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A teacher instructs three students sitting across from her using a textbook

Interdisciplinary Teaching

Program Overview

Program Overview

As advancements in education continue to be a large focus in the U.S., teachers are in demand more than ever. It is evident that an early foundation is crucial to student success. So, join forces with our accomplished faculty on the path to become a confident and competent teacher. Depending on your preferred licensure range, you will gain teaching experience within appropriate grades of Nashville-area schools. Whether you choose licensure in PK-3, K-5, or 6-8* grades, you’ll have broad career potential based a solid foundation of effective teaching methods and practices.

The Nashville community provides opportunities for diverse experiences that include urban, suburban, and rural settings. You can add one or more areas of emphasis to gain certifications. If you choose to add an English Language Learner endorsement, you'll find you're even more marketable as a teacher. Lipscomb offers the opportunity for you to do a portion of your student teaching abroad through an international organization.

Interdisciplinary Teaching majors have the option to choose licensure or non-licensure pathways.

  • P-3/SPED Early Childhood Education with integrated Special Ed Licensure: The state Department of Education now requires teachers to double major with both age-specific and special education training. Those pursuing Early Childhood Education will follow an integrated program in Interdisciplinary Studies in Teaching (Pre-K through 3rd Grade) with special education experience.
  • K-5/SPED Elementary Education with dual Special Ed Licensure: Similar to Early Childhood, K-5 is now required a double major. Our dual endorsement program offers both licenses upon graduation. The Interdisciplinary Studies in Teaching (Kindergarten through 5th Grade) combines experiential special education training with general education for these ages.
  • Middle Grades (6-8) Licensure: Students interested in teaching certain subjects available only for middle school grades can gain teaching licensure for these four subjects: Mathematics, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Science

Lipscomb’s interdisciplinary teaching programs meet Tennessee licensure standards. You’ll gain the knowledge and practical experience you need to be well-prepared to pass the required content exams (Praxis) and the performance assessment of pedagogy (edTPA). You’ll be ready to teach in a wide variety of settings, sharing the content you love and making a difference in the lives of students and their families.

* Under Tennessee state law, teachers with 6-8 Licensure can also teach fifth and ninth grades within certain parameters.

Courses

Courses

Job placement

With a top-tier university education on your resume, you’ll be in high demand, whether you choose to launch your career or begin graduate school. Most of our programs have a placement rate of at least 90 percent within six months of graduation.

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Nashville, TN

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville, Tennessee, an extension of our classroom, and as a leading city in many industries, that means you’ll gain experience and insight you won’t find anywhere else.

Our Faculty

  • Megan Parker Peters headshot

    Megan Parker Peters

    Associate Dean, College of Education

    Dr. Megan Parker Peters is the Interim Associate Dean, an Associate Professor, and the Director of Accreditation, Assessment, and Research at Lipscomb University. She is a licensed psychologist and licensed...

    Meet Megan Parker Peters
  • Sarah Duncan headshot

    Sarah Duncan

    ed TPA Coordinator & Professor

    Sarah Duncan was a language arts teacher and intervention coach in Mississippi before coming to Lipscomb. A former National Board Certified Teacher, she currently teaches literacy and clinical practice courses...

    Meet Sarah Duncan
  • Suze Gilbert headshot

    Suze Gilbert

    Associate Professor, Program Director - Christian Education Program

    Suze Gilbert holds a B.S. degree in elementary education from Freed-Hardeman University, the M.Ed. and Ed.S. degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Middle Tennessee State University, and the Ed.D. in...

    Meet Suze Gilbert
  • Robbie Hampton headshot

    Robbie Hampton

    Associate Professor

    Robbie was born in Memphis, TN and grew up in Nashville after moving here during elementary school. She attended MTSU and received a BS in Elementary and Special Education. She...

    Meet Robbie Hampton
  • Kara Krinks headshot

    Kara Krinks

    Associate Professor

    Dr. Kara Krinks is an assistant professor in the College of Education. She earned her undergraduate degree at Lipscomb University in Engineering Science. She later earned an M.A.T. in Secondary...

    Meet Kara Krinks
  • Emily Medlock headshot

    Emily Medlock

    Director of Clinical Experiences

    Dr. Emily Medlock is the Director of Undergraduate Programs and Student Teaching as well as an associate professor in the College of Education. She is a graduate of Lipscomb University...

    Meet Emily Medlock
  • Kristin Baese headshot

    Kristin Baese

    Associate Professor

    Dr. Kristin Baese is a third generation Lipscomb alum and a third generation educator. She met her husband, Jon, while they were both undergraduate students serving on a spring break...

    Meet Kristin Baese

Career Paths

High School Teachers

High school teachers help prepare students for life after graduation. They teach academic lessons and various skills that students will need to attend college and to enter the job market.

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.


Career and Technical Education Teachers

Career and technical education teachers instruct students in various technical and vocational subjects, such as auto repair, healthcare, and culinary arts. They teach academic and technical content to provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary to enter an occupation.

Special Education Teachers

Special education teachers work with students who have a wide range of learning, mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. They adapt general education lessons and teach various subjects, such as reading, writing, and math, to students with mild and moderate disabilities. They also teach basic skills, such as literacy and communication techniques, to students with severe disabilities.

Postsecondary Teachers

Postsecondary teachers instruct students in a wide variety of academic and technical subjects beyond the high school level. They may also conduct research and publish scholarly papers and books.

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