College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Archaeology

Core Faculty

Steven Ortiz, Director, Lanier Center for Archaeology; Professor of Archaeology and Biblical Studies
Mark Janzen, Associate Professor of Archaeology and Ancient History

The mission of the overall graduate program in archaeology is to produce students who:

1) have a broad-based training in the Humanities;
2) are introduced to methods and theories in social sciences and their contributions to biblical studies;
3) have practical training in field archaeology and material studies;
4) and are competent to integrate archaeological data into the interpretation of the Bible and other documents of the ancient Near East.

Along with the Department of Archaeology, the Lanier Center for Archaeology was established in 2020 by the Board of Trustees of Lipscomb University. The Center offers the M.A. degree in Archaeology and Biblical Studies and the Ph.D. in Archaeology, with a Material/Cultural Concentration or Historical/Biblical Concentration, as well as a B.A. Minor. The Lanier Center was inaugurated as a research institution to support the excavations of Lipscomb University and as a center to introduce the field of biblical archaeology and the ancient Near East to Middle Tennessee.

The Lanier Center for Archaeology (LCA) brings globally recognized archaeology research and scholars to Lipscomb University. It houses the various research projects, academic programs, and exhibitions that contribute to archaeological research on the campus of Lipscomb University. The LCA is made up of faculty in the Department of Archaeology as well as other departments in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences and the Hazelip School of Theology. Its main purpose is to support archaeological research and field projects in the Ancient Near East.

The archaeology program consists of three integrated programs: research, academia, and outreach.

• Research: The Lanier Center for Archaeology and its faculty engage the disciplines of archaeology and biblical studies by conducting primary research and publishing the results of this research.
• Academia: The M.A. and Ph.D. programs in archaeology, along with the B.A. Minor, are training the next generation of biblical archaeologists.
• Outreach: The Lanier Center for Archaeology will share the results of its program through the publications of Lipscomb University, the LCA exhibitions, a newsletter, and speaking engagements at churches and universities.

Ph.D. Concentrations

The Archaeology of the Ancient Near East, Doctor of Philosophy, (Ph.D.)    offers two concentrations: 

1) Material/Cultural Concentration: focuses on field-research-based topics that require a direct study of new archaeological data acquired through excavation. This concentration is designed for students who wish to pursue careers in secular archaeology and academia. 

2) Historical/Biblical Concentration: focuses on either field-based or archival/historical archaeological research and a biblical-historical or textual approach toward research questions. This concentration will prepare students to teach in faith-based schools and colleges and/or in church settings.

Upon admission to the Ph.D. program and before the start of their first semester, the student must declare a concentration. After completing the six research seminars, the student’s chosen concentration will determine which two reading colloquia they will take, as well as the direction of their dissertation research. 

It is possible to change concentrations with the approval of the student’s doctoral advisor and the department chair.

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 lipscomb.edu/admissions/graduate then click on “Apply by Program” to complete the online application.
2. Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
3. Standardized exam score (recommended). Each applicant may submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination or Miller Analogies Test. For more information on the GRE, visit www.ets.org/ and click on GRE. 
4. Eligibility. Each Ph.D. applicant must submit documentation verifying the following:
   • Hold an M.A. from an accredited institution.
   • Maintained a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
   • 36 hours of specific course work in biblical studies or the social sciences.
5. References. Two letters of reference are required from M.A. applicants. Three letters of reference from former graduate-level professors are required from Ph.D. applicants.
6. Official Transcript(s). Each applicant must submit an official transcript, showing degree conferral when appropriate, from all schools attended.
7. Health Form. Each applicant must submit a completed health form signed by a healthcare provider. (To print a copy of the health form, visit www.lipscomb.edu/healthcenter/forms.)
8. 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.
9. Curriculum Vitae. A CV detailing the applicant’s work and academic experience is required from both M.A. and Ph.D. applicants.
10. Writing Sample. Each Ph.D. applicant must submit a 20-to-30-page research paper showing their work in a related area. Each M.A. student must submit a research paper as evidence of their academic work OR a 750-to-1000-word personal statement concerning the applicant’s interest in and application of the program’s curriculum to expected career progression.
11. TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for international students. (See section titled International Students for more information.)
12. Interview: Each applicant, whether for the M.A. or the Ph.D., must complete an interview with the faculty of the Department of Archaeology.
13. Entrance examination: Each Ph.D. applicant must take and pass an entrance examination that will show they have the necessary foundation for the program.

All application items should be submitted online no later than 30 days before the beginning of the semester or term in which the student plans to enroll. 

Transfer and Waiver of Courses

The 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.

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 Experiences 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. (Average of 3.0 on undergraduate work, acceptable standardized exam scores.) 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.
   1. From an unaccredited school or with a substandard GPA or standardized test 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 been admitted to graduate studies and has met all admission requirements except GPA or standardized exam score. The student may take up to nine 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 all admission requirements (GPA and entrance test score) are met and 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.

Course Load

A student enrolled for six hours per semester is considered a full-time student. No student will be permitted to enroll for more than 15 hours per semester without special approval from the director of the graduate program.

Academic Standing

See graduate academic standing policy.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the M.A. in archaeology degree must be completed within a five-year period from the time of initial matriculation. All requirements for the Ph.D. degree in archaeology must be completed within a seven-year period from the time of initial matriculation.

Candidacy

Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. During the course of pursuing the Ph.D. degree, the student must be admitted to “candidacy.” For admission to candidacy the student must satisfy the following:

1. Complete at least eighteen hours of research seminars.
2. Pass the comprehensive exam given by the faculty of the Department of Archaeology.

Minimum Credits

The M.A. and the Ph.D. each require 36 semester hours, exclusive of hours accumulated to satisfy academic deficiencies.

Minimum GPA

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

Graduation

Students who do not file their intent to graduate form in the Registrar’s Office by the announced application deadline may be delayed in graduating. To be eligible to graduate, all coursework required for the degree must be completed prior to the degree conferral date.

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

Appeals

Any exceptions to the above stated requirements would require approval by the Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Studies in collaboration with the Dean of the College and the Program Director.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees for 2025-2026

*Program Trip Fee (see program information for details)*

Biomolecular Science

 Master of Science

• Biomolecular Science, Human Disease Track, Master of Science, (M.S.)
• Biomolecular Science, Laboratory Research Track with Thesis (Option A), Master of Science, (M.S.)
• Biomolecular Science, Laboratory Research Track with Thesis (Option B), Master of Science, (M.S.)
• Biomolecular Science, Laboratory Research Track, Master of Science, (M.S.)

David Holmes, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Bonny Millimaki, Director, Graduate Studies in Biomolecular Science

Core Faculty

The graduate faculty in biomolecular science represent the areas of molecular biology, genetics, cancer biology and the biomedical sciences.
Kyle Brawner, Assistant Professor of Biology
Beth Conway, Professor of Biology
Brian Ellis, Associate Professor of Biology
Hannah King, Instructor of Biology and Research Lab Coordinator
Jon Lowrance, Professor of Biology
Bonny Millimaki, Professor of Biology
Josh Owens, Assistant Professor of Biology
Amanda Williams, Associate Professor of Biology

Our Biomolecular Science post-bacc pre-med program emphasizes an understanding of the application of experimental research to medicine. Students will complete courses both in the lab and in the classroom. Current primary literature based courses include Cancer Biology, Clinical Research, Immunology, Microbial Pathogenesis, Stem Cell Biology and others. Choose a concentration in either Human Disease or Laboratory Research, and we will give you the experience, opportunities and skills necessary to stand out.

Biomolecular Science (33 hours)

The M.S. in biomolecular science (33 hours) is offered in a block format. Each block is eight weeks, with one calendar year consisting of five blocks. In order to complete the degree in one calendar year, students must enroll in two courses per block. Students may enter the program three times each year (June, Aug. and Jan.) To accommodate working professionals, courses and laboratories are offered in the evening. Lecture courses meet two nights each week (6:00-8:20 p.m.) with laboratories meeting one night each week (6:00-9:50 p.m.).

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 lipscomb.edu/admissions/graduate.
2. Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
3. Standardized exam score. A standardized test score is not required to apply, however we are a competitive program. Students with a GPA below a 3.3 are highly encouraged to provide a standardized test score like the GRE, MCAT, DAT, or Biology MFT.
4. Personal Statement. Each applicant must submit a one-two page essay explaining their purpose for pursuing a graduate degree in biomolecular science.
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 and academic experience is required.
9. 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 submitted to the Graduate Admissions in Biomolecular Science office no later than 15 days before the beginning of the semester or term in which the student plans to enroll. Forms should be mailed to: Graduate Studies, Lipscomb University, One University Park Drive, Nashville TN 37204-3951.
   ^* These forms must be submitted after acceptance into the program.

Transfer and Waiver of Courses

Although all graduate credit hours may be transferred from another accredited institution, a maximum of 9 hours will be counted toward the M.S. in Biomolecular Science. The 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.

Special consideration for course waiver may be given to the student who has special study and/or experience in a given subject area. The waiver will be by means of an examination that is passed with a grade of “B” or better. A $170 fee is charged for each examination taken (includes $70 for evaluating and recording and $100 per course for constructing and administering). A maximum of 6 hours may be waived by examination. Arrangements for a waiver are to be made through the Graduate Studies office. No graduate credit is awarded.

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 Experiences 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. (Average of 3.0 on undergraduate work, acceptable standardized exam scores.) 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.
   1. From an unaccredited school or with a substandard GPA or standardized test 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 been admitted to graduate studies and has met all admission requirements except GPA or standardized exam score. The student may take up to nine 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 all admission requirements (GPA and entrance test score) are met and 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.

Course Load

A student enrolled for six hours per semester is considered a full-time student. No student will be permitted to enroll for more than 15 hours per semester without special approval from the director of the graduate program.

Academic Standing

See graduate academic standing policy.

Residency

No period of formal residency is required for a degree in a master’s program.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the M.S. in biomolecular science degree must be completed within a five-year period from the time of initial matriculation.

Candidacy

Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. During the course of pursuing the M.S. degree, 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 a degree plan and application for candidacy in the graduate program office which meet all requirements and are approved by the administrator of the graduate program and the dean of the college. The degree plan must be filed during the second semester of graduate work in the program.

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 and the dean of the college. 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

The M.S. in biomolecular science requires 33 semester hours, exclusive of hours accumulated to satisfy academic deficiencies.

Minimum GPA

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

Graduation

Students who do not file their intent to graduate form in the Registrar’s Office by the announced application deadline may be delayed in graduating. To be eligible to graduate, all coursework required for the degree must be completed prior to the degree conferral date.

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

Appeals

Any exceptions to the above stated requirements would require approval by the Associate Provost for Research and Graduate Studies in collaboration with the Dean of the College and the Program Director.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees for 2025-2026

*Program Trip Fee (see program information for details)*

Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy

David Holmes, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Douglas Ribeiro, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Science, Lead Faculty, Initiative for Behavioral Health Integration
Chris Gonzalez, Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy, Program Clinical Director, Master of Marriage and Family Therapy 
A.J. Heritage, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Program Director, Graduate Psychology
Amber Kelley, Assistant Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy; Program Director, Master of Marriage and Family Therapy
DeAndrea Witherspoon Nash, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Program Director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Lead Faculty, Addiction Specialization

Core Faculty Our full-time faculty consists of professors representing the areas of counseling, clinical, experimental, neuroscience, developmental and cognitive psychology. We supplement this group with several excellent part-time faculty members who are experts in their fields. For further information about each faculty member, visit our website.

Shaun Calix, Assistant Professor of Psychology and Family Science; Lead Faculty, Family Science 
Chris Gonzalez, Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy; Program Clinical Director, Marriage & Family Therapy
A.J. Heritage, Assistant Professor of Psychology; Program Director, Graduate Psychology
Amber Kelley, Assistant Professor of Marriage & Family Therapy; Program Director, Marriage & Family Therapy
Meghan Lacks, Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Kasie Lee, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Director, Center for Play Therapy and Expressive Arts; Lead Faculty, Play Therapy Specialization
Damian McClintock, Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jonathan Miller, Assistant Professor of Psychology
Andrea Mills, Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
David M. Morgan, Associate Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy
Jake Morris, Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Melanie Morris, Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Clinical Director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Shanna D. Ray, Professor of Psychology; Associate Dean, Academic Programming and Student Success for College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
Douglas Ribeiro, Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Science, Lead Faculty, Initiative for Behavioral Health Integration
Jaclyn Spivey, Associate Professor of Psychology; Lead Faculty, Undergraduate Psychology​; Lead Faculty, Lipscomb Online Psychology
M. Hunter Stanfield, Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy

Sean Surber, Assistant Professor of Marriage and Family Therapy; Clinic Director, Lipscomb Family Therapy Center
William Turner, Distinguished Professor and Special Counsel to the President for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
DeAndrea Witherspoon Nash, Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Program Director, Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Lead Faculty, Addiction Specialization

The mission of the graduate CMHC and MFT programs is to prepare competent and caring professionals who adhere to high standards of ethical behavior. Graduates of our programs should be able to serve individuals of all ages and from diverse ethnic, cultural, and social backgrounds. Our curriculum is informed by faith, and we encourage a dialogue and integration of findings in psychology and theology.

Degrees Offered

Lipscomb’s Department of Psychology, Counseling and Family Science offers the following graduate program options:

• Marriage and Family Therapy, Master of Marriage and Family Therapy, (MMFT) (60 hours, including practicum and internship) prepares students to seek licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. This program will prepare students to provide marriage and family therapy in a variety of settings including mental health centers, churches and private practice.
• Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Master of Science, (M.S.)  (61 hours, including practicum and internships) prepares students to seek licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation in Tennessee. This program will prepare students to provide counseling services in a variety of settings including mental health centers, faith based agencies, and private practice.
• Healthcare Professionals, Certificate Training Program Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder

Students interested in changing graduate programs may do so with an additional interview, which may be waived at the discretion of the program director, and an internal assessment of availability and fit. It is likely when transferring programs that not all classes will be applicable to the new program. Students concerned about the transfer of hours should consult with the program director to assess degree completion requirements prior to switching programs.

Lipscomb graduate students wishing to complete a second Master’s degree may apply for the second desired program with the completion of a new application and a second interview (other requirements will be waived). Students who are admitted will be able to apply up to nine hours of their prior graduate course work toward the second Master’s degree at the director’s discretion.

Students who have completed a master’s degree in psychology or a related field, at Lipscomb or another university, may pursue additional course work. These students must complete all application procedures and be admitted to the program as a non-degree seeking student. (Students who completed their Master’s degree at Lipscomb will only need to complete their application and interview).

Admission Policies and Procedures

1. Application Form. Each applicant must complete an application form. The application form is available at lipscomb.edu/admissions/graduate then click on “Apply by Program” to complete the online application.
2. Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Fee will be waived for those applying before October 1 for spring semester and March 1 for fall semester.
3. Goals Essay. An essay is required. For specific essay requirements, please review the program page website.
4. Standardized exam score. Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) are accepted for students applying to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the Marriage and Family Therapy program whose undergraduate GPA is below 3.0.  Students may submit a supplemental essay explaining their low GPA in lieu of test scores.  Please see the program page website for more details.  It is optional for students with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above.  (For more information on the GRE, visit www.ets.org/ and click on “GRE”.)  The GRE is waived for all students in programs who already have a Master’s degree.
5. TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for international students. (See section titled International Students for more information.)
6. References. Two letters of reference are required. Letters should be from individuals who are familiar with your professional and/or academic achievements.
7. Official Transcript(s). Each applicant must submit an official transcript, showing degree conferral when appropriate, from all schools attended.
8. Health Form.^* Each accepted new student 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)
9. 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.

* These forms must be submitted after acceptance into the program.

Transfer of Courses

Although all graduate credit hours may be transferred from another accredited institution, a maximum of nine hours (or more at the program director’s discretion) will be counted toward a graduate degree. The 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. See “Special Consideration” in front of catalog.

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 Experiences in the opening section of this catalog.

Student Classifications

Students are admitted to graduate courses in one of four 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 due to substandard GPA. 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. With a substandard GPA or GRE score.
   2. A transfer student with a graduate GPA of 3.0 or above. The transfer student must be in good standing at the previous institution attended.
3. Non-Degree Student: one who has been admitted to graduate studies for up to nine semester hours but needs to take courses over two or more semesters. This student has met all admission requirements. 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 all admission requirements (GPA and entrance test score) are met and the student is formally admitted to a graduate program as a degree-seeking student.
4. Visiting Student: one who has been admitted to graduate studies for one semester.
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 by Lipscomb University. However, students in the MFT program are required to maintain a 6-12 hour load according to the cohort model expectations and course sequence. CMHC and Psychology students normally enroll in 9 hours, but the programs allow flexibility for students wishing to enroll in fewer hours. A student enrolled for less than six hours is considered a part-time student. No student will be permitted to enroll for more than 12 hours per semester without special approval from the director of the graduate program.

Academic Standing

See graduate academic standing policy.

Residency

No period of formal residency is required for a degree in a master’s program.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for the M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling or the MMFT degree must be completed within a five-year period from the time of initial matriculation.

Candidacy

Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. During the course of pursuing the M.S. or the M.MFT degree, the student must be admitted to “Candidacy.”  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 and the dean of the college. No student will be allowed to graduate in the same semester in which the application for candidacy is filed.

a.  A full list of candidacy requirements for Clinical Mental Health Counseling can be found in the program handbook. 

b.  For admission to candidacy in the M.MFT program, the student must satisfy the following:

1. Complete all courses in the first two semesters.
2. Maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in those courses.
3. Earn a “B” or better in the Ethics and Clinical Practice course.
4. Be a student in good standing with no holds on their account.
5. File a degree plan.
6. Have initial faculty and staff approval to proceed into Candidacy.
7. For maintenance of Candidacy in the M.MFT program, see the requirements listed in the MFT program manual. 

Minimum Credits

The M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling requires 61 hours, and the Master of Marriage and Family Therapy requires 60 hours, exclusive of hours accumulated to satisfy academic deficiencies.

Minimum GPA

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

Graduation

Students must file an Intent to Graduate Form in the Registrar’s Office by the appropriate deadline each semester.

Graduate students receiving degrees are hooded during the May and Dec. commencement exercises. Students who require a final summer semester may opt to walk in May’s commencement ceremony, but they will receive their diplomas in August.

Appeals

Any exceptions to the above stated requirements would require approval by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in collaboration with the Dean of the College and the Program Director.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees for 2025-26