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Program Overview

Program Overview

Our Fast Track MBA is designed for determined young professionals with under five years of work experience. Gain credibility fast, as well as marketable training and experience by working with one of our corporate business partners. This program also includes your own personal leadership plan. Step forward in the job market with guidance from professional and faculty mentors.

Connecting with businesses here in Nashville, as well as abroad on our built-in international trip, allows you to capitalize on experiential learning opportunities.

Fast Track MBA Program Outcomes

The Fast Track MBA is an AACSB accredited, accelerated learning program that will take your career to the next level. Before the program ends, you will excel in business acumen, leadership coaching, confidence, and presentation skills. Through our partnership with Nashville businesses and organizations, you will have real-world training and marketable work experience to take with you as you move forward. Our students leave the Fast Track MBA program with the following: 

  • Knowledge to do business differently AACSB
  • Experience in real-world scenarios
  • Credibility to lead as business experts

Can I work while pursuing a Fast Track MBA?

Our program pairs students with a paid Directed Work Experience working for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Classes meet in the evening two nights per week. New cohorts begin in June.

Why Earn Your MBA Degree at Lipscomb University?

Every aspect of our Fast Track MBA program and curriculum integrates real-world experiences by having you​​ study under business leaders and practitioners. The directed work experience and global business course are prime examples of this. To help you succeed in the program, we also provide frequent networking and professional development opportunities. As a U.S. News top-ranked graduate program, you will see a definitive return on investment through this program.

Admissions Requirements

Admissions Requirements

The completed application requirements for the MBA Fast Track program:

  • Your submitted online application and fee
  • Resume

    • This formal document highlights your professional experiences, educational background, and relevant skills/certificates to earning a graduate degree at Lipscomb. If you have less than three years of work experience, please include service and volunteer opportunities within your professional experiences.  Resumes are typically one page long.

  • Personal Statement
    • This formal document highlights what you bring to the program and serves as a professional writing sample. The personal statement is one tool that will be used to evaluate your writing proficiency in addition to helping us gain specific insight into your personal drive, motivation, and goals. The personal statements are generally 500-650 words in length.
  • Transcripts from your undergraduate program (and graduate, if applicable)
    • Have electronic copies emailed directly from your undergraduate institution to gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu
    • If you are having a hard copy mailed, have it sent to:
      • Lipscomb University, ATTN: Graduate Admissions Office, One University Park Drive, Nashville, TN 37204
  • Two Professional Recommendations
    • An email will be sent to your recommenders with instructions on completing the process. The two letters of recommendations should be written by people who know you well in either a professional work or academic environment and can speak to your ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. If possible, we encourage you to request one letter of recommendation from a workplace supervisor. 
  • In Person or Virtual Interview

    • This interview will be conducted either by the Program Director or a senior member of the faculty. Your interview will consist of behavioral-type questions and offer you an opportunity to share specific examples from your work experience.

      Additionally, you will be asked to. complete a short case study as a critical thinking assessment.

  • GMAT or GRE

    • While not required, candidates are invited to submit test scores to strengthen their application should they feel their undergraduate academic performance does not reflect their ability to succeed in a rigorous graduate program. The GMAT is the preferred test option; however, GRE scores will also be accepted.

  • International

    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​International applicants have additional application requirements, including the submission of a GMAT score. Details can be found on the international applicant webpage.

Courses

Courses

Lipscomb University’s Fast Track MBA program offers an 11-month cohort model.

Each student will complete six hours of BU 661v (Directed Work Experience) across the program - three hours in two semesters. These hours count as the student's elective hours for the Fast Track MBA.

Tuition & Aid

Tuition & Aid

Tuition: 36-hour program / $1,395 per credit hour

  • Total Tuition: $50,220
  • $68 application fee and $200 graduation fee
  • Case materials included in tuition
  • Program fee
  • International Trip fee

Types of Aid

11

Months to complete

Credibility Fast

The Fast-track MBA program helps young business professionals (0-5 yr experience) who want to develop business know-how and build credibility by reducing time-to-experience and accelerating knowledge, networking and practical experience.

Networking

Both our deeply connected faculty and our experiential learning opportunities offer myriad ways for you to form relationships with leaders in the industry. These connections will serve and support you throughout your career.

Cohort Model

Our cohort model emphasizes communal learning and extended field experiences. You’ll have the opportunity to form professional and personal relationships with like-minded peers that will extend far beyond the duration of the program.

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.

Alumni and Student Stories

Grant Exline

Grant Exline ('19)

“Lipscomb’s business program helps set you up for success by equipping you with the tools necessary to take on any role. Transitioning to the professional world can be difficult as you don’t know exactly what you’re doing but Lipscomb helps prepare you by providing you with a tool kit of strategies and knowledge to overcome any obstacle, job, or project.”

Grace Boucher

Grace Boucher ('22)

"I was drawn to Lipscomb’s MBA program because of the small class size and the focus on real-world work experience. The DWE program provides a unique opportunity to get plugged into your field of interest, build a strong resume, make connections, and accrue valuable skills."

James Terry

James (JJ) Terry ('20)

“One of my favorite parts about the program was the directed work experience. The DWE was great for me because it gave me knowledge, experience, and prepared me for the transition into the business world. I was able to use the time to adjust to a solid work life balance while I was still in school, and it gave me the opportunity to take what I was learning in classes and apply it directly to my role at work.”

Emily Starnes

Emily Starnes ('21)

"The program gives you the tools and because of the amount of effort and time you spend mastering them when you are in your job or the "real world" you automatically apply these learnings and that itself is something I feel is very unique to other programs."

Owen Hosay

Owen Hosay ('22)

"The Fast Track 11 MBA program has led me to become a more analytical thinker and a better leader. Applying the values of the Lipscomb MBA program to my professional life has led me to achieve my goals as a young professional."

Auriana Broughton

Auriana Broughton ('21)

"My MBA has also exposed me to invaluable knowledge, strategic thinking skills, and business acumen that I wouldn't have without this program. My graduate education made me more marketable to employers, exposed me to a new way of thinking, and broadened my scope of what I can achieve in my field."

Our Faculty

  • Julio Rivas headshot

    Julio Rivas

    Associate Professor and MBA Director

    Julio A. Rivas, born in Torreon, Mexico, and lived in Guadalajara, Mexico, until 2007. He went to school to Monterrey Tech, Guadalajara Campus, and got his BBA in Finance and...

    Meet Julio Rivas
  • Joe Ivey headshot

    Joe Ivey

    Professor

    Joe Ivey serves as a Professor of Management. Prior to becoming a member of the full-time faculty, he served five years as the university's Senior Vice President for advancement. He received...

    Meet Joe Ivey
  • Bart Liddle headshot

    Bart Liddle

    Associate Professor

    Dr. Bart Liddle serves the Associate Professor of Management in the College of Business. As Associate Dean, he is responsible for all undergraduate and graduate academic programming. In addition to...

    Meet Bart Liddle
  • Allison Duke headshot

    Allison Duke

    Senior Associate Dean

    Dr. Allison Duke is Senior Associate Dean and Professor of Management at Lipscomb University's College of Business. As Senior Associate Dean, Dr. Duke leads the development of strategic initiatives and...

    Meet Allison Duke
  • rick-holaway-headshot

    Rick Holaway

    Associate Provost for Graduate Enrollment and Director of Organizational Leadership

    Rick Holaway serves as the Associate Provost for Graduate Enrollment and Support, and as an Assistant Professor in the College of Business, teaching marketing and management courses to undergraduate and...

    Meet Rick Holaway
  • Matt Paden headshot

    Matt Paden

    Executive Vice President

    Matt Paden is executive vice president at Lipscomb University. An expert in leadership development, Paden is a speaker, consultant and professor of undergraduate and graduate courses on the topics of...

    Meet Matt Paden

Career Paths

Managers

Whether a project or program manager, marketing or sales manager, human resources manager, or general manager, many facets of business require individuals with strong strategic planning and leadership skills to achieve the company’s vision.

Office and Building Administration

Daily operations and the carrying out business goals are overseen by Office and Building Administrators for a company or organization. They lead with confidence to implement policies and procedures among employees.

Business Analysts

Business Analysts review processes and data to monitor the effectiveness of a business. They use strong communication and analytical skills to develop metrics to measure and ensure needs are met.