Searight Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)

    • /
    • /

    • Searight PACE is the Gardner-Webb University Professional and Continuing Education program.

    New 2026/2027 Programs

    pace social media thumb

    Freelance Social Media Management Program

    pace lean six sigma

    Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt

    pace mental health thumb

    Mental Health Counseling

    pace classical ed thumb

    Classical Education

    pace paralegal thumb

    Paralegal Certificate

    pace agribusiness thumb

    Agribusiness Entrepreneurship

    What is Searight PACE?

    Gardner-Webb University’s Searight Professional and Continuing Education program offers very specific, online and in-person courses to enhance the skill levels of professionals ranging from entry level to mid-management, executive, and beyond. The program offers courses in all disciplines.

    These courses provide you with real world capabilities, based on current trends and research, that will advance your career and improve your effectiveness. Open to everyone, you do not need to be a Gardner-Webb student to engage in these programs.

    The Searight PACE Program strives to provide industry-recognized credentials to help you improve your skills and advance your career. The Searight PACE team offers customized training for industry partners.

    Gardner-Webb employees, students, and alumni receive a 20% discount on all PACE programs. Payment plans are available. Certain programs are eligible for workforce funding.

    In-Person classes are held at the Charlotte Campus Center, unless otherwise noted. Programs must meet minimum enrollment to run.

    Register Now
    Contact Info

    Searight Professional and Continuing Education (PACE)

    Facebook Instagram Linkedin
    Searight PACE logo
    Rev. Johnny L. and Mrs. Shirley P. Searight

    Rev. Johnny L. Searight, and his wife, Shirley P. Searight, alumni of Gardner-Webb University, want to create educational opportunities for students in similar situations. With the help of the GWU Advancement team, they have established the Searight Leadership Certificate (SLC) and the Searight Multicultural Leadership Award (SMLA).

    Learn More
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Meta Certified Digital
    Marketing Associate (PACE 540)    		Meta (3 ACE credits)Self-PacedAnytime$295Online
    Project Management (PMI) (PACE 703)PMI (3 ACE credits)Self-pacedAnytime$295Online
    Freelance Social Media Management Program (PACE 515)GWU (72 CE credits)Stetson Patton9/19/26 – 12/19/26 | Saturdays, 9 a.m.–12 p.m.,$900 for all threeOnline
    Agribusiness Entrepreneurship | Finance & Economics (PACE 564)GWU (3 CE credits)Dr. Anthony Negbenebor11/6/26, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.$199GWU campus
    Agribusiness Entrepreneurship | Agribusiness Law (PACE 563)GWU (3 CE credits)TBD3/19/27, 1 p.m.-4 p.m.$199GWU campus
    Power, Knowledge, and Learning (PKL) Conference | AI in Business (PACE 950)10/16/2026Charlotte Center
    Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt (PACE 522)GWU (24 CE creditsDr. Darron Lockett10/9/26-11/13/26$795Teams, Online
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Corporate TrainingGWU CE CreditsMultiple Instructors----Online or In-person
    Human Resources CertificatesGWU CE CreditsMultiple Instructors----Online or In-person
    Supply Chain CertificatesGWU CE CreditsMultiple Instructors----Online or In-person
    Leadership CertificatesGWU CE CreditsMultiple Instructors----Online or In-person
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Classical Education | An Education Worth Dying For: Socrates and Classical Education (PACE 803)GWU (24 CE credits)Jeff Ziegler8/10/26 - 10/5/26 (not on 9/7, Labor Day),
    Mondays 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.    		$179Teams, Online
    Classical Education | Epics, Myths, and Drama: Classical Education and the Imagination (PACE 804)GWU (24 CE credits)Jeff Ziegler10/12/26 - 12/14/26 (not on 11/2 or 11/23),
    Mondays 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.    		$179Teams, Online
    Classical Education | Classical Education and the Quest for Happiness (PACE 805)GWU (24 CE credits)Jeff Ziegler1/4/27 - 2/22/27,
    Mondays 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.    		$179Teams, Online
    Classical Education | Cultivating the Garden of the Mind: Classical Education and the Liberal Arts (PACE 806)GWU (24 CE credits)Jeff Ziegler3/1/27 - 4/26/27 (not on 3/29, Easter Monday),
    Mondays 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.    		$179Teams, Online
    Classical Education | Teaching People How to Learn for Themselves: Dorothy Sayers and Contemporary Classical Education (PACE 807GWU (24 CE credits)Jeff Ziegler5/3/27 - 6/28/27 (not on 5/29, Memorial Day),
    Mondays 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.    		$179Teams, Online
    Dyslexia SymposiumGWU (5 CE credits) Dr. Anita Sanders11/19/26, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. $195In Person
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Discipleship and Spiritual Formation | Commitment 1 (PACE 406.1)GWU (24 CE credits)Dr. Linda Lockhart 1/14/27-2/4/27 | Thursdays, 6PM-8PM $50 Teams, GWU campus
    Discipleship and Spiritual Formation | Commitment 2 (PACE 406.2)GWU (24 CE credits)Dr. Linda Lockhart 2/18/27-3/11/27 | Thursdays, 6PM-8PM $50 Teams, GWU campus
    Discipleship and Spiritual Formation | Commitment 3 (PACE 406.3) GWU (24 CE credits)Dr. Linda Lockhart 3/25/27-4/15/27 | Thursdays, 6PM-8PM $50 Teams, GWU campus
    Discipleship and Spiritual Formation | Commitment 4 (PACE 406.4) GWU (24 CE credits)Dr. Linda Lockhart 4/29/27-5/21/27 | Thursdays, 6PM-8PM $50 Teams, GWU campus
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Grant Writing for Churches (PACE 660)GWU (30 CE credits)Dr. Bobbie Cox5/7/27, 5/14, 5/21, 5/28, 6/4/27$900In person, Teams, Online
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Genetics Counseling Assistant Certificate
    (PACE 760)    		GWU (210 CE credits)Dr. David Campbell, Dr. Sumy JosephStart anytime$1,999Online, In-person
    Medical Terminology (PACE 756)GWU (15 CE credits)Stacie SmithStart anytime $299Online
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Mental Health First Aid for Adults (PACE 230)GWU (7.5 CE hours)Dr. Sharon Webb, Dr. Charlotte Stephens10/3/26 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.$0Teams
    Mental Health First Aid for Youth (PACE 231)GWU (7.5 CE hours)Dr. Yvonne Smith3/20/27 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.$0Teams
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Academic Skills Accelerated Program (ASAP)(PACE 131)Pinnacle (18 CE credits)Multiple instructorsTBD$25In person
    Financial Literacy Day (PACE 135)GWU (5 CE credits)Multiple instructors10/12/2026, 9AM-2PM$0GWU campus
    Searight Scholars Program (PACE 132)GWU Campus Multiple instructors6/1-3/27$0Various
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Paralegal Certificate (PACE 100)GWU (45 CE credits)Dr. Angelina Smith9/19/26-11/14/26, 9AM-2PM$1125Hamrick 116, Online
    Paralegal Certificate (PACE 100)GWU (45 CE credits)Dr. Angelina Smith2/6/27-3/27/27$1125Hamrick 116, Online
    CourseCredential
    Recognition    		FacultyStart DateCostDelivery
    Adobe Certified Professional: Illustrator (PACE 350)Adobe (1 ACE credit)Self-pacedStart anytime $295Online
    Adobe Certified Professional: InDesign (PACE 351)Adobe (1 ACE credit)Self-pacedStart anytime $295Online
    Adobe Certified Professional: Photoshop (PACE 352)Adobe (1 ACE credit)Self-pacedStart anytime $295Online
    Adobe Certified Professional: Premier Pro (PACE 353)Adobe (1 ACE credit)Self-pacedStart anytime $295Online
    Adobe Certified Professional: Visual Effects and Motion Graphics Using After Effects (PACE 354)Adobe (1 ACE credit)Self-pacedStart anytime $295Online
    Digital Marketing Associate (540)Meta (3 ACE credits)Self-pacedStart anytime $295Online
    Project Management (PACE 703)PMI​ (3 ACE credits)Self-pacedStart anytime $295Online

    PACE Advantages

    Professional skill development

    Career preparation

    CE credits

    Corporate/ executive training

    Professional networking

    Recent News & Student Stories

    View All Stories

    The Charlotte Center

    The Charlotte Center is home to the Searight Professional and Continuing Education (PACE) program, located at 8030 Arrowridge Blvd., in Charlotte.

    Get Directions

    Need More Information?

    If you are interested in offering a short course with compensation, looking for a course that you do not see offered here or would like more information about the Searight PACE program, please email us with more detail.

    Email Searight PACE Program