This program is jointly organized by Columbia International University (CIU) in the United States and Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) in Malaysia. Students will receive a U.S. accredited CIU bachelor’s degree upon completion of their studies.
This program aims to provide high-quality higher education for Chinese students both domestically and internationally, especially opening up high-quality, flexible, and cost-effective educational pathways for home-schooled, private school, and other students.
Students will complete the first year of CIU’s undergraduate courses online, followed by two years at MCKL’s Kuala Lumpur campus in the American Degree Transfer Program (ADTP). Afterwards, students will go to CIU’s main campus in South Carolina to complete the remaining courses.
This program globally recruits outstanding scholars to form a faculty team, integrates liberal arts and professional education, and focuses on a holistic education model of life influencing life. Tuition is only about one-third of that of an equivalent internationally accredited degree. Some students can earn 30 credits equivalent to the first year of CIU undergraduate studies through dual credit courses in high school, greatly reducing students’ time and financial costs.
To open up a path to excellent higher education based on truth for Chinese families
Focus on liberal arts and holistic education to cultivate high-quality talents who transform communities, bless society, and influence the world.
The foundation of truth, the inheritance of life, the upholding of faith, the power of unity, and universal blessings
Goal: To cultivate outstanding talents with a global perspective, a sense of mission, and an innovative spirit of service. Graduates will exert influence in schools, hospitals, business institutions, and various fields.
Strategy: This program brings together a group of teachers who love truth and are academically excellent. Through the educational model of life inheritance, it integrates general education and professional knowledge to shape character and bless the community.
Comprehensive character building for students through various means, including student groups, book clubs, one-on-one tutoring, cooperation with local communities, outreach opportunities, and the completion of 24 credits of required core courses/classic readings during university.
This program will arrange on-campus staff to provide students with various auxiliary services such as life, administration, academics, and psychology. These services stem from the belief in holistic education and a deep recognition of the educational approach of “life influencing life”.
We are committed to high-quality higher education, and all degrees are formally accredited by the U.S. education system.
This program arranges for students to study at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) for about two years, with face-to-face courses as the main focus and a small number of online courses as a supplement. This model greatly reduces the cost of undergraduate studies and alleviates the economic burden on students’ families.
After completing the Malaysian phase of study, students will go to the main campus in Columbia, South Carolina, USA to complete the remaining studies and obtain a degree. This will provide students with cross-cultural experiences and a global perspective.
1+2+1 or 0.5+2+1.5 options, offering a variety of CIU majors. The 1+2+1 model allows students to complete their undergraduate studies through different combinations.
Dual Enrollment and ADTP courses reduce total tuition expenses.
| Academic System Design | Dual Credit Courses / CIU Undergraduate Preparatory Courses | MCKL ADTP Methodist College Kuala Lumpur Courses | CIU Undergraduate Courses |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1+2+1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
0.5+2+1.5 |
0.5 |
2 |
1,5 |
|
1+1+2 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
Over 50% of the courses are instructed by CIU professors. The program’s faculty team is mostly composed of outstanding bilingual scholars.
Professional Foundation / Liberal Arts
Life Inheritance / Holistic Development
This program will enhance students’ Chinese cultural literacy through elective courses, lectures, research projects, and other methods; at the same time, the first year of CIU courses will use Chinese as the main bilingual teaching language.
High school students can take up to 10 CIU-accredited courses online.
For students who have already graduated from high school, they can take these 10 courses online as CIU Undergraduate Preparatory Courses (NDSS).
This stage includes liberal arts courses such as world history, general psychology, and music appreciation.
Students can study at the MCKL campus in Malaysia for two years.
The credits students earn at MCKL can be transferred to CIU undergraduate credits according to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with CIU. MCKL credits account for less than 50% of the total credits.
MCKL ADTP courses, equivalent/transferable to CIU courses: 36 courses have already been approved as equivalent courses, and more courses will be matched and evaluated for equivalence with CIU courses.
Depending on the course requirements of different majors, students will complete the final 1-2 years of courses at CIU.
The CIU bachelor’s degree obtained through this path is accredited by:
| Major | Dual Credit / Undergraduate Preparatory Program | MCKL Study Time | CIU Main Campus Study Time |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Biological Science (Biology) |
1 year, 30 credits |
1.5 years, 45 credits |
1.5 years, 45 credits |
|
Biomedical Science |
1 year, 30 credits |
1.5 years, 45 credits |
1.5 years, 45 credits |
|
Business Administration |
1 year, 30 credits |
1.5 years, 45 credits |
1.5 years, 45 credits |
|
Digital Media and Cinema |
1 year, 30 credits |
1 year, 30 credits |
2 years, 60 credits |
|
Educational Studies |
1 year, 30 credits |
1-2 years, 30-60 credits |
1-2 years, 30-60 credits |
|
General Studies |
1 year, 30 credits |
1-2 years, 30-60 credits |
1-2 years, 30-60 credits |
|
Graphic Design |
1 year, 30 credits |
1 year, 30 credits |
2 years, 60 credits |
|
Health Sciences: Nutrition and Wellness |
1 year, 30 credits |
1.5 years, 45 credits |
1.5 years, 45 credits |
|
Health Sciences: Pre-Physical Therapy |
1 year, 30 credits |
2 years, 60 credits |
1 year, 30 credits |
|
Health Sciences: Pre-Occupational Therapy |
1 year, 30 credits |
2 years, 60 credits |
1 year, 30 credits |
|
Human Services |
1 year, 30 credits |
1-2 years, 30-60 credits |
1-2 years, 30-60 credits |
|
Psychology |
1 year, 30 credits |
1-2 years, 30-60 credits |
1-2 years, 30-60 credits |
|
Strategical Communication |
1 year, 30 credits |
1 year, 30 credits |
2 years, 60 credits |
Note: The curriculum may be slightly adjusted, please refer to the course selection notice after admission
This example calculation is based on a student studying on the CIU campus for one year. Depending on the requirements of different majors, students may need to study on the CIU campus for a longer period, resulting in a certain increase in costs.
| Academic Year | Course Arrangement | Tuition | Scholarship/Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|---|
|
First Year (High School Students) |
High school students take dual credit courses, up to 10 courses |
Academic year 25-26, $300 per course |
None |
|
First Year (High School Graduates) |
High school graduates take CIU undergraduate preparatory courses, which, combined with dual credit courses, total up to 10 courses |
Academic year 25-26, $635 per course |
Limited financial aid |
|
Second Third Year |
Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, approximately two years of courses |
(Academic year 25-26) $6,100 USD per year, totaling $12,200 USD for two years |
Some scholarship and financial aid opportunities are available, see the MCKL official website |
|
Fourth Year (Some majors require more than one year) |
CIU Main Campus Courses |
(Academic year 25-26) 26,700 (one year), students in this program enjoy 50% tuition, approximately $13,350 USD |
Potential for additional special scholarships |
*Tuition is an estimate under the current conditions, and the school has the right to change tuition prices due to administrative or uncontrollable factors. The specific tuition is subject to the current registration.
Credits: Up to 10 courses, totaling 30 credits
Grade: Grades 10-12
Transcript: Official/Unofficial transcript
GPA: 3
Diploma: Not applicable
English Proficiency: Not applicable
Standardized Test: Not applicable
Note: Only high school students can take these courses
Credits: Up to 10 courses, totaling 30 credits*
Grade: Already graduated from high school (or equivalent)
Transcript: Official/Unofficial transcript
GPA: 2.5
Diploma: Not applicable
English Proficiency: Not applicable
Standardized Test: Not applicable
Note: High school graduates take CIU undergraduate preparatory courses
Credits: Up to 59 credits equivalent to CIU
Grade: Grade 12 students or high school (or equivalent) graduates
Transcript: Official transcript
GPA: C or above (including C)
Diploma: Required
English Proficiency: IELTS 5
Standardized Test: Depends on the high school (or equivalent) diploma
Note: If you do not have a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the Malaysian Ministry of Education, you need to take the GED exam and score above 165
Credits: The remaining credits vary depending on the major, generally 30 credits per year.
Total credits for a bachelor’s degree are 120 (excluding minors)
Grade: MCKL ADTP students who are about to graduate/have already graduated
Transcript: Official transcript
GPA: 2.7
Diploma: MCKL ADTP graduates
English Proficiency: IELTS 6 or equivalent English level**
Standardized Test: Not applicable
* Up to 10 courses combined with dual credit courses
** CIU Main Campus Admission English Requirements: TOEFL ▪ iBT 70 ▪ CBT 195 ▪ Paper-based m: 525 Duolingo 105 / IELTS 6
Internationally accredited high school qualifications (such as ACSI, BJU, Abeka, etc.) will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the qualification passes the assessment, the GED requirement may be waived.
Application Email: kepha@ciu.edu
Admissions Counselor WeChat: kepha1
