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2012-2013 Seminary Programs Academic Catalog
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Winter and summer studies
Columbia International University Seminary &
School of Ministry offers core and elective cours-
es every year in an intensive one-week format
during January (Winter Studies) and one-week for-
mat from June to August (Summer Studies). The
abbreviated format of these sessions provides
unique opportunities for students to accelerate
degree completion and for those involved in min-
istry, missions and other vocations to fit continu-
ing education into their schedules.
Through these intensive course offerings, CIU
SSM is able to bring outstanding leaders in vari-
ous fields to the campus. In the more intimate
atmosphere of smaller classes, learning takes
place in a relationship close enough to get to
know and be influenced by world-class special-
ists.
Students should be aware that an intensive
course includes pre-attendance and/or post-par-
ticipation reading, reflection, research and evalua-
tion. For dates of the next Winter and Summer
Studies terms, see the online academic calendar.
accessciu
AccessCIU is designed to help students pursue
their seminary education while remaining in their
current ministry or occupation. Through
AccessCIU, CIU SSM offers students both indi-
vidual online courses and the opportunity to earn
a degree using a combination of “high tech”
online courses and “high touch” concentrated
classroom experiences.
course options
CIU SSM offers online courses that allow stu-
dents to begin their seminary education without
relocating, to accelerate their resident study by
taking courses during time away from campus for
work or other reasons and to engage in lifelong
learning after graduation. Students may earn up
to 49 percent of a degree by taking online cours-
es. The entire Bible and Theology and Biblical
Ministry Certificates are available online.
Online courses are offered during the Fall, Spring
and Summer Semesters in a cohort model, and a
minimum of five students must be enrolled to
avoid cancellation of a course. Fall and Spring
courses run 13 to 16 weeks in length with assign-
ments due every one to three weeks. Students
must be able to invest at least 10 hours per week
to take one Fall or Spring online course. Summer
courses are compressed with assignments every
week, and students must be able to invest 15 to
20 hours per week to take one Summer online
course. Syllabi are available when registration
opens, and some assignments may be available
online before the semester begins.
Once students register for a course, they have
access to the CIU library for research and can
begin submitting assignments electronically. The
professors who facilitate online courses provide
prompt feedback and encouragement beginning
with the published start date and continuing
throughout the duration of each course.
Discussion forums and chats provide the interac-
tive experience of an online community. To take
an online course, students must have a computer
with Internet access. Courses offered online are
noted at the end of each course description in the
“Course Titles and Descriptions” section of this
catalog. A complete list of online courses can be
found at
www.ciu.edu/distance.degree options
CIU SSM makes it possible to earn any of the fol-
lowing degrees by spending a maximum of four
weeks each year away from home:
Bible and Theology Certificate
Biblical Ministry Certificate
Master of Arts (Intercultural Studies)
Master of Arts (Muslim Studies)
Master of Arts (Theological Studies)
Master of Arts in Bible Exposition
Master of Arts in Global Studies
Master of Arts in Ministry Leadership
Master of Divinity (Bible Exposition)
Master of Divinity (Global Studies)
Master of Divinity (Ministry Leadership)
Educational Opportunities