School Counseling

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Tuition & Aid

You can make a difference in the lives of students with a graduate degree in school counseling, whether you have current teaching licensure or not.

Our program is multifaceted, but is specially focused on training you to guide students as they prepare for, apply to and select a college. Learn strategies to shepherd students of all levels through career exploration and development.

You’ll have instruction in other areas too, like cultural and socioeconomic mediation and collaborative techniques to use with teachers and parents. School practicums and internships will give you the opportunity to apply what you’re learning in real time.

Our expert and caring faculty will challenge and support you as you hone your vocation. It’s all so that you can support the next generation of leaders and innovators finding their way in the world.

Program Foundations

Our courses are intended to provide you with the foundational learning necessary for a school counselor. The program also places an emphasis on college access and success to prepare you with the skills and strategies to support all forms of postsecondary student success. You will participate in practicum and internship placements in a variety of settings broadening your experiences and further developing skills preparing you for careers in school counseling.

Admissions Requirements

PSG/COUN 5303 Lifespan Development or equivalent is a prerequisite for entry into this program.

Application
$50 application fee
Personal statement
- Explain your goals and your purpose for pursuing a graduate education degree at Lipscomb University in a concise, clear essay (1-2 pages).
Two recommendations
Official transcripts
GRE or MAT score

Courses

School Counseling, Ed.S.

EG 6093 - Cultural Perspectives in Schools
EG 6233 - Leadership Behavior & Practice ^EDD
EG 6253 - Vision and Change for Leaders ^EDD
EG 6373 - Consultation & Collaboration
EG 6383 - Accountability, Research & Assessment
EG 6393 - Professional Orientation & Management
EG 6443 - College Access and Success-Elementary/Middle
EG 6453 - College Access and Success-Secondary
EG 6473 - Guidance and Counseling
EG 6683 - Legal & Ethical Practice
EG 6933 - Elementary/Middle Grades Counseling Practicum
EG 6943 - Secondary Counseling Practicum
EG 6903 - Education Specialist Project I
EG 6913 - Education Specialist Project II

School Counseling, M.Ed.

All M.Ed. students take the following two courses as non-credit, no-charge, and pass/fail, one during their first semester and one during the semester in which they graduate:

EG 5000 - Orientation to M.Ed./M.S./Ed.S. Programs
EG 6000 - Graduation Seminar

MAJOR School Counseling

INITIAL (for candidates without a teaching license) (42 hours)

EG 5053 - Planning, Instruction & Assessment
EG 5063 - Building Classroom Communities
EG 5093 - Cultural Perspectives in Schools
EG 5373 - Consultation & Collaboration
EG 5383 - Accountability, Research & Assessment
EG 5393 - Professional Orientation & Management
EG 5443 - College Access and Success-Elementary/Middle
EG 5453 - College Access and Success-Secondary
EG 5473 - Guidance and Counseling
EG 5683 - Legal & Ethical Practice
EG 5803 - Literacy Foundations and Standards
EG 5923 - Teaching Practicum
EG 5933 - Elementary/Middle Grades Counseling Practicum
EG 5943 - Secondary Counseling Practicum

MAJOR School Counseling

ADVANCED (for candidates with a teaching license) (36 hours)

EG 5093 - Cultural Perspectives in Schools
EG 5233 - Leadership Behavior & Practice
EG 5253 - Vision and Change for Leaders
EG 5373 - Consultation & Collaboration
EG 5383 - Accountability, Research & Assessment
EG 5393 - Professional Orientation & Management
EG 5473 - Guidance and Counseling
EG 5683 - Legal & Ethical Practice
EG 5443 - College Access and Success-Elementary/Middle
EG 5453 - College Access and Success-Secondary
EG 5933 - Elementary/Middle Grades Counseling Practicum
EG 5943 - Secondary Counseling Practicum

Tuition & Aid

$953 per credit hour

M.Ed. student aid: 26 percent in-service scholarship for educators
Ed.S. student aid: 20 percent in-service scholarship for educators

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

Current Educators

The College of Education offers full-time teachers, teacher assistants and/or administrators who enroll in the on-campus graduate education program an in-service scholarship. This is a 20 percent scholarship for all Doctor of Education and Education Specialist level course, and a 26 percent scholarship for all Master of Education level courses. An appropriate school employment official must certify that the conditions for the scholarship have been met.

For Master of Education level programs, please download and complete this application.
For Education Specialist level programs, please download and complete this application.

Alumni Scholarship

Cultural Diversity Teacher Training Scholarship

The College of Education offers students from a traditionally underrepresented group who are interested in an initial teaching license the Cultural Diversity Teacher Training Scholarship. The scholarship will be granted to those candidates with the greatest need based on their FAFSA data and expected family contribution (EFC).

For more information on the Cultural Diversity Teacher Training Scholarship, please read this document with the scholarship's background and guidelines.
To apply for the Cultural Diversity Scholarship Teacher Training Scholarship please download and complete the application.

Maxine D. Whittle Scholarship

The Maxine D. Whittle Scholarship Fund was initially established in 2013 to be awarded to an undergraduate student majoring in special needs education or a graduate student working towards a Master’s degree in special education or reading who demonstrates significant financial need.

Maxine D. Whittle was a special education teacher from Massachusetts who worked with students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, and emotional disturbance. She held a Master of Education degree in special education and a certificate in reading therapy. She encouraged students to develop both reading and life skills with the importance of the “three Rs” which are Respect, Responsibility, and Resourcefulness. She blessed many students and families with her work.

Mrs. Whittle’s husband, Charles Whittle, established this scholarship fund in her memory in order to carry on Mrs. Whittle’s legacy of providing high quality special education to students.

Whittle Special Education Scholarship Guidelines

The following guidelines have been developed to assist candidates with financial support in their pursuit of a special education master’s degree and/or teaching license. Candidates can be considered for resources made available through the Whittle Special Education Scholarship, based on the guidelines listed below:

Candidates must be pursuing a special education degree.
Priority will be given to candidates having greatest need based on FASFA data and expected family contribution (EFC). Students who qualify for this scholarship must be eligible to file FASFA in order to qualify. FASFA must be filed by August 1.
Funds will be distributed as available on an annual basis.
Recipients will be notified of award prior to university deadline for payment of fees.
Awards will be given based on the needs of candidate(s).
Applications must be completed and submitted by mid-term of the semester preceding the semester in which the award will be given.
Candidates will be expected to submit multiple documents for use by the university staff to inform contributors to the fund.
Candidates must volunteer at least 15 hours a semester for the IDEAL program.

To apply for the Maxine D. Whittle Scholarship please download and complete the application.

Coaching Future Teachers Scholarship

Ayers Leadership Fellows

Additional Opportunities

The College of Education awards scholarships each semester, as university funding is available. Scholarships are awarded by the Graduate Education Scholarship Committee on a case by case basis. All documentation must be submitted before it will be considered by the scholarship committee. A 3.0 G.P.A. is required to be eligible and maintain the scholarship. Recipients must also have full admission status. Please contact Kristi McGimsey at kristi.mcgimsey@lipscomb.edu or 615.966.6081 for more information.

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 at www.studentloans.gov.

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. For eligibility requirements, go to www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

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

Caitlin Mullins
Admissions Counselor, Graduate Education
615.966.5207 ext. 5207
Caitlin.Mullins@lipscomb.edu

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.

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.

Our Faculty

Terry Sue Fanning

Associate Professor of Education

Terry Sue Fanning has an A.S. in Elementary Education for Motlow State Community College, a B.S. for MTSU in Elementary Education, and M.Ed. and Ed.S. from MTSU in Supervision and...
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Career Paths

School and Career Counselors

School counselors help students develop the academic and social skills needed to succeed in school. Career counselors help people choose careers and follow a path to employment.

Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals

Elementary, middle, and high school principals manage all school operations, including daily school activities. They coordinate curriculums, oversee teachers and other school staff, and provide a safe and productive learning environment for students.

Postsecondary Education Administrators

Postsecondary education administrators oversee student services, academics, and faculty research at colleges and universities. Their job duties vary depending on the area of the college they manage, such as admissions, student life, or the registrar’s office.