Columbia International University

Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian university in Columbia, South Carolina.

Not to be confused with Columbia University.
Columbia International University
Former names
Columbia Bible School
Columbia Bible College
MottoTo know Him and to make Him known.
TypePrivate
Established1923
Religious affiliation
Multidenominational Christian
PresidentDr. Mark A. Smith
Students2039 (Fall 2020)
Undergraduates844 (Fall 2020)
Postgraduates1195 (Fall 2020)
Location
Columbia
,
South Carolina
,
United States
CampusSuburban, 400 acres (162 ha)
ColorsBlue and Gold
Sporting affiliations
NAIA
MascotRams
Websitewww.ciu.edu

History

CIU began in 1923 when it was founded as Columbia Bible School. The original purpose was to provide a two-year course of study in biblical studies for local mill workers. By 1927, the decision was made to convert the school into a college and begin offering bachelor's degrees in Bible. A location in downtown Columbia was established and the first dean (later president) of the college was chosen. The school continued to grow and eventually required a new campus. The college was relocated in 1960 to its present facility on Monticello Road. It was during 1968 that the institution’s longest serving president, Robertson McQuilkin, son of the first president of Columbia Bible College, was inaugurated. During this period, the institution also changed its name to Columbia Bible College and Seminary. The name was changed yet again in 1994 to Columbia International University to highlight the growing educational mission as well as to demonstrate a commitment to preparing students from all parts of the world for global Christian service. Former presidents include Drs. RC McQuilkin, G. Alen Fleece, Robertson McQuilkin, Johnny Miller, George Murray, and Bill Jones.

Divisions
CIU Seal

CIU has five colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Counseling, the College of Education, the College of Intercultural Studies, and the Seminary & School of Ministry. Because of the closely knit nature of the institution and the emphasis on Christian education and biblical studies regardless of major, many of the colleges share faculty members.[1]

Academics

CIU's traditional academic emphasis has been placed on primarily on cross cultural work, followed by biblical studies and the humanities and liberal arts rather than natural sciences, in addition to strong emphasis on ministerial skills at the undergraduate level. This is evidenced by the fact that there are undergraduate and graduate majors relating directly to ministry but not in the sciences.

Accreditation

CIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools[2] for its undergraduate and graduate programs and is listed as a Level VI school, the highest degree level offered, meaning that it offers four or more doctoral degrees. CIU is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education with its next ten year review in 2029.[3] The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada to award the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), the Master of Arts (MA), and the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.).[4] The Graduate School is also accredited by the South Carolina Department of Education to offer graduate degrees in early childhood and elementary education leading to certification as a teacher in State of South Carolina.[5]

Student life

Like most evangelical schools and many seminaries, CIU does have doctrinal affirmations and lifestyle standards which all students (regardless of degree sought) are expected to affirm as a part of admission.

Doctrinal standards

There are seven doctrinal points which students must assent to as a part of their admission to and candidacy for a degree from CIU. These are biblical inspiration, natural separation of humanity from God, salvation by grace through faith in Christ, the historical doctrine of the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer, and the evangelical mandate to witness to the gospel of Christ. Additionally, the doctrine of Premillennialism is officially held by the school, but students are not required to adhere to this doctrine. CIU requires all teaching faculty to affirm Premillennialism.[6]

Lifestyle standards

CIU holds to a goal of spiritual formation in preparation for life after college. Students are required to sign a covenant form agreeing to keep various lifestyle standards established by the university. Some of the standards include prohibition from alcohol and tobacco. Students are required to complete a Spiritual Growth and Self Assessment – a narrative of a student’s spiritual journey during the year. Though not required during summer and winter breaks, students are expected to maintain CIU lifestyle standards.

The standards have been a point of contention for many years. While not actively publicized, a complete handbook is available for viewing at .

In the spring semester of 2007, one of the most contentious standards, the "physical expression of affection" standard (dating couples may not hold hands or kiss, but may only hug briefly) was revised to allow for more freedom of physical expressions (couples dating seriously are now allowed to hold hands and kiss briefly).

Denominational relationships

CIU is not directly affiliated or sponsored by any single denomination though welcomes all students from any number of evangelical Christian denominations and somewhat more loosely, any Protestant denomination.

While CIU does have enrolled students and faculty who are members of Christian communities which would not typically be identified as evangelical Protestant, it does require that all faculty and staff belong to a local Protestant church. This policy was enforced some years ago when one faculty member, Dr. Edward Rommen, was removed from his seminary teaching post upon his conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy and reception into the Orthodox Church in America. Prior to his removal from the faculty, Dr. Rommen was a prominent member of the Evangelical Free Church of America.

Additional programs

While the primary mission of CIU is to provide an evangelical higher education to its students, the corporate entity also includes Ben Lippen School.

Ben Lippen School

Ben Lippen is a private, interdenominational Christian school located on the CIU campus. It was founded as a boarding school in Asheville, North Carolina in the 1940s, but was moved to its current location in 1988, offering middle and high school programs. An elementary school away from the main CIU campus was begun in 1989, and in 2006 a main elementary school campus was completed on CIU grounds and classes began there in August. The schools are co-educational and feature a mix of commuting and resident students. The curriculum mirrors most public institutions with the exception of teaching subject from an evangelical Christian worldview and the inclusion of Bible classes and chapel for students, faculty, and staff. In 2013, there were nearly 800 students enrolled at the school.

Notable alumni

References
  1. Columbia International University 2013–2014 Academic Catalog
  2. "CIU Accreditation Reaffirmed". Columbia International University. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  3. "Institutions Holding COA Status". Association for Biblical Higher Education. 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020. LAST REAFFIRMATION 2019, NEXT COMMISSION REVIEW 2029
  4. "ATS – Member Schools". The Commission on Accrediting of the Association of Theological Schools. 2011. Archived from the original on 2011-08-04. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  5. "Approved Educator Preparation Programs". scteachers.org. April 28, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
  6. CIU 2013–2014 Academic Catalog

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