Educational quality at Christian colleges, universities and seminaries is essential. You’ll find that here at CIU.

CIU maintains accreditation from the most respected accrediting agencies. That means that your classwork and your degree will meet the widely accepted secular standards.

That’s true for our undergraduate programs and our graduate programs and seminary programs, just as it is for our online programs. And that’s important down the road. You’ll have the confidence that your degree will transfer to postgraduate education.

Columbia International University Accreditations

• Association for Biblical Higher Education Commission on Accreditation (5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822, 407-207-0808) to grant certificates and degrees at the Associate, Baccalaureate, Master’s, and Doctoral levels.
  • The ABHE Commission on Accreditation’s recognition with the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) includes certificates, diplomas, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate degrees, including doctoral degrees. The Commission’s scope of recognition with the U.S. Department of Education does not include doctoral education.
• Association for Christian Schools International Higher Education Accreditation Program (HEAP). The College of Education is accredited by the ACSI’s Commission on Accreditation.
• Columbia Biblical Seminary is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools (www.ats.edu) and is approved to offer the following degrees: MA in Bible Exposition; MA Care & Counseling; MA in Chaplaincy; MA in Ministry Studies; MA (Missiological Studies); MA (Theological Studies); Doctor of Ministry Leadership.
• In February 2022 the ATS Board of Commissioners approved a three-year experiment to offer a non-residential PhD degree as an exception to Standard 5.15, through a combination of online courses (synchronous and asynchronous) and one-on-one faculty mentoring sessions.
• The baccalaureate degree program in nursing at Columbia International University is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org)
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (Master of Arts in Counseling and Post-graduate Certificate in Marriage and Family Certificate only) Contact CACREP at 1001 North Fairfax Street, Suite 510, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 or call 703-535-5990.
• South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE). The following education programs are approved by the state for teacher certification: BS and MAT Early Childhood Education (PK–3), BS and MAT Elementary Education (2–6), BME Music Education-Choral (PK–12).
• Columbia International University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialist, and doctorate degrees. Columbia International University also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Columbia International University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

CIU also is an affiliate campus of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities. For a list of other recognitions, visit the academic catalog.