Program Overview
Respond to a changing planet by leading initiatives to implement sustainable practices. Learn the science of sustainability and help both businesses and people transform careless behaviors into mindful habits. Explore the broader field of sustainability, choose a concentration or customize your own emphasis.
Study under academically credentialed and real-world sustainability practitioners. Gain field experience to see how theories become tangible and how problems become solutions. Grow and network with your cohort to eventually participate in a growing discipline that impacts every sector.
Hone in on almost anything—from the move toward green schools to alternative food systems to renewable energy in construction, sustainability is transdisciplinary and diversely relevant. No matter your academic or professional background, sustainability impacts your future.
By the time you’re finished, you’ll be equipped with a holistic approach that helps focus on the triple bottom line: people, profit and planet. Add regenerative energy to your community and the world.
Admissions Requirements
A four-year undergraduate degree, background courses in business or environmental sciences, as well as prior relevant work experience, will most enhance the student experience, but are not necessary for successful completion of the program and professional advancement. In addition to meeting all Lipscomb University requirements for admission, each applicant to the graduate program in sustainability must submit the following:
- Application Form. Each applicant must complete an application form.
- Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee.
- Standardized examination score or writing sample. Students must either submit the scores of a standardized examination (see below for accepted examinations) or a writing sample.
- Standardized examination score: Students may submit the scores of a standardized examination. Scores for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), MCAT, or LSAT will be accepted.
- Writing sample: In lieu of a standardized test score, applicants may submit a writing sample. The writing sample should demonstrate clarity of thinking, reasoning ability, logic, and strong writing and communication skills. The sample should be an academic or professional document that has been previously written and perhaps evaluated in an academic or professional setting. Previously published work may also be considered. The sample should not be something prepared for the sole purpose of admission to the program.
- References. Two letters of reference are required: one academic and one character reference.
- Official Transcript(s). Each applicant must submit an official transcript, showing degree conferral when appropriate, from all schools attended.
- Health Form. Upon acceptance, each applicant must submit a completed health form signed by a health care provider.
- FERPA. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights of access to educational records; even if you are independent of your parents, you must submit this form prior to enrollment.
- Candidate Interview. Each applicant must visit the campus or meet by video conference call to participate in an interview to identify the applicant's unique goals and objectives and to determine the applicant's suitability for successful completion of the program and leadership potential in the field of sustainability.
- TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for international students.
All application items should be submitted to the Institute for Sustainable Practice no later than 30 days before the beginning of the month in which the student plans to enroll.
Candidates pursuing the dual degree must meet admission requirements for both the sustainability program and the MBA program.
Courses
Tuition & Aid
Tuition for sustainability courses is:
- $1,091 per credit hour for On-Campus courses
- $899 per credit hour for Online courses
Students may enroll in courses in any of the following fashions:
- 100% On-Campus courses
- 100% Online courses
- A mix of online and on-campus courses as a "hybrid student"
Payment is due prior to each class or at the start of the term.
