Admissions

Submit all transcripts to Vanderbilt’s Center for Data Management. 

• Some institutions provide secure electronic delivery of transcripts. These submissions may be made to cdm@vanderbilt.edu.  
• Transcripts sent via the postal service should be addressed as follows:
  • CDM 
    PMB 407833 
    2301 Vanderbilt Place 
    Nashville, TN 37240-7833 
    United States of America 

Transcripts must be sent from the institution; we cannot accept transcripts sent by students.

How many recommendation letters are required?

• The Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) programs require 3 letters of recommendation for admission.
• The Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) program requires 2 letters of recommendation.

Who should I choose as a recommender?

• Applicants frequently ask professors, work supervisors, pastors, or other religious leaders to write a letter of recommendation.
• The recommender does not have to work in a religious profession, but you should be looking for someone who can speak to your vocational passion and/or professional skills relevant to graduate-level education (writing, time management, critical thinking, etc.). 
• If you graduated from a prior degree program over seven years ago, or if you are unable to contact a professor you studied with, consider selecting as a recommender someone who can speak to your ability to learn and your research capacity. 

The goal of the application essay questions is for prospective students to tell their stories authentically and succinctly. Whether you come from a theological background or not, we want to know about the experiences and questions that have shaped your interest in theological education. We encourage prospective students to begin the essays as soon as possible, spend time thoughtfully editing their work, and share their essays with recommenders, advisors, or other willing editors.

• GRE scores are not required.
• TOEFL, IELTS, or DET test scores are required for international applicants.
  • Proficiency in written and oral English is required for enrollment in an academic program. This proof can be obtained by submitting scores from one of the following exams:
    • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – the minimum acceptable score for the Internet-based is 95, the computer-based total acceptable score is 250, and for the paper-based test, 600. The TOEFL is administered at test centers throughout the world at different times during the year.
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – minimum acceptable score is 7.0.
    • Duolingo English Test (DET) - minimum acceptable score is 130. DET fee waivers are available upon request by emailing divinity-admissions@vanderbilt.edu.
  • English Proficiency Test Waivers
    • You may qualify for an English proficiency test waiver if your previous academic program was completed with English as the language of instruction. To receive an English Test Waiver, you must have proof of one of the following:

• • • • An official or attested letter from the undergraduate college, university Registrar, or Controller of Examinations office outlining English as your medium of instruction
      • An unofficial transcript, attested mark sheet, or degree statement where English is stated as the medium of instruction
      • Your entire program was completed or will be completed in a qualifying country (United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Canada [except Quebec])
    • You can find these Test Waiver options on the Academic History page in your application. To request a waiver, select the statement that applies to you.