The aim of this dissertation was to evaluate the effect of the Columbia International University Prison Initiative program on the spirituality of male inmates incarcerated within South Carolina's Department of Corrections. The Prison Initiative program is an accredited two-year associate's degree in Biblical studies offered to SCDC inmates. Classes are taught by CIU faculty in-person inside the prison. The primary research question is, "Can spirituality serve as a means of evaluating the effectiveness of faith-based higher education programs in prisons?" The scope of this research included graduates ranging between eleven of the twelve cohorts that graduated from the program. Eighteen graduates were interviewed. Nine graduates were still incarcerated, and the remaining nine were released. The interviews were conducted using the qualitative research design with open-ended questions to prevent the interviewer from driving the participants to pre-set conclusions. The interview questions covered spiritual discipline practices, ministry engagement, observance of personal spiritual growth, and assessment of missional preparation and calling. Major themes emerged from the data, which revealed a shared experience from all participants of recognized growth and the importance of personal relationships in spiritual development. This research revealed similar characteristics found in Christ's model of discipleship depicted in the gospel records of the New Testament. The primary beneficiaries of this research include faith-based higher education prison programs or discipleship training models for inmates, church-based or parachurch-based discipleship initiatives for church members, and bible colleges and seminaries focusing on student development or spiritual formation. The author has worked with the Prison Initiative for fourteen years and has served as a senior pastor in the local church for thirteen years. It is hoped that this research will help to enable other faith-based programs for the incarcerated and free citizens an effective means of evaluating growth in spirituality and identifying key elements that would contribute to such growth. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]