Piedmont International University

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Updated August 7, 2020

Piedmont International University appears in the ranking of the 10 Most Affordable Doctorate in Ministry Degrees Online 2018.

Dr. Charles H. Stevens, pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Winston-Salem was the visionary behind Piedmont International University. A pastor with a passion to teach the scriptures as they are, Dr. Stevens was known as a "walking Bible," and, in 1945, he established the Piedmont Bible Institute for returning veterans who wanted to begin Bible studies.

Initially, classes were held at the church, eventually expanding curriculum to include a Bible College in 1948. New facilities were constructed in the 1960s to accommodate growth. In the early 1970s, the missionary aviation program was established to prepare missionaries to carry out the great commission with the use of airplanes.

By 2002, the school was known as the Piedmont Baptist College and, in 2004, the school merged with Spurgeon Baptist Bible College of Mulberry, Florida. This established Piedmont's Spurgeon School of Online Education. In 2008, the school merged with Atlantic Baptist Bible College in Chester, Virginia, establishing the Atlantic Scholarship for Ministry Training. In 2012, the school became Piedmont International University.

Today, Piedmont International University is ranked second in North Carolina and fourth in the country for online education. It is also ranked tenth among most affordable universities and fifth in North Carolina among the state's best colleges.

Piedmont International University Accreditation Details

Piedmont International University is accredited by the Transitional Association of Christian Colleges. Accreditation indicates that the school meets or exceeds criteria set forth by the Association that indicates excellence in education. The school also undergoes periodic review to confirm that the programs offered meet the Association's criteria and they agree to address any areas that are identified as needing improvement. Teacher education programs are accredited by the American Association of Christian Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International.

Piedmont International University Application Requirements

Undergraduate students must complete an online application. They must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher as well as ACT scores of at least 17 or SAT scores of at least 920. Students must provide official high school transcripts as well as official transcripts from all college and universities attended. Students must also submit a current headshot photograph as well as a signed Statement of Faith.

Graduate students must hold a bachelor's degree or higher in order to apply. Students must complete an application and provide an autobiographical essay. The essay must explain why the student wants to enter the particular program and include Christian experience, relevant work or ministry experience as well as personal and professional interests. Doctor of Ministry candidates must also include a statement of call to ministry. The essay should be approximately 500 words. Students must also provie official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, a current headshot and any other information required by the program chosen.

Piedmont International University Tuition and Financial Aid

Full-time undergraduate tuition is $325 per credit hour and part-time tuition is $340 per credit hour. Master's level graduate programs are $340 per credit hour while Ph.D. courses are $460 per credit hour and D.Min. courses are $340 per credit hour.

Each year, Piedmont International University awards approximately $1 million in tuition grants and scholarships. Over 96 percent of the students enrolled at Piedmont receive some type of financial assistance. Students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to qualify for assistance. Financial aid may be in the form of grants, scholarships, work-study programs or loans.

Piedmont International University Online Degree(s) Available

Master of Arts in Ministry

The Master of Arts in Ministry at Piedmont International University is a 30-credit hour program designed for pastoral staff, church members and those who want to enhance their knowledge of the Bible. The program is only offered through churches or organizations in partnership with the university. Students must have an undergraduate GPA of 2.0 or higher in order to apply. Students are able to defend a biblical worldview using the basic tenets of Christianity and preach or teach sound messages. Students learn to utilize modern technology to enhance ministry effectiveness and communicate the message of the Gospel both culturally and cross-culturally. Courses required include:

  • Apologetics
  • Introduction to Hermeneutics
  • New Testament Studies
  • Old Testament Studies
  • Research: Writing and Communication
  • Survey of Theology
  • Teaching the Bible

Students must also choose three of the following electives:

  • Biblical Church Growth
  • Biblical Counseling
  • Biblical Preaching
  • Bridging Cultural Gaps
  • Challenges to the Christian World View
  • Christian Education Curriculum
  • Christian Education Director in the Local Church
  • Church Planting
  • Communication in Ministry
  • Contemporary Theological Issues in Missions
  • Counseling Ethics and Administration
  • Critical Issues of the Ministry
  • Cross-Cultural Church Planting
  • Current Impact of World Religions
  • Developing Relevant Expository Messages
  • Discipleship and Christian Education
  • Evangelism
  • Evangelism and Church Growth
  • Evangelism in Foreign Cultures
  • Homiletics
  • Innovation in Church Ministries
  • Islam
  • Issues in Contemporary Missiology
  • Issues in Counseling
  • Leadership and Vision Casting
  • Leadership: Teams, Transition and Conflict
  • Marriage and Family Counseling
  • Ministering to Children and Youth
  • Ministering to the Modern Family
  • Missionary Career
  • Origins
  • Philosophy and Practice of Ministry
  • Preaching and Teaching the New Testament
  • Preaching and Teaching the Old Testament
  • Problems in Ethics
  • Program Planning, Budgeting and Evaluation
  • Special Studies in Ministry
  • Spiritual Discipline and Development
  • Strategic Ministry Leader
  • Teaching the Bible
  • Urban Evangelism
  • Women's Ministry

The curriculum includes nine credit hours of biblical studies, six credit hours of theology, 12 credit hours of ministry studies and three credit hours of research. In order to complete the degree, students must also pass a comprehensive examination.

Piedmont International University offers a wide range of online graduate courses designed with working adults in mind. The online programs allow individuals with work, family or social obligations to continue meeting those requirements while achieving their higher education goals. A degree from Piedmont International University makes it easier for individuals to move into a new career or advance in a current career.

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