Wingate University Degree Programs: A Comprehensive Overview

Wingate University, a private liberal arts institution with campuses in Wingate and Hendersonville, North Carolina, offers a diverse range of academic programs designed to cater to various interests and career aspirations. Enrolling over 3,450 students, the university provides a comprehensive educational experience through its 37 undergraduate majors, seven master's degrees, and five doctoral degrees. Named after Washington Manly Wingate, a former president of Wake Forest College, Wingate University has a rich history of adapting to the changing educational landscape.

A Historical Perspective

Originally, the Wingate School focused on primary and secondary education. However, with the rise of public schools in the early 20th century, the institution evolved. In 1923, it began offering the first two years of a baccalaureate education, becoming Wingate Junior College. The institution faced challenges during the years leading up to World War II, including the withdrawal of financial support from The Baptist State Convention of North Carolina during The Great Depression and the destruction of the administration building by fire in 1932. Despite these hardships, the college persevered thanks to the dedication of its administration, faculty, and supporters, as well as the post-World War II college enrollment boom.

Wingate Junior College received accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1952. In 1977, it transitioned into a four-year institution, becoming Wingate College. From its inception, the institution maintained an affiliation with the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina of the Southern Baptist Convention. However, in 2007, the university initiated the process of separating from the convention to grant its board of trustees the autonomy to elect its own members. By 2009, Wingate gained independence from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, establishing a "good faith and cooperative" relationship. Four other schools also made this transition: Mars Hill University, Campbell University, Gardner-Webb University, and Chowan University.

Undergraduate Programs

Wingate University provides a broad spectrum of undergraduate programs through the Charles A. Cannon College of Arts & Sciences. This college offers programs ranging from mathematics and chemistry to social and political sciences and communication. Religious studies and music are also integral parts of the Cannon College, fostering a strong liberal arts foundation that cultivates well-rounded and globally aware students. The college is named in honor of Charles A. Cannon, a textile industrialist whose support for Wingate Junior College began in the 1950s.

The university offers five bachelor's degrees:

Read also: Applying to Wingate University

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Bachelor of Music Education
Bachelor of Liberal Studies

In addition to these degrees, Wingate offers 10 pre-professional programs and 42 minors, allowing students to tailor their education to their specific interests and career goals. 96 percent of first-year students say Wingate’s academic reputation was an important reason that they became a Bulldog.

Graduate Programs

Wingate University offers a variety of graduate programs designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for advanced careers. These programs are housed within several distinct schools and colleges, each focusing on a specific area of study.

Thayer School of Education

Established in 2002, the Thayer School of Education provides 11 undergraduate programs for aspiring teachers, along with master's and doctoral programs designed for working adults. A key feature of the program is that education majors gain field experience during the first half of their freshman year. The school is named in honor of Lloyd and Georgia Thayer.

Porter B. Byrum School of Business

The Porter B. Byrum School of Business, established in 2011, is named after Porter B. Byrum, a respected attorney and entrepreneur in Charlotte. The school offers an MBA program designed for adult students in the Charlotte area, with a choice of five concentration areas to develop specialized career skills and knowledge. Students who wish to pursue a professional career in business can choose the experiential-focused Master of Arts in Accounting (MAC) degree.

Levine College of Health Sciences

The Levine College of Health Sciences offers ten programs of study with the goal of graduating caring and practice-ready healthcare professionals. Practice experience is integrated into the curriculum of each program, and the collaborative practice model is emphasized through inter-professional education. The Physician Assistant program is offered in Wingate and in Hendersonville. On the main campus, the University also offers doctoral programs in Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and an online Doctor of Medical Science program, Master's program in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and online Master's in Public Health and Social Work. Bachelor's programs in Nursing and Public Health complete Levine's offerings.

School of Sport Sciences

From Exercise Science to Community and Commercial Recreation, Wingate’s School of Sport Sciences has programs for students looking to promote active living. Two tracts of Exercise Science (pre-professional or fitness professional) allow students to choose their best path toward a fulfilling career. The school also offers undergraduate and master’s degrees in Sport Management, with courses that delve into sport law and education theory.

The Wingate University School of Pharmacy is a pharmacy school located in Wingate, North Carolina.

Specialized Programs and Opportunities

W'International Program

Started in 1978, the university's W'International program allows eligible juniors to take a two-credit-hour seminar, which ends with a 10-day travel experience for $1,500 or less.

Master of Public Health (MPH)

Wingate’s Master of Public Health degree program will prepare students to become competent public health professionals and leaders in the field making a difference within their communities. The MPH program coursework is designed with a focus on flexibility meeting students’ needs by offering it online and including live classes and self-driven modules.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Wingate’s Master of Social Work (MSW) Program provides multifaceted contributions to the campus and surrounding areas, fulfilling an expressed need for more graduate-level opportunities in health and human services. The program equips counselors to address trauma and other mental health challenges with cultural competence and sensitivity. By empowering students to advocate for marginalized populations, the program fosters an inclusive approach to counseling that respects and celebrates diversity.

Read also: Life at Wingate

Physician Assistant Studies Program

The Physician Assistant Studies program is a continuous 27-month master’s degree program leading to the MPAS degree. Students may apply for admission to either the Hendersonville or the Wingate campus. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for the PANCE. The Wingate University DMSc bridge is a fully online, and asynchronous program for recent PA graduates to obtain a clinical doctorate.

Doctoral Degree Program in Physical Therapy

The doctoral degree program in physical therapy is a three-year program offered on the Wingate campus.

Campus Life and Athletics

Wingate student-athletes compete in 22 NCAA Division II sports. These sports include: baseball, softball, men's and women's basketball, women's beach volleyball, men's and women's cross country, men's and women's golf, men's and women's soccer, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's and women's tennis, men's and women's track & field, women's triathlon, men's and women's lacrosse, football and volleyball.

Student Experience

The student-faculty ratio at Wingate University is 16:1, and 45.5% of its classes have fewer than 20 students. The most popular majors at Wingate University include: Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services; Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, and Kinesiology; Psychology; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Education; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Health Professions and Related Programs; Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services; Social Sciences; and Mathematics and Statistics. The average freshman retention rate, an indicator of student satisfaction, is 68%.

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