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Program Overview

Program Overview

The stackable master's degree (M.Ed.) allows candidate flexibility in crafting a degree program that is customized toward personal educational and career goals. Choose from stackable options for licensed teachers, for initial license candidates, and for those who seek to broaden their leadership skills in a variety of ways.

Are you seeking to build your knowledge in teaching English Language Learners while helping students with their reading skills? In that case, you may want to choose the ELL and Reading concentrations. Maybe you seek to be a curriculum leader in your district and you want to coach teachers. In that case, you could choose the Leading in Curriculum and Instruction and Instructional Coaching concentrations. There are dozens of possibilities that allow for customization of a master's degree - and in some cases, you could graduate with one or even two endorsements to add to your teaching license.

Certificate + Certificate + Research = Stackable Master of Education (M.Ed.) (30+ Credit Hours)

Choose TWO from the following certificates to create your Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree:

Research in Classroom Practice

Every Stackable Master of Education (M.Ed.) student is required to take a 3-credit hour research course in order to complete the degree program. Research in Classroom Practice will require students to understand educational research, investigate a problem in their specific field, propose a solution based on best practices in research and create a report and multimedia project on the proposed solution.

NOTE: Depending on the certificates selected by each student, it is possible for the Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Stackable to conclude at more than 30 credit hours. For details, contact Kristin Blankenship (Graduate Recruiter).

Stackable Master of Education (M.Ed.) Program Outcomes

You can earn up to two endorsements on an existing teaching license (with certain combinations). This allows for greater marketability when applying for teaching jobs or when advancing your career to the next level. Many combinations are perfect for those candidates who wish to be educational leaders and remain in the classroom, while there are some pathways that could get you closer to your goal of school administration. With certifications, endorsements, or concentrations in areas like ELL, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, instructional coaching, reading, gifted, special education, you can craft your own path to your desired outcome.

Why Earn Your Master of Education at Lipscomb University?

This customizable degree plan ensures you receive necessary training in areas you need to be successful in your career trajectory. The various certificate and guided elective combinations allow you to curate a degree that's most beneficial to you. Additionally, our expert faculty will facilitate learning through real-world experience to complement your classroom learning.

Admissions Requirements

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)
  • Resume
  • Lipscomb College of Education graduate programs do not generally require graduate exam scores such as the GRE or MAT unless required for state licensure, accreditation, or program specific reasons. If your most recent degree GPA is below 3.0, a program director may ask you to provide graduate exam scores to be considered as part of the supplementary materials to your application for admission. Check with the specific program you are interested in regarding exam scores that may be required for admission

  • View the College of Education's graduate programs application timeline.

  • All completed applications should be mailed to:

    Lipscomb University
    College of Education

    One University Park Drive
    Nashville, TN 37204

Courses

Courses

Students enrolled in this program will take the following courses to acquire a total of 30 credit hours minimum. However, the courses are dependent on the certificate and guided electives they've chosen to pursue.

Tuition & Aid

Tuition & Aid

  • $953* per credit hour
  • $715 per credit hour with the 25% in-service discount

*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.

College of Education Scholarships

Personalized Degree

Students enrolled in this program make their own custom master's degree. They select two training areas from a variety of offerings and take a research course. This amounts to a total of 30 credit hours toward their master's in subjects that suit their individual needs.

Expert Faculty

Learn from faculty based in Nashville with a breadth of real-world expertise in different specialties from special education to curriculum instruction. These experienced educators will guide you through the skills you need to be successful in your endeavors.

In-service educator discounts available

If you are already a working educator, we seek to make furthering your own education more accessible by offering a discount. Qualifications and stipulations apply, but we are more than happy to discuss these options with you when you reach out.

Our Faculty

  • Lonnie Cochran headshot

    Lonnie Cochran

    Assistant Professor

    Dr. Lonnie Cochran is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education and teaches research courses in the M.Ed. and Ed.S. programs. In addition, she serves as an advisor for...

    Meet Lonnie Cochran
  • Rachel Peay Cornett headshot

    Rachel Peay Cornett

    Assistant Professor

    With 16 years experience as both a classroom educator and K-5 academic interventionist, Rachel comes to Lipscomb from Rutherford County Schools, having previously served as an adjunct professor at Middle...

    Meet Rachel Peay Cornett
  • Leslie Cowell headshot

    Leslie Cowell

    Dean, College of Education

    Dr. Leslie Cowell serves as the Dean and Professor for the College of Education at Lipscomb University . She has a doctorate in Elementary Education from Auburn University, a master's...

    Meet Leslie Cowell
  • Lisa Davies headshot

    Lisa Davies

    Associate Professor

    Lisa Davies is a graduate of Lipscomb University (1985). She received her M.S. in School Counseling from Tennessee State University (1991), and her Ed.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis...

    Meet Lisa Davies
  • Jeanne Fain headshot

    Jeanne Fain

    Program Director of ELL

    Jeanne Gilliam Fain is a professor in the College of Education at Lipscomb University and she is the Director of MLL/ELL program. Her scholarship agenda includes a focus on Literacy,...

    Meet Jeanne Fain
  • Lance Forman headshot

    Lance Forman

    Assistant Dean, Education Specialties

    Lance Forman served for 13 years in the Metro Nashville School District as an elementary teacher, assistant principal, and executive principal prior to joining the College of Education in 2017....

    Meet Lance Forman
  • Vanessa Garcia headshot

    Vanessa Garcia

    Assistant Dean, Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships

    Dr. Vanessa Garcia is an experienced educator who has held various leadership positions in her 20-year career. That career has seen her serve as a middle and high school teacher,...

    Meet Vanessa Garcia
  • 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
  • Michelle Hasty headshot

    Michelle Hasty

    Associate Professor

    Michelle Hasty is a Nashville native and graduate of Metro Nashville Public Schools. She received a B.A. in English from Auburn University, an M.Ed. in Secondary English Education from Vanderbilt...

    Meet Michelle Hasty
  • Ally Hauptman headshot

    Ally Hauptman

    Assistant Dean, Teacher Education

    Ally Hauptman is the lead faculty for Instructional Practice at Lipscomb University where she teaches graduate level courses in building classroom community, planning, and elementary and middle grades literacy instruction....

    Meet Ally Hauptman
  • Casey Heard headshot

    Casey Heard

    Assistant Professor

    Meet Casey Heard
  • Annette Little headshot

    Annette Little

    Professor

    Dr. Annette Little taught special education classes in residential treatment centers, public schools, and alternative schools for 8 years before moving into higher education. She then spent 4 years directing...

    Meet Annette Little
  • Karen Marklein headshot

    Karen Marklein

    Program Director Ayer's Institute

    Dr. Karen Marklein is director of programs for the Ayers Institute for Learning & Innovation and assistant professor in the College of Education. The first 20 years of Karen's professional...

    Meet Karen Marklein
  • Emily Mofield headshot

    Emily Mofield

    Associate Professor

    Emily Mofield, Ed.D., is an Assistant Professor of Education serving as Lead Faculty for the Gifted and Advanced Academics Graduate Program and teaching in the Ed.D. Program for Learning Organizations...

    Meet Emily Mofield
  • Megan Parker Peters headshot

    Megan Parker Peters

    Associate Dean, College of Education

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

    Meet Megan Parker Peters
  • Tia Pryor Graves headshot

    Tia Pryor-graves

    Assistant Professor

    Dr. Matia Pryor Graves is an experienced educator who has held a wide range of leadership and teaching positions during her 15 years of experience in the field of education....

    Meet Tia Pryor-graves
  • Pam Scretchen headshot

    Pamela Scretchen

    Instructor

    Pamela Scretchen is a licensed and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst who has worked in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis since 2004. She has worked with children and adults diagnosed with...

    Meet Pamela Scretchen
  • Kristan Shields headshot

    Kristan Shields

    Assistant Professor

    Meet Kristan Shields
  • Julie Simone

    Julie Simone

    Student Teaching Supervisor

    Ever since she was young, Julie Simone has always known she wanted to be a teacher. She earned her undergraduate and master degrees in elementary and special education from Vanderbilt...

    Meet Julie Simone
  • Kesha Walrond headshot

    Kesha Walrond

    Assistant Professor

    Dr. Kesha L. Walrond is an assistant professor in the college of education at Lipscomb University. Prior to coming to Lipscomb, she spent 20 years in Metro Nashville Public Schools...

    Meet Kesha Walrond

Career Paths

Administration/Principal

Educational leadership positions in K-12 include instructional coaches, lead faculty, assistant principals, building principals, executive principals, a variety of district roles including superintendents, and a variety of roles in the state department of education.

Grade level or department-level chair

Grade or Department Chairs serve on the leadership team at their school to direct and lead meetings, organizational practices, communication, and other activities.

Instructional Coach, Curriculum Specialist, etc...

Instructional coordinators oversee school curriculums and teaching standards. They develop instructional material, coordinate its implementation with teachers and principals, and assess its effectiveness.