The Academic Program

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

The Lipscomb Core - Journey 

Total Hours Required: 46

Journey is a unified, purpose-driven curriculum designed to guide students through a transformative academic experience. Rooted in the Christian intellectual tradition, this curriculum invites students to Seek, Discover, Know, and Flourish as they engage with transformative texts, critical thinking, and ethical reasoning. It intentionally connects a liberal arts foundation with vocational preparation, ensuring that students develop the skills, knowledge, and spiritual grounding necessary for purposeful living.  Journey is built upon four anchor courses, each playing a key role in shaping students’ academic and personal development:

1.  LU 1303 Compass: First Year Seminar  - “Invitation to Community”.  The starting point of Journey, Compass welcomes students into Lipscomb’s scholarly Christian community. Faculty serve as mentors, guiding students as they develop the intellectual curiosity, faith integration, and academic skills necessary for success. Students engage in four core questions, shared learning experiences, and common assignments that set the foundation for their journey of learning. This course should be taken in the first semester.

2. POWERS (The Power of Words - Rhetorical Sequence) - “Self-Development & Challenges”  A linked writing and communication course sequence that challenges students to push beyond their comfort zones and develop critical academic and professional skills, courses are designed with shared skills, rubrics, and cross-trained faculty, emphasizing the integration of writing, rhetoric, and real-world applications. Students develop the ability to think, write, and communicate effectively, essential tools for academic and professional success.   These courses should be taken as corequesities sometime during the first two years:

• ​LU 1013 POWERS: Writing to Discover  and  
• LU 1023 POWERS: Communicating to Influence    ​

Note: Students who have prior credit for a writing course comparable to LU 1013   will substitute CO 1223 Communicating: Rhetorical Techniques  for the POWERS sequence; Students who have prior credit for a communication course comparable to LU 1023   will substitute EN 1223  for the POWERS sequence.

3.  Virtue, Flourishing & Vocation - “Carrying Wisdom into Vocation”  Students should take BI 3433 Practices for Spiritual Formation  or Discipline Specific Virtue, Flourishing and Vocation courses during their Junior or Senior year. This capstone course in the Journey, where students apply their academic learning, faith, and ethical reasoning to their field of study. Students are equipped with the vision and ethical framework to live with purpose, service, and lifelong learning beyond graduation.

​4.  Journey Core Courses–Seek, Discover, Know, and Flourish:  Core courses in the Journey focus on guidance by faculty who serve as mentors, exploration of new ideas, new perspectives, and new information; self-development as the student faces intellectual challenges;  and purposeful transformation as they integrate what they are learning through Journey courses into their previously held knowledge and understanding. 

Seek, through scripture:

• ​BI 1093 The Story of Israel  (taken in the student’s 1st semester at Lipscomb
• ​BI 1073 The Story of Jesus  (taken in the student’s 2nd semester at Lipscomb)
• ​BI 1083 The Story of the Church  (taken in the student’s 3rd semester at Lipscomb)
• Christianity & Society Menu: BI 3213 Faith and Culture   or BI 4213 Christian Ethics   (taken after the Story classes) or BI 1003 BI 1003 Introduction to the Bible and Christianity  (taken prior to the Story classes and recommended for students without prior exposure to Christianity)

 Seek, through core texts and great ideas:

• ​EN 2103 Literary Inquiry  or a Survey Literature course (should be taken after LU1013 and 1023)
• ​​ HI 1003 Great Ideas in History  
• ​PO 1003 Great Ideas in Politics  or PL 1003 Great Ideas in Philosophy  

 Discover: 

• Quantitative Inquiry (3 hours): Any college-level mathematics class. Remedial or developmental coursework will not fulfill this requirement.  
• Scientific Inquiry (4 hours): SCI 2304 Scientific Inquiry: The Practice of Progress  (for non-science majors) OR 4 hours of foundational science coursework.
• ​Social Inquiry (3 hours): Choose from courses in psychology, sociology, socialwork, education, economics, family science, and Law Justice & Society.
• ARTS 2303 Artistic Inquiry and the Human Experience   OR 3 semesters of ensembles (for non-CEA majors)
• CEA 3303 Career Creativity   (for CEA majors). 

Know self and others:

• Diverse Perspectives (1 course): Courses approved for Diverse Perspectivescredit are marked with the “DP” tag on the schedule. A class taken to fulfill another Core or major/minor requirement can also count toward this requirement.  

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Music degree will also be required to complete additional hours in a foreign language and are encouraged to take the foreign language sequence (1114, 1124) during the freshman or sophomore year.; 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.  

Journey Course Descriptions

LU 1303 Compass: First Year Seminar  The purpose of this course is to lay a foundation on which students will build throughout the remainder of their education at Lipscomb in thinking critically, reasoning ethically, communicating effectively, and deliberating responsibly by asking central human questions and discussing important contemporary topics. This class will provide a foundation for a lifelong journey of learning, equipping students with the intellectual, ethical, and spiritual tools to seek truth and to pursue wellbeing. The search for truth involves nurturing the capacity to think critically, creatively, and collaboratively and to behave ethically and empathetically. Our goal is to aid students in knowing God, understanding the world and self, and serving others as the ultimate aim of a Christian liberal arts education that prepares students to live out their vocation to love and serve their neighbors.

​LU 1013 POWERS: Writing to Discover  Students will be grounded in the classical study of rhetoric and then learn to craft compelling stories and arguments for diverse audiences using a variety of methods. Students will craft personal, academic and professional writing. Students will learn to communicate ethically and persuasively using effective strategies to share their ideas with others. 3 hours. Co-requisite: POWERS Communicating to Influence. Prereq: Score of 22 or higher on the ACT Reading/Writing section (540 or higher on the SAT Writing section) or credit for EN 1113 with a grade of C or above. Students without ACT scores must take a departmental writing assessment.

LU 1023 POWERS: Communicating to Influence  ​Students will be grounded in the classical study of rhetoric and then learn to craft compelling stories and arguments for diverse audiences using a variety of methods. Students will consider many perspectives and types of media as they learn to communicate ethically and persuasively using effective strategies to share their ideas with others through speech and digital rhetorics. 3 hours. Co-requisite: POWERS Communicating to Influence. Prereq: Score of 22 or higher on the ACT Reading/Writing section (540 or higher on the SAT Writing section) or credit for EN 1113 with a grade of C or above. Students without ACT scores must take a departmental writing assessment.

ARTS 2303 Artistic Inquiry and the Human Experience  This course will immerse students in the connection between art and their personal lives, revealing how art communicates meaning and enriches human experience. They will explore the dynamic relationship between the arts and broader culture, and recognize their own roles and responsibilities within the arts community. By engaging with various artistic mediums and experiences, students will discern the structure and power of storytelling, explore the human condition, and encounter the power of the artistic mind. This engagement will enhance their lives and careers.

CEA 3303 Career Creativity   With an eye to working creatives, this course is designed to equip students with the skills to generate fresh, innovative ideas with commercial application in multiple professional arts industry disciplines: animation, fashion, film & TV, fine art & graphic design, music, theatre, and other creative arts. Students work through a progression of creative challenges relevant to the entertainment industry. Class work is pointed towards narrative structure, collaboration, interdisciplinary thinking, working against limits, and expressing the commercial zeitgeist. By framing work within a professional context, students experience the challenges and opportunities that come with being a working creative.

SCI 2304 Scientific Inquiry: The Practice of Progress  The Practice of Progress Students will embark on a journey of discovery through the practice of modern science, using current technological, biomedical, and environmental issues as avenues of illumination. They will learn how scientists know what they know, how changes to knowledge are inherent to the nature of science, and how ethical scientific innovation is performed. Engaging in both the classroom and laboratory, students will discern how we as humans observe the world we live in, attempt to understand it, and venture to change it. The goal is for students to become more perceptive, more reflective, and more prepared to live in a world in which science increasingly plays a pivotal role in their daily lives and futures.
 

Journey Diverse Perspectives Courses

As a Christian liberal arts university seeking to be grounded in biblical truth and the life of the mind, Lipscomb affirms that all people bear the image of God, having inherent dignity, value, and purpose. Therefore, the liberal arts core is designed to consider how image bearers of diverse cultural and ideological spheres can expand student knowledge, skills, and experiences by exposing students to texts, thinkers, and disciplines with whom they may not be familiar. Exposure to diverse perspectives can develop curiosity in students, challenge unquestioned patterns of thinking, and affirm disciplinary ways of knowing that are distinct from the student’s own experience. Attending to diverse perspectives is characterized by a sincere pursuit of truth. A primary aim is to cultivate a grace-filled, Christ-centered academic community and to foster a culture of belonging where all individuals are loved and their contributions are valued, and where intellectual charity and cultural humility flourish. 

• BY 3553 /NURS 3553 The Art of Anatomy, Culture, & Healthcare    
• ED 3343 Cultural Perspectives in Education  
• EN 2103 Literary Inquiry : World Stories at the Nashville Film Festival
• EN 2903 Reading and Writing Critically  
• EN 3063 African American Literature  
• ENGR 3613 Humanitarian Engineering   
• FR 1114 Elementary French I  
• FR 1124 Elementary French II   
• KIN 1303 Healthful Living   
• KIN 2013 Sports Sociology   
• LJS 3533 Women and the Law   
• ML 2103 How Language Works   
• NURS 4054 Community Health Nursing  
• PO 3153 African Politics   
• HI 4053 /PO 4053 History and Politics of the Middle East  
• PS 3483 Human Sexuality   
  PS 4613 History and Systems of Psychology  
• SN 1114 Elementary Spanish I  
• SN 1124 Elementary Spanish II   
• SW 3133 Human Diversity   

Journey Social Inquiry Courses

Economics

• EC 2403 Principles of Macroeconomics  
• EC 2413 Principles of Microeconomics  
• EC 3603 International Economics and Finance  
• ENGR 3943 Engineering Economy and Planning   

Education

• ED 2313 Introduction to Education  

 Family Science

• FS 1013 Introduction to Family Science  
• FS 2013 Introduction to Marriage & Family Therapy  
• FS 2333 Family and Intimate Relationships: Christian Perspectives  
• FS 2503 Families and Spirituality  
• FS 3433 Family Relationships Across the Life Span  
• FS 3503 Family Dynamics  

Global Learning

• GL 110V The Cross-Cultural Experience  
• GL 1203 City as Text  

Law, Justice, and Society

• LJS 2103 Society and the Law  

 Psychology

• PS 1113 Introduction to Psychology  
• PS 2423 Life Span Development  
• PS 3243 Human Development and Learning  
• PS 3413 Social Psychology  
• PS 3483 Human Sexuality  
• PS 4113 Mindfulness: History, Science & Practice  
• PS 4423 Abnormal Psychology  

Sociology and Social Work

• SO 1123 Introduction to Sociology  
• SO 2103 The Family  
• SO 2113 Social Problems  
• SO 3023 Criminology   
• SW 1103 Introduction to Social Work   

Journey Virtue, Flourishing, and Vocation Courses

• CEA 3993 Faith & Vocation in the Arts  —For all majors in George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts
• CO 4003 Empathy in Media: Virtue, Flourishing & Vocation  –For Communication majors and those in related fields
• ED 3993 Virtue, Flourishing and Vocation in Education –For all College of Education majors
• ENGR 3993 Engineering / Computing Ethics: Virtue, Flourishing and Vocation –For all Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering majors
• LJS 3993 Public Service Vocation and Leadership  –For all Law, Justice and Society majors
• NUTR 3993 ​ / KIN 3993 Vocation & Flourishing in the Health Sciences  For all Nutrition and Kinesology majors
• SE 3993 Social Work Practice as Vocation  –For Social Work majors and those in related fields
• NURS 3993  / NURA 4183 Virtue, Flourishing, & Vocation in Nursing   For all School of Nursing majors

Transfer Student Guidelines

Transfer Student Bible Requirement

Transfer students seeking a Lipscomb degree must satisfy the Bible requirement based on the number of credit hours they initially transfer to Lipscomb, as specified below. Credit may be granted for Bible courses taken at other faith-based institutions based on review of syllabus by Bible faculty.

Students who transfer 67-93 credit hours to Lipscomb must complete two Bible courses at Lipscomb: BI 1073  (Story of Jesus) and BI 1093  (Story of Israel). (Virtue, Vocation, and Flourishing may be substituted for BI 1093   if the course is required by the major).
Students who transfer 47-66 credit hours to Lipscomb must complete three Bible courses: BI 1093  (Story of Israel) and BI 1073 ​ (Story of Jesus) and BI 1083   (Story of the Church). (Virtue, Vocation, and Flourishing may be substituted for BI 1083 ​  if the course is required by the majorr).
Students who transfer 33-46 credit hours to Lipscomb must complete four Bible courses: BI 1093 ,  BI 1073 ​, BI 1083  , plus one of the following: Christianity & My Life or Christianity & Society 
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.

Other Guidelines:

1. Any student who has developed competence in a Lipscomb Core (Journey) course 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. Journey requirements for students transferring to Lipscomb University will be determined by the following criteria:
   (a) Associate Degree Transfers (Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) institutions) - Follow criteria in the Admissions section of undergraduate catalog. For Bible requirements, see the Transfer Student Bible Requirement, described above. The Compass course will be required for students who complete an Associates degree while still enrolled in high school.
   (b) Associate degree transfers (non-TBR institutions) - All subject area requirements must be met and will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. See the Transfer/Dual Enrollment Equivalents to Journey table below for guidance. For Bible requirements, see the Transfer Student Bible Requirement, described above.
3. Teacher Education: students should see the Office of Teacher Education for special Core requirements.

​Transfer/Dual Enrollment Equivalents to Journey Requirements

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 a concentration in performance -i.e., not music education majors or Commercial 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 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

Learning Commons

The Lipscomb Learning Commons provides students with integrated academic and professional support to enhance their learning experience. It brings together resources from the Beaman Library, Career Development Center, Coggin Family Academic Success Center, and the Office of Accessibility and Learning Supports. Services include academic coaching, research assistance, writing support, digital learning tools, and career readiness resources. Designed to foster student success, the Learning Commons promotes collaboration, skill development, and personalized support.

Coggin Family Academic Success Center

Academic Advising

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 August 1st.  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 https://www.lipscomb.edu/admissions/non-traditional-admissions/dual-enrollment.

Office of Accessibility and Learning Supports

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.

This office houses three programs for students with disabilities: ACCESS, BEST, and IDEAL.

The ACCESS (Accessing the College Community and Enabling Student Success) program manages all accommodations for students with disabilities. 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. 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.

To request a registration form or get additional information, please contact the ACCESS Program by emailing accessibility@lipscomb.edu.

The BEST (Bisons Excelling and Succeeding Together) program provides additional supports for degree-seeking students with disabilities for an additional program fee. Students must first be admitted to Lipscomb University as an undergraduate student. The BEST program will include individualized services based on the student’s needs including 1:1 peer tutoring, 1:1 academic and organizational intervention, social support, and/or independent living supports. For more information or to request an application, email paige.reece@lipscomb.edu.

The IDEAL (Igniting the Dream of Education and Access at Lipscomb) program in an inclusive two-year certficate program for students with intellectual disabilities. For more information, email ideal@lipscomb.edu.

Career Development Center

Explore

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, scanning, electronic device charging stations, and Chromebook/iPad for checkout. Beaman Library awaits you whatever your research needs may be. Go anywhere; learn anything, and find it in Beaman Library.

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 Lipscomb Core (Journey) 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, investigations 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, some degrees require the last 30 hours of work on a degree must be done in residence at Lipscomb. Students must petition the Registrar to be allowed to take a correspondence course, a special examination or CLEP examination during the last 30 hours of residency. 
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 notice or who remains on academic notice 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. 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 notice 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.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Earning Two Bachelor’s Degrees 

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. Major requirements must be met for both degrees. 

3. All Lipscomb Core/Journey requirements must be met for both degrees. Ex: If the first degree is a Bachelor of Arts, then the foreign language requirements must be met, and if the second degree is a Bachelor of Science, then the additional math and science requirements must also be met. 

4. Completing two majors within the same degree is not equivalent to the completion on two degrees. 

Earning a Second Bachelor’s Degree When First Degree Earned at Another Institution 

1. When a student enters Lipscomb after earning a bachelor’s degree awarded at another regionally accredited institution, the student must complete a minimum of 32 hours to earn a second bachelor’s degree.  A minimum of 24 hours toward the second degree must be earned in residence at Lipscomb University. 
2. If the first bachelor’s degree was earned at a regionally accredited institution, all Core/Journey credit requirements except for the Bible requirements are waived. 

Dual Credit for Courses

Dual credit is any credit earned for a course that may be counted on a student’s degree plan in two different programs. A maximum of six (6) dual credit hours may be taken and counted toward any degree. Undergraduate students are required to finish their undergraduate degree before being allowed to take graduate coursework as dual credit unless the following requirements are met:

• Exceptions for undergraduate students who are at the junior or senior level to take graduate courses as dual credit may be granted with proper justification, and with approval of the dean(s) of the college(s) involved.

• Upon approval of the appropriate dean(s), the graduate credit may only count toward undergraduate degree electives and may not replace undergraduate core or required courses.

• The program director or academic department chair must notify the Financial Aid Office (financialaid@lipscomb.edu) in writing with the details of any approved exception for dual credit.

• The Office of Financial Aid must notify the student in writing about any financial aid eligibility restrictions regarding taking the requested course(s) for graduate credit prior to finishing an undergraduate degree and the student must provide written acknowledgement of and consent to any such restrictions, which writing must be kept on file by the program director or academic department chair, as applicable.

• The student is solely responsible for the financial aid ramifications of any approved exception for dual credit and must contact the Financial Aid Office to determine and coordinate the student’s overall financial aid.

• Undergraduate credit is not eligible for dual credit in any graduate program.

Dual credit courses that count toward multiple programs must be approved by the dean(s) of the
college(s) involved, the program director(s) or academic department chair(s) of the program(s) involved, and the Undergraduate Academic Council and/or the Graduate Academic Council, as appropriate.Undergraduate students who are approved to take graduate credit as electives as described above do not need separate academic council approval.

The dean and the program director or academic department chair, as applicable, must ensure that dual credits do not compromise the integrity and quality of the programs involved and enable students to meet each program’s learning outcomes at no loss of fidelity.
The total of transfer credit, dual enrollment credit, competency-based credit, College-Level Examination Program credit, or credit for prior work experience cannot result in a student taking less than 25% of direct instruction coursework from any undergraduate program or 34% of direct instruction coursework from any graduate program.

Governing Catalog for Enrolled Students

The Undergraduate Catalog is the official document that describes the academic programs and requirements for Undergraduate students attending Lipscomb university. Students are governed by the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their initial enrollment, provided their enrollment at the university is continuous, but students may instead opt to fulfill updated program requirements if the curriculum has changed during their enrollment. A student’s enrollment is considered continuous if the student is enrolled in courses at Lipscomb University at least two of the three semesters in each academic year commencing as of the student’s initial enrollment. Discontinued courses or programs may necessitate modifications to the graduation requirements by the university.

Reinstated or readmitted students whose enrollment is not continuous will be governed by the Undergraduate catalog in effect at the time of readmission/reinstatement.

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

Although the university does not encourage the use of special examinations, there are situations in which it is advisable to allow a student to earn credit through special examination. In no case should a student expect to take a special examination in 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.

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.

*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 Core/Journey 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 inquiry 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.  

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.

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.

Zero Credit Hour Courses

Zero credit hour courses, also known as non-credit courses, are typically designed to provide students with resources and may include workshops, seminars, training sessions, program information, or other educational resources that enhance students’ skills, knowledge, and personal development. Frequently, zero credit hour courses may be a repository for student portfolio materials, instructional materials, academic work from other credit-bearing courses, or tutorial materials that may help students prepare for standardized tests, licensure exams, or laboratory experiences. Additionally, zero credit hour courses may be utilized for program orientation, cohort management purposes, or may be utilized as a repository for academic work across an academic program that is required for completion of the program.

Enrollment in zero credit hour courses may be open to all students or restricted to specific cohorts
based on program requirements or other criteria. Zero credit hour courses generally receive a grade of NC for no credit, S/U for satisfactory/unsatisfactory, or P/F for pass/fail. Zero credit hour courses may or may not be included on a student’s transcript depending upon the nature and purpose of the course.

Transfer Credit to an Undergraduate Degree

Academic work from other colleges and universities may be evaluated for transfer to a Lipscomb University undergraduate degree within the following rules:

1. An official transcript of academic work must be sent directly from each institution to Lipscomb University’s admissions office.
2. Courses are generally eligible to be considered for transfer credit if earned at a regionally accredited college or university and if they are comparable to courses offered at Lipscomb. This determination is made by the registrar’s office and/or the appropriate academic chair or program director on a course-by-course basis.
3. Only courses with a grade equivalent of “C” or higher may be considered for transfer credit; however, certain programs may have higher standards for transfer.
4. Transfer of courses toward a major, minor, or Core/Journey requirements must be approved by the appropriate academic chair or program director and the registrar’s office.
5. No more than 50% of the hours required in an undergraduate degree may be transferred from a two-year institution, and 3000 or 4000 level course numbers from two-year institutions will generally not transfer as equivalency credit. 
6. Remedial, technical, vocational, or non-credit coursework will not be eligible for transfer credit, unless approved by the Registrar and Program Chair/Director.
7. No more than 94 semester hours may be transferred toward a Lipscomb University undergraduate degree, unless the undergraduate program specifically stipulates a different transfer limit. See each program’s information for potential variance to the transfer credit limit.
8. The total of transfer credit, dual enrollment credit, competency based credit, CLEP, or credit for prior work experience cannot cause a student to take less than 25% of direct instruction coursework from any undergraduate program at Lipscomb.
9. Any course taken by a student at another college or university after the student’s initial enrollment at Lipscomb University may not be accepted for transfer credit unless the student has received approval to transfer the course before it is taken. Forms for this approval are available in the registrar’s office. 
10. The registrar’s office, academic chair or program director reviewing transcripts from another institution may request the student to provide course descriptions and/or course syllabi to assist in determining course equivalency.
11. For coursework taken at international institutions, course transcripts and descriptions (if requested) must be translated into English by a certified transcript translation service acceptable to Lipscomb.
12. Course grades earned at external institutions and accepted for transfer do not count toward the Lipscomb grade point average.
13. 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.

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.

The different letter grades below 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 : Incomplete - Given under special circumstances whereby the student has experienced extraordinary circumstances that are directly attributable to falling behind in coursework, and whereby the instructor determines that the student has completed most of the coursework with a passing grade, and given additional time is likely to successfully complete the remaining required assignment(s). In order for an “I” to be issued, the specific coursework to be completed along with the specific due date(s) must be agreed upon and communicated in writing (email is sufficient) by both the instructor and the student. A final grade must be determined and communicated by the instructor to the Registrar’s Office within six weeks (42 calendar days) of the end of the term or the “I” grade will automatically become an “F.” The maximum six-week period for a short-term course begins at the end of the term in which the course is offered or the end of a semester if it is a full-semester course. “I” grades count toward a student’s GPA as an “F” until the final grade is issued, I grades count toward a student’s GPA as an “F” until the final grade is issued.

IP: In-Progress in Graded Course - Given for approved courses with planned assignments or requirements that extend beyond one semester to complete, and the final grade is pending; however, a final grade must be issued within one year of the end of the term following the issuance of the “IP” or the grade automatically turns to an “F”. IP grades do not count toward a student’s GPA until the final grade is issued.

INP: In-Progress in Pass/Fail Course - Given for approved pass/fail courses with planned assignments or requirements that extend beyond one semester to complete, and the final grade is pending; however, a final grade must be issued within one year of the end of the term following the issuance of the “INP” or the grade automatically turns to an “F”. INP grades do not count toward a student’s GPA until the final grade is issued.

INPG - In-Progress in Pass/Fail Course - Given for approved pass/fail courses with thesis, dissertation, or practicum requirements that extend across multiple semesters and/or academic years while the requirements are being completed. The grade will remain an “INPG” until the requirements are completed and a final grade is issued. INPG grades do not count toward a student’s GPA until the final grade is issued.

NC: No credit; used in EN 1113 , 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.

NG: No grade; used for laboratory courses that are included in the course grade. 

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 Calendar ); 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 and Complaint Process

Incomplete Grades

Audits and Non-Credit Repeats

Academic Notice and Suspension

Academic Warning

Academic Notice

Academic Suspension

Empower: Student Success Program

Transfer Students Admitted on Notice

Excessive Absence Notifications

Student Load-Credit Hours

Definition of credit hour: For purposes of the application of this policy and in accord with federal regulations, a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time, or at least an equivalent amount of work as required outlined above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

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

• Semester Programs - Semester-long immersion with a general education focus.
• International Internships - Semester-long international internship within a student’s desired field of study.
• Faculty-Led Programs - Experiential summer or spring sessions concentrating on courses speciic to a student’s vocation or major.

Lipscomb’s Semester-Long Programs

• Lipscomb in Vienna (Fall/Spring)
• Lipscomb in London (Fall)
• Lipscomb in Florence (Fall/Spring)

Criteria for Participation in Global Learning 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 be 25 years old or under.
4. 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
   • In-person interview 
   If the GPA is still below 2.5 at the end of the second semester, the student may not be admitted to the program.
5. Students must be approved by the Global Learning Office, 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 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 Social Inquiry within the Lipscomb Core requirement)
• Foreign Language, 3-4 hours of language of program location (counts toward B.A. language requirement) - Not applicable for London program

These optional courses are applicable only to our Semester Programs, are consistent with Global Learning objectives, and vary by site from year to year. A list for any specific program is available from the Office of Global Programs or on our website at globallearning.lipscomb.edu.

Sample optional courses:

• World Literature I (EN 2153) or English Literature II (EN 2123), 3 hours
• Faith and Culture (BI 3213) or Disciplines of Christian Living (BI3433), 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 Faculty-Led Programs

Scholarships and Financial Aid

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). Find additional information in the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics section under Medically-Related Preprofessional Programs . Students interested in specific admissions requirements to the Lipscomb College of Pharmacy should refer to the College of Pharmacy  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 EN 1223  or LU 1013   ) - 6 hours
• Communication (CO 1223  or LU 1023  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 Online at Lipscomb portion of the catalog.

B.P.S. Degree in Organizational Leadership

Upon successful completion of the A.A. Degree at the Tennessee Prison for Women, students may then enroll in the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree program with a major in Organizational Leadership and a concentration in Business.  The total hour requirements for this degree is 126 semester hours. 

See General Education for Bachelor’s degree section for complete requirements.
See Organizational Leadership Major section for complete requirements. 

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:

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.

LS 0020 Learning Skills and Reading Improvement  

MA 1020 Introductory Algebra  

MA 1030 Intermediate Algebra  

TP 0110 Turning Point  

Global Learning

GL 110V The Cross-Cultural Experience  

Humanities

HU 2003 World Humanities I  

HU 2013  World Humanities II

Elective Internship

INTR 100V   

University Studies

UN 1101 Strategies of an Effective Learner  

UN 13nV Special Topics  

UN 1321 Personal Finance (see college of Business)