Program Overview

Instructional Practice Program

The Instructional Practice Program is offered by Lipscomb's College of Education, which is consistently ranked as one of the most effective educator preparation programs in the state of Tennessee and the nation. This program is specifically designed to meet the needs of educators, building on what they already know to increase their knowledge complexity as they progress through the program.

Program Overview

The program focuses on applicability, with students honing a collection of effective, diverse strategies for instructional practice. This includes varied approaches to planning lessons, understanding learner needs, and creating optimal learning environments. The program prioritizes practice over lectures, allowing students to engage in discussions and hands-on experiences.

Program Foundations

The course progression is designed to scaffold learning effective practices in teaching. Students learn to create positive relationships and optimal environments for students to learn, plan effective lessons, understand learner needs, and use data-informed instruction. They also take courses in their content area and literacy.

Concentrations

Students can choose from more than 20 different areas in teaching, including:

• PreK-3
• Grades 6-8, 6-12, or K-12
• STEM emphasis
• Grades K-5 with ELL
• Secondary subject specialties

Capstone Projects

Students engage in field experiences and practicums with expert teachers.

Licensure Pathways

Tennessee teaching licensure requirements include an extended clinical experience, which can be fulfilled through either traditional student teaching or a job-embedded clinical practice.

Admissions Requirements

• Completed online application
• $50 application fee
• Official transcripts for all degrees conferred and any other coursework post-bachelors
• Recommendation from a current Administrator/Supervisor
• Lipscomb College of Education graduate programs do not generally require graduate exam scores such as the GRE unless required for state licensure, accreditation, or program-specific reasons.

Courses

The M.Ed. in Instructional Practice is a 30-hour program that includes:

• EG 5000 - Orientation to M.Ed./M.S./Ed.S. Programs (Non-credit and P/F)
• EG 6000 - Program Completion (Non-credit and P/F)
• EG 5023 - Principles of Learning (3)
• EG 5053 - Planning, Instruction & Assessment (3)
• EG 5063 - Building Classroom Communities (3)
• EG 5303 - Teaching Diverse Learners (3)
• EG 5803 - Literacy Foundations and Standards (3)
• EG 5083 - Research in Classroom Practice (3)
• EG 5793 - Integrated Literacy (3)
• Students will choose one of the following four methods courses:
  • EG 5173 - Methods in Art Education (3)
  • EG 5183 - Teaching of English Language Arts (3)
  • EG 5193 - Teaching of History/Social Sciences (3)
  • EG 5423 - STEM Methods (3)
• Six hours of electives or content methods (no more than three hours of student teaching may count toward the M.Ed.)
• 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 Teacher Mentoring (four hours minimum) and a seminar edTPA course (only for individuals without job-embedded licenses) in order to complete licensure requirements.

Tuition & Aid

• $953 per credit hour
• $715 per credit hour with the 25% in-service discount
• The graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective each summer semester.

Scholarship Information

The College of Education offers significant scholarships to current educators and administrators. Available scholarships include:

• Cultural Diversity Teacher Training Scholarship
• Maxine D. Whittle Scholarship
• Coaching Future Teachers Scholarship
• Ayers Leadership Fellows

Types of Aid

• Scholarships
• Student Loans
  • Federal Stafford Loan
  • Graduate PLUS Loan
  • Private Loans
• Veteran Aid/Yellow Ribbon Program

Faculty

The program is led by experienced educators, including:

• Vanessa Garcia, Assistant Dean, Community Engagement and Strategic Partnerships
• Rachel Peay Cornett, Assistant Professor
• Michelle Hasty, Associate Professor
• Ally Hauptman, Assistant Dean, Teacher Education
• Karen Marklein, Program Director Ayer's Institute
• Julia Osteen, Adjunct Faculty
• Julie Simone, Student Teaching Supervisor
• Casey Heard, Assistant Professor

Career Paths

Graduates of the Instructional Practice Program can pursue careers as:

• Postsecondary Teachers
• Instructional Coordinators
• Adult Literacy and High School Equivalency Diploma Teachers

Related Programs

• Instructional Coaching
• Reading Specialty
• Educational Leadership