Early Start Master’s Programs
Are you a current Vanderbilt undergraduate with an eye to the future? Consider adding a career-enhancing master’s degree through one of Peabody College’s Early Start programs.
Why Start Early?
As a current student, you already enjoy the benefits of Vanderbilt and life in Nashville. By applying for a Peabody Early Start master’s, you will:
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Receive Priority Admission
Receive priority admission review separately from our regular applicant pool.
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Save Time & Money
Save time, money and stress by starting your master’s while finishing your undergraduate degree.
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Build Your Network
Gain access to career-minded peers and a supportive professional network.
Overview
Current Vanderbilt undergraduate students may apply to participating master’s programs once they have completed 60 credits of coursework. For most students, that will be after the spring semester of their sophomore year. Prior to applying, interested students should complete the Early Start Interest Form and meet with their advisors to start planning for Early Start.
- The application deadline for students seeking early start admission for the spring of their junior year is November 1st.
- For students seeking early start admission for the fall of their senior year, the application deadline is April 15th.
If admitted, students enroll as provisional graduate students and transition to full master’s status after completing all bachelor’s degree requirements with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Early Start students can complete up to 12 graduate-level credit hours while enrolled as Vanderbilt undergraduates.
Financial aid note: Undergraduate financial aid generally applies only through completion of the bachelor’s degree and the first four years of study. See our Funding Your Education pages for more information on tuition, financial aid and more.
How to Apply and Enroll
Before You Apply
- Before beginning graduate-level coursework, admitted students must meet with their academic advisor and the Early Start program director for approval.
- Interested Freshmen and Sophomores should meet with their advisors to start planning for Early Start. We recommend that students should have earned at least 60 credits before applying. For most students, that will be at the end of spring semester of their sophomore year.
When to Apply
- Students should formally apply to their Early Start program the semester before they intend to start graduate level coursework. For example, if a student intends to start graduate coursework in the spring of their junior year, they would apply in the fall of their junior year.
How to Apply
Review application requirements. These include unofficial transcripts, one letter of recommendation, and a statement of purpose.
- Begin and complete the application. Select Peabody College Early Start Programs under Area of Study and choose the appropriate program.
After You're Admitted
- Once students have officially been admitted into an Early Start program, they must complete the Special Enrollment form to enroll in graduate-level courses.
- When requesting enrollment in a graduate-level course, students must specify whether the credit will count toward their bachelor’s degree or toward their future master’s program.
Program Requirements
- Graduate-level courses intended to apply toward the future master’s degree must be taken in addition to the 120 credit hours required for the undergraduate degree.
- Students must remain enrolled in at least 12 undergraduate credit hours each semester while participating in Early Start. During their senior year, students may have one semester in which they are enrolled in fewer than 12 undergraduate credit hours.
- Students may take no more than six graduate-level credit hours in a single semester.
For questions about program requirements and the best time to apply, students should contact their undergraduate academic advisor.
Funding and Scholarship Support
- Following completion of your undergraduate degree, you will become eligible for merit-based scholarships as well as the Vanderbilt Alumni Scholarship (with minimum 20 percent tuition support) and the Teacher Pathways Scholarship (in selected programs, with minimum 30 percent tuition support).
- There is no separate application required for scholarships. All applicants are automatically considered for all relevant scholarships.
- Students will be notified of their graduate funding package in their letter of admission.
See our Scholarships page to learn more about our available scholarships for professional and graduate students.
Peabody's Early Start Programs
Early Start master's degrees are offered in:
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Applied Behavior Analysis
Housed within the U.S. News & World Report No. 1 ranked Department of Special Education, the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) M.Ed. Program is designed for licensed special education teachers who want to practice ABA in educational settings or are specifically interested in training focused on school-based applications that integrate best ABA and SPED practices. -
Child Studies
This program features two tracks. Within the Clinical & Developmental Research track, students work alongside Vanderbilt researchers to strengthen their eventual application to doctoral programs in clinical, developmental, and other areas of psychology. Within the Applied Professional track, students are matched with community foundations, hospitals, and other human service organizations to gain hands-on experience toward a variety of careers, including child development advocates, child life specialists and behavior analysts. -
Cognitive and Developmental Psychology in Context
This program focuses on how cognitive and developmental processes unfold in everyday contexts. You'll have the opportunity to design a master's thesis that reports the results of your student-directed research project. You will develop this independent research project working in close collaboration with our internationally renowned faculty, acquiring the critical skills for master's students to successfully pursue future advanced research in a Ph.D. program or enter the job market.Learn More About Cognitive and Developmental Psychology in Context
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Community Development and Action
The Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Community Development and Action is a two-year graduate program through the Department of Human and Organizational Development. It attracts students from around the world committed to learning how to create positive, community-level change in a collaborative and participatory way. -
Education Policy
The M.P.P. program offers a practice-focused curriculum grounded in social science research, empowering students to understand the broader social, economic, political, and historical context of contemporary education and education policy. Students may pursue one of three concentrations: K-12 Policy, Higher Education Policy or Quantitative Methods in Education Policy. -
Elementary Education
Our multifaceted partnerships with local schools and community-based organizations help students connect theory to practice as they gain experience in such initiatives as trauma-influenced practices and Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Designed to prepare you to work with and for urban schools. -
Higher Education Administration
The HEA program is designed for students who wish to enter professional roles in colleges, universities, state education agencies, or related nonprofits. Students may pursue one of three concentrations: Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, and General Administration and Policy. -
Innovative Design and Technology in Education
Innovative Design and Technology in Education (IDeaTE) is a program for students interested in learning how to create and study environments leveraging learning theories, human centered design, learning analytics, and learning technologies.Learn More About Innovative Design and Technology in Education
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Integrated Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)
The Integrated Early Childhood Education M.Ed. program is for scholars who want to serve infants, toddlers, and young children (birth through kindergarten) with a wide range of needs. Through licensure and endorsement pathways, graduates go on to serve as early childhood educators in home, community, and school settings across the nation.Learn More About Integrated Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)
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International Education Policy and Management
Through a multifaceted approach to education, IEPM equips students with the skills and knowledge to become change makers in the field of international education and human and economic development around the world.Learn More About International Education Policy and Management
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Multilingual Education
The Multilingual Education M.Ed. blends research in applied linguistics and learning sciences with cutting-edge, technology-enhanced, practical application that empowers students to understand how people learn in multilingual and multicultural contexts. Develop the skills to teach, design programs, conduct impactful research, and build meaningful connections worldwide. -
Organizational Development for Social Innovation
The Organizational Development for Social Innovation M.Ed. program creates visionary changemakers who harness organizational leadership and entrepreneurial thinking to drive meaningful impact. ODSI's curriculum uniquely combines three pivotal domains: organizational development, human-centered design, and social innovation. Graduates emerge equipped with the professional skills to deeply understand complex social challenges, design and implement equitable, systems-informed solutions, and provide compelling evidence of their transformative impact.Learn More About Organizational Development for Social Innovation
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Quantitative Methods and Data Analytics for Human Behavior
Our Quantitative Methods & Data Analytics for Human Behavior M.S. (QMDA) program provides students with the theoretical expertise and practical grounding needed to conduct data analyses with rigor, transparency, and confidence. Learn how to develop techniques for measuring human behavior, design research studies, apply data analytics to real-world data, build models of complex behavioral processes and evaluate efficacy of treatments.Learn More About Quantitative Methods and Data Analytics for Human Behavior
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Reading Education
A degree program for teachers who are already licensed that focuses on literacy theory, research, and instruction for grades pre-kindergarten through twelve. Students are prepared to return to the classroom as skilled literacy teachers, literacy coaches, department chairs, and deans of instruction. -
Secondary Education
This program is for students wanting to obtain initial teacher licensure in grades six through twelve. Students choose from one of four concentrations in english, math, science, or social studies. -
Special Education: High-Incidence Disabilities (M.Ed.)
This program prepares students to deliver evidence-based instruction and intervention for children and young adults with learning disabilities, emotional and behavioral disorders, dyslexia, ADHD, autism and mild intellectual disabilities.Learn More About Special Education: High-Incidence Disabilities (M.Ed.)
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Special Education: Severe Disabilities (M.Ed.)
The Special Education: Severe Disabilities (M.Ed.) program prepares scholars to deliver evidence-based supports and services to children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, autism, and multiple disabilities who require extensive educational support.Learn more about Special Education: Severe Disabilities (M.Ed.)
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Special Education: Visual Impairments (M.Ed.)
The Special Education: Visual Impairments (M.Ed.) program teaches scholars the specialized knowledge and instructional skills needed to provide direct services, teach the Expanded Core Curriculum and collaborate with general and special educators to ensure equitable access to learning for those with visual impairments.Learn more about Special Education: Visual Impairments (M.Ed.)