Quick Facts
The CIU Seminary & School of Missions was organized in 1936 as the graduate division of what was then Columbia Bible College. In 1987 the seminary and graduate school split to form two distinct training grounds, a graduate school to raise up great commission professionals, and a seminary to raise up great commission vocational ministers.
The mission of Seminary & School of Missions is to equip Great Commission Christians to minister in multicultural communities. The SSM implements this mission by pursuing a vision of ministry training which is easily accessible, biblically grounded, spiritually vibrant, practically focused, and which fosters a Great Commission heart. Fifty percent of our graduates head for the mission field or seriously consider missionary service; fifty percent minister in their own cultural context with the aim of making a global impact.
FACULTY: The SSM has 15 resident faculty members, all of them are committed to excellence in modeling, instruction, and mentoring. All have church and/or missions experience, 90% with significant cross-cultural ministry experience. Student to faculty ratio is 14:1.
EDUCATIONAL FORMATS AND SITES: We offer courses by distance learning, offer degrees in modular/distance learning (online) format, Summer and Winter intensive classes in Atlanta, GA, and a degree-granting site in partnership with the Academie für Weltmission (AWM) in Korntal Germany.
ACCREDITATION: Fully accredited regionally (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and professionally (Association of Theological Schools).
FACILITIES: The Seminary & School of Missions has its own complex of buildings with administration and faculty offices and classrooms. A library, computer center, and campus network provide access to study and research materials through print resources, databases, and online access. The campus has amenities for resident life -- dormitories, student center with dining hall and bookstore, chapel, and athletic facilities.
STUDENT BODY:
- Columbia Campus Enrollment: 356
- Age Distribution: 44% in 20s; 25% in 30s; 17% in 40s; 14% above 50.
- Marital Status: 55% married; 45% single.
- US Geographic Distribution: 3% international students; U.S. students: 73% Southeast, 9% Northeast; 10% Midwest; 1% Northwest, 4% Southwest
- Ethnic Mix: 70% white; 16% African-American; 5% Asian or Hispanic.
- Denominational Affiliation: 28% Baptist; 9% Presbyterian; Nondenominational 27%; Other Denominations (including African Methodist Episcopal, Assemblies of God, Christian and Missionary Alliance, and Evangelical Free Church of America).