Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Graduate Catalog

Graduate Programs


 

The corporate institution known as Lipscomb University consists of a campus school, Lipscomb Academy, and a university. In addition to traditional undergraduate programs, the university provides online degree programs through Lipscomb Online, which is a special undergraduate program for working adults, and also post-baccalaureate programs, offering professional, master’s and doctoral degrees along with several certificates of graduate study. Graduate and undergraduate programs are described briefly below. For more information on any of these programs, contact the offices listed below.

A. Graduate Programs

Archaeology
The Department of Archaeology, in conjunction with the Lanier Center for Archaeology, offers a Ph.D. in Archaeology of the Ancient Near East and an M.A. in Archaeology and Biblical Studies. The Ph.D. program is a 36-hour degree; and the M.A. program is also a 36-hour degree. The program is designed for the M.A to lead into the Ph.D. but the M.A. can be earned if earning the Ph.D. The program incorporates hands-on experience along with the normal class structure, using the LCA artifact study collection and by students engaging in archaeological projects. For more information, please contact the Assistant Director of Graduate Enrollment, Evan Richardson at evan.richardson@lipscomb.edu or 615-966-5004, Educational Coordinator, Ms. Marcella Barbosa at 615-966-5995, or at archaeology@lipscomb.edu.

Biomolecular Science
The Department of Biology offers an M.S. in biomolecular science. This program is a 33-hour non-thesis professional master degree offered in a block format. Each block is eight weeks, with one calendar year consisting of five blocks. Students may enter the program three times each year (June, Aug., and Jan.). The program may be completed in as little as one calendar year provided that students enroll in two courses per block. To accommodate working professionals, most courses and laboratories are offered in the evening. For more information contact Bonny Millimaki at 615.966.5174 or bms@lipscomb.edu.

Business
The Pfeffer Graduate School of Business offers four graduate degrees: MBA, MAcc, MM, and MHA. Master of Business Administration (MBA) students complete 36 hours of study. The Master of Accountancy (MAcc) incorporates 27 accounting hours with three elective hours. Students in Lipscomb’s pharmacy program can earn a Master of Management while completing their PharmD degree in a 170 hour program. The Master of Health Administration (MHA), a 46 hour program, is designed for early careerist on a managerial track who want to lead at the highest levels of health care organizations. Lipscomb also offers a dual degree combining the MBA with a Master of Science in Sustainability in a 48 hour dual program.  For further information, go to the website at www.lipscomb.edu/business/graduate-programs.

Cardiovascular​ Perfusion 
The Lipscomb Cardiovascular Perfusion Sciences program is a 22-month master level program with two semesters on campus and three semesters that are primarily clinically based. Lipscomb is partnered with several market leaders in perfusion services to provide students with the highest quality clinical placements and job opportunities for graduates. This program will educate and train students to become perfusionists, vital members of cardiac surgical teams responsible for the selection, setup, and operation of a mechanical device commonly referred to as the heart-lung machine. The perfusionist is responsible for operating the machine during surgery, monitoring the altered circulatory process closely, taking appropriate corrective action when abnormal situations arise and keeping both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist fully informed. For information on the Cardiovascular Perfusion program, please visit lipscomb.edu/perfusion.

Conflict Management
The Institute for Conflict Management offers a Certificate of Graduate Studies in conflict management and a Master of Arts in conflict management. For further information, contact ICM at 615.966.6680 or icm@lipscomb.edu.

Education
The College of Education offers Masters of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Leadership (administrative); English Language Learning; Gifted Education and Advanced Academics; Instructional Coaching; Instructional Practice; Literacy; Reading Specialty; School Counseling; Special Education; and Leading in Curriculum and Instruction, as well as a Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Behavior Analysis; and Accessibility and Advocacy. Programs are available for experienced educators, for those who want to enhance their careers in other appropriate fields and for individuals holding bachelor’s degrees who seek initial teacher licensure.

The Education Specialist (Ed.S.) degree is offered in Instructional Coaching; Educational Leadership (administrative); English Language Learning; Gifted Education and Advanced Academics; Literacy; Reading Specialty, Leading in Curriculum and Instruction, and School Counseling. The Ed.S. degree prepares a candidate for both leadership and teaching in the selected Ed.S. majors.
The Doctor of Education Degree (Ed.D.) in Learning Organizations and Strategic Change is offered in an on-campus (two-year) or on-line (three year) format, featuring a cohort model that combines multiple learning venues with on-site, on-line and field-based course work.

The Ph.D. in Leadership and Policy Studies is offered with guided electives in education, public service, and health care.
Certificates of Graduate Studies are offered in Administrative Licensure, Applied Behavior Analysis, English Language Learning, Gifted Education, Instructional Coaching, Literacy, Special Education. Graduate education programs have convenient on-line, evening and weekend classes. For further information, contact the College of Education, at 615.966.7199 or education@lipscomb.edu.

Exercise and Human Performance
The master of science degree in exercise and human performance (EXHP) is a 36-hour program investigating advanced studies in kinesiology, including strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, health coaching, and sports nutrition. Students with a background in kinesiology, nutrition, or other allied health or science areas will have advanced educational opportunities with either a performance (working with healthy and/or athletic individuals) or clinical emphasis. Students choose a thesis or portfolio option as their capstone experienceFor further information, contact Matthew D. Ruiz, director of graduate studies in exercise and human performance, at 615.966.5203 | matthew.ruiz@lipscomb.edu or visit https://www.lipscomb.edu/academics/programs/exercise-and-human-performance.

Film and Creative Media
The Lipscomb University Master of Arts (M.A.) in film and creative media is a 36-hour graduate program designed to educate the next generation of artists to be independent, entrepreneurial filmmakers.

The Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in film and creative media is a 62-75 hour program. These are immersion programs that are: Experiential-Students create several media projects in an array of formats and genres. Entrepreneurial-Students are expected not only to create media for the classroom, they are encouraged to reach out to artists and companies in Nashville to create content. Professional-Students will gain experience through one of several production companies in the Nashville area. If you have a background in Animation storytelling and want to further your skills and education in this area, there are options in this M.F.A. to do that. You’ll grow your creative skills in storytelling and pre-production under some of the most prominent animators in the U.S. and advance your career in animation, game, and interactive media as an expert. Through your thesis project, you’ll also have the opportunity to develop your own animated series or film while pursuing your degree. To accommodate working professionals, courses are offered on-line, in the evening. For more information contact Melissa Forte at 615.966.7111 or mcforte@lipscomb.edu.

Health Care Informatics
Health Care Informatics (HCI) is a growing and emerging discipline which evaluates the application of biomedical informatics methods and techniques utilized in the provision of health care services. Also included is the vital role HCI plays in enhancing the quality of care, reducing health care costs and addressing health issues. Professionals who understand the relationship between people, health, information technology the health care system are in great demand. For this reason, Lipscomb University is offering two innovative and exciting programs in HCI. We offer the dual degree program Doctor of Pharmacy and Master of Science in Health Care Informatics. Also offered is the Doctor of Pharmacy and Certificate in Health Care Informatics. For information on the Masters in Health Care Informatics, Certificate in Health Care Informatics or dual degree Pharm.D./MHCI, contact Beth Breeden, director of graduate studies in health care informatics, 615.966.7160 or healthcareinformatics@lipscomb.edu

Leadership and Public Service
The College of Leadership and Public Service offers the Master of Arts in Leadership and Public Service (M.A.) degree. This 30 hour degree program is offered in a cohort format with one entry point per year. This degree models best practices of community engagement while combining these experiences with the specific skill sets and theoretical foundations of public policy and public service.

The College of Leadership and Public Service also offers the Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree. This is the most recognized degree in the field of public service and specifically designed for leadership development in the public sector. This 36 hour degree prepares students for employment in an increasingly diverse technological and global society. For more information contact the College of Leadership and Public Service at 615.966.6691.

Lipscomb Online
Lipscomb Online is the home of the College of Professional Studies. If you are seeking one of the many completely online undergraduate and graduate degrees, please visit www.lipscomb.edu./online/admissions for an electronic copy of the Lipscomb Online catalog.  Visit our website at: https://www.lipscomb.edu/online. 

Nutrition   
Lipscomb offers two degree plans for graduate studies in Nutrition. The Master of Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Internship Combined Program (MS DI) consists of 45 hours of graduate courses and includes an experiential dietetic internship, achieving a master’s degree and dietetic internship verification statement to sit for the Registration Examination for Dietitians. The program consists of five consecutive semesters with the first three being coursework in the Master of Science in Nutrition, and the final two semesters of experiential rotations in clinical, outpatient, community, wellness, sports and foodservice/management settings of dietetics in the Middle Tennessee area. 

The Master of Science in Nutrition consists of 33 hours of study and is designed for professionals who are current Registration Eligible or are Registered Dietitians (RDs) seeking to earn a graduate degree to enhance skills and knowledge and contribute to research in the field. For more information on eligibility for either pathway, please review the admission requirements on our website https://www.lipscomb.edu/academics/programs/nutrition-graduate.

Pharmacy 
The Lipscomb University College of Pharmacy offers the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) degree, an innovative dual degree combining the Pharm.D., the Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences (MSPS), and the Master of Science in Health Care Informatics (MHCI), and a dual degree combining the Pharm.D. and the Master of Management in Health Care (MMHC) in conjunction with the College of Business. In addition, the Pharm.D. and the Health Care Informatics certificate represents another unique curricular offering for student pharmacists. For information on the College of Pharmacy, contact Laura Ward, Director of Admissions and Student Affairs at 615.966.7173. 

The Pharm.D./MHCI is a comprehensive dual degree program which enhances pharmacy education with the development of competencies and skills in the utilization and integration of data, information, knowledge, technology and automation to enhance health care delivery outcomes. The dual degree is awarded to students who complete the 147 hours required for the Pharm.D. along with the 27 hours of graduate credits in Health Care Informatics. 

The Pharm.D./MMHC is a pragmatic program focusing on the leading and managing of people. This innovative dual degree enhances pharmacy education with practical business skills. The program will prepare students for highly competitive management positions in pharmacy, health care or business, as well as enhance skills in problem solving, leadership, and communication. This dual degree is awarded to students who complete the 148 hours required for the Pharm.D., along with the 30-hours of graduate credits in graduate business. 

Physician Assistant Studies
The Physician Assistant program is seven consecutive semesters in duration, requiring full-time, year-round student participation. The curriculum is broken down into a didactic phase (four semesters) and a clinical phase (three semesters). Throughout the program, students will acquire core knowledge about established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences that is focused on application to patient care.  The robust curriculum, which is consistent with the program’s mission, goals, and competencies,  has the breadth and depth designed to prepare the student for the clinical practice of medicine as a Physician Assistant. For more information contact program director, Jason Huddleston, at 615-966-7247 or https://www.lipscomb.edu/academics/programs/physician-assistant-studies.   

Psychology, Counseling, and Marriage & Family Therapy
The Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Science offers an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, an M.S. in Psychology, and a Master of Marriage and Family Therapy (MMFT). For further information, contact the graduate program office at 615.966.5906 or Kathi Johnson at kathi.johnson@lipscomb.edu.

Sustainability
The Institute for Sustainable Practice offers a Master of Science in Sustainability, a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Sustainability and a dual degree combining the MBA with an M.S. in Sustainability. (i.e. two diplomas are awarded). For more information, call 615.966.5180 or email sustainability@lipscomb.edu.

Theology 
The Hazelip School of Theology offers the Doctor of Ministry, the Master of Arts in Christian Ministry, the Master of Divinity and the Master of Theological Studies. For further information, contact Assistant Director of Graduate Enrollment, Evan Richardson at evan.richardson@lipscomb.edu or 615-966-5004, Kathy Bickel, administrative assistant for the Hazelip School of Theology, at 615.966.6053, or Frank Guertin, Assistant Dean and Director of the Hazelip School of Theology, at 615.966.5352 or frank.guertin@lipscomb.edu.

C. Undergraduate Programs

  1. Traditional Liberal Arts and Pre-Professional Programs
    The undergraduate liberal arts and pre-professional offerings of the university lead to a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Business Administration, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Professional Studies, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Science in Nursing or a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Contact the Admissions Office at 615.966.1776 or admissions@lipscomb.edu.
  2. Lipscomb Online 
    The College of Professional Studies houses a completely online program for students wishing to earn a Bachelor of Professional Studies or BS in Integrated Studies, or a certificate in one of several undergraduate career concentrations. Courses are offered in eight-week terms or in all inclusive 4 month terms designed to accommodate busy schedules. The program offers competency-based education in on-line, self-paced modules with faculty coaches, as well as more traditional online approaches. Competency-based behavioral assessment as well as prior learning assessment options are available to students who qualify based on work experience and transfer credit(s). 

D. Lipscomb Academy

Lipscomb Academy serves students from the age of two to twelfth grade. For further information, contact Dr. Brad Schultz, head of school for Lipscomb Academy, at 615.966.6355 or brad.schultz@lipscomb.edu.