About
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What's the difference between VDS and a stand-alone seminary? What are the advantages of being part of a larger research institution?
VDS is a university-embedded divinity school and a member of the Association of Academic Divinity Schools.
As part of a Research One university, VDS students will have access to top tier research resources and facilities, be surrounded by scholars and researchers across various fields, and will benefit from the resources and stability provided by the support of the University.
During their time at Vanderbilt, students in the Divinity School can take courses at other professional and graduate schools, pursue a dual degree in partnership with another professional school at Vanderbilt, and access university resources including identity centers, lectures and cross-disciplinary events.
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Is VDS denominationally affiliated?
Vanderbilt Divinity School is an ecumenical community not officially affiliated with one denomination and welcomes students across the full spectrum of Christian traditions, as well as students from other faith backgrounds and those who approach the study of religion from a scholarly or vocational perspective.
We are not governed by or formally affiliated with any single denomination. This means that your formation here will not be shaped by the doctrinal commitments of one tradition, but rather by a broad, rigorous and open engagement with the diversity of Christian thought, practice and history.
This nondenominational identity is one of our greatest strengths. We have students from approximately 50 different denominations and faith traditions, as well as students who are unaffiliated or in transition between traditions. Religious liaisons and student organizations support students with specific denominational interests, and we offer denomination-specific courses to satisfy a range of ordination requirements.
Applications
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When are application dates?
VDS considers applications on a rolling basis, but we do have priority dates for consideration of full-tuition scholarships.
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Is it possible to defer my offer of admission?
Yes, if you are admitted and accept the offer of admission, you may opt to defer for a maximum of one academic year.
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Am I eligible to apply for admission?
You can find a complete list of eligibility requirements on the Divinity admissions website.
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What are you looking for in the application essays? What makes a strong essay?
Your application essays are your opportunity to let us hear your voice – and we cannot wait to hear it. The goal of the application essay questions is for you as prospective students to tell your story authentically and succinctly. There is no single “right” background or faith journey we are looking for. Whether you come from a lifetime of theological study or are just beginning to explore these questions, we want to know about the experiences, relationships, moments and wonderings that have shaped your interest in theological education.
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How do I apply to the Divinity School?
All VDS applications are completed online through our website. There is no fee to complete an application. If you are interested in a dual degree program, you will apply to each of the programs individually.
Access instructions, a materials checklist, and the application here.
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I don't know any of my professors anymore because they all retired/I went to college many years ago. Who could serve as an academic reference?
Please know that this is more common than you might think, and it is absolutely not a barrier for a strong application. We welcome students from all walks of life and all seasons of their journey.
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 capacity for research.
- A supervisor or employer who can speak to your critical thinking, communication, and ability to engage in complex material
- A clergy mentor or ministry leader who has observed your theological engagement, your capacity for reflection, and your ability to wrestle with ideas and questions
- A community or nonprofit leader who can speak to your leadership, your commitment to learning and the ways you have grown through your work
- A long-term mentor who knows your journey or discernment well
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What are the testing requirements for admission to the Divinity School?
No GRE is required for the M.Div., M.T.S., or the D.Min. Proficiency in written and oral English is required from enrollment in an academic program. For more details about requirements and waivers, visit Divinity admissions.
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Do you admit transfer students?
Yes, we welcome transfer students to join our community whether they are transferring for location, program, school closure or another reason. Transfer students can apply to the M.T.S and the M.Div. degree programs. Prospective transfer students should complete the regular degree application, as well as submit a letter stating the reasons for transferring and provide a letter of good standing from the president or dean of the theological school from which transfer is being made.
We honor your previous theological education and the number of hours transferred may not exceed 24 for M.T.S. or 36 for M.Div. from a regionally accredited institution.
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Do I send my transcript to the Divinity School?
No. Please do NOT send transcripts directly to the Divinity School. Send transcripts to Vanderbilt University'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 -
Must I submit a writing sample with my application?
M.Div., M.T.S., and D.Min. applicants are not required to submit a writing sample, but if you believe that one would be valuable additional context to support your candidacy, you are welcome to submit additional writing samples.
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Are there language course requirements for admission or graduation?
No. There are no language requirements before or during your time at VDS; however, there are excellent opportunities to study several languages relevant to the study of religion, including Biblical Hebrew, Greek, Akkadian, Syriac, Arabic, and Latin.
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Can I change the recommender that I selected?
If you have already submitted your application, you will be unable to change your recommenders.
If you are uncertain your recommender will meet the submission date, we recommend adding an additional recommender to ensure you have met the minimum requirements for three letters of recommendations for the M.Div. and M.T.S. and two letters of recommendation for the D.Min.
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Do you allow advanced standing?
Yes, admitted students are given the opportunity to submit prior coursework for consideration for advanced standing. Typically, advanced standing does not reduce total credit hour requirements but allows students to place out of introductory-level courses and take classes that align with their experience and interests.
Belonging and Community
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What specific steps has VDS taken to create an affirming environment?
VDS is committed to providing an educational environment cognizant of religious pluralism and working toward a healthier, more just world. Our faculty scholarship consists of work that is inclusive of and committed to the contributions of all peoples. This includes, for example, The Kelly Miller Smith Institute of Black Church Studies, a long-standing and robust program, as well as the Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality, the first and oldest program of its kind.
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What mentoring and advising support does VDS offer?
Students work closely with their faculty advisor to choose courses and reflect on vocational pathways. Beyond the formal advising process, our faculty members are generous with their time via email, office hours or appointment. Students are also connected with Religious Liaisons and other students in their faith tradition to help navigate ordination and other denominational questions.
Careers and Employment
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Do Divinity Students work while in school? Are jobs available on campus?
Almost all VDS students have at least one part-time job and some continue to work full-time through their studies. In fact, more than half of our students work 30 hours or more per week throughout the academic year. On-campus work study jobs are available and pay an hourly rate dependent on the position.
Check out HireADore and VDS job postings for on and off campus job listings.
You may be eligible for Federal Work Study, which requires you fill out a FAFSA and submit it to the Office of Financial Aid.
If you are interested in working with a specific office or department, we recommend contacting that program directly to inquire about positions in the spring or summer after you receive an admissions decision. Research assistant positions may be available, but are most often by invitation in your second year or later.
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What career paths are available with a theological education?
Both the M.Div. and M.T.S. programs may be used as a foundation for doctoral studies, for diaconal or ordained ministries in certain denominations, for chaplaincy in hospital or educational institutions, for religious leadership in the non-profit sector, or as a vehicle for the enhancement of one's own religious faith and understanding.
Degree Programs
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What types of degrees do you offer?
Vanderbilt Divinity School offers a 3-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and a 2-year Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.).
For students who already possess one of those degrees (or an equivalent previous theological degree), we also offer a 3-year Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Integrative Chaplaincy.
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Are there majors or concentrations within degree programs?
M.Div. students are required to pursue one of the ten available concentrations and M.T.S. students have the option to elect one of nine possible concentrations. Concentrations consist of four courses and often include a praxis requirement and/or a capstone project. It is possible to pursue more than one concentration if desired.
More generally, the list of concentrations is a great opportunity to get to know the interests of current students and faculty. Courses within each concentration are open to all students, so one does not have to complete the concentration in, for example, Religion and Economic Justice to take courses in that area. There are a large selection of electives offered outside concentration areas as well.
Divinity students also have the opportunity to pursue certificate programs.
View the list of concentrations and their descriptions.
View the list of certificate programs and their descriptions.
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Does the Divinity School offer dual degrees?
Yes, the Divinity School offers dual degrees with Vanderbilt's Owen School of Management, Law School, Nursing School, School of Medicine, and Peabody College of Education and Human Development.
Students interested in dual degree programs should apply to each school individually and may note their interest in pursuing a dual degree on both applications.
Read more about the dual degrees in the Divinity School catalog
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Can I study part-time?
M.Div. and M.T.S. degrees may be completed part-time. For part-time students, the maximum merit scholarship award is 50% tuition coverage.
The D.Min. program is designed to be undertaken alongside full-time work within a context of care and follows a specific curriculum pattern.
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Does the Divinity School offer remote or virtual degree programs?
In-person learning is a critical element of community engagement at Vanderbilt. Our masters-level courses for the M.Div. and M.T.S. are offered through in-person instruction only.
The D.Min. program is remote/virtual, with the exception of one in-person intensive each of the first three semesters of study.
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I'm interested in Vanderbilt's Ph.D. program in Religion. Is that the same as Divinity School? Do you offer a D.Min.?
The Vanderbilt Ph.D. program is through the Graduate Department of Religion. Click here for information for Ph.D. applicants.
VDS does offer a D.Min. program. Click here for information about the D. Min. program.
Field Education
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What are the field education requirements?
Field education is a vital part of the VDS education. All M.Div. students are required to take field education in their second year of study, and opportunities are also available for MTS students. Each placement is unique and tailored to a student's vocational interests. Field education students reflect on their experience every week in a small cohort of their peers.
Click here to learn more about our field education model and recent placement sites.
Financial Aid
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Do you offer merit scholarships?
VDS awards merit scholarships upon review of applications. This means that your program application also acts as your scholarship application. For M.Div. and M.T.S. applicants, VDS offers generous merit scholarships. There are also select stipends awarded as named merit scholarships. To be considered for the highest award amounts, students are encouraged to apply by the priority date.
Need-based aid at Vanderbilt is restricted to U.S. citizens and is administered via the Office of Student Financial Aid in the form of federal loans and work-study eligibility. All applicants for need-based aid are required to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For more information please refer to the Vanderbilt Federal Student Aid Handbook.
For more information on scholarships, need-based aid, and other opportunities for funding and external awards, please visit the Tuition and Financial Aid page.
Housing and Transportation
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Is there on-campus housing for graduate students? Where do students live? How can I find housing?
Divinity students live all around Nashville! In the spring, committed students receive access to a Slack channel and the community Facebook group, both of which are used to share information about housing in the area as well as opportunities to talk to classmates who might be potential roommates.
While Vanderbilt does not currently offer on-campus housing options for graduate students, there are two VDS-affiliated housing options available, The Disciples Divinity House and The Divinity Friendship Houses through Our Place Nashville, to a limited number of students by application.
The Broadview at Vanderbilt offers graduate and professional student apartments located in midtown Nashville within walking distance to Vanderbilt University.
The Vanderbilt Housing and Relocation team offers guidance to graduate students, professional students, postdoctoral scholars, staff, and faculty. For additional information, please contact Kayla Austin at wellbeing@vanderbilt.edu.
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How do students get to school? Is there on-campus parking?
Just as students live in a variety of different places, students travel in a variety of different ways! The VDS campus is accessible by foot, bike, bus, ride share, and car. All Vanderbilt students can ride metro buses free of charge with their student ID card. There is on-campus parking in the Wesley Place Garage near 21st Ave S for a yearly fee. There are also hourly paid lots, metered parking, and street parking within walking distance of campus.
International and Undocumented Students
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Do you admit international and undocumented students?
Do you admit international and undocumented students?
Yes, international students are eligible for admission to either degree program as well as merit awards.
Undocumented students are also eligible for admission and merit awards.
Click here for additional application and financial requirements and student support resources.
Visiting Campus
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How can I schedule a visit to campus?
VDS would love to host you for a prospective student visit if you are interested in touring the Divinity School, visiting the library, observing a class, and talking with Admissions Staff and current students. If you are interested in visiting as a prospective student, register here for an available day. If you are unable to attend any of the available days, contact our office and we will discuss possible alternatives.