Columbia International Unversity is leading the way in North America with new and unique Ph.D. programs this fall offered by Columbia Biblical Seminary (CBS).

CBS is the first seminary in the United States or Canada to offer a Ph.D. in Biblical Studies and Theological Studies using a fully-online modified European model that focuses on researching and writing a scholarly dissertation apart from extensive course work.

The degree is designed so that students can complete their work in their own context in three years of full-time study or five years of part-time study. It is accredited nationally by the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and regionally by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Students will complete three initial semester-long seminars online as part of a cohort during their first year. During the third seminar, each candidate will be assigned to a qualified faculty mentor who will guide the candidate through the dissertation proposal, research, and writing stages. When the faculty mentor deems the dissertation to be ready for defense, the candidate will defend his/her dissertation before a committee of at least three faculty readers.

CBS Dean Dr. John Harvey says the program will emphasize CIU’s core values of the Authority of Scripture and World Evanglization, aligning with CIU’s mission.   

“With its purpose of preparing graduates to teach nationally and internationally, the program aligns with CIU’s emphasis on impacting the nations,” Harvey said. “With its Old Testament and New Testament content areas, the program aligns with CIU’s emphasis on the message of Christ.”

The CBS program is unique because most North American seminaries and divinity schools — even those that offer the degree in online or hybrid modality — follow a model that includes at least two years of course work, followed by comprehensive exams and the dissertation process. The CBS program, therefore, will be more time- and cost-efficient than other U.S. or Canadian programs.

Meanwhile, a fully-online Doctor of Ministerial Leadership (DML) is also available, replacing the Doctor of Ministry degree in Columbia Biblical Seminary. The DML is designed for those who minister in local churches or para-church organizations including leading pastors, chaplains, women’s ministry directors, small group pastors, pastoral counselors, ministry care specialists and church education directors.

It offers an opportunity to grow in spiritual maturity, strengthens personal and professional ethics, and develops a biblical approach to leadership.

For more information, contact Alan Lovell in the CIU Admissions Office at (803) 807-5339 or write Alan.Lovell@ciu.edu.    

Columbia International University ranks #1 among colleges and universities in South Carolina by BestColleges.com. Excitement is growing on campus with the new $20 million William H. Jones Global Business & IT Center and CIU’s first baseball program. Request information on enrollment at CIU and Columbia Biblical Seminary or call (800) 777-2227, ext. 5024.