Admissions

General Admission Requirements

• Evidence of Christian conversion and development of Christian character and freedom from habit-forming substances.

• Evidence of English proficiency (see the “International Students“ section for information about specific requirements).

• Agreement with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard.

• Undergraduate Applicants: Evidence of adequate academic preparation for college-level study (demonstrated by possessing a high school diploma or equivalent) by attaining appropriate standardized test scores and appropriate high school GPA (or college GPA if transferring) is required.
• Graduate Applicants: Evidence of adequate academic preparation for graduate-level study (demonstrated by possessing a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution) is required. Students must provide official transcripts showing an earned bachelor’s or master’s degree and any master’s level credit earned. Students holding a baccalaureate degree from a non-accredited institution may still be eligible for admission. See “Non-accredited Degrees” for more information.

In addition to the general requirements, individual degree programs may have specific admission requirements related to their fields.

Undergraduate Application Procedures

General Application Requirements

Applicants applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking or non-degree seeking students must provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• Online application
• Non-refundable application fee

Freshman Students

Applicants who have not previously attended college or attempted fewer than 12 college credits post-high school must provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• All general application requirements

• Official SAT, ACT, or CLT test score is required unless the applicant is 24 years of age or older or meets the criteria for a transfer or international student who completed high school outside of the United States. Super scores are evaluated to meet admission standard.
  • Test Score Minimum:
    • SAT: 970 (New SAT)
    • ACT: 18
    • CLT: 62
• Official high school transcript is required. Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program may be submitted in lieu of a high school transcript.
  • Minimum high school grade point average (GPA):
    • 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
• Official college transcripts of all coursework completed.
• Applicants seeking a music major are required  to pass an audition for entrance in to the major.
• Final official transcripts are required prior to registering for courses.

Transfer Students

Applicants who have attempted 12 or more college credits post-high school must provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• All general application requirements.

• Official college transcript of all work completed or in progress.
  • Minimum grade point average (GPA):
    • 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• South Carolina residents are required to submit final official high school transcripts or successful completion of General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program in lieu of a high school transcript.
• Final official transcripts are required prior to registering for courses.

International Students

Applicants who are not United States citizens applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking or non-degree seeking must provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• All general application requirements including additional Freshman or Transfer Student requirements.
• International Credential Advancement Package (ICAP) evaluation by World Education Services (WES) must be obtained for required transcripts for schools attended outside the United States. Academic records not written in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

                   Special consideration is given for applicants having studied in China:

• Not seeking transfer credit: Applicant may submit official transcripts in Chinese, official graduation certificate and degree certificate in Chinese to CHESICC(China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center). CHESICC will provide CIU with the official academic transcript and English verification report to determine highest post-secondary degree earned.
• Seeking transfer credit: Applicants submit their Chinese documents to CHESICC (China  Higher Education Student Information & Career Center) and have CHEISICC provide WES with the official academic transcript and English verification report and  obtain a course-by-course evaluation.

• Educational background form
• Official report of the score earned on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not the applicant’s first language.
  • TOEFL score minimum:
    • Internet-based exam: 70
    • Computer-based exam: 195
    • Paper-based exam: 525
• International Citizens Financial Certification form, as well as a bank statement certifying the funds listed, must be provided in order to validate proof of funds.
• Proof of residency for students who are living in the United States and not on an F-1 Visa.
• Following admission to the University, international students are required to submit an enrollment deposit and all necessary documentation for issuance of the student visa.

High School Concurrent Students

High school sophomores, juniors and seniors may apply to enroll in lower division undergraduate courses as part of CIU’s high school concurrent program. Applicants applying for admission into the high school concurrent program must provide the following to the admissions office:

• Online Application
• Non-refundable application fee
• High school seniors
  • Official high school transcript with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted).
• High school juniors
  • Official high school transcript with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted).
• High school sophomores
  •  Official high school transcript with minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) on completed 9th grade year.
  • Official PSAT, SAT, ACT, or CLT test score

                         Test score minimum

• PSAT: 970
• SAT: 970
• ACT: 18
• CLT: 62

CIU will accept high school students to be part of CIU’s high school concurrent program independent of their Christian testimony. It is CIU’s desire that all high school students who may not be Christians when they take courses at CIU, will be introduced to Him and come to accept Him as Savior.

High school concurrent students attending CIU and wanting to enroll in CIU as a Freshman post-high school provides the following to the Admissions Office:

• Official SAT, ACT, or CLT test score is required unless the applicant is an international student who completed high school outside of the United States. Super scores are evaluated to meet admission standard.
  • Test Score Minimum:
    • SAT: 970 (New SAT)
    • ACT: 18
    • CLT: 62
• Final official high school transcript is required. Successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program may be submitted in lieu of a high school transcript.
  • Minimum high school grade point average (GPA):
    • 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
• Official college transcripts of all coursework completed excluding courses completed at CIU

Gap Year Students

Applicants who have taken a gap year (typically, an academic year) between secondary school and higher education to attend a specialized credit earning program provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• All general application requirements

• Official SAT, ACT, or CLT test score is required unless the applicant is an international student who completed high school outside of the United States. Super scores are evaluated to meet admission standard.

  • Test Score Minimum:

    • SAT: 970 (New SAT)

    • ACT: 18

    • CLT: 62

• Final official high school transcript.

  • Minimum grade point average (GPA):

    • 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)

• Official transcript if potential gap year credit earned

  • Additional materials may be requested to determine transfer credit eligibility.

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 student 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.

• Minimum GPA from most recent transcript after matriculation at the undergraduate level has occurred at CIU (unless otherwise stated within the specific program section of the catalog):
  • 2.0 on a 4.0 scale

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 pre-requisites for licensure and certificates. NDSS applicants must complete the general application requirements; unofficial transcript 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.

Notification to Undergraduate Applicants

Once all application materials have been received, the completed application will be reviewed by admissions and the applicant notified of the admission decision. 

Provisional Acceptance

Entering undergraduate students who have a deficiency in their academic qualifications may be admitted on a provisional basis. Provisional minimum:

• Test Score:
  • ACT: 17
  • SAT: 930 (New SAT)
  • CLT: 58
• GPA:
  • 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)

Students who do not meet the provisional minimum may be reviewed by the Admission Review Committee, where the candidate’s performance in previous education, work, or military training along with the student’s plan to be successful will be used to determine if provisional admission is appropriate.

Honors Program

Undergraduate students accepted to CIU who would like to enhance their educational experience may apply to the Honors Program. The Admissions Office will provide the Honors Program application. Minimum entering credential test score and
GPA requirements:

• SAT: 1280 (New SAT), ACT: 27, CLT: 84
• 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)

Enrollment Deposit

Applicants approved for admission submit an enrollment deposit that is applied toward tuition. Students are required to submit the enrollment deposit to secure their place within the desired start term. 

Graduate Application Procedures

General Application Requirements

Applicants applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking or non-degree seeking must provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• Online application
• Non-refundable application fee
• Application essay. (if applicable based on the degree program sought)
• Official transcript from highest earned degree and any other graduate level coursework
  • Minimum GPA for entering credential (unless otherwise stated within the specific program section of the catalog):
    • 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Official test scores are based on degree program requirements and entering GPA. Refer to a specific degree program for required tests and minimum test score requirement.
• Specific degree program reference forms
• Complete any additional specific degree requirements

Final official transcripts are required prior to registering for courses.

International Students

Applicants who are not United States citizens applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking or non-degree seeking must provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• All general application requirements and specific degree program requirements
• International Credential Advancement Package (ICAP) evaluation by World Education Services (WES) for required transcripts for schools attended outside the United States must be obtained. Academic records not written in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

                         Special consideration is given for applicants having studied in China:

• Not seeking transfer credit: Applicant may submit official transcripts in Chinese, official graduation certificate and degree certificate in Chinese to CHESICC (China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center). CHESICC will provide CIU with the official academic transcript and English verification report to determine highest post-secondary degree earned.
• Seeking transfer credit: Applicants submit their Chinese documents to CHESICC (China HIgher Education Student Information & Career Center) and have CHESICC provide WES with the official academic transcript and English verification report and obtain a course-by-course evaluation.

• Applicants to CIU graduate programs who have graduated from a school accredited by Asia Theological Association (ATA) may be considered as having received the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor or Master degree from an accredited institution, as long as the school’s accreditation with ATA is current at the time of the student’s graduation.
• Educational background form
• Official report of the score earned on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not the applicant’s first language.
  • TOEFL score minimum:
    • Internet-based exam: 79
    • Computer-based exam: 213
    • Paper-based exam: 550
• International Citizens Certification of Funds form as well as a bank statement certifying the funds listed must be provided in order to validate proof of funds.
• Proof of residency for students who are living in the United States and not on an F-1 Visa.
• Following admission to the University, international students are required to submit an enrollment deposit and all necessary documentation for issuance of the student visa.

Chinese Initiative Students

Applicants who are not United States citizens applying for admission into the Chinese Initiative Program as full or part-time degree seeking or non-degree seeking are not required to submit the General Admission Requirements, but must provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• Chinese Initiative application
• Chinese Initiative application essay
• Minimum highest earned degree must be the equivalent of a U.S. earned bachelor verified through the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC) or from the China Higher Education Student Information & Career Center (CHESICC) websites
• Chinese Initiative church leader reference
• Chinese Initiative education background form
  • Baccalaureate equivalence: Chinese Initiative applicants with an earned Benke Certificate of Graduation, without the accompanying bachelor’s graduation certificate, may be provisionally accepted as having the equivalent to a bachelor’s degree. The Zhuanke Certificate of Graduation does not indicate U.S. bachelor equivalency.
• Chinese Initiative educational background form

Non-Baccalaureate Students

Students without an earned baccalaureate degree may still be considered for admission to graduate and seminary programs at Columbia International University. Requirements and availability for non-baccalaureate students is available in the Non-Baccalaureate Admissions Policy available at www.ciu.edu/policy.

Notification to Graduate Applicants

Once all application materials have been received, the completed application will be reviewed and the applicant notified of the admission decision. 

Enrollment Deposit

Applicants approved for admission submit a enrollment deposit that is applied toward tuition (see “International Students” for international enrollment deposit requirement) with the exception of online-only students. Students are required to submit the enrollment deposit to secure their place within the desired start term.

Provisional Acceptance

Entering graduate students who do not meet the minimum requirements for their desired degree program may be admitted on a provisional basis. The Admission Review Committee will review the candidate’s performance in previous education, work, or military training and determine if provisional admission is appropriate.

General Admission Policies

Official Transcript

An official transcript is a comprehensive record of academic progress, including transfer courses, credit earned by exam, and earned degrees. High school, homeschool, and college transcripts must list the following:

• Dates the student attended the institution
• Titles of courses and examinations completed
• Grades (marks) received
• Credit, hours or units earned
• any degree or diploma received

Transfer Credit

For transferable credits, see the Academic Policy  section.

Non-Degree Seeking Students (NDSS)

Students not applying for a specific degree program may be accepted as a non-degree seeking students (NDSS). Examples include transient students, consortium students, and students seeking prerequisites for licensure and certificates. NDSS applicants must complete the general application requirements: unofficial transcripts or transient letter may be accepted as the admitting credential.

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.

Previously Enrolled Students

Students must re-apply and submit all degree-specific admission requirements if out of attendance for two consecutive regular semesters. Students who have missed only one regular semester of study must contact the Registrar’s Office. Students must also contact the Financial Aid Office if financial aid is needed.

Minimum GPA from the most recent transcript after matriculation at the graduate level has occurred at CIU (unless otherwise stated within the specific program section of the catalog): 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Non-Accredited Degrees

Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree from an unaccredited institution are not eligible for admission to graduate programs at CIU. However, it may be determined that the academic rigor required in the bachelor’s program is sufficient to merit admission. Applicants who have earned a degree in this category must provide the following to the Admissions Office:

• All general application requirements and degree-specific admission requirements
• Official transcripts from the non-accredited institution and any other graduate level coursework
• Minimum GPA for entering credential (unless otherwise stated within the specific program section of the catalog):

       2.5 on a 4.0 scale

• Unaccredited Institution Review

All materials must be received no later than one month prior to the published deadline for admission for the term. Students meeting the requirements may be admitted to a program based on a degree from a non-accredited institution with provisional acceptance.                

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.