Undergraduate Application Requirements
Freshman Students
Applicants applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking student who have not previously attended college or attempted fewer than 12 college credits post-high school must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Application fee.
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard.
- Official high school transcript is required. Successful completion of the General Educational Development Test (GED) may be submitted in lieu of a high school transcript.
- Minimum high school grade point average (GPA):
- 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- Students with a GPA below 2.7 may submit official test scores with a score at or above the minimum listed below. Super scores are evaluated to meet admission standard.
- Students with a GPA below 2.7, with no test scores, or scores below the minimums listed will be considered for provisional acceptance.
- Official college transcripts of all coursework completed.
- Final official transcripts are required prior to enrolling.
- Complete additional specific program requirements where applicable on specific program sections.
- Provisional Acceptance:
- Entering freshman undergraduate students who do not have a minimum high school GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) may be admitted on a provisional basis. Test scores and GPA must be provided within the ranges listed below:
- High School GPA:
- 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- Test Score:
- Students who do not have a minimum high school GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) and did not submit a test score 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.
Transfer Students
Applicants applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking student who have attempted 12 or more college credits post-high school must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Application fee.
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard.
- Official college transcript of all work completed or in progress.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA):
- South Carolina residents are required to submit final official high school transcripts or successful completion of General Educational Development Test (GED) lieu of a high school transcript.
- Final official transcripts are required prior to enrolling.
- Complete additional specific program requirements where applicable on specific program sections.
- Provisional acceptance:
- Entering transfer undergraduate students who do not have a minimum college GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale 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.
International Students
Applicants who are not United States citizens applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Application fee.
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard.
- Official Transcript(s):
- Freshman: Official high school transcript is required for students who have attempted 11 or fewer college credits post-high school and official college transcripts of all coursework completed.
- Minimum high school grade point average (GPA)
- 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- Students who do not have a minimum high school GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted) 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.
- Transfer: Official college transcripts for all coursework completed.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA):
- Students who do not have a minimum college GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale 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.
- For schools attended outside the United States that are not accredited through the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), an Official International Credential Advancement Package (ICAP) evaluation performed by World Education Services (WES) or an evaluation by InCred must be obtained for required transcripts. Academic records not written in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
- Student athletes must have an evaluation performed by InCred and submitted to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) for eligibility.
- 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 CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development). CSSD 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 CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development) and have CSSD provide WES with the official academic transcript and English verification report and obtain a course-by-course evaluation.
- Final official transcript evaluation and official transcript are required prior to enrolling.
- Official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Duolingo English Test if English is not the applicant’s first language.
- TOEFL score minimum:
- Internet-based exam: 70
- Computer-based exam: 195
- Paper-based exam: 525
- Duolingo English Test score minimum: 105
- Complete additional specific program requirements where applicable on specific program sections.
- Following admission to the University, international students are required to submit the following for issuance of the student visa:
- Enrollment deposit
- Copy of passport
- Certification of Funds Form or bank statement certifying the funds showing enough to cover the cost of attendance after financial aid has been applied
High School Dual Enrollment Students
High school sophomores, juniors and seniors may apply to enroll in lower division undergraduate courses as part of CIU’s high school dual enrollment program. Applicants applying for admission into the high school dual enrollment program must provide the following to the admissions office:
- Online Application.
- Official high school transcript.
- Minimum high school grade point average (GPA):
- 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- Students with a GPA below 3.0 may be considered for admission with submission of a letter of recommendation from the high school administration.
- Students who were previously enrolled at CIU but have been out of attendance for two consecutive regular semesters contact the Admissions Office to reactivate your application.
- Minimum CIU grade point average (GPA) to reenroll:
- 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Students with a CIU GPA below 2.0 may be considered for readmission with submission of a letter of recommendation from the high school administration.
CIU will accept high school students to be part of CIU’s high school dual enrollment program independent of their faith. 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 dual enrollment students attending CIU and wanting to enroll in CIU as a Freshman post high school provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Non-refundable application fee.
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard.
- Official high school transcript is required. Successful completion of the General Educational Development Test (GED) may be submitted in lieu of a high school transcript.
- Minimum high school grade point average (GPA):
- 2.7 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
- Students with a GPA below 2.7 may submit official test scores with a score at or above the minimum listed below. Super scores are evaluated to meet admission standard.
- Students with a GPA below 2.7, with no test scores, or scores below the minimums listed will be considered for provisional admission.
- Official college transcripts of all coursework completed.
- Final official transcripts are required prior to enrolling.
- Complete additional specific program requirements in the university catalog.
Gap Year Students
Following admission to the University, students 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:
- Official transcript if potential gap year credit earned
- Additional materials may be requested to determine transfer credit eligibility.
Previously Enrolled Students
Students who have attended CIU post high school and have been out of attendance for two consecutive regular semesters must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Official college transcripts of coursework completed post CIU enrollment.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA):
Students who have missed only one regular semester of study contact the Registrar and Financial Aid Offices. Students returning to reside in the residence halls contact Residence Life.
Readmission After Military Service
In accordance with federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. 668.18 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the university will readmit service members who seek readmission to a program that was interrupted due to a uniformed service obligation.
Students who withdraw from the university in order to perform active military service will be readmitted after the student’s release from active service. Students who have missed only one regular semester of study contact the Registrar and Financial Aid Offices for readmittance. Students who have been out of attendance for two consecutive regular semesters or more will reapply but will not be required to pay the application fee. Students may be readmitted in the same academic program prior to the military service or request admission to a different program.
Non-Degree Seeking Students (NDSS)
Students not applying for a specific degree program apply as a non-degree seeking student (NDSS) and must hold a high school diploma. Examples include transient students, consortium students, and students seeking pre-requisites for licensure and certificates must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Application fee.
- Affirm to be a Christian and agree with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard.
- Transient letter, official or unofficial high school transcript or college transcript if 12 or more college credits were attempted.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA):
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, ACT: 27, CLT: 84
- 3.25 GPA on a 4.0 scale (unweighted)
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.
Applications remain active for one year after the initial intended year and term of the application. Students wanting to attend after one year from their original desired year and start term must reapply.
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 Requirements
General Application Requirements
Applicants applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Graduate ministry degree programs require an affirmation of being a Christian and agreement with CIU’s Doctrinal Standard. See Online Admission Policy for non-ministry programs.
- Complete additional requirements on specific program page.
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 student must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Complete additional requirements found on program page.
- Official Transcript(s):
- For schools attended outside the United States, an Official International Credential Advancement Package (ICAP) evaluation performed by World Education Services (WES) or an evaluation by InCred must be obtained for required transcripts. 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 CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development). CSSD 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 CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development) and have CSSD provide WES with the official academic transcript and English verification report and obtain a course-by-course evaluation.
- Final official transcript 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.
- Official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Duolingo English Test if English is not the applicant’s first language or if they earned a degree from an institution where all instruction and work was completed in English.
- TOEFL score minimum:
- Internet-based exam: 79
- Computer-based exam: 213
- Paper-based exam: 550
- Duolingo score minimum: 105
- Following admission to the University, international students are required to submit the following for issuance of the student visa:
- Enrollment deposit
- Copy of passport
- Certification of Funds Form or bank statement certifying the funds showing enough to cover the cost of attendance after financial aid has been applied
Kepha Institute Students
Applicants who are not United States citizens applying for admission into the Kepha Institute Program as full or part-time degree seeking or non-degree seeking must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Kepha Institute application.
- Kepha Institute application essay.
- Minimum highest earned degree must be the equivalent of a U.S. earned bachelor verified through the CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development) website.
- Baccalaureate Equivalence: Kepha Institute 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.
- Kepha Institute Church Leader Reference
- Kepha Institute 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.
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 contact the Registrar and Financial Aid Offices.
Non-Degree Seeking Students (NDSS)
Students not applying for a specific degree program may apply to be accepted as a non-degree seeking student (NDSS). Examples include transient students, consortium students, and students seeking pre-requisites for licensure and certificates must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Transient letter, official or unofficial college transcript demonstrating earned baccalaureate degree.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA):
A maximum of 12 graduate hours may be taken as a non-degree seeking student.
Non-Accredited Degrees
Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree from an unaccredited institution are generally ineligible 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.
- Unaccredited Institution Review:
- Unaccredited Institutions - US institutions which are not accredited by an agency officially recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or non-US institutions not acknowledged by WES or InCred as accredited (typically based on the institution’s recognition by the home country’s ministry of education).
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.
Applications remain active for one year after the initial intended year and term of the application. Students wanting to attend after one year from their original desired year and start term must reapply.
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.
Enrollment Deposit
Applicants approved for admission submit an enrollment deposit that is applied toward tuition (see “International Students” for international enrollment deposit requirement). Students are encouraged to submit the enrollment deposit to secure their place within the desired start term.
Freshman Students
Applicants applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking student who have not previously attended college or attempted fewer than 12 college credits post-high school must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Official high school transcript is required. Successful completion of General Educational Development (GED) Testing Program may be submitted in lieu of a high school transcript.
- Minimum high school grade point average (GPA) recommended:
- 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (those with a GPA under 2.0 may be admitted on a provisional basis)
- Official college transcripts of all coursework completed if the student seeks to transfer credits from previously attended institutions.
- Final official transcripts.
Transfer Students
Applicants applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking student who have attempted 12 or more college credits post-high school must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Official college transcript from institution where 12 or more post-high school college credits were attempted. Official transcripts for all additional work completed or in progress if the student seeks to transfer credits from those institutions.
- Minimum college grade point average (GPA) recommended:
- 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (those with a GPA under 2.0 may be admitted on a provisional basis)
- Final official transcripts.
International Students
Applicants who are not United States citizens applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking student must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Official Transcript(s):
- Freshman: Official high school transcript is required for students who have attempted 12 or fewer college credits post-high school and official college transcripts of all coursework completed if the student seeks to transfer credits from those institutions.
- Transfer: Official college transcript from institution where 12 or more post-high school college credits were attempted. Official transcripts for all additional work completed or in progress if the student seeks to transfer credits from those institutions.
- For schools attended outside the United States, an Official International Credential Advancement Package (ICAP) evaluation performed by World Education Services (WES) or an evaluation by InCred must be obtained for required transcripts. Course by course evaluation is required. 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 CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development). CSSD 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 CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development) and have CSSD provide WES with the official academic transcript and English verification report and obtain a course-by-course evaluation.
- Final official transcript evaluation.
- Official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Duolingo English Test if English is not the applicant’s first language or if they earned a degree from an institution where all instruction and work was completed in English.
- TOEFL score minimum:
- Internet-based exam: 70
- Computer-based exam: 195
- Paper-based exam: 525
- Duolingo score minimum: 105
Non-Degree Seeking Students (NDSS)
Students not applying for a specific degree program apply as a non-degree seeking student (NDSS) and must hold a high school diploma. Examples include transient students, consortium students, and students seeking pre-requisites for licensure and certificates must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Transient letter, official or unofficial high school transcript or college transcript if 12 or more college credits were attempted.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA) recommended:
- Those with a GPA below a 2.0 may be admitted under a provisional basis.
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 contact the Registrar and Financial Aid Offices.
Readmission After Military Service
In accordance with federal regulations, 34 C.F.R. 668.18 and the Department of Defense (DoD) Voluntary Partnership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), the university will readmit service members who seek readmission to a program that was interrupted due to a uniformed service obligation.
Students who withdraw from the university in order to perform active military service will be readmitted after the student’s release from active service. Students who have missed only one regular semester of study contact the Registrar and Financial Aid Offices for readmittance. Students who have been out of attendance for two consecutive regular semesters or more will reapply but will not be required to pay the application fee. Students may be readmitted in the same academic program prior to the military service or request admission to a different program.
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.
Applications remain active for one year after the initial intended year and term of the application. Students wanting to attend after one year from their original desired year and start term must reapply.
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.
Applicants applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Complete additional requirements found on program page.
International Students
Applicants who are not United States citizens applying for admission as a full or part-time degree-seeking student must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Complete additional requirements found on program page.
- Official Transcript(s):
- For schools attended outside the United States, an Official International Credential Advancement Package (ICAP) evaluation performed by World Education Services (WES) or an evaluation by InCred must be obtained for required transcripts. 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 CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development). CSSD 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 CSSD (Center for Student Services and Development) and have CSSD provide WES with the official academic transcript and English verification report and obtain a course-by-course evaluation.
- Final official transcript evaluation.
- Official test score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or Duolingo English Test if English is not the applicant’s first language or if they earned a degree from an institution where all instruction and work was completed in English.
- TOEFL score minimum:
- Internet-based exam: 79
- Computer-based exam: 213
- Paper-based exam: 550
- Duolingo score minimum: 105
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 must provide the following to the Admissions Office:
- Online application.
- Transient letter, official or unofficial college transcript demonstrating earned baccalaureate degree.
- Minimum grade point average (GPA):
A maximum of 12 graduate hours may be taken as a non-degree seeking student.
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 contact the Registrar and Financial Aid Offices.
Non-Accredited Degrees
Students graduating with a bachelor’s degree from an unaccredited institution are generally ineligible 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 specific program requirements.
- Unaccredited Institution Review:
- Unaccredited Institutions - US institutions which are not accredited by an agency officially recognized by the US Department of Education (USDE) or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or non-US institutions not acknowledged by WES or InCred as accredited (typically based on the institution’s recognition by the home country’s ministry of education).
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.
Applications remain active for one year after the initial intended year and term of the application. Students wanting to attend after one year from their original desired year and start term must reapply.
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 with date of graduation or conferral.
- Transcript must be received directly from the institution in a sealed envelope or in an electronic format by the prior school sending the transcript through an approved third-party vendor.
Official Test Score
Test score results that are sent directly from the testing agency or provided on official transcripts.
Transfer Credit
For transferable credits, see the Academic Policy section.
Auditors
Persons desiring to audit classes may do so by contacting and obtaining the approval of the Registrar Office 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.
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