Columbia International University

Founded as a two-year school in 1923, Columbia International University now offers undergraduate and graduate programs to over 1,200 students. The institution facilitates online education through the Canvas platform and undergraduate candidates can enroll in fully remote programs for business and human services. The former option delivers a comprehensive generalist education that prepares students to work as corporate employees, entrepreneurs, and nonprofit administrators. CIU does not maintain GPA requirements for incoming first-year students, although transfer applicants need a minimum 2.0 GPA. The online graduate catalog contains master's programs in intercultural studies, educational administration, youth ministry leadership, and care and counseling. Students may also enroll in a 45-credit disaster relief and emergency management program, earning their credentials in two years. At the doctoral level, remote degrees cover fields like ministerial leadership and theological studies. CIU also oversees a doctor of organizational leadership program that teaches candidates to apply research findings and implement change models to bolster their company's competitive advantage. Prospective graduate students need a minimum 3.2-3.7 GPA, depending on the program.
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Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
51% of students
were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools
with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but
are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
69% of full-time
students stayed to continue their studies the following academic
year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall
2020.
Graduation Rate Insight
68% of students
graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their
studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are
not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners.
Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
Test scores: | Required | High school transcript: | Not required or recommended |
High school rank: | Not required or recommended | Letter of recommendation: | Not required or recommended |
High school GPA: | Required | Open admission: | No |
Completion of college prep program: | Recommended | Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL): |
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollment: Yes
Advance placement (AP) credits: Yes
Credit for qualified life experience*:
ⓘ
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials,
or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a
portfolio to earn credit.
Learning Environment
2k
Students enrolledOnline student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio
70%
Online student enrollmentStudent to faculty ratio
15:1
Student to faculty ratio
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.
# | Programs | BA | MA | Doc |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
2 | Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
3 | Education | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
4 | English Language And Literature/Letters | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
5 | Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
6 | Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
7 | Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
8 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, And Fitness Studies | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
9 | Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness, And Kinesiology | ✔ | ✕ | ✕ |
10 | Philosophy And Religious Studies | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
11 | Psychology | ✔ | ✔ | ✕ |
12 | Theology And Religious Vocations | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |