Graduate Academic Catalog 2012-2013

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2012-2013 Graduate Programs Academic Catalog
Accelerated Studies (Summer and Winter)
Core and elective courses are offered every year
in intensive one, two and three week formats dur-
ing the months of May through August (Summer
Studies Program) and two weeks of January
(Winter Studies). The abbreviated format of these
sessions provides unique opportunities for stu-
dents to accelerate their programs and for people
involved in ministry, missions and other vocations
to fit continuing education into their schedules.
Intensive courses require some level of pre- and
post-class work. Upon registration, the student
should check the course website or with the
Graduate Program Office for any required
advance reading or written assignments. During
Summer and Winter Studies, CIU is able to bring
outstanding leaders in various fields to the cam-
pus. In the more intimate atmosphere of smaller
classes, learning takes place in a close enough
relationship to get to know and be influenced by
the specialists. Information is available from the
Graduate Admissions Office.
Distance Education
CIU offers online courses at both the undergradu-
ate and graduate level. These courses are
designed to serve students at a distance; howev-
er, resident students may also register for them to
alleviate schedule conflicts and/or to accelerate
progress toward graduation. Students may begin
a Graduate Program online or distance course
once registration opens, even though the start of
the semester may be several months away. Up to
49 percent of a degree may be completed
through online courses. Typically, a student must
invest 10 hours per week in a Fall or Spring
online/distance course and 15-20 hours per week
in a Summer Studies online/distance course.
Work not completed in a timely fashion during a
student’s final semester may delay the student’s
graduation date and/or receipt of a diploma and
final transcript. Syllabi, registration deadlines, and
additional information about online/distance
courses can be found at
Seminary & School of Ministry
CIU Seminary & School of Ministry (SSM) offers
undergraduate majors related primarily to church
ministry and graduate degrees related primarily to
ministry leadership. At both levels, the faculty
seeks to equip Great Commission Christians for
ministry in multicultural communities with an
emphasis on efficiency, customization, flexibility
and accessibility. Our goal is to graduate church
and para-church workers who have a heart for
the world as well as cross-cultural workers who
have a heart for the Church.
SSM undergraduate professional majors include
Biblical Languages, Family and Church
Education, Pastoral Ministries, and Youth Ministry,
Family, and Culture. All undergraduate students
earn a major in Bible as well as a professional
ministry major. Students who have taken at least
30 semester hours of Bible, Theology and Church
History as part of their undergraduate studies
qualify for a shortened program of studies at the
graduate level (Program 2). They may pursue
advanced standing with credit for up to one-sixth
of any degree (except the Program 2 Master of
Arts [Theological Studies]), thereby further short-
ening the length of time needed to complete their
studies. Students who earn their undergraduate
degree from CIU have the opportunity to earn a
B.A. and an M.A. in five years (4 +1) or a B.A. and
an M.Div. in six years (4 + 2).
At the graduate level, a “building block” approach
to the SSM curriculum allows students to move
efficiently through different components of their
degrees while retaining the option to change their
specializations if they wish. Program design takes
into consideration previous Bible training and
allows students to customize concentrations to
meet their needs. Daytime, evening and weekend
course scheduling promotes flexibility, while
online course formats as well as intensive cours-
es offered both in Columbia and at our site in
Atlanta enhance accessibility. Studying through
AccessCIU makes it possible for students to
complete the M.Div. degree as quickly as 60
months and an M.A. degree as quickly as 40
months without students relocating to Columbia.
At our Korntal, Germany site, students may com-
plete the Biblical Ministries Certificate, one of four
Master of Arts degrees and the Doctor of Ministry
degree with a concentration in International
Theological Education.