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127 | COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2017-2018 │SEMINARY & SCHOOL OF MINISTRY
ADVANCED BIBLICAL & THEOLOGICAL STUDIES
MAJOR
WITH FIVE-YEAR INTEGRATED BACHELOR OF ARTS & MASTER OF DIVINITY
Overview
CIU’s Seminary & School of Ministry (SSM) offers an integrated program of study that allows academically-gifted, mission-
quality high school graduates who have a clear sense of calling to vocational Christian ministry as senior or solo pastors to
complete both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Divinity degree in five years.
During their first two years, students complete courses in the standard undergraduate core of Bible/Theology, general
education, and leadership development, including designated electives in philosophy, logic, and world religions. During their
third year, they complete courses in their Advanced Biblical and Theological Studies major, which adds depth in Biblical
languages, theology, and worldview. A Senior Seminar allows them to integrate their biblical-theological understanding and
transition to graduate-level study.
Students apply to the Master of Divinity degree during their third year of study. If they are accepted, they complete the
requirements for their B.A. and begin course work for the M.Div. during their fourth year. They graduate with the B.A. in the
spring of that year.
During the summer before their final year, students engage in intensive paid internships. Those internships are in venues
that allow students to be mentored by experienced pastors whose primary focus is preaching. They complete their graduate-
level requirements during their fifth year and graduate with their M.Div. at the end of that year. The following table provides
a basic overview of the program.
Bachelor of Arts
Master of Divinity
Year 1
Undergraduate core
Year 2
Undergraduate core
Year 3
Undergraduate major
Apply for admission to M.Div.
Year 4
Complete B.A.
Begin graduate studies
Year 5
Complete M.Div.
Purpose and Objectives
The Advanced Biblical and Theological Studies major provides students with in-depth training in biblical languages,
theology, and worldview. It prepares them to explain, contextualize, and defend God’s Word accurately in the contemporary
world and to use their training as a foundation for graduate-level study or research.
In addition to the mission statement and general objectives and requirements of the bachelor’s degree, the objectives of the
Advanced Biblical and Theological Studies program are to enable students to:
Translate and explain OT or NT texts based on the applicable original language.
Contextualize and defend the Christian faith in the contemporary world.
Set key theological doctrines into the historical context of global Christianity.
The M.Div. (Pastoral Theology) provides students with a comprehensive range of biblical-theological knowledge and practical
skills for ministry leadership along with specialized skills to understand, apply, and communicate the Scriptures effectively on
a regular basis in a local church context.
The objectives of the Pastoral Theology concentration are to enable students to:
Discuss the teaching of individual Bible books in detail and trace key themes in Scripture.
Practice sound exegesis and exposition of the biblical text based on the original languages.
Demonstrate skill in communicating biblical truth using a variety of communication methods appropriate to the culture.
Admission and Continuation Requirements
Because of the rigorous nature of this program, applicants must meet the following qualifications in addition to those
normally required for admission to an undergraduate degree at CIU: