Vanderbilt Divinity School

What Vanderbilt Divinity School does

Vanderbilt Divinity School is a private theological school within Vanderbilt University, founded in 1875 and located at 411 21st Avenue South in Nashville, Tennessee. It delivers graduate theological education through three degree programs: the three-year Master of Divinity (M.Div.), the Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.), and the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Integrative Chaplaincy, supplemented by five dual-degree options and customizable concentrations and certificates. The school also operates a Lifelong Learning Program providing faith-informed continuing education for alumni, clergy, and faith leaders via courses, workshops, executive education, and certificates—with online and hybrid options available. Co-curricular programs include the Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative, the James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements, the Carpenter Program, the Cal Turner Program, the Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture (RACC) program, and the Practitioner-in-Residence program.

The school's business model combines tuition and fees from degree enrollment with foundation grants (notably Henry Luce Foundation) and donor philanthropy (e.g., Turner-Barnett Program, Clearing the Path Fund, Schola Prophetarum Giving Society). Full-tuition scholarships are offered with a January 15 deadline, and a Clearing the Path Fund provides emergency student financial aid. Technology infrastructure consists of standard university learning management and online/hybrid course delivery, plus a domain-specific digital platform (Syriaca.org) for Syriac studies led by Professor David Michelson.

Vanderbilt Divinity School serves prospective students preparing for Christian ministry, chaplaincy, public leadership, academia, and social justice vocations, as well as alumni and community members through continuing education. The school reports a 95% vocational placement rate for M.Div. graduates within one year of graduation (per 2023 ATS data) and celebrated 60 graduates at its May 2026 commencement. The current dean is Yolanda Pierce, a University Distinguished Professor.

Name

Vanderbilt Divinity School

Legal name

Vanderbilt University Divinity School

Website

https://divinity.vanderbilt.edu

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vanderbilt Divinity School is a private theological school within Vanderbilt University that delivers graduate-level theological education (M.Div., M.T.S., D.Min.) and continuing education, serving students preparing for Christian ministry, chaplaincy, public leadership, and academia, as well as alumni and faith leaders.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Theological Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Seminaries (Graduate Theology & Ministry) (EDAHAKAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Denominational Theological Colleges (e.g., Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, Evangelical) (EDAHAKAM), Campus Spiritual & Religious Life (EDALAHAI)

Keywords

• Theological education
• Ministry preparation
• Chaplaincy training
• Religious studies
• Continuing education

Headquarters

HQ city

Nashville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue from student tuition for degree programs (M.Div., M.T.S., D.Min.) and continuing education courses. Financial aid and scholarships provided to students.
2. Foundation Grants: Funding from foundations including Henry Luce Foundation grants ($1 million initial, $150,000 continuation) supporting specific programs like Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative.
3. Research Grants: Grant funding for research initiatives such as the $30,000 Wabash Center grant for AI impact study.
4. Donations and Alumni Giving: Charitable contributions from alumni and supporters through various giving programs including the Schola Prophetarum Giving Society.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Vanderbilt Divinity School delivers graduate-level theological education through three degree programs (Master of Divinity, Master of Theological Studies, and Doctor of Ministry in Integrative Chaplaincy), five dual-degree options, certificate programs, and a Lifelong Learning continuing education platform for alumni, clergy, and faith leaders. Co-curricular programming in public theology, racial justice, nonviolent movements, religion and the arts, and pastoral formation extends the academic experience.

Product overview

Vanderbilt Divinity School is an educational institution offering theological education and preparation for religious leadership. The core offerings include three degree programs: the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.), and Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Integrative Chaplaincy, supplemented by five dual degree options. Students can customize their degrees through concentrations or certificates. The school also operates co-curricular programs including Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture (RACC), the James Lawson Institute for Nonviolent Movements, the Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative, the Turner-Barnett Program for Pastoral Formation, and the Practitioner-in-Residence program. Additionally, the Lifelong Learning Program provides continuing education for alumni, clergy, and faith leaders beyond graduation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative: A co-curricular program engaging with society in building a common public life and improving the welfare of the oppressed and marginalized through the lens of faith
• James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements
• Carpenter Program in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality
• Cal Turner Program for Moral Leadership in the Professions
• Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture (RACC)
• Clearing the Path Fund
• Turner-Barnett Program for Pastoral Formation

Products and services

• Master of Divinity (M.Div.) A three-year graduate degree program combining academic study, immersion experiences, and field education, preparing students for Christian ministry, public leadership, and service in various communities and traditions.
• Master of Theological Studies (M.T.S.) A flexible, interdisciplinary graduate degree program designed for both vocational and academic paths, offering theological education across multiple concentrations.
• Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) in Integrative Chaplaincy A doctoral program equipping professional chaplains to provide whole-person, evidence-based spiritual care in professional ministry settings such as healthcare, military, and institutional contexts.
• Dual Degree Programs Five dual degree options allowing students to combine Vanderbilt Divinity School degrees with other Vanderbilt University graduate programs.
• VDS Lifelong Learning Program Faith-informed continuing education and formational programming for individuals, organizations, and religious communities, including executive education, certificates, vocational training, seminars, and parish teaching.
• Certificate Programs Standalone certificate programs that students can earn alongside or independent of degree programs, providing specialized credentials in theological and ministry-related areas.
• Public Theology and Racial Justice Collaborative A program engaging society in building a common public life and improving the welfare of the oppressed and marginalized through the lens of faith, funded by the Henry Luce Foundation.
• James Lawson Institute for the Research and Study of Nonviolent Movements An institute dedicated to research and study of nonviolent movements, honoring the legacy of Rev. James Lawson.
• Religion in the Arts and Contemporary Culture (RACC) A co-curricular program forging partnerships between the arts community and the Divinity School, creating future leaders for ministry who understand and can harness creativity for theological reflection. Available as a 12-credit-hour concentration or 15-credit-hour certificate.
• Turner-Barnett Program for Pastoral Formation A program providing pastoral formation mentorship for divinity students, funded by a gift from Cal Turner Jr. and Hoyt R. Barnett.
• Practitioner-in-Residence (PIR) Program A semester-long program inviting clergy members, nonprofit leaders, or community activists to be in residence with the Divinity School community.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of M.Div. graduates achieve vocational placement within one year of graduation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Methodist Theological University (South Korea)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2025Strengthening academic partnership between VDS and Methodist Theological University in Seoul, South Korea. President Kyung-dong Yoo, a VDS graduate, serves as liaison. Dean Pierce traveled to South Korea in April 2025. The partnership enriches cultural and educational experiences for both institutions' students and faculty.
• Open Table NashvilleminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-profit interfaith community partner for community service projects. Co-founded by VDS alumna Lindsey Krinks (MTS'13). VDS students participate in service projects including winter supply kit preparation for unhoused neighbors.
• Osher Lifelong Learning InstituteminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Vanderbilt University's OLLI program providing educational programs, tours, and cultural activities for adults fifty and over in the Nashville area.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Wake Forest University School of Divinity: A newer non-denominational divinity school at Wake Forest University offering M.Div. and other graduate programs. Comparable to VDS as a research-university-affiliated divinity school with non-denominational identity.
• Boston University School of Theology: A United Methodist-affiliated seminary at Boston University, the oldest Methodist seminary in North America. Comparable to VDS in Methodist heritage, research profile, and urban research-university setting.
• Duke Divinity School: A top-tier research divinity school at Duke University offering M.Div., M.T.S., and Th.D. programs. Directly comparable to VDS in being a research-university-based divinity school with strong academic and vocational tracks.
• Yale Divinity School: An elite, non-denominational divinity school at Yale University offering M.Div., M.A.R., and continuing education. Closely comparable to VDS in academic rigor, non-denominational identity, and elite research-university affiliation.
• Princeton Theological Seminary: A prestigious, ecumenical seminary offering M.Div., M.A.T.S., and doctoral programs. Comparable to VDS in elite theological education, research output, and continuing education offerings.
• Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology: A United Methodist-affiliated seminary at SMU offering M.Div., M.T.S., and D.Min. programs. Directly comparable to VDS in Methodist heritage and similar degree portfolio, though located at a different research university.
• Howard University School of Divinity: An HBCU-based divinity school with strong focus on Black church traditions and public theology. Comparable to VDS in emphasizing African American religious scholarship and justice-centered theological formation.
• Union Theological Seminary: A historically progressive, ecumenical seminary in New York City with strong social justice orientation. Closely comparable to VDS in justice-centered philosophy and progressive theological positioning.
• Emory University Candler School of Theology: A United Methodist-affiliated seminary at Emory University offering M.Div., M.T.S., and doctoral degrees. Directly comparable to VDS in denomination-affiliation history, research profile, and degree offerings within a top-tier research university.

Broad incumbents

• Fuller Theological Seminary: One of the largest evangelical seminaries in the U.S., offering M.Div., M.A., and doctoral programs with significant online presence. Comparable to VDS as a broad theological education provider, but operating at significantly larger scale and with a different theological orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/vanderbiltu
• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PL50A566D336C21B7B
• Facebookfacebook.com/VUDivinity
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/vanderbilt-divinity-school
• Instagraminstagram.com/vudivinity
• TikToktiktok.com/@vanderbiltu

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Vanderbilt Divinity School