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Top News |
First Intercollegiate Athlete Signs to Play for CIU Rams SoccerClick here to read the full story. |
History In The Making
We are embarking on one of the most exciting chapters in the history of CIU. For the first time in 89 years, CIU will field our first intercollegiate athletic teams in fall 2012. Why athletics at CIU? It fits with our purpose of educating people from a biblical worldview to impact the nations with the message of Christ. Imagine the outreach that student-athletes and coaches can have both at home and abroad using the platform of athletics to share the good news of Jesus Christ
Our Sports
Fall 2012 marks the beginning of an aggressive five-year plan introducing intercollegiate athletics at CIU.
Our League
CIU will compete in the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), whose mission is to use athletic competition as an integral component of education, evangelism, and encouragement.
Our Mascot
The ram was chosen as the CIU mascot for its strength and its biblical significance. Not only are rams known as ferocious defenders of their territory and their flock, the ram is a symbol of God's provision - a foreshadowing of Christ's sacrifice on the cross.
CIU Rams Club
Click here for more information on becoming a founding member of the CIU Rams Club!
Moore Fitness Center
Cheryl Guinther is the communications coordinator for the Alumni Ministries Office of Columbia International University. She serves alumni with genuine personal care and a professional approach developed over years as an executive administrative assistant and missionary. Cheryl worked over six years for a Christian financial management company providing client-care to seniors. As a missionary with Brethren in Christ World Missions in Zambia, Africa, Cheryl managed a mission guesthouse, served with a church team taking the “Jesus Film” to outlying villages, and started a “Reading Room” ministry to help street children return to school. For the last five years, she has been a mentor in the Missions Development Program for Brethren in Christ World Missions. Cheryl and her husband, Peter, moved to Columbia from Mechanicsburg, Penn. in August of 2010 so that Peter could complete his Master of Divinity degree at CIU. She enjoys reading, gardening, volunteering at a women’s shelter, and the close fellowship with her neighbors in the CIU Village.
Cheryl’s favorite Scripture verse is Romans 13:8.
Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
The Doctor of Ministry Program
Description:
The Doctor or Ministry Degree is designed for persons who hold the M.Div. degree or its equivalent and who have significant experience in pastoral or cross-cultural ministry. You will build on previous studies and ministry experiences to attain higher levels of competency.
This degree program is designed to advance your knowledge of the foundations of and current developments in ministry, to deepen your understanding of your philosophy of ministry, to enhance your ability to function professionally, to increase your capacity to think and act purposefully in ministry, and to strengthen your spiritual and moral integrity. Demonstration of significant progress in these areas is an essential ingredient of the program. Progress is observed through a constant mentoring relationship with an assigned member of the CIU SSM faculty.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
- A Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree with a minimum B average (3.0 GPA). An applicant who does not hold the M.Div. degree, but who has completed another graduate theological degree and believes he or she has theological training equivalent to an M.Div., may submit evidence of work completed to the Office of Admissions for assessment.
- At least three years of active involvement in ministry subsequent to completion of M.Div. studies. Applicants to the Missions concentration are required to meet this requirement in active crosscultural ministry unless their primary assignment is North American missions administration.
- A completed Doctor of Ministry application, including forms and instructions available through the Admissions Office.
- International students must demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language.
- Any additional requirements set by the CIU SSM faculty or the Admissions Office.
ACADEMIC INFORMATION:
While CIU’s D.Min. program is noted for its flexibility, the individualized program of studies must be appropriate to the concentration. With the exception of the Military Chaplaincy concentration which allows a maximum if twelve semester hours of transfer credit from chaplaincy training, twenty-four semester hours of study (including the dissertation-project) must be taken at CIU at the 9000 level. No more than six semester hours may be transferred in or taken, with permission, at the 6000 or 7000 level. All degree requirements must be completed within six years of initial enrollment in the Doctor of Ministry program unless an extension is requested and granted.
CANDIDACY:
Advancement to candidacy occurs when the student has successfully completed all course work and whose dissertation-project proposal has been accepted by the dissertation committee.
Upcoming courses and manuals are available here.
Doctor of Ministry (Leadership)
The DMin (Leadership) is designed to develop your knowledge, theoretical clarity, and competence in the profession and practice of ministry through life-long learning in leadership. It is a popular option for pastors and church staff, as well as those involved in other organizations.
| Doctor of Ministry (Leadership) | |
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Core (12 semester hours) |
Concentration (9 semester hours)
Free Electives (9 semester hours)
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Doctor of Ministry (Missions)
The DMin (Missions) is designed for those with significant experience in cross-cultural ministry. It builds on your previous studies and ministry experiences in order to attain higher levels of competency. It advances your knowledge of the foundations of and current developments in missions, deepens your understanding of God's purposes, acknowledges your personal calling and purpose in God's mission, improves your skills for achieving assigned responsibilities, and develops your personal and moral integrity.
| Doctor of Ministry (Missions) | |
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Core (12 semester hours) |
Concentration (9 semester hours)
Free Electives (9 semester hours)
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Doctor of Ministry (Member Care)
The DMin (Member Care) equips professionals who have demonstrated skill in providing ministerial and/or therapeutic care for missionaries. It uses multi-disciplinary training tools to equip you as a Mission Support Services Specialist serving in an organizational setting or as a Clinical Counseling Specialist (licensure) focusing on clinical needs of missionaries in the global arena. It uses a cohort-based model to build professional relationships and encourage in-depth peer mentoring.
| Doctor of Ministry (Member Care) | |
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Core (12 semester hours) |
Concentration (12 semester hours)
Free Electives (6 semester hours)
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Doctor of Ministry (Military Chaplaincy)
The DMin (Military Chaplaincy) is designed to assist you in developing a higher level of expertise in your ministry to men and women in the armed forces. The course work and training you receive in the Basic and Advanced Chaplaincy programs of the U.S. Army or equivalent courses as a chaplain in other branches of the U.S. Military count toward your degree at CIU SSM. Of the 30 semester hours required for the degree, you may transfer in up to 12 semester hours from your chaplaincy training.
| Doctor of Ministry (Military Chaplaincy) | |
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Core (12 semester hours) |
Free Electives (18 semester hours)
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Doctor of Ministry (Preaching)
The DMin (Preaching) helps you move to a higher level in your ability to prepare and deliver sermons that are biblically and theologically astute while remaining relevant and practical. Pastors, teachers, and others involved in the ministry of God's Word will find it helpful for enhancing your ministry skills.
| Doctor of Ministry (Preaching) | |
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Core (12 semester hours) |
Concentration (9 semester hours)
Free Electives (9 semester hours)
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Opportunities:
You will be able to:
- Use ministry skills at an advanced level of professional competency and will exhibit the personal qualities normally considered essential to this level of ability;
- Demonstrate increased sensitivity in interpersonal relationships and development of the skills needed to enhance these relationships;
- Think, plan, and act creatively in transcending traditional approaches to ministry by the use of innovative concepts and methods;
- Domonstrate a steadily maturing relationship with God in an understanding of the concept of servanthood, especially as related to servant leadership.
What our graduates say
"Education at its best is motivational and even fun when it's done by those who are experts at their craft. As I look back over my courses, I'm amazed at God's timing and direction in my life and ministry. The D.Min. program at CIU has delivered on all fronts; I hold it in highest regard." - Jack Bartlett (D.Min. Class of 2002)
"CIU's D.Min. program is enriching my life in a number of ways. The godly character of my professors, the fellowship with other D.Min. students, and the spiritual ethos of the school enrich me spiritually. The academic challenges of the D.Min. program stimulate me intellectually and teach me to think in new and exciting ways. The material that I learn is practical, making me a more competent pastor. Furthermore, I appreciate the flexibility to tailor my program to meet my needs, and the personal care that my mentor shows to me. I'm glad that the Lord led me to CIU for my D.Min. studies." - Christopher A. Johnson (D.Min. Class of 2001)
"While I served on the mission field in the former Soviet Union, I enrolled in the CIU SSM D.Min. program. The classes were practical and very helpful to me in my work in a cross-cultural setting. The interaction with fellow students who were going through similar challenges in ministry was invaluable. The professors were very competent and in most cases had been doing what we were doing for many years themselves. I really appreciated the healthy balance of practical ministry focus, academic study and peer interaction. I highly recommend this program to anyone who wishes to sharpen and advance their skills in ministry." - Robert McAlister (D.Min. Class of 2007)
"I have joy and gratitude when I think of CIU SSM. Studying there, in more depth, I met with God, understood God's plan, experienced God's love, and learned more accurately God's truths in the Bible. And I came to know how to live a life pleasing to God. I spent 6 years in my M.Div. and D. Min program of CIU. Through spiritually, theologically and missiologically well balanced professors, I learned how to evangelize, preach, serve and nurture people, and plant churches for God's glory and the extension of God's Kingdom. For the last four years, our family and fellow workers have shared the gospel with more than 500 people, planting 10 churches. CIU SSM is a very special school for people who have the burden of world mission." - Wah Rang Shin (D.Min. Class of 2004)