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Program Overview

Program Overview

Lead the next generation in learning.

Ranked as one of the most effective educator preparation programs in the state and nation, The Teacher Licensure Program will start your career in education with excellent training and experience. It is specifically and uniquely designed to meet the needs of new teachers by providing a support system of veteran teachers and expert professors while you are in practice.

This degree is ideal for individuals who already hold a degree in a certain field but would like to pursue teaching their expertise. Earning your Tennessee teaching license through this program will provide the application you desire and need. Our priority is to hone your skills in a collection of effective, diverse strategies for instructional practice. This includes varied approaches to planning lessons, understanding learner needs and creating optimal learning environments.

We promise to practice what we teach. In every class, you will be put in the posture of the learner. We try to keep our lectures short and informational so that you have plenty of time for practice and discussion.

Discover your potential and sharpen your ambition to become an excellent and professional practitioner by engaging in a challenging and comprehensive initial teacher training.

Lipscomb University follows all state guidelines for initial licensure candidates. This includes maintaining a specific conditional GPA for all incoming initial licensure candidates. All initial licensure candidates must have a 2.75 on their undergraduate degree in order to be considered for the program. For more information, please review the state GPA policy at the link below. If you would like to have your transcripts reviewed, prior to applying, please complete the form below.

GPA Policy  Request a Transcript Analysis

Teaching Licensure Program Outcomes

When you pursue your Tennessee teaching license through Lipscomb University, you are equipped with all of the necessary expertise and experiential learning to succeed as an educator. Important skills, such as planning, instructing and assessment, are taught by experienced teachers from a variety of backgrounds. Then, you can engage with actual students in the classroom for real-world applications of your learning.

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

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.

Scholarships

All completed applications should be mailed to:

Lipscomb University
College of Education

One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204

Types of Aid

20+

possible license areas

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.

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.

Top Program

Lipscomb ranks as one of the top teacher prep programs in the state. Learn more about this accolade here

Mentorship

Pursue a job-embedded mentorship to earn a salary, work in a classroom, and complete courses in the evenings.

News

Teacher with her students outside in a hallway

College of Education receives $1 million in grants to help remove barriers to teaching profession and fill shortages

Grants to prepare more than 200 teachers to serve Metro Nashville Public Schools and Hamilton, Montgomery and Williamson county school districts in Tennessee.

Full News Story
Teacher helping a student in a classroom

College of Education once again among top in state for teacher prep program in report card

Lipscomb University has once again been recognized as one of the most effective teacher preparation programs in the state as it earned high marks on the 2021 Teacher Preparation Report Card released this week by the Tennessee State Board of Education.

Full News Story

Our Faculty

  • Vanessa Garcia headshot

    Vanessa Garcia

    Senior Program Director

    Dr. Vanessa Garcia is an experienced educator who has held various leadership positions in her 20-year career. That career has seen her serve as a middle and high school teacher,...

    Meet Vanessa Garcia
  • Ally Hauptman headshot

    Ally Hauptman

    Associate Professor

    Ally Hauptman is the lead faculty for Instructional Practice at Lipscomb University where she teaches graduate level courses in building classroom community, planning, and elementary and middle grades literacy instruction....

    Meet Ally Hauptman
  • Julie Simone

    Julie Simone

    Instructor

    Ever since she was young, Julie Simone has always known she wanted to be a teacher. She earned her undergraduate and master degrees in elementary and special education from Vanderbilt...

    Meet Julie Simone
  • Casey Heard headshot

    Casey Heard

    Assistant Professor

    Meet Casey Heard
  • Michelle Hasty headshot

    Michelle Hasty

    Associate Professor

    Michelle Hasty is a Nashville native and graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools. She received a B.A. in English from Auburn University, an M.Ed. in Secondary English Education from Vanderbilt...

    Meet Michelle Hasty
  • Rachel Peay Cornett headshot

    Rachel Peay Cornett

    Assistant Professor

    With 16 years experience as both a classroom educator and K-5 academic interventionist, Rachel comes to Lipscomb from Rutherford County Schools, having previously served as an adjunct professor at Middle...

    Meet Rachel Peay Cornett

Career Paths

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.

Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers

Kindergarten and elementary school teachers instruct young students in basic subjects, such as math and reading, in order to prepare them for future schooling.

Teacher Assistants

Teacher assistants work under a teacher’s supervision to give students additional attention and instruction.


High School Teachers

High school teachers (grades 9-12) are essential faculty members. They educate adolescents as they move into young adulthood, providing the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their next stage of life.