One of our bishop beliefs includes a strong liberal arts curriculum for all undergraduate degree programs which is Wesleyan’s foundation. Instruction emphasizes critical thinking, analytical reasoning, reading, writing, speaking, making informed ethical decisions and using new information technologies. Students choose from a variety of majors, all of which help prepare students for rewarding personal lives, good citizenship and productive careers.

The program in Rocky Mount for residential and commuting students emphasizes small classes and individualized attention. It also provides strong student support services and encourages student development through co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

The Adult & Professional Studies Program (APS) is designed for students who wish to strengthen their academic background, enhance their professional knowledge and skills, and advance their careers. It is tailored to the learning styles and schedules of working adults.

The University has a special commitment to the Rocky Mount area and to eastern North Carolina. Through individual faculty, staff and alumni activity—and through its educational and cultural programs—the University promotes the development of the region.

The Wesleyan community includes men and women from diverse cultural and racial backgrounds. The University works to create an environment in which students, faculty and staff come together in a dynamic learning community. It understands the increasing importance of a global perspective and of helping students learn to function effectively in a complex society.

Spiritual Growth for All Students

North Carolina Wesleyan University provides an educational environment that encourages spiritual and ethical development. Wesleyan serves students of many religious backgrounds. While its curriculum and programs do not reflect a sectarian perspective, the University affirms the values of the Judeo-Christian tradition. At our core, our connection to the United Methodist Church means we will prepare students to be positive contributors to their community through civility, service, and collaboration.

North Carolina Wesleyan is committed to the holistic growth of its students, and this includes spiritual growth. The goal of campus religious life is to provide an atmosphere of genuine care and close personal relationships. This is central to the idea of the Christian community and is conducive to spiritual growth.

Community, Religion and Discourse

Since its founding in 1956 by the United Methodist Church and Rocky Mount leaders, North Carolina Wesleyan University has been affiliated with The United Methodist Church. The Heritage District Superintendent represents the United Methodist Conference on our Board of Trustees, and the University has a close working relationship with the Bishop and the Conference’s Board of Institutions, on which the Wesleyan President sits as an ex-officio member.

At North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU), we welcome students from all belief systems and those from non-religious backgrounds. We believe everyone deserves a place where they can genuinely feel like they belong, and we work hard to make that a reality for every student joining our community. While we affirm and celebrate our connection to the Methodist tradition, we don’t prescribe any particular faith. Instead, we encourage students to explore different belief systems as part of their collegiate journey. To support this, all students take an Introduction to Religion or World Religions course, which helps build cultural understanding and broadens perspectives on various faith traditions.

NC Wesleyan offers various options for those who want to engage and grow their spirituality. We have a Chapel on campus, a Chaplain who provides weekly services, and a variety of student-led faith groups, allowing you to incorporate faith into your weekly routine if you choose. We also have various churches, Methodist and non-denominational, in our local community that provide opportunities for our students to serve their community and deepen their faith.

At the core of our Methodist connection is our dedication to helping students make a positive impact in their communities, both locally and globally. Through scholarship, service, and collaboration, we equip students to be well-rounded, responsible individuals who contribute meaningfully to the world around them. NC Wesleyan is committed to supporting students’ growth in every aspect—intellectually, emotionally, socially, and spiritually. We strive to create an environment that is open to everyone, and to foster a campus where students can grow, learn, and find their path forward.

We promote and support the following key principles of a Methodist-affiliated university:

Our Belief in Religion inside Higher Education

We respect and provide for the teaching of religion within the curriculum. Faculty, staff and students have opportunities to explore the place of religious beliefs and practices within all academic disciplines and co-curricular activities. Our general education program requires that students take at least one course in religious studies. In addition, Wesleyan has a popular major and minor in Religious Studies.

Our campus is served by a full-time chaplain, Rev. Edwin Ferguson, an ordained A.M.E. Minister and a visible and popular presence on our campus. The University supports a wide range of religious life experiences for students under the guidance of the chaplain. Some of the more active groups on campus include our Refuge Campus Ministries, a chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and 3W Campus Ministries. Participation in spiritual life programs is voluntary, and we encourage you to explore the available opportunities as you continue your faith journey at North Carolina Wesleyan University. A number of scholarships are available for Methodist students, sons and daughters of clergy, and students of any religion who aspire to the clergy.

Our Belief in Social Justice

We affirm the basic rights of all persons to equal access to education and to spiritual growth within the college. We deplore acts of hate or violence against groups or persons based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, or economic status, and offer a climate of openness, acceptance, and support to enable all persons to participate fully in the life of the University. We seek to create a community of scholarship and learning that facilitates social and academic participation as an inclusive right for all.

Our Belief in Academic Freedom

We believe that academic freedom is protected for all members of the campus community and that the University should foster a campus environment that allows for the free and reasoned exchange of ideas, while guarding the expression of religious belief on campus. We recognize that excellence in higher education requires an environment that fosters an openness to discourse among faculty, students, and staff. North Carolina Wesleyan University is open to all persons regardless of their religious beliefs. The University welcomes religious diversity as an opportunity for the broadening of minds and the enrichment of campus discourse. We provide opportunities for personal and private expressions of faith and the meaningful exchange of ideas for all members of the campus community.