Entrance Requirements
For complete details on admissions requirements and procedures, see the Admissions section of the Graduate School catalog .
- Who should apply?
- How do I apply?
- Are there specific entrance requirements for each degree program?
[MABT, MACNS, MAT, MATEFL/ICS, MED] - What do I do if I am missing prerequisite coursework?
- Are there special requirements for international applicants?
- Can I transfer in credit from another institution?
- If I graduated from the CIU Bible College do I still have to apply to the Graduate School?
Who should apply?
Applicants should evidence strong Christian character and commitment, potential for effectiveness in Christian ministry, and the scholastic achievement, communication skills and intellectual ability needed for graduate studies. The student body includes people of diverse ages, geographical and cultural backgrounds, personal and family backgrounds, and denominational affiliations. This diversity adds to the richness of the CIU educational experience.
Prospective students are encouraged to discuss plans, goals and questions with our concerned and experienced admissions staff. Within the United States, call our toll-free number 1-800-777-2227. Outside the United States, please call (803) 754-4100. Fax us at (803) 786-4209 or e-mail us at yesgrad@ciu.edu .
The basic criteria for selection of students include the following:
- Evidence of Christian conversion (normally at least one year prior to enrollment) and development in Christian character.
- Evidence of Christian character, submission to the will of God, and willingness to accept the administration′s authority and guidelines.
- Evidence of good physical health and the ability to carry out cross-cultural, church, market place, and/or ministry roles.
- Evidence of ability to successfully pursue an academic program.
- Evidence of effective use of English (international students should see the section International Applicants for information on specific requirements).
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
- Agreement with Doctrinal Standard . An applicant will not be admitted who denies any teaching expressed in the Doctrinal Standard. (Exception: Students are not required to affirm the pre-millennial position expressed in Section 8 of the Doctrinal Standard.)
In addition to the general requirements listed above for admission to the CIU Graduate School, the various degree programs have specific prerequisite and entrance requirements related to their professional fields. See the following sections. Acceptance by the Graduate Admissions Office into a Graduate School program does not guarantee admission to candidacy or graduation.
How do I apply?
The easiest way to apply to the CIU Graduate School is to complete the online application . You can also request a paper copy from the Graduate Admissions Office by calling 1-800-777-2227 ext. 5335, emailing yesgrad@ciu.edu or by writing the office at Columbia International University, P.O. Box 3122, Columbia, South Carolina 29230-3122. (There is a $10 surcharge for mail-in applications)
Note: Columbia International University follows a rolling admissions policy. Applications are reviewed when the admissions office has received all of the application materials. Prospective students are notified of decisions on their applications within a reasonable time frame, usually two to four weeks after all application materials are received. Students applying for admission less than two months prior to the beginning of a semester are considered for admission as soon as all application materials are received, provided space is available.
Are there specific entrance requirements for each degree program?
( MABT , MACNS , MAT , MATEFL/ICS ,MED )
Students applying to the Master of Arts in Bible Teaching program must have a 2.7 GPA minimum in undergraduate study or scores above the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination as well as undergraduate courses in literature, history, and Social Studies in the Bible Curriculum. Applicants must also have foundational knowledge in Bible and theology: an undergraduate degree in Bible, a Bible certificate or a total of 30 hours of coursework in Bible and theology. (Students not meeting this requirement should apply to the Certificate in Biblical Studies program at Columbia Biblical Seminary, www.ciu.edu/seminary . After completing the Certificate in Biblical Studies, students would qualify to apply to the MA in Bible Teaching program.)
Students applying to the Master of Arts in Counseling program must have a 3.0 GPA minimum in previous study in psychology or scores above the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination in Psychology as well as specific undergraduate coursework in psychology. Applicants must also receive satisfactory results on the MMPI-2 and interview with a counseling faculty member.
Students applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching programs, in either Elementary Education or Early Childhood Education, must have a 2.7 GPA minimum in undergraduate study or scores above the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination as well as passing scores on the reading, writing, and mathematics sections of the Praxis I. (Information on test sites and registration is available from the Graduate School Office or directly from www.ets.org/praxis .) Specific undergraduate prerequisite coursework in the humanities and sciences and in Bible/theology are also required.
Students applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching English as a Foreign Language/Intercultural Studies must have a 2.7 GPA minimum in undergraduate study or scores above the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination. Applicants must also have foundational knowledge in Bible and theology: an undergraduate degree in Bible, a Bible certificate or a total of 30 hours of coursework in Bible and theology. (Students not meeting this requirement should apply to the Certificate in Biblical Studies program at Columbia Biblical Seminary, www.ciu.edu/seminary . After completing the Certificate in Biblical Studies, students would qualify to apply to the MA in TEFL/ICS program.) International Students whose first language is not English must score 600 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) before being admitted into the TEFL/ICS program.
The Master of Education degree offers three different areas of concentration: Curriculum and Instruction, Educational Administration and English as a Second Language, and the admissions requirements vary slightly depending on the concentration desired. Students applying to the Master of Education must have a 2.7 GPA minimum in undergraduate study or scores above the 50th percentile on the Graduate Record Examination. Applicants must also have previous experience in education and foundational knowledge in Bible and theology (see the Admissions section of the Graduate School catalog for specific requirements). International Students whose first language is not English who are applying to the English as a Second Language concentration must score 600 or above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants to the Educational Administration concentration must show evidence of leadership skills.
What do I do if I am missing prerequisite coursework?
Students applying to degree programs with prerequisite coursework requirements should consult the Admissions section of the Graduate School catalog for specific information on the requirements and when they must be completed. Courses satisfying the "content prerequisites" (those directly related to the professional field) are available at many accredited colleges and universities nationwide. All are also available on CIU′s campus through the Bible College division. Courses satisfying the Bible/theology requirements are available from the CIU Bible College division, Columbia Biblical Seminary , or through the Distance Education Office . All courses used to satisfy prerequisite requirements, including those in a Bible certificate, must be from an accredited institution.
Are there special requirements for international applicants?
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam and must score a 550 on paper-based examination or 213 on the computer-based examination before being considered for acceptance into the Graduate School of Columbia International University. International students applying for the MATEFL/ICS or MED in ESL programs must have a score of 600 on the paper-based examination or 250 on the computer-based examination. This includes internationals transferring to Columbia from another graduate school in the United States. The TOEFL Exam is available through American consular offices. CIU′s code number is 5116.
International applicants must send official transcripts (or certified true copies) of all academic work beyond the secondary school level. A syllabus, course sheet, university catalog or statement should accompany records of collegiate level work by the applicant of the content of each subject covered in each examination taken. Records not in English should be accompanied by a certified translation into English.
Acceptance for study does not imply the availability of scholarship or other financial assistance.
Can I transfer in credit from another institution?
Applicants who have completed graduate-level work at another accredited institution may receive transfer credit in courses for which they received a grade of "C" or better. Transfer credit cannot be given for courses already applied toward another degree at an outside institution. Because of the specific nature of the coursework required for Graduate School programs, generally credit is only awarded for courses that parallel a course within the student's desired program. In some instances, courses from another institution may be deemed appropriate for transfer even if the courses are not equivalent to courses required in the program.
If I graduated from the CIU Bible College do I still have to apply to the Graduate School?
If more than a year has elapsed between graduation from the Bible College and anticipated enrollment in the Graduate School, all application forms must be completed and references submitted. If less than one year has elapsed, an abbreviated application is available requiring a statement of the applicant′s vocational goals, reasons for seeking graduate study, and recommendations. Such applicants are, however, still responsible for satisfying the additional program requirements such as test scores or specific prerequisite coursework.