The M. Christopher White School of Divinity, an academic unit of Gardner-Webb University, is Baptist in origin and commitment, ecumenical in outlook, and has as its purpose the preparation of persons for Christian ministries. To achieve this end, the School of Divinity offers courses in which students engage in study of and reflection upon the data, meaning, and implications of the Christian faith beginning at its biblical base, enter into thoughtful and critical assessments of church history and theology, become involved in the process of spiritual formation personally, socially, and vocationally and participate in the study and practice of various expressions of Christian mission and ministry.
Gardner-Webb’s M. Christopher White School of Divinity offers two degree
programs: the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.).
The M.Div. degree is the basic professional degree program typically required
of those who wish to engage in ministry in a parish setting. It is also the
prerequisite for advanced professional and research degrees, such as the D.Min.
and the Ph.D. It is a three-year, 90-hour degree program that requires
the student to engage in the study of ministry both in theory and in practice.
Unique to the M.Div. program is a two-day-a-week block schedule format. Classes
are offered in 3 hour blocks of time all on one day instead of being spread
out through two or three days per week. This unique scheduling format makes
it possible for students to take a full semester load of courses (15 hours)
while still maintaining their secular or church-related employment.
The School of Divinity, one of four graduate professional schools offering
graduate degrees within the academic program of Gardner-Webb University, has
close ties to the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina and the Cooperative
Baptist Fellowship.