Mar 29, 2024  
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2016-2017 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Lipscomb University


As a liberal arts university building upon a 125-year heritage of academic excellence, Lipscomb University offers an engaging, intellectually challenging environment for graduate education and a commitment to encourage and support spiritual formation in every member of the university community. Lipscomb’s 89-acre campus, located in the Green Hills area of Nashville, Tennessee, provides a beautiful setting which supports a nurturing environment where students can develop professionally and personally. 
 
The Lipscomb community is diverse, with almost 4,700 members of the undergraduate and graduate student body representing 43 states plus Washington, D.C. and 45 nations that include numerous ethnic cultures and religious traditions. An average class size of 20 students creates an environment for productive and rich interaction among students from diverse professional and educational backgrounds as well as between students and faculty. Of the full-time faculty, 84% hold a terminal degree in their fields of expertise.
 
Lipscomb University offers an academically enriching experience that prepares graduates for success in their chosen professions and careers. Classroom facilities provide opportunities for innovative and creative approaches to learning. One example is the James D. Hughes Center which offers cutting-edge facilities that enhance and expand our programs in art and engineering.  In addition, the Fields Engineering Center, Lipscomb’s new engineering building currently under construction, will bring new opportunities to engineering education on campus. The nursing education facility provides education for the next generation of nurses through use of the most current technology and most contemporary best practices available in health care education. The recently completed addition to the McFarland Science Center provides the most up to date laboratory facilities for undergraduate education and research in biology and chemistry. Lipscomb’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Building enhances opportunities to faculty for significant scholarly research. Exciting new programs and recent honors have broadened our appeal, enhancing the opportunities for Lipscomb graduates. With an overall ranking of 18 in the Regional Universities-South category, U.S. News and World Report’s “2016 America’s Best Colleges” guidebook included Lipscomb among the South’s nine most innovative universities and named the college one of the best in the region for veterans and one of the top “A+ Schools for B Students.”
 
One of the most compelling indicators of the value of a Lipscomb education is the ability of our graduates to successfully enter the job market or be accepted into institutions for advanced degrees. Within six months of graduation, over 90% of our graduates are employed in the workforce or accepted into graduate school. Lipscomb’s achievement signifies that the excellent education provided by our program is highly desired by employers and greatly respected by other institutions of higher learning. Examples of this excellence is Lipscomb’s undergraduate secondary teacher preparation program, which shares the No.1 ranking in the nation by the National Council on Teacher Quality in their 2014 Teacher Prep Review; the College of Business’ undergraduate business program, which Bloomberg Businessweek ranked No. 77 in the nation in their Best Undergraduate Business Schools 2016 ranking; and the College of Business’ part-time Master of Business Administration program, which was ranked 43 out of the top 74 programs in the nation on the 2015 Bloomberg Businessweek MBA rankings.
 
Spiritual life at Lipscomb goes far beyond the required Bible courses and chapel credits. An emphasis is placed on putting one’s faith into action to make a difference in the world. The Serving and Learning Together (SALT) Program allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to specific service projects. Through this service-learning program, students serve the Nashville community and Middle Tennessee region through organizations such as Faith Family Medical Clinic, Morning Star Sanctuary, the Nashville Rescue Mission and Youth Encouragement Services.  Lipscomb University was listed in the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll. Lipscomb was included among 361 universities in the nation to achieve the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching Community Engagement Classification.
 
Opportunities for global engagement are available to Lipscomb students through a variety of study abroad programs and mission trips. Lipscomb offers undergraduate study opportunities in Florence, London, Santiago, Vienna, Peru, Athens, Paris, Brussels and in Scotland. Each year more than 800 of our students, faculty and staff put their faith into action in a variety of humanitarian efforts. The goal is for every Lipscomb student to take part in a global engagement opportunity. Ask anyone who has participated, and you’ll hear amazing stories of learning, faith and service. To learn more, visit www.lipscomb.edu/globallearning.
 
Beyond the classroom Lipscomb provides an active program of campus activities. The Bison athletics program is a vital part of campus life. Competing in the NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, Lipscomb University continues to build on its tradition of success in athletics as we grow in competition at the highest level. Our women’s basketball, men’s baseball, women’s softball, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s cross country teams have advanced to the NCAA Division I national tournaments, and this past year Lipscomb’s women’s volleyball team brought home the 2015 A-Sun conference championship for the fifth time.
 
Lipscomb University is providing students with an educational experience that is valued and respected by local, state and national constituencies. In the past ten years, the Lipscomb campus has been transformed by new construction, environmentally friendly renovations and landscaping totaling more than $100 million. Lipscomb led the way for universities in Tennessee through its on-campus sustainable innovations when the Burton Health Sciences Building became the first LEED-registered academic building in the state and earned the gold-level certification. Lipscomb University was also selected as one of the country’s most environmentally-responsible colleges to be included in The 2014 Princeton Review’s Guide to Green Colleges.
 
Lipscomb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404.679.4500 for questions about the accreditation of Lipscomb University.

Mission

Lipscomb University is a private coeducational institution whose principal focus is undergraduate education in the liberal arts and sciences, combined with a number of undergraduate professional and pre-professional fields, and master’s and doctoral degree programs. Its primary mission is to integrate Christian faith and practice with academic excellence. This mission is carried out not only in the classroom but also by involvement in numerous services to the church and the larger community.

Objectives

Lipscomb University is committed to promoting Christian faith and practice by requiring Bible classes for all students, employing teachers who are firmly committed to the world view and lifestyle of biblical Christianity, and by providing specially designed programs, activities and worship experiences which strengthen the desire to be faithful, knowledgeable and mature Christians.
 
The university is committed to provide excellent educational opportunities through undergraduate and graduate programs.
 
The university is committed to serving the church, the community and the world.