Gardner-Webb University

Gardner-Webb University Counseling and Psychology Degree Programs

This school appears in our ranking of the Top 25 Most Affordable Master’s Degrees in Counseling in the South.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Gardner-Webb University prepares students for careers dealing with human behavior with a focus on studying and analyzing behavior in humans. Students develop an understanding of theories in psychology, including developmental stages and adolescent adjustment. In addition to psychology skills, students learn APA style writing, working with statistics and how to design experiments. Courses that may be required for the program include:

• Adolescent Psychology
• Biological Psychology
• Child Psychology
• Crisis Intervention Counseling
• Developmental Psychology
• Educational Psychology
• Family Communication
• General Psychology
• Human Behavior in Organizations
• Introduction to Counseling
• Introduction to Philosophy or Introduction to Logic
• Introduction to Statistics
• Positive Psychology
• Psychological Measurement and Appraisal
• Psychology of Aging
• Psychology of the Exceptional Student
• Psychology of Learning
• Psychology of Personality
• Psychology of Religion
• Psychopathology
• Research Methods
• Scientific Writing and Professional Development
• Social Psychology
• Sport Psychology

School Counseling

The Master of Arts in School Counseling degree program at Gardner-Webb University provides students with the tools they need to become counselors in a school setting. Students gain an understanding of history, philosophy, critical thinking and decision-making. Students are also provided an understanding of ethics as it pertains to managing issues in an educational setting. The program is 60 credits and includes a practicum and internship.

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling provides students with the theoretical, technical and experiential training necessary for leadership roles in mental health counseling. Students are prepared to assist a diverse group of clients. The program emphasizes counseling theory and practice, critical thinking and an examination of personal values and what impact they will have on clinical practice. The program is 60 credits and students must complete a practicum as well as an internship.

About Gardner-Webb University

Gardner-Webb University was the vision of the Kings Mountain Baptist Association, a group that was later joined by another Baptist organization, Sandy Run. The school began as Boiling Springs High School The school was chartered in 1905 with a mission to provide educational advantages with a Christian focus to young people in the area. In 1928, the school was renamed Boiling Springs Junior College to meet the changing educational needs of the surrounding area.

Governor O. Max Gardner worked tirelessly to strengthen the college after the Great Depression took its toll. His efforts to add new buildings and improve the school led to another name change in honor of the Fay Webb Gardner, his wife, as well as the governor and their family. After World War II, enrollment grew rapidly as soldiers returned home to take advantage of the GI Bill. In 1993, the school gained university status and was renamed Gardner-Webb University.

Today, there are close to 4,000 students enrolled at Gardner-Webb University. It is still a Baptist university with programs including a strong Christian focus. Gardner-Webb has achieved Doctoral University status with the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The curriculum ranks in the top two percent of the United States to earn an “A” grade in an American Council of Trustees and Alumni study of more than 1,100 colleges and universities.

Gardner-Webb University Accreditation Details

Gardner-Webb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation demonstrates that the school undergoes periodic voluntary reviews by the Commission to confirm that the programs offered meet the organization's criteria for high-quality education. The education program is accredited by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction while the music programs are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. Nursing programs are accredited by the Commission for Education in Nursing, Inc. and the School of Divinity is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. The Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education accredits the Athletic Training Program and the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs accredits the business programs at Gardner-Webb. Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs.

Gardner-Webb University Application Requirements

High school students who have not earned college credit after graduating high school should complete an online application and submit official high school transcripts as well as official SAT or ACT scores. Students who have earned college credit after high school graduation must complete an application and submit official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended. Students who have completed less than 16 credits must also submit official high school transcripts as well as official ACT or SAT scores.

Graduate programs have different application requirements depending on the program chosen. For the School of Psychology and Counseling, students must complete either an online or paper application and pay a fee. Students must provide an official transcript from all colleges and universities attended as well as official GRE scores. They also must provide three professional references and may be required to provide a North Carolina Teacher’s license. Students applying for the Mental Health Counseling program must provide a criminal background check for the past five years from all states in which they were a resident.

Gardner-Webb Tuition and Financial Aid

Undergraduate tuition is $15,610 for full-time attendance or $496 per credit hour for part-time attendance. Graduate tuition varies depending on which programs the student chooses. The Master of Arts in Counseling programs are $480 per credit hour.

Financial Planning helps students and families manage the cost of tuition. Students must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and it must be renewed on an annual basis. Students may qualify for federal grants, such as the Federal Pell Grant or the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant. They may also qualify for the North Carolina Need-Based Scholarship Program. Work-study programs are also available to help offset the cost of tuition. Students may also use federal and private loans to pay for tuition, but it is important to remember that loans must be repaid while grants or scholarships do not.

Gardner-Webb University offers students several options if they are interested in psychology or counseling degree programs. All courses at Gardner-Webb University have a Christian focus which allows students to achieve their higher education goals while remaining true to their faith throughout their studies.