Accounting and Finance Degrees Offered at Gardner-Webb University
Gardner-Webb University appears in our ranking of the Top 50 Most Affordable Online MBA in Finance Degree Programs.
Gardner-Webb University (GWU) offers bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting and finance with both online and on-campus modalities available. The undergraduate programs are part of the Broyhill Undergraduate School of Management and require students to initially complete 12 core business classes before moving into their majors. This series includes Accounting I and II, Legal Environment of Business, and Business Strategy as well as introductory classes in statistics, marketing, and management. For the accounting major, there are eight additional required classes including a 3-credit-hour internship class. The economics/finance major offers more flexibility with only three required courses, Operations Management, Financial Management II, and an internship. Students can then tailor the program to their specific interests by choosing five out of 17 electives. The internship requirement is part of the university-wide Professional Readiness Experience (PRE) program. Students have the option of substituting a research project, study abroad semester, service-learning project, or leadership experience as long as it is pre-approved by an adviser.
While the above bachelor’s programs are only available on campus, there are two related online undergraduate degrees offered through the Greater Opportunities for Adult Learners (GOAL) – Degree Completion Program which is available to students who have already completed an associate’s degree. Students have the same requirements as the above accounting track, but only the upper-level classes are available through this program. While there is not a GOAL program in the economics/finance major, a Wealth and Trust track is available both on-campus and online. Again, students must have an associate’s degree before enrolling. The courses for this degree involve financial, estate, retirement, and investment planning along with the PRE course, Tax Planning Capstone in Financial Planning. Upon graduation, students are eligible for Certified Financial Planner certification.
The Master of Accountancy program is only offered online through the Graduate School of Business and requires 30 credit hours. There are five core classes that all students take including Advanced Auditing, Accounting Theory and Practice, and Government and Not-For-Profit Accounting. Students then choose three courses from one of the accounting specialties, taxes, forensics, or general studies, as well as two business electives. Graduates from the MAcc program meet the educational requirements to take the Certified Public Accounting examination. The other related graduate degree, the Brinkley Financial Group Master of Wealth and Trust Management, is offered either on-campus or online with the exception of two in-person evening courses at the Charlotte campus and two summer online classes. Students take a total of 10 classes focusing on topics in taxation, financial planning, and risk management. This program also culminates in a capstone project that demonstrates mastery in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a steady growth rate of 10 percent for accounting and finance careers at least until 2026.
About Gardner-Webb University
Located in the western part of North Carolina, in the town of Boiling Springs, Gardner-Webb University has undergone many transformations since its inception as a private high school in 1905. What has not changed, though, is the school’s connection to the Baptist church and its commitment to instilling Christian values in its students. While once focusing on teaching and religious education, today, there are 60 undergraduate majors and over 35 graduate programs across a variety of disciplines. Between satellite locations in Charlotte, Statesville, Hickory, and Winston-Salem and the main campus, total enrollment is over 4300 students. GWU’s Impact Center for Christian Ethics and Social Responsibility plans activities on campuses including opportunities for community service, Creation Care projects incorporating Christian principles in environmental issues, and social entrepreneurship workshops.
Gardner-Webb University Accreditation Details
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges reviews post-secondary schools in the southwestern region of the United States. During routine evaluations, the commission studies all aspects of these schools including the quality of education, student support system, the expertise of faculty, organizational structure, financial viability, and overall sustainability. Gardner-Webb University continues to meet these standards and has remained accredited since 1948 with its next re-certification scheduled for 2027. In addition, specific degree programs in the School of Business, including the accounting and finance programs listed above, are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs. This certifies that, upon graduation, students are adequately prepared for careers in the field.
Gardner-Webb University Application Requirements
Freshmen applicants to GWU need to complete the online application and send official high school transcripts as well as ACT or SAT scores. The average scores for students admitted in 2018 consisted of a GPA of 3.72, SAT of 1015, and 22 ACT composite. While international students must pay a $100 application fee, this is completely waived for U.S. residents. Admission to the GOAL degree completion programs requires at least 48 hours of transferable credit with a minimum GPA of 2.0. There are prerequisite coursework requirements for the accounting and wealth and trust GOAL programs, and students are advised to have their transcripts reviewed by admissions counselors before applying. For the graduate programs, students must submit the online application and $40 fee, transcripts documenting completion of a bachelor’s degree, and a professional resume. Students with an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 as well as those with a GPA above 2.5 plus three years of relevant work experience do not need to submit test scores. All other applicants who have at least a 2.25 GPA can qualify for admission with a GMAT (or converted GRE) score of 450.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Traditional undergraduate students pay tuition at a flat rate of $15,610 per semester for course loads between 10 and 18 credit hours in addition to a $120 student activities fee. Undergraduate GOAL degree completion tuition is $435 per credit hour with a $35 charge for each online course. Graduate students in the Master of Accountancy program can expect to pay $567 per hour with Wealth and Trust Management grad students paying $705. Every undergraduate student is automatically considered for six scholarships and grants based on GPA and test scores. The School of Business also offers a few department-specific scholarships at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. All students are encouraged to contact the financial planning office at Gardner-Webb University, so staff can review financial aid options and answer any other questions.
