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Program Overview

Program Overview

The English Language Learning Program is offered by Lipscomb’s College of Education which is consistently ranked as one of the most effective educator preparation programs in the state of Tennessee and the nation.

As a teacher, you want to provide an exceptional learning environment for every student to succeed. This program:

  • Prepares classroom teachers for ELL Certification for Title I K-12 Schools
  • Operates from a "Language is a Resource" point of view and presumes positive intent of teachers & multilingual learners
  • Offers essential knowledge of theories for first and second language acquisition are integrated across all four courses.
  • Provides an in-depth emphasis upon implementation of multilingual teaching strategies within the curriculum across the content areas including math & science.
  • Has 5 hours of field experience are embedded into each course.
  • Is involved in the Global Voices Conference (highlights issues of language & literacy & multilingual contexts)

Learn research-based instructional practices to implement in your class. Our courses are carefully crafted to teach the praxis components and simultaneously lead to improved teaching practice for multilingual learners. Once you’re finished, you’ll take what you’ve learned to uniquely serve a student population that is often overlooked. Get the degree that makes a difference.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

  • Completed Online application
  • $50 application fee
  • Official transcripts for all degrees conferred and any other coursework post bachelors.
  • Personal statement:
    Explain your goals and your purpose for pursuing a graduate education degree at Lipscomb University and elaborate on how this degree would help you to make an impact on teaching and learning in your classroom or school in a concise, clear essay. (500 words)
  • Three Recommendations
    • Recommender #1 – Current Administrator/Supervisor (non-family member)
      If no direct supervisor, provide another academic reference (see Rec. #2)
    • Recommender #2 – Academic or Professional Colleague (non-family member)
    • Recommender #3 – Personal reference of integrity and/or faith (non-family member)
  • Resume
  • Lipscomb College of Education graduate programs do not generally require graduate exam scores such as the GRE or MAT unless required for state licensure, accreditation, or program specific reasons. If your most recent degree GPA is below 3.0, a program director may ask you to provide graduate exam scores to be considered as part of the supplementary materials to your application for admission. Check with the specific program you are interested in regarding exam scores that may be required for admission

View the College of Education's graduate programs application timeline.

Tuition & Aid

Tuition & Aid

  • $953* per credit hour
  • $715 per credit hour with the 25% in-service discount

*Note: The graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective each summer semester.

Scholarship Information

As you give back to the community, Lipscomb University wants to give back to you. The College of Education offers significant scholarships to current educators and administrators. Those pursuing career as a teacher, you're not left out either! Check out the following information to see if you qualify for scholarships.

All completed applications should be mailed to:

Lipscomb University
College of Education

One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204

Types of Aid

20

Hours of field placement experience

Flexible Schedule

Our courses are offered at a variety of convenient locations around Nashville or online, at times designed to work with your busy schedule. Our hybrid class model allows you the best of going to school as a working professional.

Small Class Sizes

You’ll have opportunities to engage in meaningful discussion, receive one-on-one faculty mentorship and ask difficult questions in our small class sizes. Plus, you’ll feel supported in a tight-knit learning community.

Networking

Both our deeply connected faculty and our experiential learning opportunities offer myriad ways for you to form relationships with leaders in the industry. These connections will serve and support you throughout your career.

Our Faculty

  • Alice Nie headshot

    Alice Nie

    Assistant Professor

    Alice Nie began her career in education in New York working with English language learners. Since then, she has taught both domestically as well as internationally in countries including Saudi...

    Meet Alice Nie
  • Jeanne Fain headshot

    Jeanne Fain

    Program Director of ELL

    Jeanne Gilliam Fain is a professor in the College of Education at Lipscomb University and she is the Director of MLL/ELL program. Her scholarship agenda includes a focus on Literacy,...

    Meet Jeanne Fain

Career Paths

Interpreters and Translators

Interpreters and translators convert information from one language into another language. Interpreters work in spoken or sign language; translators work in written language.

Adult Literacy and High School Equivalency Diploma Teachers

Adult literacy and high school equivalency diploma teachers instruct adults in basic skills, such as reading, writing, and speaking English. They also help students earn their high school equivalent diploma.

Middle School Teachers

Middle school teachers educate students, typically in sixth through eighth grades. They help students build on the fundamentals they learned in elementary school and prepare them for the more difficult curriculum they will face in high school.