Admissions
221 Divinity Building Nashville, TN 37240
615/343-3977
fax: 615/343-9957
marie.mcentire@vanderbilt.edu
Application Deadline: December 15, 2007
Online
Application
The Graduate Department of Religion (GDR) comprises more than 30 faculty members (GDR Faculty) and offers M.A. and Ph.D. work in the following areas:
- ethics and society
- Hebrew Bible
- historical studies
- history and critical theories of religion
- homiletics and liturgics
- Jewish studies (MA only)
- New Testament and early Christianity
- religion, psychology, and culture
- theological studies
M.A. students may specialize in any of the areas
listed above or apply for a cross-disciplinary or general M.A. program.
The M.A. program involves at least one academic year’s work and the writing
of an M.A. thesis. The Ph.D. program formally requires three years’ study
in residence, followed by qualifying examinations and the writing of a
dissertation. The Graduate School permits up to 24 hours of “transfer
credit” for previous post-baccalaureate work which is of graduate quality,
toward the Ph.D. and six hours toward the M.A.. Ph.D. study does not consist
solely of formal course work; especially during the second year students
may prepare for the qualifying examinations by auditing courses and by
engaging in individual research.
Important Information for Applicants:
You will note that the application form (www.vanderbilt.edu/gradschool)
provides space for a statement of purpose in undertaking graduate study.
This statement is one of the most important elements in the application
process. Please indicate as precisely as possible what you propose to
accomplish in undertaking graduate work in the field of religion. Explain
your interest in the particular GDR area of study which you have selected,
and specify your objectives in that area. Assess the strengths and weaknesses
of your previous preparation. In light of the continuing scarcity of academic
teaching positions, it is important for us to know what your vocational
objectives are. If you have vocational interests other than teaching in
a university, college or seminary, or are assured of an appropriate placement,
be sure to indicate that. Attach an additional sheet if the space provided
on the form is insufficient.
Applications are due by December 15 for
matriculation the following fall or spring. The Graduate Record Examination
(general test only, not the subject test) is required for admission to
the Vanderbilt Graduate School, and the test should be taken no later
than the Preceding December. The Test of English as a Foreign Language
(TOEFL) is required for international students whose native language is
not English. Notification of admission will occur during the first two
weeks of March. Late applications, especially for the M.A. program, are
considered if places remain available. Summer courses in religion are
not offered, but summer language courses in French, German, and Spanish
are normally available.
The GDR office does not schedule on-campus visits
until prospective students have applied to the program. Once applicants
have submitted academic transcripts and statements of purpose, they may
contact the GDR office and schedule campus visits with both faculty and
students, as schedules permit. Applicants may schedule visits by contacting
Marie McEntire, the Administrative Assistant for the Graduate Department
of Religion at marie.h.mcentire@vanderbilt.edu.
Graduate School Forms:
Application
for Admission to Graduate School at Vanderbilt
GDR Forms:
Request information about the GDR
General Information:
Schedule
for Admission to Graduate School at Vanderbilt
Fees
and Financial Support
The
Graduate School Catalog
The Graduate
School Homepage
Graduate
Program in Theology and Practice
