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2012-2013 Undergraduate Programs
A student will not be accepted as a candidate for
a degree who denies any of the doctrines as stat-
ed in the Doctrinal Standard, who affirms error in
Scripture or who believes in the ultimate salvation
of all men. (Exception: Candidates need not affirm
the pre-millennial position expressed in Section 8
of the Doctrinal Standard.)
The faculty evaluates each student individually
and reserves the right to refuse a degree to any
student whom it regards as not meeting the spiri-
tual, academic, Ministry Skill Development or
community standards of the university. (See
“Completing a Degree” section.) In compliance
with the Student-Right-to-Know Act of 1991, the
Undergraduate School of Columbia International
University reports a graduation rate of 57 percent
for its fall 2005 entering class based on 150 per-
cent of the normal time required for their program.
Minimum Residence Requirements
CIU requires students to complete a substantial
portion of degree programs, including coursework
and participation in ministry skills and spiritual for-
mation activities, during regular academic terms
at the Columbia campus or at an additional edu-
cational site approved by the faculty.
Undergraduate coursework offered via the
Distance Education Center does not meet the on-
campus residency requirement for associate or
bachelor degree programs.
Associate degree students, regardless of previous
undergraduate credits earned, are required to
complete a minimum of 16 semester hours of CIU
coursework at CIU and complete at least two
consecutive semesters in residence at the site,
earning at least six semester hours credit each
semester. Three semesters of Christian Service
Learning (CSL) are required for graduation.
Bachelor degree students, regardless of previous
undergraduate credits earned, are required to
complete a minimum of 32 semester hours of CIU
coursework at CIU and complete at least two
consecutive semesters in residence at the site,
earning at least six semester hours credit each
semester. Three semesters of Christian Service
Learning (CSL) are required for graduation. A min-
imum of three upper Ministry Skills or internship
credits are also required for graduation.
Final Course Work Requirements for
a Degree
While there are no statutes of limitations for
undergraduate degree completion, CIU requires
that the final 15 semester hours of coursework
must be CIU credits unless defined otherwise in a
cooperative program. The purpose of this require-
ment is to ensure that faculty members have
plenty of opportunity to interact with students
prior to graduation in order to evaluate character,
doctrine and zeal for Christian service. If a student
has not been enrolled in the institution for two or
more semesters, the student will automatically be
required to meet the requirements of the catalog
under which the student returns to CIU. CIU
courses offered via Distance Learning and Media
Development can be used to meet last semester
requirements.
Student Assessment for Institutional
Improvement
In order for the college to assess student learning
and improve its academic programs, periodic
measurements of student perceptions and intel-
lectual growth must be obtained. As a require-
ment for graduation every student shall participate
in one or more evaluative procedures, which may
include examinations in general academic devel-
opment and/or the major field of study. The evalu-
ative information obtained through testing is used
solely to improve the quality of the educational
experience for future generations of students.
Commencement Ceremonies
Graduation from undergraduate programs
requires that the candidate submit an “Application
for Graduation.” This formal request to graduate
can be obtained from the Office of the University
Registrar. Students should consult with their advi-
sors and seek a degree audit early enough in their
academic careers (junior or early senior year) to
determine when they should consider graduating.
The Office of the University Registrar maintains
strict deadlines pertaining to the application to
graduate. A graduation fee will also be assessed
to those who submit their application to graduate.
While commencement ceremonies take place in
December and May each year, the actual award-
ing of degrees takes place in December, May and