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Program Overview

Program Overview

What makes a city struggle or thrive? How do we shape cities — and how do cities shape us? How can we live harmoniously together in urban spaces? These are all foundational questions that we seek to explore, using Nashville as our primary case study.

A flourishing future depends on our understanding of the complexity of cities and the possibilities they offer. Nashville is full of both — traverse its intricate political, social and economic terrain, and gain hands-on experience with its diverse leaders and neighborhoods. Study a curriculum shaped by public officials, neighborhood activists and business owners. Draw from diverse disciplines to analyze the issues faced by urban areas and create blueprints for a stronger future.

We are preparing grounded leaders for public service, entrepreneurial ventures and nonprofit impact. You’ll have opportunities to live out your faith in a community that extends beyond Lipscomb’s campus. Build bridges: crossing highways and connecting people.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

Standard admission requirements.

Courses

Courses

Tuition & Aid

Tuition & Aid

Standard tuition and aid.

Nashville, TN

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

Expert faculty, small class sizes

Learn from award-winning, experienced faculty who actually care about you. Our small class sizes allow us to get to know you personally. We lead an approachable community within our respective programs. Our faculty connections are the experts on their subject matter, too.

Service learning

We provide you the opportunity to enhance your academic understanding by applying what you’ve learned in class to service projects that benefit our community. Before graduation, you’ll participate in at least two SALT (Serving and Learning Together) projects.

Our Faculty

  • Beth Morrow headshot

    Beth Morrow

    Assistant Dean

    Beth Morrow works in the community and in the classroom in Nashville, Tenn. Morrow serves as a strategic planning and change-management consultant on behalf of the Center for Nonprofit Management,...

    Meet Beth Morrow
  • Emily Stutzman Jones headshot

    Emily Stutzman

    Associate Professor

    With a M.S. in rural sociology and Ph.D. in forestry from Auburn University, Emily Stutzman joined the Institute for Sustainable Practice in January 2015 as our full-time Academic Director. She...

    Meet Emily Stutzman
  • Kimberly McCall headshot

    Kimberly Mccall

    Associate Dean of Academics and Director of Fred D. Gray Institute for Law, Justice & Society

    Kimberly L. McCall was named the Academic Director for the Fred D. Gray Institute for Law, Justice and Society effective January 1, 2021. In March 2023, McCall was named Associate...

    Meet Kimberly Mccall

Career Paths

Lawyers

Lawyers advise and represent individuals, businesses and government agencies on legal issues and disputes.

Nonprofit sector

A nonprofit organization furthers a specific social cause or advocates for a shared point of view. Economically, it is an organization that uses its surplus of revenue to further its ultimate objective, rather than distributing that income to its shareholders, leaders, or members.

Government and public policy

Government employees work at federal, state or local levels. Public policy is generally defined as a system of laws, regulations, courses of action and funding priorities regarding a specific topic by a governmental entity or its representatives.