Columbia International University
Columbia International University (CIU) is a private Christian university in Columbia, South Carolina. Divisions. CIU has five colleges: the College of Arts & Sciences, the College of Counseling, the College of Education, the College of Intercultural Studies, and the Seminary & School of Ministry. Because of the closely knit nature of the institution and the emphasis on Christian education and biblical studies regardless of major, many of the colleges share faculty members. Accreditation. CIU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical  Higher Education. The seminary is accredited by the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada to award the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), the Master of Arts (MA), and the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.). 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. Student life. Similarly to many evangelical schools and seminaries, CIU has doctrinal affirmations and lifestyle standards which all students (regardless of degree sought) are expected to uphold as a part  of admission. Doctrinal standards. There are seven doctrinal points which students must assent 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. Lifestyle standards. CIU holds to a goal of spiritual formation in preparation for life after college. 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 university's intercollegiate athletic teams, the Rams, compete  in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) in Division I of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The university currently fields thirteen varsity athletic teams, including: baseball, men's and women's basketball, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's soccer, softball, men's and women's track & field, and men's and women's volleyball. Additional programs. While the primary mission of CIU is to provide an evangelical higher education to its students, the corporate entity also includes Ben Lippen School. Ben Lippen School. Ben Lippen 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.