit

Graduate-level credits earned in institutions accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada (ATS), regional accreditation associations and/or recognized specialized agencies may be considered for transfer credit toward degree programs of students enrolled in the M.Div. program of the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University. Each course considered for transfer is required to have a grade of at least C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and must be substantially parallel to a School of Divinity requirement. All other requests for transfer of credit must have faculty approval.

Graduate-level credits earned at institutions outside the United States and Canada wil be evaluated on an individual basis. The evaluation will take into account the institution where the work was taken, the level of the work, and the grades earned.

Repeating Courses

Only courses with a grade of "D," "F," or "WF" may be repeated and then only once. When a course is repeated at the School of Divinity, only the higher grade is counted in computing the student's overall grade point average, although the lower grade remains on the official transcript.

Credit By Examination (CBE)

Applicants holding a baccalaureate degree or the equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university may be granted up to fifteen (15) hours of CBE credit toward their Master of Divinity degree.

Requirements for CBE credit:

1. Credit will be determined by a standardized examination in each course requested. The Associate Dean's office administers all exams. (Examinations are currently available in the following areas: Greek and Hebrew, Christian History, Old Testament , and New Testament.)
2. The applicant must (a) have completed an undergraduate course in the discipline attaining a minimum 3.0 on a 4.0 scale and (b) make a written request to the Associate Dean for an examination. The request and examination must precede the applicant's enrollment in subject areas where consideration for Credit by Examination is requested.
3. In no case will Credit by Examination be awarded during the student's final semester.
4. After successful completion of the examination(s), a fee of $150 per course, accompained by a memo from the School of Divinity Dean's office to the Registrar, must be paid to the Business Office before course credit will be given.
   
   

Attendance Requirements

The School of Divinity follows the University attendance policy requiring a minimum of 75% attendance of the scheduled class meetings. Failure to do so will result in loss of credit for the course. Professors may establish additional attendance requirements so long as they do not conflict with the 75% rule.

School of Divinity Student Association

All students who are enrolled in graduate studies in the School of Divinity at Gardner-Webb University are members of the School of Divinity Student Association (SDSA). The mission of the Student Association is to work in cooperation with the faculty and administration of the School of Divinity of Gardner-Webb University to develop and promote excellence in ministry education, innovation, and pace setting leadership in the Christian community in which all these students serve.

Campus Life

Students in the School of Divinity have access with their Student IDs to University athletic and cultural events. School of Divinity students are subject to the same rules and regulations as other University students.

Counseling Services

Counseling services are provided through the University's Office of Student Development.

For more information, email divinity@gardner-webb.edu
or call (800) 619-3761.