Lipscomb University
As a Christ-centered, liberal arts university building upon a 135-year heritage of academic excellence, Lipscomb University offers an engaging, intellectually challenging environment for graduate education and a commitment to encourage and support spiritual formation in every member of the university community. Lipscomb’s 113-acre campus, located in the heart of the thriving city of Nashville, Tennessee, provides a beautiful setting which supports a nurturing environment where students can develop professionally and personally.
Lipscomb is one of the few institutions in the nation offering educational pathways from age two through the doctoral level. Students can begin their journey at Lipscomb Academy’s SEED School and continue through a full spectrum of undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs-making Lipscomb a unique two-year-old to Ph.D. institution. With an enrollment of more than 4,900 university students and over 1,400 at Lipscomb Academy, the institution is deeply embedded in the Middle Tennessee community, committed to shaping lives of character, leadership and service.
The mission of Lipscomb University is to provide rigorous academic programs paired with life-transforming experiences to prepare students for lives of purpose, preparing graduates for success in their chosen professions and careers. Lipscomb equips its students to succeed in their vocation and contribute to the common good by living out their faith in action. This is accomplished through a mentoring program for our students and with numerous mission and service opportunities, and through the Center for Vocational Discovery (CVD). The CVD helps students discover their why, trains them in their how and sends them into the world with their what upon graduation. Studentsleave Lipscomb having explored their career aspirations within God’s purpose for their life.
Students have opportunities for innovative and creative approaches to learning. Lipscomb’s George Shinn Center offers state-of-the-art learning experiences for animation majors. The Fields Engineering Center is bringing new opportunities to engineering education on campus. The Nursing and Health Sciences Center provides education for the next generation of
nurses through use of the most current technology and most contemporary best practices available in health care education. In addition, the McFarland Science Center provides the most up-to- date laboratory facilities for undergraduate education and research in biology and chemistry. Lipscomb’s Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Building enhances opportunities to faculty for significant scholarly research. Lipscomb has received grants for both research and student support activities from a variety of organizations including the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, U.S. Department of Education, Tennessee Department of Transportation, Tennessee Higher Education Commission and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
Over the last few years the university’s reputation as a top-tier, nationally recognized institution has continued to grow. In fall 2025, the university celebrated its largest total enrollment in school history with continued growth in freshman and graduate enrollment along with record retention rates. In addition, the university is ranked the #13 Christian university in the nation by Niche.com, a Forbes Best College, received a four-star rating in Money magazine’s 2025 Best Colleges list, is a U.S. News & World Report Best National University, is ranked a Best Value Colleges in America by Niche and a Best Southern College by The Princeton Review. In addition, Lipscomb’s business, animation and education programs are consistently ranked among the best in the nation and in the state. Lipscomb has produced 19 Fulbright student scholars. Over the last year the university announced the launch of several new academic programs and partnerships developed to meet workforce demand in areas such as communication sciences and disorders, an online Doctorate of Pharmacy, anesthesiology assistant studies, early childhood education and teacher licensure as well as a nursing leadership credential program and a rural nursing initiative. Lipscomb is also one of the first independent institutions in the nation to offer campus-wide AI integration and access to robust, cutting-edge AI tools and training for all university students, faculty and staff.
One of the most compelling indicators of the value of a Lipscomb education is the ability of our graduates to successfully enter the job market or be accepted into institutions for advanced degrees. Lipscomb has a 99% placement rate for our bachelor’s degree graduates with hundreds of internships available while a student. This was based on the number of bachelor’s degree graduates who are employed or pursuing graduate school within six months of graduation. Lipscomb’s achievement signifies that the excellent education provided by our programs is highly desired by employers and greatly respected by other institutions of higher learning. Lipscomb University also offers students opportunities for global engagement through a variety of study abroad programs and mission trips. Lipscomb offers semester-long undergraduate study opportunities in Florence, London and Vienna, , as well as other short-term study abroad experiences.
Beyond the classroom, Lipscomb has an exciting campus life The Bison athletics program is a vital part of campus life. Competing in the NCAA Division I as a member of the Atlantic Sun Conference, Lipscomb University competes at the highest level in 17 sports and numerous sports have earned conference championships and represented the Bison Herd in national championship post-season competitions.
Mission
We are a Christ-centered community preparing learners for purposeful lives through rigorous academics and transformative experiences.
Vision
Anchored in our Christ-centered mission, Lipscomb University will lead as a top-tier, nationally recognized institution. We will excel in teaching, learning and research; be ambitious in our service to others; and be driven by continuous improvement.
Graduate Degrees and Certificates
Lipscomb University currently confers the following post-baccalaureate degrees and certificates:
Doctor of Education, (Ed.D.)
Doctor of Ministry, (D.Min)
Doctor of Pharmacy, (PharmD)
Doctor of Philosophy, (Ph.D., Archaeology of the Near East, Leadership and Policy)
Education Specialist, (Ed.S., Educational Leadership, English Language Learning, Gifted Education and Advanced Academics, Instructional Coaching, Leading in Curriculum and Instruction, Leadership Studies, Reading Specialty, School Counseling, School Psychology, Special Education)
Master of Accountancy, MAcc.)
Master of Arts, (M.A., Applied Behavioral Analysis, Archaeology and Biblical Studies, Christian Ministry, Conflict Management, Film & Creative Media, Health Communication, Leadership and Policy, Leadership & Public Service, Organizational Leadership, Pastoral Studies)
Master of Business Administration, (MBA)
Master of Divinity, (M.Div.)
Master of Education, (M.Ed., Educational Leadership, Education, Instructional Practice K-5/Special Education, Instructional Practice PreK-3/Special Education, Instructional Practice Grades 6-8, 6-12, or K-12, Instructional Practice Grades K-5 with ELL, Instructional Practice Grades K-5, School Counseling, and Special Education; Stackable Master’s of Education with certificates in Christian Education, Computer Science Education, Educational Leadership, English Language Learning, Gifted Education and Advanced Academics, Instructional Coaching, Reading Specialty, Special Education, Special Education Integrated PreK-3/SPED, Special Education Interventionist, and Teacher Licensure.
Master of Fine Arts, (MFA, with three required stackable certificates from the following: 2D Advanced Animation, Animation Foundations, Business of Film/TV, CG Advanced Animation, Experiential Design (UX), Screenwriting, Television Writing, UX Research, and UX/UI Web and APP Design.
Master of Health Administration, (M.H.A.)
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy, (MMFT)
Master of Physician Assistant Studies, (M.P.A.S.)
Master of Professional Studies, (MPS)
Master of Public Administration, (M.P.A.)
Master of Science, (M.S., Accessibility and Advocacy, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Applied Behavioral Analysis, Biomolecular Science, Cardiovascular Perfusion, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Exercise and Human Performance, Health Care Informatics, Health Science, Nutrition, Nutrition and Dietetic Internship, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Psychology, Sport Analytics, Sustainability)
Master of Theological Studies, (M.T.S.)
The university also awards Certificates of Graduate Studies in the following areas: 2D Advanced Animation, Animation Foundations, Applied Artificial Intelligence, Business of Film/TV, CG Advanced Animation, Christian Education, Coaching for Learning, Collaborative Leadership, Computer Science Education, Conflict Management, Data Analytics, Discipleship Making, Education Leadership, English Language Learning, Experiential Design, Gifted Education and Advanced Academics, Health Care Informatics, Healthcare Professionals, Instructional Coaching, New Testament Studies, Old Testament Studies, Pastoral Leadership, Professional Accountancy, Reading Specialty, Screenwriting, Special Education, Special Education Integrated PreK-3/SPED, Special Education Interventionist, Sustainability, Teacher Licensure, Television Writing, Theology, Theological Studies, UX Research, UX/UI Web and APP Design. These certificates do not imply professional certification but are intended to strengthen students’ qualifications and professional portfolios in specific areas.
Accreditations and Memberships
Lipscomb University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, education specialist, and doctoral degrees. Degree-granting institutions also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Lipscomb University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission of Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
The Hazelip School of Theology at Lipscomb is a member of the Association of Theological Schools. ATS is the premier accrediting organization for graduate, professional theological schools in the United States.
The College of Business programs at the graduate and undergraduate level are accredited by AACSB. With this accreditation, Lipscomb joins an elite group of business schools internationally, with less than 6 percent (only 926 institutions across 60 countries) earning this prestigious accreditation. In addition, the College of Business has the rare distinction of being dual accredited, as it is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP). In addition, the accounting program has achieved separate accreditation for both its undergraduate and graduate degree programs from ACBSP. The Master of Health Administration has earned CAHME Accreditation which is the benchmark for students and employers alike that ensures students are well prepared to lead in healthcare management. Only 153 programs globally have CAHME accreditation.
The College of Education M.Ed. and Ed.S. programs at Lipscomb University are approved by the Tennessee State Board of Education, and are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation CAEP).
The College of Pharmacy offers the Doctor of Pharmacy degree. The College of Pharmacy is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education. The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program has been accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
The Institute for Sustainable Practice is a member of the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
The Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education, the only national accrediting body for social work education.
The Marriage and Family Therapy Program (Nashville campus) is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education (COAMFTE)
The Lipscomb University School of Music is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Music.
The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). CACREP is the premier accrediting organization for Counseling and Counselor Education programs in the United States.
The Physician Assistant program is accredited by The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
Within the Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering, the three undergraduate degrees–electrical and computer engineering, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering – are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology.
The three undergraduate degrees in computing, the M.S. in Computer Science, the M.S. in Information Technology, and the M.S. in Information Security are accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering And Technology (ABET).
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Lipscomb University is an approved chemistry program by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.
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