The Academic Program

The academic program contains three essential parts: (1) the general education and Bible requirement, (2) the major area of study, (3) electives. These three parts are discussed in the following paragraphs.

The General Education Requirement

Total Hours Required: 47

The general education core curriculum is the heart of the Christian liberal arts education at Lipscomb University. The mission and purpose of this program is to structure academic exploration in a Christian context as a foundation for a life of learning and service in a diverse global environment. The mission and purpose of general education at Lipscomb University is accomplished by a curriculum that prepares students to (1) engage in the tradition of conversation in the academy through coursework in writing and speaking; (2) cultivate curiosity that transcends disciplinary boundaries through multidisciplinary integrated Explorations coursework; (3) think critically and ethically through Foundations course work, multidisciplinary integrated Explorations course work, and through the Bible curriculum; (4) understand and evaluate ways of knowing by making connections between academic areas through multidisciplinary integrated Explorations coursework; and(5) live in a diverse world with integrity and compassion through Engagement course work that connects world issues to a student’s major academic area.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Music degree will also be required to complete additional hours in a foreign language; those pursuing the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree will be required to complete additional hours in math and/or science.

The specific requirements are as follows:

Tier 1:

1. Foundations - 26 hours

• Bible (, , preferably taken in sequence) - 9 hours
• Lipscomb Experience () - 3 hours

This introduction to university-level critical thinking and cultural engagement is required during the first semester at Lipscomb for all first-year students. Discussion-oriented, the Lipscomb Experience introduces students to the intellectual endeavor of liberal arts education from a Christian perspective in small group settings designed to develop mentoring relationships, to provoke important questions, and to facilitate thoughtful discussion. While Lipscomb Experience courses engage unique topics examined from multiple perspectives, each course also introduces students to a common set of transferable skills. The course facilitates student engagement with fellow students, the university, and the local and global community; essential college-level research and information literacy skills; and the habits of rigorous study, intellectual growth, and lifelong learning. Students may not withdraw from the course unless they are withdrawing from the university. This course is a LIGHT-designated course and may qualify for a SALT Tier II course. Students who do not earn a passing grade in   must retake the course the subsequent semester. No AP, CLEP, or “Dual Enrollment” credit is accepted for this course. Students who complete an Associates degree while still in high school (dual enrollment) are required to complete this course.

• Composition () - 3 hours
• Communication ( or other approved course*) - 3 hours
• Wellness ( or two different activity courses) - 2 hours
• Science with lab (Students may satisfy this requirement with a biological (biology) or physical science (astronomy, chemistry or physics) course with lab, or with an LUMS course with a lab - 3 hours
• Math (excludes non-credit, developmental courses) - 3 hours

Tier 2:

2. Explorations - 12 hours

Undergraduate students must satisfy the Explorations requirement by taking at least one course in each of the following four subject areas. At least six hours (two of the four subject areas) must be fulfilled by integrated course work. The prerequisites listed apply to Explorations or integrated coursework. Existing prerequisites, listed with departmental course descriptions, apply for traditional courseawork used to fulfill the Explorations requirement.

(Part or all of the Explorations integrated courses requirement may be satisfied by a Lipscomb semester-long global learning program. Other global learning courses may satisfy general education requirements and/or major/minor requirements, depending on the nature and context of the course.)

• Math/Science (LUMS 2xn3) - 3 hours

Students will choose one approved integrated course that includes math or science. Students may also satisfy this requirement by taking three hours of traditional coursework from the following: math, physics, chemistry, biology, astronomy, or  or . (Students who wish to satisfy the Foundations level science requirement by taking an LUMS course with a lab must also take a math/science course at the Explorations level.)

• Humanities
  • Literature () - 3 hours

(Prereq: ) Students will choose one approved integrated course that includes literature. Students may also satisfy this requirement by taking three hours of traditional coursework from this list of approved courses: , , , ,  or . Students may also satisfy this requirement by completing  or any 3000- or 4000-level FR, GE, or SN literature course.

• History, Politics, and Philosophy () - 3 hours

Students will choose one approved integrated course that includes history, politics, or philosophy. Students may also satisfy this content area requirement by taking three hours of traditional coursework in a history, political science, or philosophy course.

• Social Science () - 3 hours 

Students will choose one approved integrated course that includes a social science. Students may also satisfy this requirement by taking three hours of traditional coursework from the following: psychology, sociology, economics, law, justice & society (), social work ( ), family science ( ,  ,  ), and urban studies ( , UBN 2012).

Tier 3:

3. Engagements () - 3 hours

(Prereqs: Minimum of 60 hours earned credit)

A multidisciplinary course, co-taught by at least one faculty member and faculty or professionals from other disciplines, that investigates a particular theme, using insights, methods and habits of thought from the liberal arts (math, sciences, humanities, and the fine arts), Bible and other academic disciplines to connect a student’s major to the theme through project-based learning. This course meets an elective Bible requirement and is a LIGHT-designated course.

Bible Curriculum - 6 hours (plus courses in Tiers 1 and 3 above=18 hours total)

Therefore the general education Bible requirement consists of the following six courses:  - The Story of Israel (3) F,  - The Story of Jesus (3) SP,  - The Story of the Church (3) F and ; one of the following four: , , or   - Joy and the Good Life (3) F, SP; plus one elective. Students who come to Lipscomb with little exposure to the Bible may choose to take  before beginning the sequence above. If a student chooses this option,  will count as the elective Bible class.

Bible: One of the following in addition to courses in Tier I and 3 above,    ,   , or   ) and one elective course (or substitute courses listed within the major) - 6 hours

Course work beyond the courses listed above that satisfies a Bible requirement must be approved by the College of Bible and Ministry.

Important Note: , , and  should ideally be taken in a student’s first three semesters at Lipscomb. 

Transfer Students

Transfer students (excluding first-time freshmen with transfer credit earned through AP, CLEP, IB, Dual Enrollment, etc.) seeking a Lipscomb degree must satisfy the Bible requirement based on the number of credit hours they initially transfer to Lipscomb, as specified below. If the listed content is met, other approved Bible courses must be taken in order to meet the required number of Bible courses.

Students who transfer 67-93 credit hours to Lipscomb must complete two Bible courses at Lipscomb:  or , or , and , or approved Bible credit courses as determined by program requirement (e.g., nursing and engineering).

Students who transfer 47-66 credit hours to Lipscomb must complete three Bible courses:  and  or  and , or approved Bible credit courses as determined by program requirement (e.g., nursing and engineering).

Students who transfer 33-46 credit hours to Lipscomb must complete four Bible courses: , , , and , or approved Bible credit courses as determined by program requirement (e.g., nursing and engineering).

Students who transfer 32 or fewer hours to Lipscomb must complete the full Bible requirement, as described above or approved Bible credit courses as determined by the associate dean for undergraduate Bible.

Tennessee Board of Regents Transfers

An approved Bible class can be substituted for the LUEG requirement for students:

1. who have earned an A.A. or A.S. degree from a Tennessee Board of Regents institution, or
2. who transfer to Lipscomb without the A.A. or A.S. degree but who have satisfied the TBR general education requirements. 

Notes:

1. Any student who has developed competence in any of the above areas may achieve credit by examination-CBAPE, CLEP or course examination-by taking the examination prior to taking a college course in the same area of study.
2. Transfer students general education requirements General education requirements for students transferring to Lipscomb University will be determined by the following criteria:
   1. Transferring 1-30 hours - full program (Some accommodation may be necessary if Explorations areas have been fulfilled through traditional course work.)
   2. Transferring more than 30 hours - All subject area requirements must be met including participation in at least the Engagements course. Accommodations may be necessary if Explorations areas have been fulfilled through traditional course work. Explorations areas not met will be satisfied through integrated courses up to two integrated courses. For Bible requirements, see the Bible Requirement section of this catalog.
   3. Associate Degree Transfers (Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions) - Follow criteria in the  section of undergraduate catalog. For Bible requirements, see the Bible Requirement section of this catalog.  The Lipscomb Experience course will be required for students who complete an Associates degree while still enrolled in high school.
   4. Associate Degree transfers (non-TBR institutions) - see No. 2 above.
3. Teacher Education: students should see the Office of Teacher Education for special requirements in general education.

Additional hours for the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Professional Studies, and Bachelor of Science degrees:

Bachelor of Arts: Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts degree must complete eight semester hours of a single foreign language. (For proper scheduling, it should be taken no later than the sophomore year.)

Bachelor of Music: Candidates for the Bachelor of Music degree (with concentrations in performance or composition only-i.e., not music education majors or Contemporary Music majors) must complete eight semester hours of a single foreign language. (For proper scheduling, it should be taken no later than the sophomore year.)

Bachelor of Professional Studies: Candidates for the Bachelor of Professional Studies must complete six semester hours of CORE credit. Refer to Lipscomb Online Catalog.

Bachelor of Science: Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree or the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree must complete a total of 15 semester hours of mathematics and/or science. Courses may be chosen from the following areas: biology, chemistry, computer science, information technology, integrated science, mathematics, physics and engineering.

The Major Area of Study

Majors Offered:

The Minor Area of Study - Optional

Minors Offered:

Electives

Academic Success Center

Academic Advising

Three-Year Degree Plan

Dual Enrollment Programs

Lipscomb University has partnered with select high schools in the area to provide college-level course work on their campuses. We will consider, on a case-by-case basis, an individual student who wants to take courses on our campus for college credit. Students interested in participating in dual enrollment courses must meet the admission requirements of the university and be admitted to the university prior to the start of classes the semester in which they plan to enroll in dual enrollment courses. For fall semester, students must be admitted (not just apply) by June 15th.  For spring semester, the deadline is December 1st. To be considered for admission into the dual enrollment program, the student must submit the following items: (1) an application for admission, (2) ACT/SAT scores, (3) an official high school transcript and (4) a reference from the school’s guidance counselor.  Dual enrollment students attending Lipscomb Academy should check with their guidance counselor regarding application deadlines.

In addition to meeting the university admission requirements, the student must also meet all course prerequisites, such as specific sub-scores on the math and English portions of the ACT/SAT, to be allowed to register for those courses. Exceptions will not be made for students who do not meet course prerequisites.

The student is also responsible for submitting the dual enrollment grant application by the state-mandated deadline (Sept. 15 for the fall semester, Feb. 1 for the spring semester). Students who do not submit the grant application by the specified deadline are responsible for payment in full of the charges incurred by participation in the dual enrollment program.

Additional information about the dual enrollment program, including approved class lists for each semester, can be found at dualenrollment.lipscomb.edu.

Services for Students with Disabilities: ACCESS Ability

Lipscomb University is committed to providing equal access to education, housing, facilities and all school sponsored events through a dedicated effort to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and state and local regulations regarding individuals with disabilities. Pursuant to these laws, no qualified individual shall unlawfully be denied access to or participation in any services, programs, or activities of Lipscomb University on the basis of their disability. Lipscomb University will provide reasonable accommodations for the needs of qualified students as they pursue post-secondary education.

An individual with a disability is a person who: (1) has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; OR (2) has a record of such impairment; OR (3) is regarded as having such impairment.

Lipscomb University recognizes that disabilities can include physical, mental, social, and learning disabilities. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to qualified individuals, as outlined by the above regulations. Any accommodation request, however, that is unduly burdensome to the university or fundamentally alters the nature of the service, program, course, or activity cannot be fulfilled.

For questions, requests, or concerns regarding services and accommodations provided for individuals with disabilities, contact the ACCESS Ability Program at 615.966.6301 or 1.800.333.4358, ext. 6301, or email accessability@lipscomb.edu.

Testing Services

The Academic Success Center supervises the administration of educational tests (i.e. MAT, CLEP). It also oversees the SAT and ACT national testing programs on designated Saturdays. Any questions regarding these should be directed to 615.966.6021.

Beaman Library

Beaman Library connects researchers to scholarly material and resources. Visit the library’s website at library.lipscomb.edu to search through more than 350,000 e-books, 150,000 print books, and more than 100 electronic databases providing access to thousands of journals. In addition to e-journals, Beaman Library has print journals that you may browse. Beaman houses bound volumes, current periodicals, microforms, the University Archives and Special Collections, primary sources, and non-print materials in various formats. 

As a Lipscomb student, you have access to bibliographic citation tools including Academic Writer (formerly APA Style CENTRAL) and EndNote. These tools assist with managing bibliographies, citations, and references. Learn more about Academic Writer at https://libguides.lipscomb.edu/academicwriter and EndNote at http://libguides.lipscomb.edu/endnote.

Research can be daunting and overwhelming. Knowing where to begin can make all the difference. Beaman Library’s Research Guides are a great starting place. The Research Guides give information on locating books, journals, and databases as well as research guidelines related to a particular field of study. They serve as a type of subject guide of carefully selected resources that will help you as you locate the most appropriate sources and information that you need. Check out all of Beaman Library’s LibGuides at http://libguides.lipscomb.edu/.

Beaman Library features group study rooms and casual seating areas for quiet study, leisure reading, and research. Access library holdings through the online catalog at library.lipscomb.edu . The Library website contains information for accessing materials, library hours, policies, services, and staff. Face to face research instruction still matters at Lipscomb University. Librarians seek to serve and are available for one-on-one research instruction. Appointments can be made through the Beaman Library homepage.

Beyond electronic resources, Beaman Library offers a multitude of services, such as Interlibrary Loan for books and articles, color copying, color printing, fax machine, scanning, electronic device charging stations, and Chromebook/iPad rentals. Beaman Library awaits you whatever your research needs may be. Go anywhere; learn anything, and find it in Beaman Library.

LIGHT

The LIGHT Program: Illuminating Cultural Engagement

The mission of the LIGHT program is to prepare students for a lifetime of collaborative engagement with the world’s cultures through curricular and experiential learning that guides them in developing respectful attentiveness to diversity and responsive awareness of neighboring as a moral imperative. This mission includes (1) general education coursework that prepares students for a diverse world through a cohesive, globally focused curriculum; (2) a campus environment that celebrates cultures both near and far; and (3) the spiritual growth from caring for one’s neighbor as for oneself.

The LIGHT program’s goals are (1) to increase students’ understanding of various cultural practices, systems and institutional structures; (2) to improve students’ ability to explore various cultural practices, systems, and institutional structures in relation to their own; and (3) to expand engagement with diverse communities locally, interculturally, and globally.

The heart of the LIGHT program is found in the general education curriculum, embedded in the cornerstone and capstone general education courses, Lipscomb Experience and Engagements. However, many students may choose to seek further opportunities for intercultural learning, especially in connecting their liberal arts foundation to their pre-professional development in their majors, or to specialized, focused experiential learning. These students may elect to take LIGHT courses developed within their major or minor, or to participate in extracurricular LIGHT-designated events. Students choosing to be recognized as a LIGHT Scholar will experience a combination of curricular and extracurricular learning environments throughout their time at Lipscomb.

LIGHT Courses:

• Lipscomb Experience ()

This introduction to university-level critical thinking is required during the first semester at Lipscomb for all first-year students. Discussion-oriented, Lipscomb Experience introduces students to the intellectual endeavor of liberal arts education from a Christian perspective in small group settings designed to develop mentoring relationships, provoke important questions, and facilitate thoughtful discussion. While Lipscomb Experience courses engage unique topics examined from multiple perspectives, each course also introduces students to a common set of transferrable skills. The course facilitates student engagement with fellow students, the university, and the community; essential college-level research and information literacy skills; and the habits of rigorous study, intellectual growth, and lifelong learning. Students may not withdraw from the course unless they are withdrawing from the university. Students who do not earn a passing grade in LU 1203 must retake the course the subsequent semester. No AP, CLEP, or Dual Enrollment credit is accepted for this course. Students who earn an Associates degree while still in high school are required to complete this course.

• Engagements ()

A multidisciplinary course, co-taught by at least one faculty member and faculty or professionals from other disciplines, that investigates a particular theme, using insights, methods and habits of thought from the liberal arts (math, sciences, humanities, and the fine arts), Bible and other academic disciplines to connect a student’s major to the theme through project-based learning. This course meets an elective Bible requirement and is a LIGHT-designated course.

• LIGHT in the Major/Minor Curriculum

Students may elect to take LIGHT courses developed within their major or minor. For students in academic areas that do not adapt or create LIGHT courses in their majors, the option of creating a contract in a major course for a special additional project will be available. Students will work with a faculty member and the LIGHT Director to design a project that meets the outcomes required for LIGHT courses in the major.

LIGHT Here (Lipscomb & Nashville) and LIGHT Away:

Lipscomb creates numerous co- and extracurricular occasions for students to hear and see people who differ from them and to learn about others’ experiences. The directors and sponsors of various on-campus organizations, such as those sponsored by the Office of Intercultural Development, offer many LIGHT-designated events. In addition to the diverse perspectives offered by these experiences, LIGHT Here events offer easy accessibility for students who are not able to travel far from campus. LIGHT Away is an off-campus experience, such as an approved Mission trip, a Global Learning semester, or approved intercultural internship.

The LIGHT Scholar

To achieve the LIGHT Scholar distinction, students must submit an application to the director of LIGHT and participate in a variety of intercultural activities, both curricular and extracurricular. To receive credit towards LIGHT Scholarship for extracurricular activities, students must submit responses to prompts provided by the LIGHT office. For more information, contact Dr. Cori Mathis, Director of LIGHT and the Writing Studio, at cemathis@lipscomb.edu.

LIGHT Scholars will be recognized at graduation exercises and the distinction will be recorded on their transcript. This designation should appeal to a variety of students across disciplines who will take advantage of the opportunity to bring together disparate intercultural experiences into a cohesive educational model.

The SALT Program: Serving and Learning Together

The SALT Program is a comprehensive plan to integrate service-learning into the educational experience of traditional undergraduate students at Lipscomb University. A strategy for developmentally enhancing student learning, SALT courses and projects allow students to connect their academic curriculum and spiritual development with significant engagement in the community.

Service-learning through the SALT Program is an academic enterprise in which a service activity acts as a vehicle or “textbook” for understanding an academic concept. In service-learning, the academic credit is given for learning, not for the service completed.

SALT experiences are opportunities for innovative and rigorous academic experiences that includes robust service to others. These service-learning experiences contribute to the student’s development academically, personally/spiritually, and civically.

SALT opportunities are organized in tiers, which reflect the rigor and commitment of the SALT project at each level. The higher the tier level experience, the more service hours involved and the more in-depth the academic engagement.

Students interested in substantive work in service-learning have the opportunity to attain the distinction of SALT Scholar. The SALT Scholar is a student who has become an expert in service-learning in the context of Lipscomb University, and whose investment in service-learning reflects a significant level of engagement. SALT Scholars will receive special distinction at graduation and on their academic transcript. To become a SALT Scholar, students will complete one experience in all four SALT Tiers.

Questions can be directed to Melissa Swann, Special Assistant to the Provost, at melissa.swann@lipscomb.edu or 615.966.6044. More information is available at lipscomb.edu/salt.

Requirements for Graduation

This catalog is prepared as a comprehensive statement of the requirements for attendance and graduation at Lipscomb University. Students must meet all of the requirements covered in this catalog prior to the designated conferral dates in May, August, and December, to qualify for graduation. While academic advisors are assigned to counsel students and help plan schedules, each student is ultimately responsible for monitoring his/her own progress and completing all requirements. The following list is only intended as a summary of general requirements.

1. All candidates for a bachelor’s degree at Lipscomb University must complete a minimum of 126 semester hours of work with a minimum grade-point average of 2.0 overall, 2.0 in the major, and 2.0 in the minor (if applicable) on all work taken at Lipscomb University.

These 126 hours will include:

1. The Bible requirement.
2. The general education requirements.
3. A major area of study.
4. Electives

Notes:

1. Lipscomb University will allow a maximum of 33 semester hours of credit toward graduation based on a combination of correspondence courses, extension courses, special examinations, advanced placement credits and equivalency credits. (See paragraphs below on each of these areas.) The university does not guarantee the transferability of any of these credits to other institutions. Students should investigate these possibilities as the need arises. In the case of students planning to enter professional schools, such as schools of medicine or law, investigation should be made at the professional school under consideration prior to using such credits to replace requirements for admission to these schools.
2. While remedial or developmental courses are designed to move a student toward graduation by bringing him/her up to a level of preparedness to do college work, they do not apply toward graduation credit. See section entitled “Developmental Non-Credit Courses” concerning developmental non-credit courses.
3. At least 25 percent of the credit hours required for any degree program must be earned in course work at Lipscomb University. In addition, the last 30 hours of work on a degree must be done in residence at Lipscomb except upon written approval of the associate provost for student academic support. A student will not be allowed to take a correspondence course, a special examination or CLEP examination during the last 30 hours of residency without petitioning the registrar. Special permission of the dean of the appropriate college will be required.
4. A candidate for a degree must successfully complete the senior seminar and/or special standardized examinations and respond to institutional surveys where these are specified by the university or the department in which the candidate is majoring.
5. All incomplete grades must be completed, all transfer of credit made, and all correspondence and extension course grades must be received in the registrar’s office by Friday prior to graduation
6. No candidate who is placed on academic probation or who remains on academic probation during his/her final semester of work at Lipscomb will be allowed to graduate. In addition, the university may withhold issuing a degree until any disciplinary sanctions are fulfilled in accordance with the terms of the Student Handbook.
7. All candidates for degrees must be of good moral character.
8. A candidate for a degree must have his/her account paid in full before a degree can be granted, including the graduation fee which is paid by all graduating students.
9. Students must register for GN 999X the semester all course work will be completed for graduation. Students who do not file their intent to graduate form in the registrar’s office by the end of the first week of the semester they intend to graduate, may be delayed in graduating. (Students who miss this deadline may not qualify for graduation honors.)
10. All December and May undergraduate candidates participate in the formal graduation exercises. August graduates may petition to “walk early” with the May class or participate later in the December exercise. For the petition to be considered, the graduate cannot be on academic probation and must have an overall GPA of 2.2 as well as a 2.2 GPA in his/her major and minor. Petitions to walk early are due in the registrar’s office by Feb. 15.

Although some students change career goals, leave school or transfer, 65 percent of first-time freshmen graduated from Lipscomb within six years of beginning university work for the 2012 cohort year. The collective average for Tennessee Board of Regents universities is about 48 percent.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

It is not generally in the best interest of a student to complete a second bachelor’s degree. In those cases, however, where a student chooses to do so, the following information is pertinent:

1. The student must declare the intent to pursue a second degree to the registrar and have an approved plan on file in that office. (Graduation honors are not applicable to students completing a second bachelor’s degree.)
2. The plan for a second degree must include a minimum of 32 hours (earned above the hours for the first bachelor’s degree) in residence at Lipscomb University with a minimum of 24 hours in the major in residence, in addition to general education degree requirements. (No minor is required.)
3. All general education credits earned while completing a bachelor’s degree at another institution must be approved by the university credentials analyst and the registrar before such credit will be given toward a second bachelor’s degree at Lipscomb. This approval is waived (except Bible) if the first degree was earned at a regionally accredited institution.
4. In no case is the completion of two or more majors or other degree requirements in the course of completing the first bachelor’s degree to be confused or equated with the completion of two degrees.

Statute of Limitations

Curriculum requirements often change and academic programs are frequently enhanced. Students should review the statement concerning modifications found on the title page of this bulletin.

A student is permitted to satisfy requirements for a bachelor’s degree under any curriculum in effect during the student’s attendance at Lipscomb University, provided the curriculum has been in effect within 10 years of the date of graduation. All requirements for major, minor and general education must come from the same catalog. Discontinued courses or programs may necessitate substitutions or additions by the academic chair in consultation with the registrar.

Correspondence Courses

Any correspondence work must be approved by the university. This approval will usually include the academic chair involved, the registrar and the College of Education if the course is required for teacher certification. Forms for these approvals are available in the Office of the Registrar.

Independent Studies

Independent studies are intended to be guided independent educational experiences which are initiated primarily by the student.

The following minimum guidelines apply to all independent studies/readings courses taken at Lipscomb. Academic departments may maintain additional requirements and issue instructions to faculty and students to implement the requirements stated here. Additionally, academic departments must determine which candidates are suitable for independent studies, which activities are appropriate for such credit, the schedule of meeting times, and performance criteria, among other considerations.

1. A student desiring an independent study must submit a proposal to the academic chair. Registration cannot occur without the prior approval of the academic chair. The academic chair will coordinate procedures with the registrar to prevent unapproved special studies.
2. Proposals for independent studies must address each of the following topics:
   1. Material to be covered, research to be performed and credit to be awarded.
   2. Schedule of meeting times.
   3. Performance criteria and method of evaluation.

Normally, the student who desires to undertake an independent study will approach the directing professor and together they will prepare a proposal for the study. After they have both signed the proposal, they will seek the academic chair’s approval. When that approval is granted, the proposal becomes a contract between the student and the department. Any deviations from the approved proposal must be approved by the directing professor and the academic chair.

Special Examinations (Challenge Procedure)

Although the university does not encourage the use of special examinations, there are situations (e.g., extraordinary experience) in which it seems advisable to allow a student to challenge a course by special examination. This may be either for credit or without credit. In no case should a student expect to challenge a lower-level course in a discipline for which he/she has previously earned advanced level credit. Further information concerning special examinations is available in the registrar’s office. A special examination fee is charged. A student may challenge a particular course only once and cannot challenge a course which he/she has failed or a course in which he/she has been officially enrolled, i.e., it appears on his or her transcript.

Advanced Standing Credit

Advanced standing examinations such as CBAPE, IB, EB, CLEP, TN Statewide Dual Credit, and Straighterline may be used to establish maximum credit of 30-semester hours. In establishing credit for these examinations, attention will be given not only to the score but to the scholastic record of the student, any special merits of the examination paper and perhaps a personal interview. Such credit will be granted in an area only if no college work in that area has been taken (enrolled in or attempted). No letter grades will be assigned to the credit earned by examination. Students interested in taking CLEP examinations should check in the registrar’s office for guidelines prior to taking the tests. An advanced standing credit fee is charged. The CLEP examination in each individual subject can only be taken once.

AP Credit at Lipscomb

*Only one test will be used to grant credit when the same course credit is associated with different tests.

CLEP Credit in General Exams

1. English Composition (No. 1 in CLEP Manual)-No credit.
2. Humanities-No credit will be granted if prior college work has been taken in any of the test areas.
3. Mathematics-credit general education requirement in Mathematics (3 sem. hrs.).
4. Natural Sciences (3 sem. hrs. maximum)
   1. Credit BY 1003, Fundamentals of Biology or
   2. Credit 3 hours of physical science
5. Social Science and History (meets social science requirement, not history requirement).

On B-E above, maximum credit of one entry level course will be awarded if a score of 50 is attained. No credit will be granted if prior college work has been taken in any of the test areas.

CLEP Credit in the Subject Examinations

Note: As specified in the section “Requirements for Graduation,” a maximum of 33 semester hours of credit will be allowed on a combination of correspondence courses, extension courses, special examinations, Straighterline credits, advanced placement credits and equivalency credits.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit Policy

The Office of Admissions in consultation with the provost awards IB credit, generally, according to the following policy:

• Some of the examinations must be the higher level. A score of 4 or 5 is awarded credit.
• A score of 5 is awarded credit at the standard level.
• Other factors are to be considered when awarding IB credit.

European Baccalaureate (EB)

Credit for EB will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Note: Although there are several ways of earning credit by the non-traditional route (IB, AP, CLEP, Special Examination, Equivalency Credit and correspondence course), credit received from one source may not be duplicated by another. The maximum credit for any combination of credit by examination, such as IB, Cambridge Exams, AP, CLEP, and Straighterline is 30 hours, whereas the maximum credit for credit by the non-traditional route is 33 semester hours.

Cambridge Exams

Credit for Cambridge Exams will be awarded according to the following policy:

• Exams must be at the A level.
• A grade of B or higher must be earned.

Note: The maximum credit for any combination of credit by examination, such as IB, Cambridge Exams, AP, CLEP, and Straighterline is 30 hours.  As with other credit by exam, a posting fee is charged for each Cambridge Exam for which credit is granted.

Equivalency Credits

Equivalency credits (such as credit for formal military courses as recommended by the American Council on Education) will be evaluated on their individual merits according to the nature and extent of the experience and the recommending department, institution or accrediting agency. 

Credit can be earned from Straighterline for the following courses:  Developmental English (EN 0110), Intermediate Algebra (MA 1030), College Algebra (MA 1113), Freshman Composition I (EN 1113), and Environmental Biology (ESS 1013).  These credits are included in the 30 credits that can be earned via AP, CLEP, IB, EB, and Straighterline.  Approval to take these courses must be given prior to the student starting the work.

Students with at least four years of military or work experience may be eligible to seek Lipscomb University credit hours for college-level learning experiences outside the classroom. Interested students should contact the College of Professional Studies to begin the process. For a complete listing of majors to which these courses apply, consult the Lipscomb Online Catalog.

Developmental Non-Credit Courses

Remedial or developmental courses are designed to move a student toward graduation by bringing him/her up to a level of preparedness to do college work. They do not apply toward the graduation GPA or graduation credit. Developmental courses benefit the student by being officially counted as part of the load and determining eligibility for financial aid and/or scholarships.

Transfer Credit from Other Colleges or Universities

Students transferring to Lipscomb University from other colleges or universities must have an official transcript of their work from each school mailed to the admissions office. Courses are generally accepted in transfer if earned at a regionally accredited college or university and if they are comparable to courses offered at Lipscomb or commonly regarded as study in the liberal arts. All other course credits (earned in a non-traditional manner) are subject to evaluation by the registrar and/or academic chair on a course-by-course basis. Moreover, the grade of “C” or higher must have been earned on each course in transfer. Evaluation of these transcripts is made in the admissions office with final approval made by the registrar. Transferred work to be counted toward a major or minor must be approved by the academic chair involved and the registrar. Transferred courses accepted to meet part of the general education requirement must be approved by the registrar. Courses taken at a two-year school which have 3000 or 4000 course numbers at Lipscomb generally will not transfer as equivalency credit.

No more than 63 semester hours may be transferred from a two-year school. Some two-year colleges offer a third year of work in special areas. Ninety-four (94) semester hours is the maximum number of hours that may be transferred to Lipscomb.

Work taken by a student at another college or university after the student’s initial enrollment at Lipscomb University may not be accepted unless the student has received approval to transfer this work before the work is begun. Forms for this approval are available in the registrar’s office. 

Limitations of Transfer Credit

1. Students will not be allowed to transfer more credits per term than they would have been permitted to earn at Lipscomb.
2. Credit must be from a regionally accredited institution.
3. Only courses with the grade equivalent of “C” or higher are candidates for transfer credit.
4. Technical or vocational credits are not eligible for transfer and may not, therefore, be used to satisfy degree requirements.
5. All credits from Lipscomb University may not be transferable to every educational institution. Students wishing to transfer credit to another college or university should contact that institution.

Credit by Examination for Transfer Students

Credit awarded by other institutions for International Baccalaureate (IB), European Baccalaureate (EB), Advanced Placement (AP) and College Level Examination Program (CLEP) must be reevaluated to determine if (and how much) credit will be awarded by Lipscomb policy. Students desiring credit by exam should have the official IB, EB, AP or CLEP credit transcript sent directly to the Office of Admissions, Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204-3951.

Letter Grading System and Quality Points

All work in the university is graded by letters. Each letter is in turn assigned a quality-point value according to the list provided below. For example, a letter grade of “A” carries a quality-point value of four quality points per semester hour. If the student makes an “A” in a three-hour course, the total number of quality points earned for this course would be twelve quality points.

The overall grade-point average for each student is determined by dividing the number of quality-points earned by the total number of hours attempted. Only work taken at Lipscomb University is included in the computation. Neither advanced placement nor transfer credit may be used to raise the grade-point average.

In the case of courses repeated at Lipscomb, only the highest grade will be used in determining the grade-point average. The hours attempted will be used only once. For duplicated work, that is, for any course taken both at Lipscomb and another school, the grade of the Lipscomb course will always be used in computing the student’s GPA.

Thirteen different letter grades are used to record a student’s progress toward graduation. Some of the letter grades do not count for credit toward graduation, and some are used in computing the necessary grade-point averages for graduation. The following matrix summarizes these grades, and a brief description of each grade follows.

A: Superior work, exceptional quality; earns 4 quality points per hour.

B: Good, above the average expectation; earns 3 quality points per hour.

C: Average, about the quality expected of most students; earns 2 quality points per hour.

D: Barely passing, earns 1 quality point per hour. (Courses with a letter grade of “D” normally do not transfer from one institution to another.)

F: Failing, no credit; earns no quality points.

I or IN: Incomplete, no credit unless completed later with passing grade; computed as “F” in grade-point average until the grade is made up. (See paragraph on incomplete grades.)

IP or INP: IP grades are given only on approved courses, such as master’s theses, honors theses and certain practicums. A grade must be established by the end of the next full semester after the IP grade has been given. A student who does not return to Lipscomb University will automatically receive an “F” on all IP grades after one year. Any variation of these policies must be approved by the Academic Leadership Team.

NC: No credit; used in  and , when the grade is below a “C” and is not computed in student’s average. The faculty reserves the right to assign an “F” if, in the opinion of the teacher, the student has put forth little, if any, effort.

P: Passing-A, B, C or D; used when a course is completed successfully but without any credit. Examples: all zero credit courses.

S: Satisfactory-A, B, C; used when credit is earned in nontraditional ways, such as credit by examination or in special cases where a course is not included in computation of grade-point average. (See paragraph below on audits and non-credit repeats.)

U: Unsatisfactory-D or F, used when credit is not earned in a course not to be included in computation of grade-point average.

W: Withdrew officially; not computed in grade-point average. Used whenever official withdrawal occurs: 1) from specific course(s) at the initiative of the student anytime during the designated withdrawal period of a term (see ); 2) from all course work in the event that a student is unable to complete a term due to reasons of personal choice, health problems, disciplinary actions or other reasons approved by the university such that the student is formally dissociated from the institution via processing in the registrar’s office; and also may be assigned by the registrar or the provost after the official last day to drop where there are extenuating circumstances, such as an extended illness.

X: Audit, not computed in grade-point average. There is a tuition charge but no credit is earned. (See paragraph on audits and non-credit repeats.)

Mid-term “D” and “F” grades are available on the Web to students during the fall and spring semesters. Final grades are available on the web at the end of each semester. Once grades have been posted to the student’s record in the registrar’s office they are considered permanent.

Student Grievance/Complaint Process

Incomplete Grades

Audits and Non-Credit Repeats

Academic Probation and Suspension

Academic Warning

Academic Probation

Academic Suspension

Empower: Student Success Program

Turning Point

Excessive Absence Notifications

Student Load-Credit Hours

Definition of credit hour: A credit hour (one) is defined as student/teacher interaction of not less than one hour and a minimum of two hours out of class work for 15 weeks (one hour/2/15).

Application: Since several courses and some programs are delivered in a variety of formats, including distance learning, the driving force for delivering a credit hour commences with identifying learning objectives that can be delivered in the one hour/2/15 formula as noted in the definition. Using the definition and formula as noted above, granting more than one hour of credit for a course requires using the formula and increasing the student/teacher interaction, etc., via the learning objectives for the equivalent amount of credit hours desired for the course.

Dropping Courses

Class Standing

Class Attendance

Study Day and Last Week of Classes

Final Examinations

Graduation Honors

Provost’s List and Honor Roll

Teacher Education

Global Learning

Lipscomb’s Global Scholar Programs

• Lipscomb in Vienna (fall/spring)
• Lipscomb in London (fall)
• Lipscomb in Florence (fall/spring)
• Lipscomb in Costa Rica (fall/spring)

Here is a list of where our students have traveled over the last two years and where they are headed next!

Criteria for Participation in International Programs

1. They must have completed at least one full-time semester by the beginning of the semester of participation.
2. They must have at least a 2.5 GPA at the time of the application and maintain a 2.5 GPA for the two semesters preceding their participation in the global learning program.
3. They must not have an academic or behavioral infraction with the University. Acceptance to Lipscomb’s Global Programs is highly competitive. Applicants will receive a score based upon the following factors:

   • GPA

   • References

   • Date of Application

   • Suitability for inclusion in the program

   If the GPA is still below 2.5 at the end of the second semester, the student may not be admitted to the program.
4. Students must be approved by the Global Programs Committee, whose approval is based on the application, two letters of recommendation, and a demonstrated willingness to abide by Lipscomb rules and policies regarding academics and behavior.

Curriculum for Global Learning Semester-Long Programs

In semester-long programs, students take a total of 12-18 hours. Required core courses include the following 6-7 hours:

• GL 110V The Cross Cultural Experience, 3 hours (counts as integrated social science credit for general education)
• Foreign Language, 3-4 hours of language of program location (counts toward B.A. language requirement) - Not applicable for London program

Optional courses, consistent with global learning objectives, vary by site from year to year. A list for any specific program is available from the Office of Global Programs or on the web at globallearning.lipscomb.edu.

Sample optional courses:

• World Literature I (EN 2153), 3 hours
• Faith and Culture (BI 3213), 3 hours
• History course (specific to the program location), 3 hours
• Discipline-specific course offered abroad by Lipscomb University faculty member (course content varies), 3 hours
• Students may also take up to one online course or independent study offered by Lipscomb University (course offerings vary by semester), 3 hours

Curriculum for Global Learning Mid-length and Short-length Programs

Scholarships and Financial Aid

First Year Program-Liberal Arts

General Liberal Arts

^1. Those who earned A’s or B’s in a high school foreign language course should consider continuing language study while those skills remain current. Check with the Department of Foreign Languages about CLEP testing, credit and placement.
^2. Should be selected from general education requirements or from the major field. Students who are pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree are encouraged to take the foreign language sequence (1114, 1124) during the freshman year.

Preprofessional Curricula

Medically-Related Preprofessional Programs

Detailed lists of prerequisite courses for each of the health care professional areas are available in the Health Professions Advisory Office (Ward 327-330) and the offices of the chairs of biology and chemistry.  Find additional information in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics section under . Students interested in specific admissions requirements to the Lipscomb College of Pharmacy should refer to the  section.

Nursing

Degrees Conferred for Work Completed in Other Institutions

Three-One Programs in Medically-Related Areas

Summer Academic Programs

Transcripts

Lipscomb Initiative for Education (LIFE) program, A.A.

This A.A. degree program is offered exclusively for students residing at Tennessee Prison for Women and Riverbend Maximum Security Institute.

Total hours required: 63

General Education Requirement: 36 hours required

• Composition (EN 1113 and ) - 6 hours
• Communication ( or other approved course*) - 3 hours
• Biological and Physical Science with lab- 6 hours 
• Literature-  3 hours
• Math (excludes non-credit, developmental courses)- 3 hours
• Social Science- 3 hours
• Bible- 9 hours
• History- 3 hours

Civic Engagement: 27 hours required

Specific course requirements are listed in the College of Professional Studies’ portion of the catalog.

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) Participation

Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Officer Education Program

Scholarships

Summer Training

Commissioning and Career Opportunities

Service Obligations

Course Credit

Tuition

Military Science Courses

Freshman Year
MS 101. Leadership and Personal Development
MS 102. Introduction to Tactical Leadership

Sophomore Year
MS 201. Innovative Team Leadership
MS 202. Foundations of Tactical Leadership

Junior Year
MS 301. Adaptive Tactical Leadership *
MS 302. Leadership in Changing Environments *

Senior Year
MS 401. Developing Adaptive Leaders *
MS 402. Leadership in a Complex World*

* Prerequisite required to enroll

Military Science Department Staff

Commanding Officer: Michael J. Slocum; Military Instructors: Johnny C. Simon, James C. Fournier, Victor M. Sanchez

Information

Inquiries regarding enrollment in the Army ROTC program should be made to the Army ROTC Admissions Officer at 615-322-8550 or 800-288-7682 (1-800-VUROTC) or at the address below. Also see www.vanderbilt.edu/army.

Army Officer Education
Box 326, Peabody Campus
Nashville, TN 37203
615.322.8550 • 800.288.ROTC

Academic Departments and Course Descriptions

The following Catalog sections include a brief description of each of the academic departments at Lipscomb University in that college, along with descriptions of all courses offered by each department. As students choose electives from this section to complete their academic program, they should check with their advisor and possibly the academic chair involved to make sure they have the required prerequisites to enter a particular course. Courses are represented by a four-character designation. The first digit indicates the class level: 1-freshman, 2-sophomore, 3-junior, 4-senior. The two middle characters are for departmental use and usually indicate a sequence of courses or categories of courses. The last character indicates the course credit.

The semester that courses are normally offered is indicated by: F-fall, SP-spring, SU-summer and W-wintermester. * Indicates the course is normally offered in alternate years. See academic chair for details.

The following are courses that illustrate the four-character number protocol:

Graduation

Lipscomb Seminar

Development Non-Credit Courses

While remedial or developmental courses are designed to move a student toward graduation by bringing him/her up to a level of preparedness to do college work, they do not apply toward graduation credit. Developmental courses benefit the student by being officially counted as part of the load and determining eligibility for financial aid and/or scholarships.

English for Academic Purposes

The EAP (English for Academic Purposes) program is an intensive English program to support international speakers of other languages with the development of academic English language skills through specialized, non-credit bearing courses. It is a full-time, non-degree program that allows students to improve academic English for the purposes of entering a degree program. Conditional admission is granted to Lipscomb University through the EAP program to allow students to fully participate in student life while studying English. At the end of their first term, students must meet the requirements of conditional admission as stated in the catalog.

The EAP program is approved by the Student and Visa Exchange Program (SEVP). Lipscomb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Lipscomb University.  The EAP program is included in this accreditation.

Students are considered full-time based on 20-24 clock hours per week. Each 16-week semester will consist of the following:

• non-degree coursework per semester
  • 20 hours intensive English class per week
  • 2-4 hours labs or service/culture (out-of-class)

To qualify for the program, students must score within the following ranges on an English language proficiency exam:

• TOEFL: 45-78 (iBT)
• IELTS (Academic): 4.5-6.0

To complete the EAP program, students must maintain a grade of “C” in EAP courses and 2.5 cumulative GPA whilst maintaining a course load of 12 hours. Students who successfully complete the program’s requirements are granted full admission to the university (see International Students). The program adheres to the university’s Academic Probation and Suspension Policy (See Academic Probation).

Information about the EAP program can be found online at LearnEnglish.lipscomb.edu or contact us via e-mail at eap@lipscomb.edu.

Prospective students must submit an international student application and meet the admission requirements. For admissions information, contact the Office of Admissions by telephone at 615.966.1776 or 877.582.4766, by email at admissions@lipscomb.edu, by visiting lipscomb.edu/international, or by mail at 1 University Park Drive, Nashville TN 37204-3951, USA.

EAP Courses
General Education Integrated Courses (Explorations and Engagements)

The following courses refer to the Explorations and Engagements requirements for Lipscomb’s general education program. Students should consult the general education section of this catalog for specific requirements that include these courses.

Global Learning

Humanities

Elective Internship

University Orientation