Divinity

The M.Div. degree is designed to be a three-year, 84 credit professional program when taken full-time. It is designed to prepare persons for the practice of ministry, although a definite commitment to the ministry is not prerequisite to admission.

The vocation of Christian ministry is to interpret and represent Christian faith and to explore ways by which that faith can be embodied in the lives of people, the churches, and society. The aim of the program is to begin a process of education focusing on understanding the Christian faith and its implications for human life.

The faculty believes that all courses in the curriculum should contribute to this aim: the study of backgrounds, origins, and traditions; reflection on problems of faith and on moral, ecclesiastical, and social issues in the contemporary situation; and consideration of occasions of ministry, such as worship, preaching, counseling, administration, education, and social reform. All of these studies and activities presuppose each other and relate to each other in essential ways. The minister is a theologian, and as such draws on the full range of critical studies and reflection in his or her varied activities.

Year 1

Fall Semester

• 6500. Hebrew Bible
• 6700. Formation of Christian Traditions
• ministerial arts course
• core elective

Spring Semester

• 6600. New Testament
• 6708. Christianity in the Reformation Era
• ministerial arts course
• core elective

Year 2

Fall Semester

• 6801. Constructive Christian Theology, Part I
• 7900. Supervised Ministry and Seminar
• ministerial arts course
• core elective
• free elective

Spring Semester

• 6802. Constructive Christian Theology, Part II
• 7900. Supervised Ministry and Seminar
• 6730. History of Religion in America
• approved ethics course 
• core elective

Year 3

Fall Semester

• 7998. Master of Divinity Seminar and Project
• core and free electives

Spring Semester

• core and free electives

Requirements

• Transcripts from each college and/or university you have attended.
• Three letters of recommendation (see below for details)
• Complete essays (see application for prompts)
• A resume, required if you have not pursued formal academic studies for 3 years or more.
• Test Scores: The Divinity School does not require the GRE or MAT.
• However, international Students should report in this section results from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Applicants whose native language is not English must achieve a minimum score of 600 on the paper test, 250 on the computer-based test, or 95 on the internet-based test. The minimum acceptable score for the IELTS is 7.0. Scores should be sent to institution code 1871
• A Background Check Authorization & Release Form. All admissions are issued pending our receipt & approval of the results of the applicant's background check. Download the Vanderbilt Background Check Authorization & Release form , fill it out and return to:

Vanderbilt Divinity School
Office of Admissions
411 21st Avenue South, Room 102
Nashville, TN 37240
Fax: (615)322-0691
Email: divinity-admissions@vanderbilt.edu

Scholarships

All degree-seeking students, regardless of citizenship or status, are eligible to be considered for merit-based scholarship support through their application for admission. Scholarships, varying in value, are renewable for a number of years based on full- or part-time student status. Part-time students are those taking 9 or fewer credit hours per semester. Full-time students are those taking 12 or more credit hour per semester. Other restrictions may apply, as stated in the conditions of the award. Scholarship students are expected to maintain a satisfactory grade level and may be invited occasionally to perform tasks related to the academic program and community life of the Divinity School. See the chart below for information about award renewable terms:

* For students matriculating fall 2016 and beyond.

No additional application is required to be considered for most merit-based awards, although applicants must complete all application materials by January 15 to be considered for one of our named, full-tuition scholarships.  A full list of available scholarships and their criteria may be found here. 

Notification of merit scholarship decisions is included in the admission acceptance letter.  Typically, applicants may expect to hear an admission and financial aid decision within four to six weeks of submitting a completed application, but no earlier than the first week of February.