Graduate Studies in Business

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Graduate Business 

• Master of Accountancy
• Master of Business Administration
• Master of Management
• Graduate Certificate in Professional Accountancy
• Graduate Certificate in Business Acumen

Ray Eldridge, Dean, College of Business
Allison Duke, Associate Dean, Graduate Business
Bart Liddle, Assistant Dean, Healthcare Programs
Perry Moore, Director, Graduate Business

Core Faculty

Joseph R. Bamber, Visiting Professor of Marketing
Andy Borchers, Associate Professor of Management
Charles G. Capps, Associate Professor of Management
Lindsay L. Dillingham, Assistant Professor of Marketing
Allison B. Duke, Associate Professor of Management
C. Ray Eldridge, Professor of Management 
Charles E. Frasier, Charles E. Frasier Professor of Accountancy
Joseph M. Ivey, Clinical Professor of Management
Jeffrey J. Jewell, Professor of Finance
Mark E. Jobe, Associate Professor of Accounting
Natasha J. Johnson, Instructor of Management
G. Bart Liddle, Assistant Professor of Management
L. Randolph Lowry, Professor of Management
Jeffrey A. Mankin, Assistant Professor of Accounting
Brian S. Masterson, Assistant Professor of Accounting
Perry G. Moore, Professor of Accounting
Brad Reid, Professor of Business Law 
Julio A. Rivas-Aguilar, Assistant Professor of Finance
Jerry Stubblefield, Clinical Professor of Management

College of Business

Mission - The College of Business will develop business leaders who embrace the values and virtues of Jesus.

Vision - We will positively affect the future by developing leaders who model Jesus by growing in “wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” (Luke 2:52) These leaders will possess the business competence to influence others, organizations, and society.

Values and Virtues

A purposeful leader is determined and disciplined, striving to achieve an organization’s most important and meaningful objectives, while being a good steward of the resources with which he or she has been entrusted. (Luke 14:28; Matthew 25:14)

A bold leader is strong and courageous, seeking to be influential and willing to challenge the limits of conventional thought. (Deuteronomy 31:6; I Corinthians 16:13; 2 Timothy 1:7)

A credible leader is truthful and trustworthy, displaying both competence and confidence. (Matthew 6:21; I Corinthians 13:6; Luke 16:10-12)

A creative leader is imaginative and adaptive, embracing change and creating opportunities from that change. (John 8:1-11; Luke 10)

A servant leader is humble, compassionate, and approachable, encouraging others to be their best through the personal example they set. (Philippians 2:3-11; Matthew 5)

Master of Business Administration (MBA)

Mission

The Lipscomb University MBA program will integrate Christian faith, servant leadership and innovation in the MBA classroom to provide excellent academic training for Lipscomb MBA students to prepare them for higher service in their current and future organizations.

The Master of Business Administration is designed for students with an undergraduate degree in either business or a non-related field. A quantitative leveling course is offered for the non-business undergraduate.

The MBA program:

• Incorporates ethics and values into every course so you can learn to identify and cultivate a values-based business environment.
• Is built around the principle that doing business right is the only right way to do business.
• Features courses taught by outstanding faculty with substantial business experience. Our faculty members bring expertise in their field and an ability to integrate faith into their teaching.

MBA

Students enrolled in the MBA program may select an area of concentration in accounting and finance, health care management, leadership, or a distributed option. No work experience is required for admission to the program.

The curriculum is grouped into three categories: leveling course, core courses and concentration electives. Thirty-six hours are required for graduation, consisting of 27 hours in the required core courses and nine hours of concentration electives. Students who need to complete the quantitative leveling course will be required to take that 3 hour course which will result in a thirty-nine hour program.

You can begin the MBA program in August or January. The MBA schedule is flexible. Courses are taught in five eight-week terms. Classes meet once per week, for eight weeks, from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Classes meet on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Some classes will meet at other times such as online or weekends. A global perspective is strengthened through participation on a required international trip.

Cool Springs MBA

A cohort MBA program is also available at Lipscomb’s off-site location in Cool Springs. You can begin this cohort program ONLY in August. Thirty-six hours are required for graduation. Students who need to complete the quantitative leveling course will be required to take that 3 hour course which will result in a thirty-nine hour program.

All required core classes will be taught at night in Cool Springs. All concentration elective courses will be taught on Lipscomb’s main campus. This program can be completed in 24 months. A global perspective is strengthened through participation on a required international trip.

Downtown MBA

A cohort MBA program is also available at Lipscomb’s off-site location in Downtown Nashville. You can begin this cohort program ONLY in August. Thirty-six hours are required for graduation. Students who need to complete the quantitative leveling course will be required to take that 3 hour course which will result in a thirty-nine hour program.

All required core classes will be taught at night in Downtown Nashville. All concentration elective courses will be taught on Lipscomb’s main campus. This program can be completed in 24 months. A global perspective is strengthened through participation on a required international trip.

Dual Degree MBA and Sustainability

The dual degree program combines cutting edge business training with state of the art training in sustainability to create a “green” degree program that incorporates the best of two worlds, resulting in two diplomas.

Students enrolled in the dual degree program will complete the core courses required for each degree (24 hours in business and 24 hours in sustainability). Upon completion of the 48 hours of course work, students will be awarded both an MBA and an MS in Sustainable Practice.

Students enrolled in the MBA program can pursue the dual degree option. Dual degree students will participate in a global travel course.

The dual degree option MUST be selected before the student graduates with either degree. Once a student has graduated, the dual degree option is no longer available.

Dual Degree MBA and MFA 

The dual degree program combines cutting edge business training with state of the art training in the financial and management side of digital entertainment, resulting in two diplomas.

Students enrolled in the dual degree program will complete the core courses required for each degree (25 hours in business and 50 hours in digital entertainment). Upon completion of the 75 hours of course work, students will be awarded both an MBA and an MFA.

Students enrolled in the MBA program can pursue the dual degree option. Dual degree students will participate in a global travel course.

The dual degree option MUST be selected before the student graduates with either degree. Once a student has graduated, the dual degree option is no longer available.

Master of Accountancy (MAcc)

Mission

To provide a high quality accounting education and prepare its students to excel professionally.

The Master of Accountancy is primarily designed for students who seek additional academic training and/or credit hours in preparation to sit for the Uniform Certified Public Accountant examination. It also provides the working professional with the additional knowledge needed to succeed in today’s business environment.

All courses will be taught in the evening on Monday, Tuesday or Thursday nights, and classes meet once per week for eight-week terms. The MAcc program can be completed in one year for those students who have completed all prerequisite requirements. No work experience is required for admission to the program.

For those students who need additional course work, leveling courses in business and accounting are offered. All prerequisite courses are taught at night and some are available online. New students can only begin in August. Some elective classes will meet at other times such as online or weekends.

Graduate Certificate in Professional Accountancy

For those students who do not want to complete the entire master’s degree, the 12-hour certificate program will provide them with the additional hours needed to sit for the Uniform CPA Exam. These hours can be applied towards the MAcc or the MBA should the student decide to pursue a graduate degree at a later date. Students select twelve MAcc hours from the following list to earn the graduate certificate:

MAcc 6002   Corporate Governance and Business Ethics

MAcc 6011   Auditor Communications

MAcc 6303   Advanced Financial Accounting

MAcc 6403   Advanced Accounting and Consolidations

MAcc 6513   Managerial Accounting & Finance

MAcc 6603   Advanced Auditing and Forensics

MAcc 6763   Taxation of Business Entities

Course descriptions are given in the MAcc section of this catalog. Appropriate prerequisite requirements apply to all certificate courses.

Certificate students can shift from that program to the MACC or MBA program. Such students must notify the graduate business office of their intent to change programs and submit the appropriate paperwork. A minimum 3.00 GPA is required to shift programs. Admission requirements are the same as the MAcc program.

Master of Management (MM)

Mission

To provide an innovative graduate management program that will help students combine their passion with business experience to be highly competitive in the job market. No work experience is required for the MM program.

The Master of Management - Career Accelerator option is a one-year, full-time graduate business degree. The 30-hour curriculum includes a directed work experience, two one-week long residencies, weekly class meetings and full day experiential sessions. Students will also study global business first-hand through a required global travel experience.

The Master of Management program is also offered part-time with several different points of emphasis:

• Public Health.  The 30-hour curriculum in Public Health will be a partnership between Lipscomb and Meharry Medical College.  The program is designed to give Meharry Medical Students the opportunity to augment their clinical skill with the business acumen needed to succeed in today’s medical field.
• Health Care.

Graduate Certificate in Business Acumen

The goal of the certificate is to allow College of Professional Studies’ students to gain business acumen as a part of their CPS degree.  Twelve hours are required from the Master of Management core.

MMGT 5103  Managing Yourself and Others I

MMGT 5113  Managing Yourself and Others II

MMGT 5203  Managing for Results I

MMGT 5213  Managing for Results II

Dual Degree MM and Pharmacy

The dual degree program combines cutting edge business training with the student’s Pharmacy training to create a degree program that incorporates the best of two worlds, resulting in two diplomas.

Students enrolled in the dual degree program will complete 15 hours in Business and 15 hours in Pharmacy. Upon completion of ALL course work, students will be awarded both an MM and a Pharm.D. 

The dual degree option MUST be selected before the student graduates with either degree. Once a student has graduated, the dual degree option is no longer available.

Admission Policies and Procedures

Applicants to graduate programs must submit the following:

1. Application Form. Each applicant must complete an application form. The application form is available at buildwhatyoullbecome.com, then click on “Admissions,” then “Apply Today”. The application can be completed online or downloaded in a PDF version.
2. Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
3. Standardized exam score. Each applicant must submit the scores of a standardized exam. Scores from the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) are required for students seeking graduate business degrees.
4. References. Two letters of reference are required as follows: from a college or university administrator or professor or from a professional supervisor or employer.
5. Official Transcript(s). Each applicant must submit an official transcript, showing degree conferral when appropriate, from all schools attended.
6. Health Form. Each applicant must submit a completed health form signed by a health care provider. (To print a copy of the health form, visit www.lipscomb.edu/healthcenter/forms.)
7. FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights of access to educational records; even if you are independent of your parents, you must submit this form prior to enrollment.
8. Resume. A resume detailing the applicant’s work experience is required.
9. Written Statement. Each graduate degree program (MAcc, MBA, or MM) has different specifications for the candidate’s written statement, each of which are described on the program’s specific application.
10. TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for international students. (See section titled International Students for more information.)

All application items should be sent to College of Business, Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204. Check website for application deadlines: buildwhatyoullbecome.com.

Undergraduate Degree and Performance

The standard for admission into a master’s degree program is an accredited bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. In addition, the prospective student will have an acceptable grade-point average and a GMAT or GRE score.

Admittance or non-admittance is determined by the admission committee after thorough analysis of each applicant’s file.

Applicants holding an unaccredited degree or who are within one semester of completing a bachelor’s degree, may be considered for conditional admission (see Unaccredited Degree and/or Substandard Admission Scores section below).

The GMAT may be waived for applicants to the MBA or MAcc programs who have significant work and management/leadership experience. Candidates for the Graduate Certificate in Professional Accountancy with an overall GPA of 3.5 may petition to have the GMAT waived.

The GMAT may be waived for applicants to the MM program who have demonstrated academic excellence in their undergraduate programs.

Some of the admission requirements (e.g., GPA) may receive less weight during the evaluation process from applicants who have been out of school for at least five years, or for those who have earned a terminal degree (e.g., Ph.D., J.D., M.D.).

Unaccredited Degree and/or Substandard Admission Scores

Should conditional admission be granted, the following stipulations will apply:

Unaccredited Degree: If the student’s transcript shows deficiencies in liberal arts courses as defined by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the student will be required to demonstrate the understandings and skills normally associated with a liberal arts education, particularly in scientific method and computation and in oral and written communication skills. The student may be required to remove the deficiency by successfully completing undergraduate level courses. The minimum standard is as follows: 30 hours of course work drawn from three areas-humanities/fine arts, social/behavioral science and natural science/mathematics; evidence of competence in oral and written communication skills; and fundamental mathematical skills.

Substandard Admission Scores: A student may be admitted conditionally. Such students must complete a minimum of nine hours of graduate work with a grade of “B” or above before the conditional admission is removed.

Students who are denied admission may reapply for admission after completing 12 semester hours of approved undergraduate credits with a grade of “B” or higher from an accredited institution and/or after obtaining an acceptable score on the GMAT.

Transfer of Courses

Although all graduate credit hours may be transferred from another accredited institution, a maximum of six hours will be counted toward the MAcc or MBA degrees. The graduate director or appropriate faculty member of the graduate program will evaluate the course(s) being proposed for transfer and make a determination of suitability. No course with a grade below a “B” will be considered for transfer. Requests from current students to transfer new course work into any graduate program will generally be denied. No transfer credit will be awarded for the MM degree.

Documentation

Students are required to provide satisfactory documentation of personal identification for off-site learning experiences required in many programs of graduate study at Lipscomb University. Failure to provide proper credentials will result in failure to complete the desired course of study. For complete policy, see section entitled Required Documentation for Off-Site Learning  in the opening section of this catalog.

Student Classifications

Students are admitted to graduate courses in one of five categories:

1. Graduate Student: one who has satisfied all admissions requirements. A student with an incomplete admission file will be accepted to the program at the discretion of the program director but will be placed on an academic hold which will prevent registration for the following semester. Once the proper admissions documents have been received, the hold will be removed and the student will be allowed to register for the following semester.
2. Conditionally Admitted Student: one who has been admitted conditionally, at the discretion of the program director, without satisfying all admission requirements. Students admitted with the following criteria may be required to complete a minimum of nine hours of graduate work with a grade of “B” or above before the conditional admission is removed.
   1. From an unaccredited school or with a substandard GPA or GMAT score.
   2. A transfer student with a graduate GPA between 2.50 and 2.99. The transfer student must be in good standing at the previous institution attended.
   3. As a student who has not completed a bachelor’s degree program. The transfer student must be in good standing at the previous institution attended.
3. Non-Degree Student: one who has satisfied admission requirements. The student may take up to 12 semester hours for graduate credit. Those hours may be applied toward a master’s degree if the student makes a grade of “B” or better in the courses taken for credit and if the student is formally admitted to a graduate program as a degree-seeking student.
4. Visiting Student: one who is currently enrolled as a student in good standing at the post-bachelor’s level at another graduate school, wishes to take courses at Lipscomb and desires to have transcript evidence of course work done at Lipscomb provided for the school of primary enrollment.
5. Probationary Student: one who has been readmitted to a graduate program following academic suspension from the program.

Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. Only those students who meet the requirements for “graduate student” described above are eligible for candidacy.

Academic Policies

Course Load

A student enrolled for six hours is considered a full-time student. A student enrolled for less than six hours is considered a part-time student. No student will be permitted to enroll for more than 21 hours (either graduate or undergraduate) per semester.

Academic Standing

1. Good Academic Standing: To remain in good academic standing, the student must maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA. At least 75 percent of those hours must be completed with grades of “B” or higher.
2. Probation: Should the student’s cumulative graduate GPA fall below 3.00, he or she will be placed on academic probation. A student on academic probation will not be allowed to enroll for more than six hours during any term the probation applies. If the requisite GPA is attained, the academic probation status will be removed. A graduate course in which a student has earned an “F” may be repeated. Students may not repeat courses in which the student earned a grade of “C” or higher.
3. Suspension: If the requisite GPA is not attained, the student will be suspended from studies at Lipscomb for the following semester, after which the student may apply for readmission. The student may be required to appear before the admissions committee.
   Failing grades will provide no credit toward the degree but will be included in figuring scholarship level, unless replaced with a higher grade by repeating the course(s). A 3.00 GPA must be maintained to be eligible for financial assistance.
4. Appeals: Appeals to suspension decisions should be made in writing to the associate provost for academic development and graduate studies. Appeals must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Monday of the week before classes begin for the term during which the student wishes to be readmitted.

Degree Completion Requirements

Residency

No period of formal residency status is required for graduate business degrees.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the MBA, MAcc, and MM degrees must be completed within a seven-year period from the time of initial matriculation.

Thesis

No graduate business degree requires a thesis.  A thesis option is NOT available.

Candidacy

Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. During the course of pursuing the MBA, MAcc, or MM degrees, the student must be admitted to “candidacy.” For admission to candidacy the student must satisfy the following:

1. Complete all required undergraduate deficiencies if admitted on condition.
2. Complete at least twelve hours of graduate work.
3. Maintain a 3.00 GPA on all courses taken toward the requirements for the degree with no incomplete grades.
4. File an application for candidacy form with the graduate program office.
5. File a degree plan in the graduate program office which meets all requirements and is approved by the administrator of the graduate program. The degree plan must be filed at the same time that an application for candidacy is filed.

After admission to candidacy and approval of the degree plan, any changes in the degree plan must be approved by the administrator of the graduate program. The application for candidacy must be filed before the beginning of the student’s last semester in the program. No student will be allowed to graduate in the same semester in which the application for candidacy is filed.

Minimum Credits

Exclusive of hours accumulated to satisfy academic deficiencies, the MAcc, MBA, and MM degrees require the following hours:

• The MAcc degree requires 30 semester hours
• The MBA degree requires 36 semester hours
• The MM degree requires 30-36 semester hours

Minimum GPA

The minimum cumulative grade-point average for all graduate business degrees is 3.00 for all graduate courses taken for graduate credit. No grade below a “C” is acceptable. Such grades will not apply toward degree completion.

Graduation

Students must register for GN 999X the semester in which all course work will be completed for graduation. Students who do not file their intent to graduate form in the registrar’s office by the end of the first week of their last semester may be delayed in graduating.

Graduate students receiving degrees are hooded during the May and December commencement exercises.

Appeals

Any exceptions to the above stated requirements would require approval via the appeal process established by the graduate academic leadership team.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees for 2017-18*

Acceptance of a position in a graduate business class is viewed as a long-term commitment. Admitted applicants must submit a non-refundable deposit to reserve their space in the class. Class size is limited and admission decisions are made on a rolling basis.

Scholarships/Assistantships

Merit scholarship awards are available through the College of Business. Such scholarship awards are given for one year only and are not renewable. Scholarship awards typically are given to offset tuition charges for one or more classes.

Non-teaching graduate assistantships are awarded by the College of Business. Such assistantships are given for one-year terms, but students may apply for extensions.

Graduate assistantship awards typically are given to offset tuition charges in exchange for the student providing assistance in the graduate business office or with a graduate faculty member. Generally, students receiving an assistantship are enrolled as full-time students. There are federal income tax consequences for students receiving assistantships.

Dependent children of full-time Lipscomb employees are eligible to receive a Lipscomb Family Scholarship which covers 25 percent of the program’s cost for students in the MBA, MAcc, and MM programs.

To receive a scholarship or assistantship, the student must complete the main application form, which also includes the student’s essay and references. No action will be taken before these items and the GMAT score report are received. Applicants for graduate assistantships must also complete an assistantship application and schedule a personal interview with the MBA director. A 3.00 GPA must be maintained to be eligible for a scholarship or assistantship.

Lipscomb graduate business alumni are eligible for a 50 percent tuition scholarship on additional elective courses taken after they have graduated. This scholarship is available for courses offered only within the College of Business.

MBA Prerequisites (Leveling Courses)

Students are welcome from all academic disciplines and professions.

Students holding undergraduate degrees in business, with no deficiencies in prescribed undergraduate courses, have the leveling courses waived. At many institutions, the undergraduate business major covers all of the areas given below, but not all institutions and/or majors do.

Students with bachelor’s degrees in disciplines other than business must satisfy the following course requirements:

• Principles of Accounting (both semesters)
• Principles of Finance

The prospective MBA student may elect to meet the deficiencies in one of two ways:

1. Take the quantitative leveling course (BU 6103)
2. Take the appropriate undergraduate course(s)

BU 6103 may be taken concurrently with other graduate business courses and must be completed before the student can enroll in accounting or finance courses.

Leveling Course

For students whose undergraduate degree was not in business, the quantitative leveling course, BU 6103) will be required. This course will provide coverage of accounting, finance and statistics.

Certificate in Accounting Program - Accounting Boot Camp

Lipscomb offers a Certificate in Accounting Program for students who need additional undergraduate accounting hours. The program is offered during the evening hours for those students who have a full-time job. 

Lipscomb also provides an “Accounting Boot Camp” where interested students can complete 9 undergraduate accounting hours and satisfy all MAcc prerequisites. This course is taught on Monday/Thursday evenings and some Saturday mornings from mid-May through mid-August. For more information, please visit our website at http://www.Lipscomb.edu/business/macc-accounting-boot-camp for details.

For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program and other important information, please visit our website at lipscomb.edu/business.

Cool Springs Off-site MBA

The MBA is offered at Lipscomb’s off-site Cool Springs location. This is a 36-hour MBA that includes all requirements given for the MBA program. Core classes will be taught on Monday evenings for this cohort program. Concentration electives will be taught on Lipscomb’s main campus.

Downtown Off-site MBA

The MBA is offered at Lipscomb’s off-site Downtown Nashville location. This is a 36-hour MBA that includes all requirements given for the MBA program. Core classes will be taught on Thursday evenings for this cohort program. Concentration electives will be taught on Lipscomb’s main campus.

Program of Study Requirements

(Concentrations in tax, audit/accounting, or a distributed option)

• Accountancy, Audit/Accounting Concentration, M.Acc.
• Accountancy, Distributed Concentration, M.Acc.
• Accountancy, Tax Concentration, M.Acc.

(Concentrations in accounting and finance, health care management, leadership, or a distributed option)

• Accounting and Finance Concentration, M.B.A.
• M.B.A. Leadership Concentration
• M.B.A., Distributive Concentration
• M.B.A., Health Care Management Concentration

• Producers Track, M.B.A./M.F.A.

• Sustainability, M.B.A./M.S.

• Master of Management / Career Accelerator (30 hours)
• Master of Management / Health Care (36 hours)
• Pharmacy, Master of Management/PharmD

• Certificate in Business Acumen (12 hours)
• Professional Accountancy Graduate Certificate (12 hours)

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