Gardner-Webb Affirmed by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; Music Department Receives Additional Accreditation

Accrediting Bodies Verify University’s Commitment to Providing Students a Quality Educational Experience

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C.—Gardner-Webb recently submitted the required Fifth Year Interim report to its accrediting body, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and is deemed in full compliance. The University is accredited to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Gardner-Webb also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Karen Aubrey said the action by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees affirms the University’s commitment to providing each student with a quality educational experience. “The entirety of our campus activities—academic programs, facilities, business practices, staffing levels, admissions practices, student success rates, student support, governance, funding, policies and processes—are in full compliance with SACSCOC expectations and guidelines,” Aubrey stated. “Every college campus strives for this significant goal. It affirms that, as a healthy, well-functioning institution, we are able to serve our students well.”

Gardner-Webb President Dr. William M. Downs shared his assessment of the positive report from SACSCOC: “This external validation from our accrediting body is an important reflection of the good work being done every day at GWU by faculty, staff, academic leaders and university administrators. I’ve been a member of SACSCOC teams evaluating other universities so I know a little something about the process and the high stakes, and I can tell you that not everyone fares as well as Gardner-Webb did during this cycle. It’s good news, it gives us much to be proud of, and it bolsters our momentum heading into the next comprehensive review.”

Aubrey noted that every school accredited by SACSCOC submits a Fifth Year Interim Report. The larger Decennial Comprehensive Reports are completed every 10 years, which is 2027 for Gardner-Webb.

“Many people across campus participated in writing the responses to the standards we had to address in the Fifth Year Report,” she acknowledged. “The campus will soon look ahead to our 2027 Decennial report as we begin forming working groups later this Fall, especially in seeking wide input for ideas for our next Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP).”

Along with the full recognition by SACSCOC, the Department of Music has completed a renewal process and received further approval by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) Commission on Accreditation. This acceptance demonstrates the extraordinary efforts of the music faculty and staff to provide comprehensive Bachelor of Arts in Music and Bachelor of Music programs to their students. “It has been additionally celebratory this summer to receive full approval from our accrediting body for our music program,” Aubrey asserted. “Music faculty and staff deserve our praise for accomplishing this important affirmation.”  

Gardner-Webb University is North Carolina’s recognized leader in private, Christian higher education. A Carnegie-Classified Doctoral/Professional University, GWU is home to nine colleges and schools, more than 80 undergraduate and graduate majors, and a world-class faculty. Located on a beautiful 225-acre campus in Boiling Springs, N.C., Gardner-Webb prepares graduates to impact their chosen professions, equips them with the skills to advance the frontiers of knowledge, and inspires them to make a positive and lasting difference in the lives of others. Ignite your future at Gardner-Webb.edu.