Bountiful Biblical-Based Degrees Available at PIU
Piedmont International University appears in our ranking of the 50 Most Affordable Master’s in Theology Degree Programs Online.
Named North Carolina’s fifth-best small college by Zippia, Piedmont International University is a nonprofit, Christian AACS member offering four associate, 18 bachelor’s, 16 master’s, and three doctoral options, including 22 online programs, at a 10:1 learner-faculty ratio. For example, the Patterson School starts the 121-credit BA in Management & Business Ethics six times yearly to complete seven-week online courses like Marketing Strategy fast with 77 percent retention. Chaired by Dr. Harlie Miller in Deeds Hall, the BS in Music Education spans a 143-credit, four-year Moore School plan for K-12 teacher certification prep with Bruin Blitz concerts and Forsyth County Schools practicum.
Since 2005, the Spurgeon School of Online Education has logged into Blackboard for a 72-credit, TRACS-accredited Master of Divinity with six specializations for Pastoral Studies, Local Church Ministry, Language Tools, Military Chaplaincy, Hospital Chaplaincy, or Law Enforcement Chaplaincy. Directed by Dr. Tim White, the Ph.D. in Biblical Studies follows a 60-credit Old or New Testament track online or in Stevens Hall for Alford School courses like Greek Exegetical Methods plus a three-credit teaching practicum and dissertation defense.
Other Piedmont offerings include the AA in Bible, AA in Early Childhood, BS in Sign Language Interpreting, BA in Church Music, BS in Physical Education, MA in Ministry, MEd in Curriculum & Instruction, MBA in Management, and Ph.D. in Leadership.
About Piedmont International University
Piedmont International University originated in 1945 when Salem Baptist Church pastor Charles H. Stevens, Ph.D., started the Piedmont Bible Institute to train World War II veterans. In Fall 1948, it was renamed the Piedmont Baptist College after curricula expansion. In 1956, it earned initial Accrediting Association of Bible Colleges approval. In 1974, President Donald K. Drake added the Chapel-Gymnasium Complex to its 10-acre Winston-Salem campus. Two decades later, the first graduate program was debuted in theology. In 2004, Piedmont merged with Florida’s Spurgeon Baptist College. By 2010, it had acquired Foothills Christian College and Atlantic Baptist Bible College. In 2012, President Charles Petitt adopted the Piedmont International University name. In 2018, PIU grew again by consolidating with John Wesley University from High Point.
Dedicated to Colossians 1:18, Piedmont International University now employs 87 faculty teaching 823 Bruins online on Blackboard and face-to-face in the U.S. News & World Report’s 37th best city with 25+ clubs like Beta Sigma. In 2011, PIU earned the Sorenson VRS Interpreter Education Program Award of Excellence. In 2018, Piedmont won a National Christian College Athletic Association Division II Academic Award. On Niche, PIU boasts America’s 14th best religious studies. Christian Universities Online picked Piedmont as the 30th most affordable nationwide. College Factual placed PIU 207th for teacher education, 91st for theology, and 61st for ministry degrees. BestColleges.com crowned Piedmont International University as North Carolina’s #1 online educator. College Values Online also featured PIU among the top 30 leadership doctorates online.
Piedmont International University Accreditation Details
On April 13, 2010, Piedmont International University was formally notified by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) that the Category IV institutional accreditation was successfully reaffirmed through 2020 under its fourth president, Dr. Charles Petitt, who serves on the State of Black North Carolina Conference Committee. Based 139 miles north via Route 29 in Forest, Virginia, this 50-state national accreditor is recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to evaluate Bible colleges. Piedmont is not regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which can affect credit transfers. The Moore School of Education is approved by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) for K-12 teachers though.
Piedmont International University Application Requirements
Entering Piedmont International University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 49.4 percent of the 324 Fall 2017 applicants were selected. First-year Bruins must have culminated a state-approved high school diploma or the GED equivalent. Certain bachelor’s, such as the BA in Bible Studies, are reserved for males. Freshmen must graduate with a cumulative 2.0 GPA or greater. Undergrads need to verify a minimum 17 ACT or 920 SAT score. If taken before 2016, SAT composite scores above 1230 qualify. The Dual Enrollment Program raises the benchmark to a 2.5 GPA. Foreign students must reach the 500 paper, 173 computer, or 61 internet TOEFL mark. Graduate School entrants generally need an accredited four-year bachelor’s and GPA over 2.75. The Master of Divinity requires GRE General Test scores in the 50th percentile. Master of Education cohorts must have K-12 teaching credentials and classroom experience too.
Piedmont International University has convenient rolling admission to apply anytime by clicking the website’s clipboard logo. Accordingly, complete the PIU Application online for free ($39 if graduate). Forward official transcripts via World Education Services or directly to 420 South Broad Street in Winston-Salem, NC 27101. For testing results, select ACT code 3142 or SAT, GRE, and TOEFL code 5555. Compose a 250-word testimonial essay about one’s Christian faith in Jesus for emailing to [email protected]. Supplemental items include the two non-relative references, headshot photo, educator license, current résumé, graded paper sample, vita form, and financial affidavit. Please pose further questions to the Office of Admissions at (336) 725-8344.
Tuition and Financial Aid
For 2019-20, Piedmont International University is charging full-time undergrads $5,250 per semester or $10,500 annually. Traditional part-time students pay $375 per credit. The Military Appreciation Scholarship lowers cost to $275 per credit. Undergrads cover a $700 service fee every term. Student teaching fees are $275 per course. Residing at the Winston-Salem campus’ three dorms like Griffith Hall adds $4,000 each semester. PIU budgets $1,000 for books and $2,100 for miscellaneous. Annual bachelor’s attendance equals about $20,829 on-site and $12,520 at home. Online undergrad tuition is $295 per credit. Master’s and DMin programs bill flat-rate tuition of $375 per credit. Ph.D. candidates spend $475 per credit with $200 comprehensive exam fees. The Portuguese MA in Ministry is priced $297 per credit.
According to the NCES College Navigator, the Financial Services Office in Deeds Hall Room D203 helps 88 percent of full-time PIU Bruins earn tuition aid averaging $5,670 each for $1.46 million combined. University funds include the Talents for Christ Scholarship, Stevens Scholarship, Awana Scholarship, Fruitland Baptist Scholarship, Temple Heritage Scholarship, Johnny Albert Scholarship, Dr. Carl Bollinger Memorial Scholarship, Roni & Charity Bowers Endowed Scholarship, Pastor Jimmie Jones Scholarship, Hoyle Bowman Theology Scholarship, Rev. Willard Fulton Scholarship, and Barbara Williamson Pope Scholarship for Women. The Honors Scholarship gifts $3,200 yearly for freshmen meeting the 1250 SAT or 28 ACT mark. The $8,000 Robert L. Patterson Scholarship has a March 1st deadline for ministry majors with GPAs above 3.0. FAFSA applications coded 002956 determine federal assistance, including Work-Study Program, eligibility. North Carolinians also pursue the Student Assistance Grants, Educational Lottery Scholarships, Winston-Salem Foundation Scholarships, 4-H Development Fund Scholarships, and more.
Explore the seven accredited schools with 40+ flexible, faith-informed degrees at the Piedmont International University website.