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13│ COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY
2017-2018 │ADMISSIONS
Transfer Credit
For transferable credits, see the Academic Policy section of the catalog.
Previously Enrolled Students
Students must reapply and submit all program requirements if out of attendance for two consecutive regular semesters.
Students who have missed only one regular semester of study contact the contact the Registrar’s Office. Students also
contact Residence Life if returning to reside in the residence halls, and the Financial Aid Office if financial aid is needed.
Non-Degree Seeking Students (NDSS)
Students not applying for a specific degree program may be accepted as a non-degree seeking student (NDSS). Examples
include transient students, consortium students, and students seeking prerequisites for licensures and certificates. NDSS
applicants must complete the general application requirements; unofficial transcripts or transient letter may be accepted as
the admitting credential.
Undergraduate applicants must hold a high school diploma or satisfy the requirements for a high school concurrent
student.
Graduate applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 12 graduate hours may be taken as a non-
degree seeking student. Students taking courses for professional development beyond the 12 credits will need to
sign the Waiver of Credit Hour Limitation housed in the University Registrar’s office.
Non-accredited Degrees
The faculty and administration of CIU recognize some higher education institutions, both in the United States and around
the world, have chosen to offer quality instruction and training without the benefit of accreditation by an organization
approved by the United States Department of Education. Generally, students graduating with a bachelor’s degree from such
institutions are not eligible for admission to graduate programs at CIU. However, in a limited number of cases, it may be
determined that the academic rigor required in the bachelor’s program was sufficient to merit admission. Applicants in this
category must satisfy the general admission requirements and the specific requirements for the program to which they are
applying. As evidence of ability to pursue successfully an academic program, applicants must have the minimum GPA in
undergraduate study required by the program to which they are applying. Applicants must accompany the Unaccredited
Institution Review Form found on
MyCIU
with the following documents from the institution(s) where they completed their
earlier study:
An institutional catalog or other document(s) that includes the institution’s history, information on faculty credentials,
the institution’s relationship to state, regional, national, or international educational agencies, the grading system,
and course descriptions
A list of accredited institutions that have accepted students for graduate work from the institution
Syllabi from at least five classes appropriate to program preparation as selected by the applicant
Students admitted to a program based on a degree from a non-accredited institution are admitted with provisional
acceptance (see the “Provisional Acceptance” section for more information).
Columbia Biblical Seminary (CBS) does not accept transfer credit from unaccredited institutions without special approval.
A student may request advanced standing with credit through a proficiency examination for courses completed at an
unaccredited institution. For more information regarding advanced standing, see “Competency/Proficiency Examinations”
in the Academic Policy section of this catalog.
Auditors
Persons desiring to audit classes may do so with the approval of the Registrar and the instructor of the course. The
University reserves the right to refuse to allow an individual to register as an auditor in any course. Auditors do not take
examinations or receive credit and may participate in class discussions with the approval of the instructor.