Columbia International University - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Columbia International University is a Christian

Christian

A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...

institution of higher education located in Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina

Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...

. The university is recognized for its emphasis upon spiritual formation, biblical authority and world evangelization.

History

CIU began from modest beginnings 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 the 1960s that the institution’s longest serving president, Robertson McQuilkin, son of the first dean 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.

Presidents

Rev. Robert McQuilkin, 1927–1952
Rev. G. Allen Fleece, 1952–1966
Rev. Robertson C. McQuilkin, 1968–1990
Dr. Terry C. Hulbert (Interim), 1990–1991
Dr. Johnny V. Miller, 1991–1999
Dr. George W. Murray, 2000 - June 30, 2007
Dr. William H. Jones, July 1, 2007–Present

Divisions

CIU has three constituent divisions: the Bible College, the Graduate School, and the Seminary. Because of the closely knit nature of the institution and the emphasis on Christian education and biblical studies regardless of major, many of the divisions share faculty members.

Undergraduate

The undergraduate division of CIU (formerly known as the Bible College) is the oldest constituent division of the university. The college is headed by a Dean and possesses faculty from a variety of academic competencies, including English, humanities, music, foreign and ancient languages, philosophy, psychology, communications, and various others. While it offers majors in various disciplines, all students must take several core competency courses in biblical studies as a part of general education requirements.

Graduate School

The Graduate School primarily exists as a complement to the undergraduate programs available. At this time, the main focus of the school is offering courses leading to degrees in education, though there is a large postgraduate counseling program. The Graduate School also offers a doctoral degree in education.

Seminary

The CIU seminary (known as Columbia Biblical Seminary and School of Missions) exists for the purpose of training students who desire to pursue a vocation in full or part-time Christian ministry either in a congregational setting, in parachurch organizations or as a missionary

Missionary

A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...

. Students at the seminary are not required to hold a particular denominational affiliation to attend, though they must meet all the other requirements for attendance at CIU. Students must affirm CIU's doctrinal standard to be admitted and graduate from the school. In addition to the two residential and part-time master’s degree programs, the seminary also offers a part-time doctoral degree and a certificate of graduate study.

Academics

As an institution of higher education, CIU’s primary emphasis is on its academic programs. Like most other Bible colleges, the traditional academic emphasis has been placed on the humanities and liberal arts rather than natural sciences, in addition to strong emphasis on ministerial and biblical studies, even at the undergraduate level. This is evidenced by the fact that there are four undergraduate majors relating directly to ministerial skills but no programs in the sciences, with the exception of a certificate in nursing, though a portion of the coursework is completed off campus at Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College

Midlands Technical College, is a comprehensive, multi-campus, public, two-year college serving the primary region of Richland, Lexington and Fairfield counties of South Carolina....

Degrees Offered

Undergraduate Certificates in:

Bible

Undergraduate Minors in:

Business & Organizational Leadership
International Community Development
English
Outdoor Leadership
Philosophy
Teaching English as a Foreign Language
Video Production

Bachelor of Science

A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...

(B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...

(B.A.) with majors in:

General Studies
Applied English
Bible Teaching
Biblical Languages
Communication
Family & Church Education
Humanities
Intercultural Studies (Missions)
Middle Eastern Studies
Music
Pastoral Ministries
Psychology
Teacher Education
Youth Ministry

Graduate Certificate in Biblical Ministries

Master of Arts

Master of Arts (postgraduate)

A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...

(M.A.) with majors in:

General Studies
Bible Exposition
Bible Teaching
Counseling
Educational Ministries
Intercultural Studies
Leadership in Evangelism and Mobilization
Ministry Leadership
Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Formation
Teaching English as a Foreign Language

Master of Education

The Master of Education is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in a large number of countries. This degree in education often includes the following majors: curriculum and instruction, counseling, and administration. It is often conferred for educators advancing in...

(M.Ed.) in Educational Administration and Curriculum

Master of Arts in Teaching

Master of Arts in Teaching

The Master of Arts in Teaching degree is generally a pre-service degree that usually requires a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the Bachelor's degree. While the program often requires education classes in order to meet state licensure requirements, it emphasizes advanced course work in a...

(M.A.T)

Master of Divinity

Master of Divinity

In the academic study of theology, the Master of Divinity is the first professional degree of the pastoral profession in North America...

(M.Div.)

Doctor of Ministry

Doctor of Ministry

The Doctor of Ministry degree is, according to The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada , a doctoral level degree oriented toward ministerial leadership often in an area of applied theology, such as missions, evangelism, church leadership, pastoral psychology or the...

(D.Min.)

Doctor of Education

Doctor of Education

The Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...

(D.Ed.)

Accreditation

CIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...

for its undergraduate and graduate programs and is listed as a Level V school, meaning that it offers three or fewer doctoral degrees. Columbia International University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges; however on December 8, 2008, following its decennial review, the institution's accreditation was continued while it was denied its ten year reaffirmation and placed on warning for twelve months to bring into compliance issues noted below.

"The Commission determined that it failed to demonstrate compliance with
Core Requirement 2.11.1 (Financial Resources), Core Requirement 2.12 (Quality Enhancement Plan),
Comprehensive Standard 3.2.8 (Qualified Academic/Administrative Officers), Comprehensive Standard 3.4.7
(Consortial Relationships), Comprehensive Standard 3.7.1 (Faculty Competence), and Comprehensive Standard
3.10.1 (Financial Stability) of the Principles of Accreditation."

In the December, 2009 meeting of SACS, the commission determined that Columbia International University had resolved four of the five areas of non-compliance, but CIU was again denied reaffirmation of its ten year accreditation, and given twelve months to resolve the on-going problem with Comprehensive Standard 3.10.1 (Financial Stability).

On December 6, 2010, SACS reaffirmed their ten year accreditation for Columbia International University for resolving its problems involving Comprehensive Standard 3.10.1 (Financial Stability).

CIU is also accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education with its next ten year review in 2019. The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada

The Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada is an organization of seminaries and other graduate schools of theology. ATS has its headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and has more than 250 member institutions...

to award the Master of Divinity, the Master of Arts and the Doctor of Ministry. The Graduate School is also accredited by the South Carolina Department of Education

South Carolina Department of Education

The South Carolina Department of Education is the state education agency of South Carolina. It is headquartered in Columbia. The agency is overseen by an elected Superintendent of Education, currently Mick Zais. Previous Superintendents have included Jim Rex and Inez Tenenbaum....

to offer graduate degrees in early childhood and elementary education leading to certification as a teacher in State of South Carolina.

Distance education

CIU also offers degrees with a majority of credits earned by distance education. The Advancement in Ministry track allows students seeking a M.Div. at the seminary to take courses via correspondence or the internet for up to two-thirds of the degree program, or approximately 75 credit hours. The remaining 25 credit hours are taken on campus during one week intensive courses offered throughout the year. The structure of this program has the clear advantage of permitting the student to obtain a degree but without relocating closer to the seminary campus or leaving full-time employment. One obvious disadvantage would be that the student only has limited interaction with other seminary students and the faculty. The Advancement in Ministry track is also available for students who wish to pursue certain M.A. degrees, but is not available in a formal way outside the Seminary.

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

Biblical inspiration

Biblical inspiration is the doctrine in Christian theology that the authors and editors of the Bible were led or influenced by God with the result that their writings many be designated in some sense the word of God.- Etymology :...

, 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

Premillennialism

Premillennialism in Christian end-times theology is the belief that Jesus will literally and physically be on the earth for his millennial reign, at his second coming. The doctrine is called premillennialism because it holds that Jesus’ physical return to earth will occur prior to the inauguration...

is officially held by the school, but students are not required to adhere to this doctrine. Students who do not agree with these doctrines may petition to receive a waiver prior to admission.

The seminary also requires student affirmation of CIU’s doctrinal standards, excepting premillennialism, prior to graduation, even if the student received a waiver prior to admission. CIU does require faculty in Biblical studies to affirm premillennialism.

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. During a semester all students are required to fill out “accountability forms” and report to Student Life.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 many students express frustration, the administration defends the standards and cites that those who fail to keep their word regarding standards lack integrity. While not actively publicized, a complete handbook is available for viewing at https://online.ciu.edu/ICS/Campus_Life/Student_Handbook/.

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).

Student organizations

Student Senate: organization that serves as the go-between with the students and faculty/administration; all presidents of the other organizations sit on Senate
Student Union: organization which plans and hosts fun activities for all students.
Graduate Life Council
Married Students Association
The Green Team: Environmental organization
The Finial: yearbook
Credo: theological/philosophical magazine with articles written by its staff members and students
Pilgrim's Protest: student newspaper that accepts submissions from the student body or the free, confessional and respectful exchange of all ideas.
Mu Kappa: an organization for Missionary Kids (MK's) and Third Culture Kids who are enrolled at CIU.
African American Student Association
Student Missions Connection: student group which prays for current missionary activities and helps members seek their role in global missions.

Denominational Relationships

CIU prides itself on being an interdenominational institution. It is not directly affiliated or sponsored by any single denomination though welcomes all students from any number of evangelical

Evangelicalism

Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...

Christian denominations and somewhat more loosely, any Protestant

Protestantism

Protestantism is one of the three major groupings within Christianity. It is a movement that began in Germany in the early 16th century as a reaction against medieval Roman Catholic doctrines and practices, especially in regards to salvation, justification, and ecclesiology.The doctrines of the...

denomination. The school's admissions, however, does not discriminate against Catholics. There is a small portion of Roman Catholics among the student body and a more significant number of Anglicans among faculty, staff and students. To preserve its evangelical character, CIU permits only Evangelical organizations to advertise on their affiliated radio stations.

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

Orthodox Church in America

The Orthodox Church in America is an autocephalous Eastern Orthodox church in North America. Its primate is Metropolitan Jonah , who was elected on November 12, 2008, and was formally installed on December 28, 2008...

. Prior to his removal from the faculty, Dr. Rommen was a prominent member of the Evangelical Free Church of America

Evangelical Free Church of America

The Evangelical Free Church of America is an evangelical Christian denomination. The EFCA was formed in 1950 from the merger of the Swedish Evangelical Free Church and the Norwegian-Danish Evangelical Free Church Association.-History:...

.

While the school does admit students from many backgrounds, the most commonly represented groups, as of 2004, are Baptist

Baptist

Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...

(25%), Independent

Non-denominational Christianity

In Christianity, nondenominational institutions or churches are those not formally aligned with an established denomination, or that remain otherwise officially autonomous. This, however, does not preclude an identifiable standard among such congregations...

(23%), and Presbyterian (11%), and are generally drawn from churches which could be termed conservative, evangelical, or fundamentalist

Fundamentalism

Fundamentalism is strict adherence to specific theological doctrines usually understood as a reaction against Modernist theology. The term "fundamentalism" was originally coined by its supporters to describe a specific package of theological beliefs that developed into a movement within the...

Controversy

CIU has been the center of some notable theological, political and philosophical controversies.

Theological Controversies

Founding President Robert C. McQuilkin temporarily lost his membership in the American Keswick Society (headed by the Rev. W. Griffith Thomas) in the early part of the 20th century, due to theological conflicts over differing views of human nature and remaining sin in the Christian person. Griffith-Thomas and the American Keswick group were convinced that McQuilkin adopted a sinless perfection theology, which they opposed. During the last part of the twentieth century, Dr. Miller, as president, refrained from using the classic Keswick phrase "Victorious Christian Life", and substituted "Authentic Christian Life." This substitution never caught on, however.

Princeton theologian Benjamin B. Warfield wrote a scathing theological attack on the Keswick movement, which continues to be read in Reformed circles today.

Political Controversies

Robertson McQuilkin insisted on the racial integration of the school before he would consider accepting the board's offer of the presidency in the late 1960s. This occasioned great controversy within the institution, and some turn-over on the Board of Trustees.

President Johnny Miller's public call for the removal of the Confederate battle flag from the South Carolina state house dome occasioned great controversy in the Carolinas, and lost the school some supporters.

Academic/Philosophical Controversies

In the 1990s, Dr. Ed Rommen was removed from his faculty position in the seminary due to his conversion to Eastern Orthodoxy. Dr. Rommen claimed that he could still subscribe to the school's statement of faith. However, since CIU was founded by evangelical Protestants, and is a longtime member of the AABC (American Association of Bible Colleges), the administration took the position that the school's statement of faith was a Protestant symbol despite the absence of explicit anti-Catholic/Orthodox language.

On May 7, 2007, board chairman Harold Weaver announced that George Murray was being transitioned to the new position of Chancellor, and Dr. Bill Jones, who had briefly occupied the position of Provost, would become the school's next president on July 1, 2007. Jones has publicly stated that his presidency will focus on changing some fundamental elements which, in some cases, negatively stigmatize CIU and its graduates.

Additional Programs

While the primary mission of CIU is to provide an evangelical higher education to its students, the corporate entity also encompasses two other major educational and evangelistic entities.

Ben Lippen School

Ben Lippen is a private, interdenominational Christian school located on the CIU campus. It was originally founded as a boarding school in Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville, North Carolina

Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...

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. There were approximately 375 high school students in 2008.

Christian Radio Stations

Two commercial-free, listener supported radio stations playing Contemporary Christian Music are supported by CIU. The first, 89.7 WMHK-FM

WMHK

WMHK FM 89.7 is a non-commercial Christian radio station in Columbia, South Carolina. It is owned and operated by Columbia International University. Its programming includes a Contemporary Christian music rotation selected by a team of listeners and family programming, such as "Family Life Today"...

, is located on the CIU campus and broadcasts in the Columbia

Columbia, South Carolina

metro area. It received the Station of the Year Award in 1996 from the National Association of Broadcasters

National Association of Broadcasters

The National Association of Broadcasters is a trade association, workers union, and lobby group representing the interests of for-profit, over-the-air radio and television broadcasters in the United States...

for religious/gospel programming, is the 2006 recipient of the CMB/GMA Station of The Year "Dove Award" and is ranked #2 nationally for religiously oriented radio stations. A sister station in Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte, North Carolina

Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...

, 91.9 WRCM-FM

WRCM-FM

WRCM, known on-air as New Life 91.9, is a radio station in Charlotte, North Carolina. It airs contemporary Christian music and identifies itself as "Charlotte's Number One Family Friendly Station"...

, began broadcasting in 1993. Both stations feature a mix of music and preaching and sponsor concerts in their listening areas by CCM artists.

External links

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