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make Him known.” The curriculum and communi-
ty life at CIU are designed to provide a dynamic
context in which students are assisted and
encouraged to pursue the following goals:
• Know Christ
by learning submission to His
Lordship and dependence on the Holy Spirit,
thus making progress in conforming to His
image.
• Know the Word
by gaining mastery of its con-
tent and understanding of its meaning, by
assimilating and applying its truth, and develop-
ing skill in the use of study tools.
• Know oneself
by an increasing awareness of
spiritual gifts and personal potential.
• Know people
by becoming sensitive to their
needs, the contexts in which they live and by
improving communication with them, whatever
their culture.
• Know the skills
required in one’s area of
service.
We provide the faculty and resources for learning
and the incentive and curricular guidance neces-
sary for progress toward these goals. We expect
students to involve themselves in the spiritual,
academic, social and physical dimensions of CIU
life. As they do, they come “to know Him” better
and are able “to make Him known” more effec-
tively. We believe that God’s purpose for
Columbia International University corporately, and
for its faculty and students individually can be
achieved only by the supernatural work of the
Holy Spirit through yielded believers.
Educational Philosophy
It is the intention all of the graduate programs to
include in their educational values a full commit-
ment to biblical literacy coupled with a ministry
orientation and marketable, professional skills. To
fulfill the Great Commission in a variety of set-
tings, graduates must have a biblical servant-
leader orientation and refined professional skills.
All graduate programs require demonstrated
excellence in areas of value, inquiry, knowledge
and practice.
Educational Goals
1. Spiritual Formation with a Christian Virtues
Basis
All graduate programs aim to develop in
students a deepening relationship with and
submission to Christ and to the Bible as the
authoritative Word of God, a Christian ethic
and lifestyle, healthy interpersonal relation-
ships and the ability to build collegial relation-
ships as a source of support and
encouragement.
2. Academic Excellence with Bible Core
All graduate programs aim to develop in stu-
dents the ability to articulate a biblical model
for one’s chosen professional discipline, the
knowledge base and skills needed for profes-
sional practice, an understanding of the theory
of the discipline, the ability to articulate major
teachings of the Bible and to interpret and
apply the Bible to contemporary culture, and
lifelong habits of professional reading, reflec-
tion and reasoned discussion using revealed
truth for critiquing contemporary culture and
building a biblical worldview.
3. Vocational Effectiveness with a Ministry
Skills Foundation
All graduate programs aim to develop in stu-
dents a knowledge of and commitment to the
ethical code integral to their profession, a bibli-
cal servant-leader orientation, a world
Christian perspective including intercultural
sensitivity and skills, and dedication to the life
and work of the local church.
Doctrinal Standard
Teaching at Columbia International University is
based on the great fundamentals of the Christian
faith, all of which center on the person of Jesus
Christ, our crucified, risen, and glorified Savior
and Lord. The following, together with other
Christian principles of doctrine and practice,
including the affirmation of the full trustworthiness
of Scripture, which in its original writing was ver-
bally inspired and without error, shall be the basis
of the faith and doctrine of the Columbia
International University:
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2012-2013 Graduate Programs Academic Catalog