Columbia International University

columbia international university accreditation

Degrees Offered at Columbia International University

Columbia International University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Theology Degree Programs Online.

At Columbia International University, students can pursue a bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral or associate’s degree online or on campus. CIU is a small, residential Christian college that offers a wide range of liberal arts, social science and divinity degree programs. All of the programs at CIU are accredited, and students of the online college can expect to receive the same high-quality education as the residential students on campus. From business administration to Christian leadership, the degree options at CIU are geared toward career-oriented students with an interest in biblical teachings and Christian ministry. Degrees from CIU are highly valued in industries throughout the economy, and they are especially important in jobs related to Christian religious organizations. CIU is a biblical seminary and liberal arts college where students can acquire the life skills needed to make a positive impact in the communities they engage with.

The options of bachelor’s degrees at CIU are designed to help people develop their marketable skills and find fulfilling employment in the ever-changing economy. While CIU specializes in providing a Christian education, the professional skills taught by the professors at CIU ensure that graduates can offer indispensable value to their employers. The faculty at CIU contains many of the top professors in their respective fields. Students always receive guidance from professors with many years of experience and expertise in their subjects. From philosophy and English to education and Middle Eastern studies, the degree programs available at CIU are focused on the knowledge, insights, and perspectives contained in each academic discipline. Intellectual inquiry is encouraged by the professors in each course, so students can always ask the questions that are on their minds. While undergraduate programs are designed to be challenging and stimulating, the learning pace is very comfortable so that all students can get the most out of every course.

The master’s and doctoral programs are a big focus of the online college at CIU. A large selection of master’s degrees are offered only in the online format. The Master of Divinity degree programs are designed to give students a high level of expertise in matters of Christian ministry, organization, administration, and leadership. Most of the Master of Arts degree programs are offered in both online and traditional formats. The options for master’s degrees at CIU range from Christian chaplaincy, ministry and counseling to teacher education, youth leadership, and theological studies. CIU also offers a master’s degree in Muslim studies in both online and traditional formats. An education in Islamic religion is ideal for Christian educators and divinity specialists who want to take a comparative re,ligious approach to their studies. Master’s students at CIU can also choose to specialize in intercultural studies as well as global migration studies.

CIU offers a selection of post-graduate programs online and several doctoral programs exclusively on campus. Most students who study at CIU are interested in learning about religion and religious studies, and the PhD options at CIU are focused on Christian divinity and theology. From educational leadership to organizational leadership, the PhD programs at CIU are designed to prepare students for senior positions in religious and educational institutions throughout the world. The focus of the doctoral programs at CIU is on cultivating leadership qualities in students who have a natural interest in biblical doctrine and ministry. In all, there are five doctoral programs and five post-graduate certificate programs. All of the certificate programs can be taken online or in person. These programs are designed to emphasize the professional skills of graduate students who are looking to increase their employment opportunities. While a doctoral program can take six to eight years to complete, a post-graduate certificate program requires only several months to one year to complete.

About Columbia International University

Columbia International University was founded in 1923 as the Columbia Bible School in Columbia, SC. It was originally designed to educate people employed as millers in the town during the 1920s. It immediately attracted many students from the surrounding town, and the school was converted to a four-year university in 1927. The number of students enrolled in the university for its first 35 years of activity was small, but by 1960, the student population had grown so much that the school was relocated to the larger building it resides in today. In 1994, the name of the college was officially changed to Columbia International University. In the years since its name change, CIU has expanded its educational mission to include a wide range of liberal arts and social science programs.

Columbia International University Accreditation Details

Columbia International University is accredited by four agencies. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCC) has accredited CIU to grant associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees to students online and on the campus. The Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) has accredited CIU to provide a biblical education to students of the online and residential programs. The Commission on Accreditation of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is the accrediting agency of the graduate programs in theology at CIU. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) provides accreditation for several master’s degrees, including marriage and family counseling.

Columbia International University Application Requirements

To apply for a degree program at CIU, students must submit an online application and include a high school or college transcript as well as any relevant SAT, ACT or GRE scores. School transcripts must contain up-to-date information about the student’s GPA, class ranking, enrollment history and class sizes at his or her past schools. Spots for enrollment are limited, and admissions at CIU are selective. Applicants can improve their chances of being accepted by showing above-average grades and test scores. Applications are also evaluated by the impact students have made in their communities.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The average annual cost of tuition and fees at CIU is around $23,700 for in-state residents and around $34,000 for out-of-state residents. Tuition rates are about the same for graduate and undergraduate programs. With scholarships, grants, subsidized and unsubsidized loans and work-study programs, up to the entire cost of tuition, books, food, room, and board can be covered. Students can apply for financial aid at the time of enrollment by going to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website and filling out the online form. Columbia International University offers many types of aid and scholarship packages to all students.