Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Admissions



Lipscomb University General Admission Policy

Lipscomb University, consistent with its mission, works to enroll students who have the potential for academic success, possess strong moral character, and who will enrich the collegiate community. Lipscomb examines each prospective student’s application for admission contextually to determine the applicant’s potential to succeed and to enrich the community. The admission review of application materials includes records of academic and extra-curricular achievements as well as past behavior. 

Lipscomb University collects information about the prior disciplinary and criminal history of applicants for admission. This information may be considered as part of a contextual review of applicants for admission. An applicant’s failure to disclose complete and accurate disciplinary and criminal history, as required in the application, may result in the University revoking an offer of admission or rescinding that person’s status as a Lipscomb student. Lipscomb’s Notice of Nondiscrimination is found in the catalog.

 

First Year Admission Criteria

Selection of degree-seeking students at Lipscomb University is based on several criteria: high school curricular choices, academic performance, grade pattern, rank in class, SAT, ACT and/or CLT scores, academic recommendations, essay/short answers, extracurricular activities, and behavioral record. While there are no minimum requirements assigned to any given criteria, generally a student who presents a strong academic record, exhibits a variety of achievements, and displays strong moral character will contribute and benefit most from the Lipscomb experience. Final matriculation to the university is contingent upon continuing academic progress and completion of the high school diploma. If academic, extracurricular or behavioral records are not consistent with information presented in the application for admission or with the Christian mission of the university, the Admission Committee may choose to revoke offers of admission.

High School Curriculum

The admission review of academic records includes high school curricula, including curricular rigor, academic performance, elective choices and senior-year course load. In general, applicants should submit high school records with a minimum of 15 or more academic units. The recommended distribution for a minimum program is as follows: four units of English, three units of mathematics (Algebra I, Plane Geometry, Algebra II), three units of science (including two units of laboratory science), three units of social science and two units of a second language (a two-year sequence).  Applicants 18 years and older may be considered for admission with a GED.

Applicants with intended majors in the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering will be best equipped having successfully completed four years of math (including higher-level math beyond Algebra II) and a year each of chemistry and physics. 

Lipscomb University has temporarily suspended the standardized test score requirement for Fall 2021, Spring 2022, Fall 2022, and Spring 2023 entry terms. Lipscomb will continue to consider test scores for applicants who choose to submit them for review. Standardized tests considered by Lipscomb include the Scholastic Assessment Test of the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT), the American College Testing Assessment Program (ACT), or the Classical Learning Test (CLT).  All test scores must be sent directly from the testing service or recorded on the high school transcript. First-year applicants who choose to have their standardized test scores considered with their admission application should take their exam prior to the appropriate application deadline.

To apply for admission, follow these five steps:

  1. Submit a completed application using our institutional application or the Common Application. The application typically goes live August 1st of the senior year and may be submitted before the submission of the supporting documents. Priority application deadlines are December 1 and March 1.

  2. Submit a $50 application fee. 

  3. Submit your high school transcript that includes the entire junior year.  

  4. Submit an academic letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor.

  5. Arrange to take the ACT, SAT, or CLT test and have the score sent to Lipscomb University. (Our institutional code for the ACT is 3956. The SAT code is 1161.) *Please see the temporary test optional admission policy.

If admitted to the university, three additional items must be submitted: a final high school transcript certifying graduation, a completed health form and a Student Consent to Release Academic Information Form (FERPA). All records must be filed in the Office of Admission and approved before a student can enroll.

Applicants who are not competitive for regular admission may be considered for conditional admission to Lipscomb.  Any student, regardless of admission status, who does not score a 21 or higher on the math portion of the ACT (520 or higher on the SAT) is required to take Introductory and/or Intermediate Algebra.

Appeal of an admission decision may be submitted in writing to the Office of Admission. The university cannot accept the responsibility for a delay in the enrollment of an applicant submitting records later than two weeks prior to registration. The university reserves the right to reject any applicant, or rescind admission to the university, at its sole discretion. For any reason deemed sufficient, the university may require a medical examination, intelligence test or subject matter examination and may revise at any time the status given a student on admission. The provisions of this paragraph are subject to Lipscomb University’s nondiscriminatory policy contained elsewhere in this catalog and will not be used in any way to violate that stated policy.

Home-schooled Students

Lipscomb recognizes the unique nature of home schooling and welcomes applications from home-schooled graduates. In general, a home-schooled student applying as a first-time freshman should follow the same application procedures listed above. In lieu of a high school transcript, a homeschooling record or transcript is required. If an educational reference is not available, a personal reference from a non-family member must be submitted.

If admitted to the university, three additional items must be submitted: a final high school transcript certifying graduation, a health form and a Student Consent to Release Academic Information Form (FERPA). All records must be filed in the admissions office and approved before a student can enroll.

Transfer Students

Lipscomb welcomes transfer applications for admission from students who have attended other accredited institutions. Transfer students must follow, in general, the first three enrollment steps for first-year students.

All official college transcripts are required, as well as official high school transcripts and ACT, SAT, or CLT scores if the student is transferring with fewer than 60 semester hours. If an applicant is currently enrolled at another institution, a final official college transcript will be required to validate admission. In addition, transfer students must be eligible to return to the institution previously attended. Transfer students who are admitted with a GPA below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. Normally, courses with a grade equivalent to or exceeding a “C” from an accredited institution will transfer. The university reserves the right to reject any applicant, or rescind admission to the university, at its sole discretion.

Tennessee Board of Regents Schools. Lipscomb University will accept the general education requirements from Tennessee Board of Regents schools as meeting the general education requirements when one of the following exists:

  • The student has completed all requirements for an A.S. or A.A. degree,

  • The student has completed all the TBR general education requirements, or

  • The student is completing one of the approved Tennessee Transfer Pathways.

Students who do not meet one of these options will have their general education course work approved for transfer on a course-by-course comparison.

If admitted to the university, three additional items must be submitted: a final high school transcript certifying graduation, a health form and a Student Consent to Release Academic Information Form (FERPA). All records must be filed in the admissions office and approved before a student can enroll.

Tennessee Transfer Pathway

Lipscomb University is a participant in the Tennessee Transfer Pathway. Tennessee Transfer Pathways (TTPs) are designed to help community college students plan for transferring to a Tennessee public university or select regionally accredited, nonprofit Tennessee private colleges and universities to complete their baccalaureate degree. The TTPs also reflect an agreement between community colleges and four-year colleges/universities confirming that community college courses meet major preparation requirements. A student who completes all of the courses listed on a particular Transfer Pathway will earn an A.A. or other degree at the community college.
 
The student is responsible for following the TTP exactly to ensure transfer of hours. A minimum grade of “C” is required for courses to transfer. Admission into Lipscomb University does not guarantee admission into a specific program.
 

Visiting Students

Admission as a visiting student is granted for only one semester. If the student desires to attend Lipscomb after that one semester as a visiting student, then he/she must reapply. A prospective student who has attended or is currently enrolled in another institution and desires to enroll in a course(s) at Lipscomb must:
  1. Complete the application.
  2. Submit the application fee.
  3. Have an official transcript or official letter of good standing sent to Lipscomb from the last institution attended. For a course requiring a prerequisite, an official copy of the student’s transcript must be sent to the admissions office.
  4. If a specific course taken at Lipscomb is to be transferred to the degree-granting institution, permission must be granted from that institution.
  5. Submit a health form, if student is full-time.

International Students

Lipscomb University welcomes applications from International students as they are an important part of the Lipscomb community. International students must submit an international student application for admission and meet the admissions requirements specified. An entrance exam is required of international students, though they are given the choice between ACT, SAT, Duolingo, TOEFL or IELTS. To be considered for unconditional admission, an international student must receive the following scores: 550 on the TOEFL paper-based test, 80 on the TOEFL iBT, 6.5 on the IELTS, or 105 on the Duolingo test.  The ACT or SAT test may also be used to determine English language proficiency.  Results must be sent to the University directly from the testing service. If a student does not meet these requirements, the English for Academic Purposes Program at Lipscomb may be utlized to develop necessary English language skills.

All applicants whose academic records are from schools, colleges, or universities outside of the United States may provide an optional course-by-course report from an approved evaluation service. This is not a requirement, but is recommended. Here are the two approved services: Lisanto and WES.

Lisanto International
Foreign International Credential Evaluation
P.O. Box 407
Auburn, AL 36831-0407
Fax: 334.745.0425
Email: lisanoINTL@aol.com
Web: www.lisano-INTL.com

World Educational Services
P.O. Box 01-5060
Miami, FL 33101
Phone: 305.358.6688
Web: www.wes.org

Due to federal regulation, an international student must demonstrate financial resources for one year of study and prepay one semester before receiving documentation to apply for a student visa, and are required to have health insurance while a student at Lipscomb. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions by telephone at 615.966.1776 or 877.582.4766, by email at admissions@lipscomb.edu, by visiting international.lipscomb.edu, or by mail at Lipscomb University - Office of Admissions, 1 University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204-3951 USA.

If admitted to the university, three additional items must be submitted: a final high school transcript, a health form and a Student Consent to Release Academic Information Form (FERPA). All records must be filed in the admissions office and approved before a student can enroll. The university reserves the right to reject any applicant, or rescind admission to the university, at its own discretion.

Early Admission Students

Superior high school students may be admitted for regular university work. A student applying for early admission must submit an application, transcript, ACT, SAT, or CLT scores, two references and a letter of recommendation from the high school principal or counselor. Each request for early admission is considered by the admissions office on a case by case basis.
 
Lipscomb cannot guarantee that credits earned in the early admission program will automatically transfer to any other institution. Each college/university reserves the right to determine transfer credit.
 
In some cases, students may choose to bypass the senior year of high school and enter college. These students apply in the same way as other prospective first-time freshmen. Three additional items are required: a letter of recommendation from the high school principal or counselor, the high school principal’s intention in writing to award the applicant a high school diploma upon completion of the student’s first year at Lipscomb and a personal essay stating the reasons for desiring early admission to Lipscomb. In addition, a health form must be submitted before enrolling.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy

Lipscomb University is a private, Christian university open to any qualified student without regard to race, religion, sex, age, color, national or ethnic origin, or disability. The university shall comply with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws, and shall not engage in prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, religion, sex, age, color, national or ethnic origin, or disability in the administration of its educational policies, programs and activities, including without limitation, admissions policies, scholarships and loan programs, employment practices, and athletic and other school administered programs. As a religiously controlled institution of higher education, Lipscomb University is exempt from compliance with some provisions of certain civil rights laws.

Required Documentation for Off-Site Learning Experiences

Off-site learning experiences (e.g., clinical, practicum and internship) are required in many courses of study at Lipscomb. Successful completion of these experiential courses is required for graduation and/or licensure. Students should be aware that many experiential sites require satisfactory documentation of personal identification in the form of driver’s licenses, social security cards, passports, drug screening  and background checks. Students should make sure that they are aware of and can meet all documentation requirements well in advance of the time frame for admission into the respective program and placement into these sites. Failure to provide required documentation for successful entry into these experiential courses will result in failure to complete the desired program of study.