2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Jul 14, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Bible, BS

Overview

The Bible Major at Columbia International University equips students with training in understanding and applying the Bible. All students at CIU complete a Bible and Theology Core of 18 hours, and the Bible Major builds upon these core studies. Students can choose to major only in Bible or can double-major in Bible and another major of their choice.

Purpose and Objectives

The purpose of the Bible Major at CIU is to equip students to handle God’s word faithfully by understanding the framework of Scripture and by developing the skills of interpreting and applying Scripture. Students complete coursework in Biblical and Theological studies and can complete electives in Bible, Theology, and Biblical languages to customize their course of study. Students double-majoring in Bible should consult their academic advisors for recommendations regarding elective choices.

See Undergraduate Core for graduation requirements.

Course of Study (120)

Degree Core (54-55)

Math (3) - Choose one of the following:

The following majors are designated: Business Administration - MAT 2600, Educational Studies - MAT 1110, Health Sciences - MAT 2100, Psychology - PSY 2100, Teacher Education - MAT 1110, Nursing, BS - MAT 2100.
MAT 1110 - College Algebra Credits: 3
MAT 2100 - Introduction to Statistics Credits: 3
MAT 2600 - Business Calculus Credits: 3
PSY 2100 - Statistics for the Social Sciences Credits: 3
PHI 2610 - Introduction to Logic Credits: 3

Culture and Arts (3) - Choose one of the following:

ART 2110 - Art Appreciation Credits: 3
ENG 2120 - Film Appreciation Credits: 3
MUS 2110 - Music Appreciation Credits: 3

History (3) - Choose one of the following:

The following majors are designated: Teacher Education - HIS 1110
HIS 1110 - Introduction to World History Credits: 3
HIS 2310 - United States History and Government Credits: 3
HIS 2400 - Ancient Rome: Empire of Civilizations Credits: 3

Science (3) - Choose one of the following:

The following majors are designated: Teacher Education - BIO 2113; Health Sciences - BIO 2110 and BIO 2111
BIO 1100 - Introduction to Human Biology Credits: 3
BIO 2113 - Introduction to Biology Credits: 3
CHY 1100 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry Credits: 3
NTR 2110 - Introduction to Nutrition Credits: 3
PHE 2120 - Health Science & Personal Wellness Credits: 3
SCI 1100 - Introduction to Physical Science Credits: 3

Leadership Development and Spiritual Formation (6)

CSL 0101 - Christian Service Learning I Credits: 0
CSL 0201 - Christian Service Learning II Credits: 0
CSL 0202 - Christian Service Learning III Credits: 0
ICS 1210 - Discovering the Mission of God Credits: 3
MSD 1110 - Encountering Spiritual Formation Credits: 3

Bible Major (15-27)

In addition to the required 18 required hours in the Bible and Theology core (see above), students will complete 12 additional hours of study and 3 credits hours of field experience or internship. Students may choose the general Bible Major (15 hours) or a Bible Major with Specialization (Biblical Languages, Biblical Literature, Bible Teaching, Church Ministry or Youth and Family Ministry) (27 hours).

Bible Major (12)

Choose 4 upper division courses from the following: BIB, GRE, HEB, THE 3xxx/4xxx Electives.

Field Experience (3)

For students majoring only in Bible or specializing in Biblical Languages or Biblical Literature or Church Ministry, three (3) credit hours of field experience (MSD 4400) or Internship (MSD 4930) are required.

Students specializing in Bible Teaching, EDU 4400 can substitute for MSD 4400. Students specializing in Youth Ministry, YOU 4930 (with YOU 4110 as a prerequisite) can substitute for MSD 4400.

*For students completing a second major at CIU, the field experience requirement for the Bible major is waived, if the primary major has a field experience component already built in (3 credit hours).

Biblical Languages Specialization (12)

GRE 3112 - Introductory Greek Grammar I Credits: 3
GRE 3113 - Introductory Greek Grammar II Credits: 3
HEB 3112 - Introductory Hebrew Grammar I Credits: 3
HEB 3113 - Introductory Hebrew Grammar II Credits: 3

Biblical Literature Specialization (12)

Choose four additional upper division Bible elective courses:

BIB 3xxx/4xxx Elective
BIB 3xxx/4xxx Elective
BIB 3xxx/4xxx Elective
BIB 3xxx/4xxx Elective

Bible Teaching Specialization (12)

BIB 3820 - Bible for Teachers Credits: 3
EDU 2110 - Foundations of Education Credits: 3
EDU 5451 - Methods of Teaching Bible Credits: 3
PSY 3330 - Psychology of Learning Credits: 3

Church Ministry Specialization (12)

MIN 4536 - Management Essentials for Christian Ministries Credits: 3
MIN 4538 - Strategic Ministry Leadership Credits: 3
Choose two upper division elective courses from HOM, MIN or YOU 3xxx/4xxx.

Youth and Family Ministry Specialization (12)

YOU 3410 - Evangelizing & Discipling Youth Credits: 3
YOU 4310 - Strategies for Effective Youth & Family Ministry Credits: 3
Choose two upper-division elective courses from MIN 3xxx/4xxx.

Open Electives (39-51)

Bible majors may choose 17 elective courses from any department (51 credits).
Bible majors with a specialization may choose 13 elective courses from any department (39 credits).