Columbia International University

FAQ's

Courses:

What type of courses do you offer?
Online courses in Bible, Education, Church History, Theology, Intercultural Studies, Hebrew, and Greek. www.ciu.edu/distance/courses

Are you Accredited?
Yes! CIU is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS 1866 Southern Lane P.O. Box 1523 Decatur, GA 30033-4097) and the Association for Biblical Higher Education (ABHE). Seminary programs are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS).

How can I look at syllabi for courses?
Current syllabi are available online at www.ciu.edu/distance. Click on the courses link, then on Undergraduate, Graduate, or Seminary, then find the course you want to view and click on the course title.

How do online courses work?
Courses are designed with textbook readings, audio/video lectures, online class discussion, written assignments and projects, online quizzes and examinations. Work is submitted in progress reports; exams are taken through approved proctors online. You will need to commit approximately 10 hours per week in a Fall or Spring online course, and 20 hours per week in a Summer online course.

What is the cost for distance education courses?
Application Fee: $45.00
Audit Fee: $ 75.00 per credit hour

Extension Fee: $ 75.00 (if meet necessary requirements)
Tuition Rates: See Tuition and Fees for details. Tuition and fee rates are subject to change.
Materials: Prices for materials are listed at www.ciu.edu/bookstore

Is financial aid available for distance courses?
Yes, students taking online courses may be eligible for financial aid if they are enrolled in a degree program at CIU. Students who are eligible may receive Federal and state funds. Students who wish to receive aid must complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov . All online courses qualify for military Tuition Assistance and Veteran's Benefits. For more information on financial aid, contact CIU's Student Financial Services Office at finaid@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5036.

Will courses transfer to other colleges and universities?
CIU is a regionally accredited university, and generally, courses transfer readily; however, the college receiving transfer credit sets policies regarding transfer, so check with the school you wish to transfer credit to prior to registering for a course. For more information on transfer registration, contact the CIU Registrar's Office at registrar@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5033.

Can I take a distance education course as part of a semester load?
Yes! You can take any combination of online and on-campus courses; however, not more than 49% of a degree program may be taken through online courses. Freshmen and sophomore undergraduate students with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 cannot take independent courses as part of a semester load without a waiver from the Undergraduate Dean's Office.

When can I begin a course?
Syllabi for upcoming semesters are posted online at www.ciu.edu/distance. You can purchase materials and begin working on a course anytime after the syllabus is posted. Registration for Summer and Fall courses opens in April, and registration for Spring courses opens in November. Students registered for Undergraduate and Graduate School courses may begin submitting assignments for grading once they are officially registered (see the Course Calendar & Deadlines [INSERT LINK TO DEADLINES] for specific dates). Students in Seminary courses may begin submitting assignments once the semester begins.

How long do I have to complete a course?
You will have approximately four months for the Fall and Spring courses and two months for Summer courses. Students taking Undergraduate and Graduate School courses can begin work anytime after the syllabus is posted and work may be submitted for grading once you have registered for the course. All work is to be completed by the end of the semester. See the Course Calendar & Deadlines [INSERT LINK TO DEADLINES] for specific dates. Students in Undergraduate or Graduate courses may petition for an extension, see "What if I need more time to finish a course?" below.

What if I need more time to finish a course?
Students taking a Undergraduate or Graduate School course may petition for a six-month extension if 50% of the course work is completed satisfactorily at least 30 days before the end of the semester. Extensions are not available for students taking Seminary courses.

What if I do not finish a course?
A final grade will be processed based on the work that has been completed for the course. Any work not submitted will be calculated as a zero.

How do I submit assignments?
All of the assignments for this course have been divided into a series of Progress Reports. The Progress Report lists the work to be completed and submitted for grading. Submit assignments to the online course drop/box as soon as you have completed the work for that Progress Report. Do not submit more than one Progress Report at one time.

What if an assignment gets lost?
Please keep a copy of all work you submit. You will need to resubmit work if it is not received by the grader.

Can I use my personal e-mail address for communications?
For reasons of security and confidentiality, all communications from CIU personnel will be sent to your CIUOnline e-mail account. (username@webmail.ciu.edu) You may set this account to forward to an outside address if you wish; however; CIU does not assume responsibility for confidential information forwarded to an outside e-mail provider.

How do I forward my CIUOnline e-mail?
Go to www.ciuonline.com and click on "Student Webmail" on the leftt hand side of the page. Then enter your username and password. Then click on the Settings button on the top of the page. Then click on the "Mail Forwarding Options" and follow the instructions given.

How do I take exams?
Exams for this courses must be taken under the supervision of an approved proctor who meets these qualifications: a principal, professor, guidance counselor, school administrator, pastor, chaplain, or a church, missions, school or college leader who can administer the exam in a business or office location with Internet access. The proctor must be present while you take the exam. A proctor cannot be anyone related to you.

When the Progress Report you are working on calls for it, submit the Proctor Form on the course website at least one week before you intend to take the exam. Your proctor will be sent a password to administer the exam online.

Take your exams after you have completed and reviewed all the work covered on that exam, but before you begin the work for your next Progress Report. When you are ready to take your exam, contact your proctor and arrange a suitable time. Bring photo identification and a computer to the exam. No electronic device (ipod, cell phone, MP3 player, etc.) may be used during the exam. You will logon to www.ciuonline.com then navigate to your test or quiz in whichever progress report it is in. You will click on "Attempt quiz/test now" which will prompt for a password. Your proctor will enter the password and you can take the exam. Be sure to click on the "Save & Finish" button to record the exam.

What Library privileges do Distance Education students have?
Students taking online courses have access to a reference librarian, the library catalog, and several research databases at www.ciu.edu/library. On request, the library will send materials from the CIU collection to you anywhere in the world. Be sure to mention the number and title of the online course you are taking and explain your topic carefully. The reference librarian will help you locate materials for your course assignments. For assistance, contact the reference librarian at refdesk@ciu.edu fax: (803) 744-1391, phone: (803) 807-5102.

How do I arrange for an ADA accommodation?
If you require an accommodation for completing any assignment or taking exams, please contact the CIU Director of Academic Services at (803) 807-5612. Approval must be granted ahead of time.

How do I take the course evaluation at the end of my course?
Go to www.ciuonline.com and login using your username and password. Choose the course you are taking. Then click "Course Evaluations" on the upper lefthand side of the page. Answer all the questions then click on the submit button so your answers are recorded.

When do I need to finish my course if I am graduating?
All course work must be received by your Grader by noon the day before graduation.

When and how do I get my final grade for a course?
Your final grade will be posted to your online student account. You can check your grade by logging on to your account at www.ciuonline.com. See the Course Calendar & Deadlines for dates when grades will be posted. The Distance Education Center cannot release grade information.

Who do I contact with questions?
Distance Education questions: Distance Education Center at distance@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5710
Course questions: Your grader or professor, see the course website for contact information
Registration: Registrar's Office at registrar@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5033
Admissions: Admissions Office at yesciu@ciu.edu or (803) 807- 5335
Payment/Refund: Accounting Office at gatkinson@ciu.edu or
(803) 807-5055
Books and material: CIU Bookstore at bookstore@ciu.edu or
(803) 807-5263
Technical help: Help Desk at helpdesk@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5199
Library: Library Reference Desk at refdesk@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5102

Application and Registration:

How do I apply to CIU?
See How to Apply for detailed instructions.

When can I register and start a course?
Syllabi for upcoming semesters are posted online at www.ciu.edu/distance. For Undergraduate or Graduate School courses you can purchase materials and begin working on a course anytime after the syllabus is posted. Registration for Summer and Fall courses opens in April, registration for Spring courses opens in November. Students in Undergraduate or Graduate School courses may begin submitting assignments for grading once they are officially registered. Students in Seminary courses may begin submitting assignments once the semester begins.

How do I register for a course?
Follow the detailed instructions on the How to Register page.

How do I get my course materials?
Materials can be ordered through the CIU Online Bookstore at www.ciu.edu/bookstore.

How do I pay for tuition?
After registering for your course you may pay online using a major credit card by going to www.ciuonline.com , then Student Access, Fee Statement. You may also make arrangements with the Accounting Office at (803) 807-5055 to make payment. Failure to pay for your course by the end of drop/add will result in disenrollment in the course.

What if I change my mind and want to drop a course or withdraw from a course?
Contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5033. See Course Calendar & Deadlines for critical dates.

Does CIU offer degrees through distance education?
No, however, up to 49% of a degree may be taken through online courses. The seminary's Advancement in Ministry track makes it possible to complete an M.A. or M.Div. degree through a combination of one-week intensive courses in January and June, and online courses in Fall and Spring semesters.

What are CIU's residency requirements?
Generally, bachelor's degree students must complete a minimum of 32 semester hours at CIU, including a minimum of two consecutive regular semesters in which they are registered for at least six semester hours credit. Up to 30 credit hours earned through online courses may be applied to a bachelor's degree. Up to 15 credit hours earned through online courses may be applied to an associate's degree. Up to 49% of Graduate School and Seminary and School of Missions degrees may be taken online. At least half of any seminary degree must be earned through resident study. Please consult the appropriate academic catalog for specific program limitations.

How do I sign up for a course if I am a student at another university?
Contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@ciu.edu for information regarding transcient students.

How many courses can I take without applying to a program?
Up to 12 credit hours may be taken by a student admitted as a Non-Degree Special Student. Individuals seeking to take credits without pursuing a program must complete the CIU application for admission and be admitted before registering for a course. NDSS applicants are not required to furnish the personal testimony or reference letters in the admissions process.

Can I take a college level course before I graduate from high school?
A high school junior or senior may apply to enroll in CIU's concurrent enrollment plan and take 1000- and 2000-level undergraduate courses; however, CIU will not transcript the course prior to having a validated transcript from the high school confirming graduation. Concurrent enrollment students must complete the CIU application process and be provisionally admitted before taking a course, and enrollment is subject to space availability.

Can I take a graduate or seminary level course before I complete a bachelor's degree?
A college senior in good academic standing may take a 5000-level graduate course; however, CIU will not transcript the course prior to having a validated transcript with a degree posted from an accredited undergraduate institution.

Can I take graduate or seminary level courses if I have an unaccredited undergraduate degree?
Generally, no: however, unaccredited degrees are reviewed on a case by case basis. Student should contact the CIU Registrar at registrar@ciu.edu for more information.

Can my spouse or another family member take a course with me?
Individuals may share course materials; however, anyone wishing to take a course must register individually for that course. There is no special provision for spouses taking the same course at the same time.

Can I audit a distance education course?
Audit is paying for the privilege of attending a credit class without taking it for credit. Generally, audit students do not submit assignments, take examinations, or participate in class discussions. Online courses may be audited. If you wish to audit a course, contact the Registrar's Office at registrar@ciu.edu for registration information. Currently, the fee to audit a course is $75.00 per credit hour.

How do I get a transcript if I take only distance education courses?
Students who have completed a course for credit may request a transcript from the Registrar's Office at registrar@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5033. All tuition and fee payments must be completed and any required admissions materials (official transcripts of prior academic work) must be on file before a transcript will be issued. There is a small fee for having a transcript issued.

Materials:

How do I get my course materials?
Materials can be ordered through the CIU Bookstore: online at www.ciu.edu/bookstore, by phone at (803) 807-5263, or in person on the lower level in the Rossi Student Center. Materials cannot be ordered from or picked up at the Distance Education Center; all orders must go through the CIU Bookstore. For questions about orders, e-mail bookstore@ciu.edu.

Can I order course and multimedia materials without taking a course?
Yes! All distance education course materials, chapel messages, and other multimedia educational materials can be purchased apart from taking a course. For pricing and online ordering, visit www.ciu.edu/bookstore or call the bookstore at (803) 807-5263.

How long will it take to receive course materials and media orders?
Orders are generally filled within two weeks. Items that are on backorder may take longer.

Are there any discounts on materials?
The CIU bookstore does not offer discounts on materials.

How do I pay for course materials and media resources?
Online orders require a major credit card. The order will be billed to your credit card when the order is placed. In-person orders may be paid for by check, credit card, or cash. For assistance, call the bookstore at (803) 807-5263, or e-mail bookstore@ciu.edu.

Can I return course or media materials?
The CIU Bookstore will refund the cost of the materials for courses within the first 15 days of the purchase if materials are in new condition. No shipping charges will be refunded. There are no returns on chapel messages or multimedia (including course CDs), only replacement for defective merchandise. Online course CD's and DVD's listed as optional are not eligible for returns or refunds. Contact bookstore@ciu.edu or 803-807-5263, for more information or with specific questions.

What if there is a problem with a CD or DVD?
Contact the Distance Education Center at distance@ciu.edu or (803) 807-5710, explain the problem, and provide details on what item you purchased. Please include the dates and revision number printed on the disc. We will replace defective media.

Can I use course materials for a Bible study or Sunday school class?
Yes! Course materials can be used apart from taking a course without special authorization.

Can I make copies of course or media materials?
No. It is illegal and unethical to duplicate copyrighted materials. All course materials and multimedia resources are under copyright. All rights are reserved.

Technology:

How do I get a CIUOnline account?
Once you have applied to CIU and been accepted as a student, you will receive a CIUOnline username and password. Please change the assigned password to a unique one that you will remember. The same username and password will be used for all courses you take at CIU and for access to grades, e-mail, and registration. You will be required to change your password once a year for security reasons.

How do I get to CIUOnline?
Once you have your username and password, point your web browser to www.ciuonline.com. Enter your username and password and you're in. Click on "Courses" in the menu on the left side of the screen to access any courses in which you are registered. If you need assistance with CIUOnline, call the Help Desk at (803) 807-5199, or e-mail helpdesk@ciu.edu.

What computer requirements are there for a course?
A computer running Windows XP or higher or a Macintosh computer running OS X, 10.2, or later, Internet access, a DVD player, speakers are required. Software requirements include Internet Explorer 6, Firefox 2 or Safari 3 or later. Also required, Adobe Reader 7.0 or higher, Windows Media Player 8, or QuickTime7. To download a free copy of the above software, click on the name. [INTERNET EXPLORER, FIREFOX, SAFARI, ADOBE, MEDIA PLAYER, QUICKTIME, & REAL PLAYER]

Do I have to have Internet access to take a course?
Yes. Special arrangements can be made for students who have only temporary or limited Internet access. Students who do not have Broadband should purchase the optional course CD's. All courses include online assignments and/or discussions.

Who do I contact if I am having trouble logging on to my CIUOnline account?
Call the IT Help Desk at (803) 807-5199, or e-mail helpdesk@ciu.edu. Support is available 8:00 am to 5:00 pm EST, weekdays.

How do I take the course evaluation at the end of my course?
Go to www.ciuonline.com and login using your username and password. Click on "Courses" then choose the course you are taking. Then click on the link called, "Course Evaluations". Answer all the questions then click on the submit button so your answers are recorded.

What do I do if my CD does not automatically open?
Put CD in computer then:
For Windows: Double click on my computer, then double click on CD, then double click on index.htm
For MAC: Double click on the CD Icon on the desktop, then double click on "click here to start".

FAQ's

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