Program Overview
Kick off your career in education. Our alternative teaching licensure program is specifically and uniquely designed to meet the needs of the new teacher by providing you with a support system of veteran teachers and expert professors as you are in practice.
Applicability is our priority. You will hone a collection of effective, diverse strategies for instructional practice, including 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.
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)
- Recommender #1 – Current Administrator/Supervisor (non-family member)
- Resume
View the College of Education's graduate programs application timeline.
Courses
18 credit hours of course work:
- EG 5053 - Planning, Instruction & Assessment
- EG 5063 - Building Classroom Communities
- EG 5793 - Integrated Literacy
- EG 5303 - Teaching Diverse Learners
Students will choose ONE of the following methods courses depending on area of certification:
- EG 5143 - Methods in STEM K-5
- EG 5153 - Methods for Adolescent Learners
- EG 5163 - Early Childhood Methods
- EG 5173 - Methods in Art Education
- EG 5183 - Teaching of English Language Arts
- EG 5193 - Teaching of History/Social Sciences
- EG 5423 - Methods in STEM Content Areas
Students will choose ONE of the following courses depending on area of certification:
- EG 5023 - Principles of Learning or
- EG 5803 - Literacy Foundations and Standards
Tennessee licensure requirements include an extended clinical experience. Candidates must take either EG 5417 Enhanced Student Teaching (seven hours) and EG 5402 Student Teaching Seminar (two hours) or EG 513V Mentoring (four hours minimum) and a non-credit edTPA course (for individuals with job-embedded licenses only) in order to complete licensure requirements.
Candidates seeking a PreK-3 or a K-5 license
- EGSE 5223 Building a Supportive Learning Environment
- EG 5093 Cultural Perspectives
- EGSE 5023 Special Ed disabilities
- EGSE 5033 Special Ed Law
- EGSE 5213 Collaboration and Coteaching
- EG 5793 Integrated Literacy
- EG 5053 Planning, Instruction, Assessment
- EG 5083 Literacy Foundations
- And a blended K-5/SPED methods course. EG 5143 Teaching Methods in a K-5 classroom
Tuition & Aid
- $953* per credit hour
- 26% in-service scholarship for educators (M.Ed.-- Job-Embedded ONLY)
*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.
All completed applications should be mailed to:
Lipscomb University
College of Education
One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204