Columbia International University

Columbia International University
Former names	Columbia Bible School (1923–1929); Columbia Bible College (1929–1994)
Motto	To know Him and to make Him known.
Type	Private university
Established	1923
Religious affiliation	Multidenominational Christian
President	William H. Jones
Students	2,481 (Fall 2022)
Undergraduates	1,001 (Fall 2022)
Postgraduates	1,480 (Fall 2022)
Location	Columbia, South Carolina, United States
Campus	Suburban, 400 acres (162 ha)
Colors	; Blue & Gold
Nickname	Rams
Sporting affiliations	NAIA – Appalachian
Mascot	Ram
Website	www.ciu.edu

Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian university in Columbia, South Carolina, United States. It was founded in 1923.

Academics

CIU has six colleges: College of Arts and Sciences, College of Education, Cook School of Business, School of Missions & Intercultural Ministry, School of Nursing, Seminary and School of Counseling. ^[1]

The university is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools^[2] and the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education.^[3] The Graduate School is also approved by the South Carolina Department of Education to offer graduate degrees in early childhood and elementary education leading to certification as a teacher in State of South Carolina.^[4]

Student life

CIU has doctrinal affirmations and lifestyle standards which all students (regardless of degree sought) are expected to uphold as a part of admission.

There are seven doctrinal points which students must consent to as a part of their admission to and candidacy for a degree from CIU. These are biblical inspiration, natural separation of humanity from God, salvation by grace through faith in Christ, the historical doctrine of the Trinity, the bodily resurrection of Christ from the dead, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the believer, and the evangelical mandate to witness to the gospel of Christ. Additionally, the doctrine of Premillennialism is officially held by the school, but students are not required to adhere to this doctrine. CIU requires all teaching faculty to affirm Premillennialism.^[5]

Students are required to sign a covenant form agreeing to keep various lifestyle standards established by the university. Some of the standards include prohibition from alcohol and tobacco. Students are required to complete a Spiritual Growth and Self Assessment – a narrative of a student’s spiritual journey during the year. Though not required during summer and winter breaks, students are expected to maintain CIU lifestyle standards.

Athletics

The Columbia International (CIU) athletic teams are called the Rams. The university is a member of the Division I level of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), primarily competing in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) since the 2018–19 academic year. They are also a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA), primarily competing as an independent in the South Region of the Division I level.^[6]

CIU currently competes in 13 intercollegiate athletic teams: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, track & field and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, track & field and volleyball.^[7]

Ben Lippen School

The Ben Lippen School is a private, interdenominational Christian school located on the CIU campus. It was founded as a boarding school in Asheville, North Carolina, in the 1940s, but was moved to its current location in 1988, offering middle and high school programs. An elementary school away from the main CIU campus was begun in 1989, and in 2006, a main elementary school campus was completed on CIU grounds and classes began there in August. The schools are co-educational and feature a mix of commuting and resident students. The curriculum mirrors most public institutions with the exception of teaching subject from an evangelical Christian worldview and the inclusion of Bible classes and chapel for students, faculty, and staff. In 2013, there were nearly 800 students enrolled at the school.

Notable alumni

Solomon Adeniyi Babalola - Veteran Nigerian Baptist missionary and evangelist, church pastor, church administrator, denominational leader, and theological educator
Doris Bartholomew
Laura Belle Barnard
Chet Bitterman
P. T. Chandapilla
Travis Greene
Nabeel Jabbour
Andreas J. Köstenberger
Chad Prather
Joy Ridderhof
Laura Story
Phillip Yancey

References

^ Columbia International University 2023–2024 Academic Catalog
^ "CIU Accreditation Reaffirmed". Columbia International University. 15 December 2010. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
^ "Institutions Holding COA Status". Association for Biblical Higher Education. 2020. Archived from the original on June 22, 2020. Retrieved May 12, 2020. LAST REAFFIRMATION 2019, NEXT COMMISSION REVIEW 2029
^ "Approved Educator Preparation Programs". scteachers.org. April 28, 2011. Retrieved August 5, 2011.
^ CIU 2013–2014 Academic Catalog
^ "CIU Facts". Columbia International University. Columbia International University. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
^ "Athletics History". Columbia International University. Retrieved 4 February 2022.