Admissions

Admissions

Vanderbilt Divinity School is home to 4 Professional Degrees as well as offering 5 Dual-Degrees with other Vanderbilt Schools for M. Div and M.T.S. candidates.

Admissions Requirements for Each Degree Program

M.T.S.

Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation: 3
Resume/CV
Complete Essay
 
INTL Students Only: TOEFL or IELTS scores

Total Credit Hours: 48 hrs.
Total Years when Full-Time: 2 years*

M.Div.

Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation: 3
Resume/CV
Complete Essay
 
INTL Students Only: TOEFL or IELTS scores

Total Credit Hours: 72 hrs.
Total Years when Full-Time: 3 years*

Th.M.

Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation: 3
Resume/CV
Complete Essay: 2
Writing Sample (5-7 pages)
INTL Students Only: TOEFL or IELTS scores

Total Credit Hours: 30 hrs.
Total Years when Full-Time: 1 - 1.5 years

D.Min.

Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation: 3
Resume/CV
Complete Essay
 
INTL Students Only: TOEFL or IELTS scores

Total Credit Hours: 36 hrs.
Total Years when Full-Time: 3 years concurrent with Full-Time chaplaincy

*Students with prior first theological degrees are not considered for admission to the M.T.S. or M.Div. programs.


Eligible applicants possess a Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, or equivalent first theological degree from accredited institution of higher education.


   

Other ways to study at Divinity

  • Dual Degree Admission Information

    Dual-degree programs are available for both M.T.S. and M.Div. candidates in the following Professional Schools and areas:

    • Doctor of Jurisprudence program at Vanderbilt Law School
    • Doctor of Medicine program at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
    • Master of Science in the School of Nursing
    • Master of Business Administration at Owen Graduate School of Management
    • Master of Education (Community Development and Action) at Peabody College of Education and Human Development

    Admission to dual-degree programs requires admission to both schools; financial aid will be awarded and administered by each school separately. The Divinity School (and in most cases the other school involved in the dual-degree program) will transfer academic work taken at the partner school into the M.T.S. or M.Div. curriculum, thus helping to reduce the time necessary to complete both degrees.

    Read more about the specifics for Dual Degree Program in the Divinity Catalog.

  • Non-Degree Admission Information

    Applications and supporting documents must be completed and on file in the Office of Admissions by July 1 for the fall semester and by November 1 for the spring semester.

    • Eligibility:
      • Seeking to take 1-2 courses/semester for course credit (Maximum of 2 courses/semester only)
      • No degree sought
      • Not eligible for Financial Aid
    • Admission/Application Requirements:
      • Complete Online Application, selecting "non-degree" from list of Divinity Programs
      • Notify Admissions Office (divinity-admissions@vanderbilt.edu/615-322-3994) when application has been initiated and they will manually waive all non-required components
      • Provide-
        • Copy of Transcript(s)
        • In lieu of "Statement of Purpose" prompts, provide a statement of what you intend to study
        • 1 letter of Recommendation from an ecclesiastical superior if the coursework is in satisfaction of a church requirement
      • Decision Timeline:

    Decisions are made on a rolling basis, typically applicants hear within 2-3 weeks of their completed application submission.

  • Auditing a Course Admission Information

    Members of the greater mid-Tennessee community, who are not affiliated with Vanderbilt University, are eligible to audit a course at the Divinity School for $100 per credit hour.

    Vanderbilt University students and alumni, as well as affiliated faculty, staff, and their spouses, may audit a course for $10 per credit hour.

    Permission to audit a course is granted by the individual professor based on space availability and course format. To inquire about auditing a course, contact Dean Victor Judge (victor.judge@vanderbilt.edu or 615-343-3964).

    Application deadlines:

    • Fall semester: Apply by August 1
    • Spring semester: Apply by January 1
    • Summer term: Apply by May 1
Vanderbilt Campus

Contact Admissions

Contact the Admissions Office at VDS:
Vanderbilt Divinity Admissions
411 21st Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37240
E-mail: divinity-admissions@vanderbilt.edu
Phone: (615) 322-3994

Soren Hessler, Director of Recruitment and Admissions
soren.m.hessler@vanderbilt.edu

Jiihn Ahn (MTS '25), Admissions Fellow

Hannah Kurtz (MTS '24), Admissions Fellow 

Book a meeting with Admissions here:

Visit

Send Transcripts:
Center for Data Management Vanderbilt University
2301 Vanderbilt Place
PMB 407833
Nashville, TN 37240-7833
or secure email: cdm@vanderbilt.edu