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Psychology

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Tuition & Aid

Hone your research skills with a Lipscomb M.S. in psychology. Build your identity as a psychological researcher. Grow in a community where you'll receive personalized attention from faculty with diverse research backgrounds.

You'll have opportunities for competitive internships that will boost your career. Mature as a researcher while crafting a thesis project that deepens your knowledge and feeds your passions.

Most of our graduates receive acceptances into prestigious Ph.D. programs. Others apply what they've learned in the mental health field—or their dream jobs. Gain the foundation you want and need to advance in your field.

Are you a current Lipscomb undergraduate psychology major interested in pursuing your M.S.? Learn how you can get ahead with our bridge program.

Program Foundations

Specializations

Applied Behavior Analysis

ABA Therapy uses scientific study to help individuals make changes to their behavior so that they can function in society. While ABA Therapy is commonly used to work with individuals with autism, you can work with clients that have a variety of needs. Services ABA therapists provide, but are not limited to, are conducting behavioral assessments, analyzing data, writing and revising behavior-analytic treatment plans, training others to implement components of treatment plans, and overseeing the implementation of treatment plans. ABA Therapists may have their own practice or work within school systems, corporations, clinics, or government.

The ABA certificate program allows you to become credentialed as an ABA therapist while earning your M.S. in Psychology degree. This is a great way to supplement your income or research as you apply for doctoral programs. Or, you may want to become an ABA therapist but want to have more of a psychological background from which to build your skill set.

Capstone Projects

Admissions Requirements

Please submit:

Lipscomb University's online application
A two-page essay of purpose
Three letters of recommendation
Official transcripts from all schools attended
GRE scores (waived if you already hold a master's degree)
Interview

Deadline to apply for Fall 2021 will be July 1, 2021. Interviews are on a rolling basis and interviews will begin in March.

International Students

Courses

The 39-hour M.S. in psychology is for degree-seeking students who will not seek licensure as a counselor. If attending full-time, this degree could be completed in four semesters. The courses are listed below.

Core Courses (30 Hours, 3 hours each)

PSG 5103 - Theories of Counseling and Personality
PSG 5203 - Introduction to Psychopathology and Adaptive Behavior
PSG 5303 - Lifespan Development
PSG 5603 - Research Methods and Statistics
PSG 5803 - Integration of Psychology and Christianity Seminar
PSG 6713 - Biological Psychology
PSG 6613 - Statistics I
PSG 6623 - Statistics II
PSG 6933 - Thesis I
PSG 6943 - Thesis II

Elective Courses (select 9 Hours)

COUN 5903 - Introduction to Counseling Skills
COUN 6003 - Grief and Crisis Counseling
COUN 6053 - Multicultural Issues in Counseling
COUN 6253 - Career Counseling
PSG 6403 - Psychopharmacology
PSG 6603 - Advanced Psychopathology
PSG 6653 - Assessment Techniques
PSG 6503 - Human Sexuality
PSG 675V - Psychological /Counseling Topics
PSG 685V - Research Practicum
COUN 6303 - Substance Abuse Counseling
Other courses, as approved by the Psychology program director

Suggested course sequence for Full-time M.S. in Psychology (39-hour program) students entering in Fall:

Note: Some of the classes listed below are only offered once per year. If a student deviates from this plan, it may delay graduation. Students should consult with their advisor about any deviation from this course sequence.

Fall 1:
Biological Psychology
Research Methods & Statistics
Introduction to Psychopathology & Adaptive Behavior

Spring:
Theories of Counseling & Personality
Lifespan Development
Thesis I

Summer:
Statistics I
Elective 1
Integration of Psychology and Christianity Seminar

Fall 2:
Statistics II
Thesis II
Elective 2
Elective 3

Suggested course sequence for full-time M.S. in Psychology (39-hour program) students entering in Spring:

Spring 1:
Theories of Counseling & Personality
Introduction to Psychopathology and Adaptive Behavior
Research Methods and Statistics

Summer:
Statistics I
Thesis I
Integration of Psychology & Christianity Seminar

Fall:
Statistics II
Biological Psychology
Elective 1
Elective 2

Spring 2:
Thesis II
Elective 3
Lifespan Development

Suggested course sequence for ABA for students beginning in FALL:

46 hour, 4 semester program (M.S. in Psychology + 16 hour ABA certificate for BCaBA certification)
54 hour, 5 semester program (M.S. in Psychology + 24 hour ABA certificate for BCBA certification)
This is a HIGHLY compressed program, not suitable for students working full time.

Fall 1 (12 hours):
Research Methods and Statistics (3 hours)
Introduction to Psychopathology and Adaptive Behavior (3)
Foundations of Applied Behavior Analysis (3) in Term I
Program Design, Implementation, and Evaluation (3) in Term II

Spring 1 (12 hours):
Research Methods in Behavior Analysis (3)
Lifespan Development (3)
Theories of Counseling and Personality (3)
Thesis I (3)

Summer 1 (11 hours):
Statistics I (3)
Behavioral Field Supervision I (2)
Behavior Change Procedures (3) in Term II
Thesis II (3)

Fall 2 (11 hours):
*Will be eligible for graduation from M.S. program and for 16-hour certificate at the end of this semester
Integration of Psychology and Christianity Seminar (3)
Statistics II (3)
Biological Psychology (3)
Behavioral Field Supervision II (2)

Spring 2 (8 hours): *Additional classes for 24-hour certificate
Ethical and Professional Conduct (3) in Term I
Advanced Applied Behavior Analysis (3) in Term II
Behavioral Field Supervision III (2)

Tuition & Aid

Program tuition is currently $962* per credit hour.

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

Types of Aid

Assistantships and Scholarships

Student Loans

As a graduate student, you are still able to file the FAFSA—and you should. By filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you may be eligible for a number of student loans.

Federal Stafford Loan

A borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least six semester hours and must be working toward a degree or certificate. Loans must be actively accepted in myLipscomb in order to be applied as an expected payment to the student bill. Stafford Loans will not pay until the student has completed both Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note at studentloans.gov. Loans will not be credited to accounts until 30 days after classes begin or when a student begins the sixth credit hour, whichever comes last.

Graduate PLUS Loan

The Graduate PLUS Loan is available to independent graduate students. Both loans require credit approval by the Department of Education, as well as a FAFSA submission. Apply.

Private Loans

In addition to the federal loans outlined here, you may consider private loans made by banks and other financial institutions. It is recommended that private loans only be considered in instances where funding is needed in addition to any federal loans, as interest rates may be higher. Eligibility for these loans requires a credit check and students are often required to have a cosigner to qualify.

Veteran Aid/Yellow Ribbon Program

Through an agreement with the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, Lipscomb University will guarantee some level of graduate tuition funding, applicable to all Lipscomb University graduate programs, for graduate students who qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. Depending on program tuition rates, the graduate tuition funding may or may not cover the total tuition cost of the program.

The Yellow Ribbon Education Enhancement Program (Yellow Ribbon Program) is a provision of the Post- 9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act of 2008. This program allows institutions of higher learning in the United States to voluntarily enter into an agreement with VA to fund tuition expenses. View eligibility requirements.

Any questions concerning eligibility or benefits should be directed to the VA school-certifying official located in the lower level of Bennett Campus Center, Suite 140, or visit their website.

Contact Information

Graduate and Adult Admissions, Admin

Kathi Johnson
Director of Graduate Admissions, Psychology
6159665237 ext. 5237
kathi.johnson@lipscomb.edu

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.

Higher Education

Many individuals pursue a Master of Science in Psychology with the goal of obtaining a Ph.D. We have implemented a rigorous program to ensure that any student who graduates from our program is a competitive candidate for any APA accredited doctoral program. Many of our students are successfully pursuing a Ph.D. or other post graduate program at institutions including Virginia Tech, University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Baylor, Mississippi State and Notre Dame.

Nashville

A big city. An even bigger opportunity. We consider Nashville 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.

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.

Our Faculty

Shanna Ray

Chair, Psychology

Shanna Ray has a B.S. in Psychology from Lipscomb University, M.A. in Experimental Psychology from Middle Tennessee State University and a Ph.D./M.S. in Developmental Psychology from Vanderbilt University. Ray joined...
Meet Shanna Ray
Katie Spirko

Assistant Professor

Meet Katie Spirko
Jackie Spivey

Associate Professor

Dr. Spivey has a B.A. in Psychology from Loyola University New Orleans and a Ph.D. in Psychology (Behavioral Neuroscience) from the University of Texas at Austin. She has been teaching...
Meet Jackie Spivey

Career Paths

Social science research assistants

Assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.

Psychologist

Our program prepares you to move into a Ph.D. psychology program where you will prepare to teach or work on research in psychology.

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.