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2012-2013 Seminary Programs Academic Catalog
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teaching English to speakers of other languages.
The program specifically prepares graduates to
teach English in both non-English and English-
speaking cultures. Bible co-requisites are given in
the Graduate Academic Catalog.
Ben Lippen school
Ben Lippen, a Scottish phrase meaning
“Mountain of Trust,” is an evangelical Christian
school for grades PreK-12, founded in 1940 by
Robert C. McQuilkin, first president of Columbia
International University. Ben Lippen School con-
tinues to strive toward McQuilkin’s goal of teach-
ing young people that there is “life in abundance”
(John 10:10) for those who follow Jesus Christ as
Lord. The school is college preparatory, coeduca-
tional and receives both resident and day stu-
dents.
The Ben Lippen School family consists of stu-
dents from a wide range of cultures and back-
grounds. As many as 30 foreign countries and 25
states have been represented in a single year.
Some students come from homes of missionaries,
pastors and other full-time Christian workers.
Others come from families representing all areas
of professional and educational careers. This
“melting pot” of young men and women offers an
educational experience in itself.
The proximity of Ben Lippen School to Columbia
International University provides an opportunity
for convenient Christian schooling for children of
CIU students.
cooperative educational Programs
allen university
CIU SSM and Allen University have established a
cooperative agreement that makes it possible for
students to complete a dual study program con-
sisting of a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major
in Religion at Allen University and either a Master
of Arts (Theological Studies) degree or a Master of
Divinity degree at CIU SSM. This agreement pro-
vides a smooth curricular transition for students,
allowing them to enter a master’s degree program
without loss of credit or duplication of course
work. For further information on this agreement,
contact the SSM dean’s office.
carolina theological consortium
In order to advance the cause of Christ through
graduate level theological education in North and
South Carolina and to affirm a spirit of collegiality,
CIU SSM is a full member of the Carolina
Theological Consortium. Other members of the
consortium are Erskine Theological Seminary in
Due West, S.C, Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary—Charlotte, in Charlotte, N.C. and
Reformed Theological Seminary—Charlotte, in
Charlotte, N.C. Students in good standing in each
of the member schools may cross-enroll in mas-
ter’s or doctoral degree courses offered by any of
the schools and may borrow library materials from
any of the schools. Admission of students who
wish to cross-enroll is on a space-available basis.
institute of theological seminars
The Institute of Theological Seminars (ITS), a joint
ministry of Great Commission Center International
(GCCI) and Christian Renewal Ministries (CRM), is
dedicated to providing graduate theological train-
ing for Chinese Christian professionals. Through a
formal articulation agreement, CIU SSM permits
students who have completed studies at the
Institute of Theological Seminars to become
transfer students with advanced status in the cer-
tificate and degree programs of CIU SSM.
Students transferring from ITS must have com-
pleted a bachelor’s degree from a recognized col-
lege or university at the time they pursue
coursework at ITS.
urbana theological seminary
CIU SSM and Urbana Theological Seminary (IL)
have established an articulation agreement that
permits qualified students who take courses at
Urbana Theological Seminary to apply those
courses to the certificate and degree programs of
SSM. For addition information on this agreement,
contact the SSM dean’s office.
Zwemer center for muslim studies
The Zwemer Institute was established in 1979 to
offer in-depth courses in Islam, produce papers,
foster dialogue and facilitate research on pertinent
topics. In 2003, the Zwemer Institute moved to
the campus of CIU SSM to become the Zwemer
Center for Muslim Studies. Every year the