Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president, and Dr. L. Randolph Lowry, Lipscomb University president, sign partnership agreement.


(COLUMBIA, Tenn. - July 12, 2018) - - - Columbia State Community College and Lipscomb University recently announced a new partnership that will benefit associate degree students wanting to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in nursing.

"The nursing shortage continues to grow," said Dr. Kae Fleming, Columbia State dean of the Health Sciences division. "The current programs cannot meet the need for RNs, and this partnership between Columbia State and Lipscomb allows students to meet educational goals and fill a need in the communities Columbia State and Lipscomb serve."

The 2 + 2 Nursing Articulation & Transfer Agreement provides a specific outline for Columbia State students who are interested in studying nursing and intend to transfer to Lipscomb. Eligible students must earn a Columbia State university parallel Associate of Science degree which includes courses Columbia State and Lipscomb have identified as beneficial in preparing students for future success in a BSN program. By completing the transfer coursework outlined in the agreement, and by meeting other admissions requirements, students will be admitted to Lipscomb to continue their studies towards a BSN.

"We are working with Lipscomb to help students' dreams come true," said Dr. Janet F. Smith, Columbia State president. "The program we are building is something that will meet the needs of the community, but most importantly will meet the needs of the student who is trying to achieve a goal."

Dr. L. Randolph Lowry, Lipscomb University president, talked about the benefits of partnerships with community colleges and expressed his excitement for the students choosing Lipscomb to continue their education.

Scholarships are available for Columbia State transfer students. The Columbia State Summer Scholarship awards up to a one-time $3,000 scholarship for qualifying students. The Lipscomb Pathways Scholarship awards qualifying students up to $11,000 per year for students who choose to live off campus, and up to $13,000 per year for students who choose to live on campus. The Tennessee Community College Award, stackable with the Lipscomb Pathways Scholarship, awards qualifying students up to $3,000 per year. The Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship awards qualifying students $2,500 annually and is stackable with the Lipscomb Pathways and Tennessee Community College Award scholarships.

To learn more about Columbia State and the admissions process, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/Admissions.

To learn more about Lipscomb Univerity's nursing program or available transfer scholarships, visit www.Lipscomb.edu.