Peabody Application Overview
Graduate and Professional Admissions
Graduate and professional applications open in early August each year for the following academic year. (For example, applications for programs starting in the summer or fall of 2026 opened in early August 2025.) You can start an application at any time and go back to it over the course of days, weeks, or months. You don't need to have all of your materials ready to begin your application, and in fact we encourage you to take your time and review your application regularly.
Creating an Account
When you start an application, you will register with an email address. Please use an email address that you will continue to have access to through the potential start of your program. This will allow you to save your progress and login later to revisit your application.
You will then be emailed with a temporary PIN to login to your account and setup your password. Typically, this email comes within a few minutes, but in some cases can take up to 24 hours. You should check your spam and/or junk folders if you don't see this email arrive. If for some reason you don't receive the temporary PIN, you can use the 'forgot password' link to setup a password and login to your application account.
Application Basics
We look forward to reviewing your application for admission to Peabody College. Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are open!
You can find application information about your specific application by clicking through the tabs above and choosing the correct degree type. We have included info about master's, Ed.D., Ph.D. and undergraduate programs in this section.
We look forward to reviewing your application for admission to Peabody College. Applications for the 2026-27 academic year are open
Application Review
Faculty review applications by Priority Decision rounds, and then on a rolling basis throughout the spring and summer months. Read on for Priority Decision submission dates by program and the benefits of applying in one of our Priority Decision rounds.
Priority Decision 1: December 1/January 3
All applications submitted by Priority Decision 1 are reviewed after the submission date, and applicants can expect to receive decisions in early-mid February.
The benefits of submitting an application by Priority Decision 1 include being among the first of our applicants to receive admission decisions, having fullest access to graduate student employment roles, the ability to experience the full spectrum of our online and in-person admitted student events, and having additional time to prepare and plan for your move to Nashville (if enrolling in an on-campus program). Every application receives consideration for admission and scholarships.
December 1
The following programs have a December 1 Priority Decision 1 submission date:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (M.Ed.)
- Child Studies (M.Ed.)
- Cognitive Psychology in Context (M.S.)
- Human Development Counseling (M.Ed.)
- Integrated Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)
- Special Education (M.Ed.)
January 3
All other master's and Ed.D. programs have a January 3 Priority Decision 1 submission date.
Priority Decision 2: January 3/February 3
Applications submitted and completed by the program's Priority Decision 2 submission date will receive decisions by the end of February.
Students who submit their application by Priority Decision 2 still have access to the majority of admitted student events and graduate student employment opportunities and receive a quick decision turnaround so students can have ample time to prepare for their grad school transition. Every application receives consideration for admission and scholarships.
January 3
The following programs have a January 3 Priority Decision 2 submission date:
- Applied Behavior Analysis (M.Ed.)
- Child Studies (M.Ed.)
- Cognitive Psychology in Context (M.S.)
- Human Development Counseling (M.Ed.)
- Integrated Early Childhood Education (M.Ed.)
- Special Education (M.Ed.)
February 3
All other master's and Ed.D. programs have a Priority Decision 2 submission date of February 3.
Applications submitted after Priority Decision 2 are considered Rolling Decision applications. Applicants are encouraged to submit an application even if the priority decision dates have passed, as most of our programs continue to accept applicants and award scholarships well into the spring and summer months. Do not hesitate to submit your application during our Rolling Decision period!
There is no fee to apply for our Master's and Ed.D. programs.
Start your application now, and take a look at our application checklist for a detailed list of everything you'll need to have ready for your Peabody application.
We are grateful for your interest in applying to a Peabody Ph.D. program.
For the Fall 2026 term, Peabody is accepting applications to the Community Research and Action, Education Policy and Leadership, and Special Education Ph.D. programs only.
The Ph.D. application deadline is December 1. Applications submitted after this date will not be reviewed.
There is a $95 fee to apply to a Peabody Ph.D. program. Fee waiver requests should be directed to The Graduate School; you can find more information here.
Learn more about our Ph.D. programs or start your application today.
All undergraduate applicants interested in Peabody College will apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Why Current Students Chose Peabody College
Supplemental Application Materials for Master’s and Ed.D. Applicants
Supplemental Application Materials for Ph.D. Applicants
International Students
We are pleased that you are considering continuing your education at Peabody. This section serves to provide you with additional information and requirements for international applicants. Choose either "Master's and Ed.D. Applicants," "Ph.D. Applicants," or "Undergraduate Applicants" in the tabs above depending on the specific degree program you are applying for.
For all admissions-related questions, you should email us at peabody.admissions@vanderbilt.edu.
Transcripts
- The transcripts you submit must have an English translation.
- International students with degrees from non-U.S. institutions are required to have their transcripts evaluated by an approved credentials evaluation agency and to have an official report sent by the agency to the Vanderbilt University Registrar's Office before enrollment.
- *Approved evaluating agencies include:
*Students who use the Vanderbilt University Institution Portal will receive their evaluation at a discounted rate in three days with standard processing
English Proficiency Testing
All international students must submit English proficiency scores when applying except under the following conditions.
- You have received a college degree and completed coursework from an accredited institution in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom.
- Students who complete coursework on campuses of U.S.-based institutions not in one of the above listed locations still need to submit English language scores. OR
- You have received a college degree and completed coursework from an accredited institution in Ghana, India, Nigeria, or South Africa and English was the language of instruction for the entirety of your degree program. You will need to provide proof that English is the official language from your institution in the application. All documentation will be reviewed following submission of your application.
- Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
- Official or attested letter from the undergraduate college, university Registrar, or Controller of Examinations office.
- Unofficial transcripts, attested mark sheets or degree statements, are also accepted if English is stated as the language of instruction.
- Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
- An official score report sent directly from the testing agency is required. Our TOEFL institutional code is 1871, and there is no department code. The minimum recommended TOEFL score is 100.
- There is no institutional code for the IELTS. A minimum recommended score is 7.0 for the composite score with no individual band score below 6.5.
- Duolingo scores are also accepted. Test results must include subscores. If you took the test prior to July 15, 2019 when subscores were added, you should retake the test to comply with the subscore requirement. A minimum recommended score is 120.
Transcripts
- The transcripts you submit must have an English translation.
- International students with degrees from non-U.S. institutions are required to have their transcripts evaluated by an approved credentials evaluation agency and to have an official report sent by the agency to the Vanderbilt University Registrar's Office before enrollment.
- *Approved evaluating agencies include:
*Note: students who use the Vanderbilt University Institution Portal will receive their evaluation at a discounted rate in three days with standard processing
English Proficiency Testing
All international students must submit English proficiency scores when applying except under the following conditions.
- You have received a college degree and completed coursework from an accredited institution in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand or the United Kingdom.
- Students who complete coursework on campuses of U.S.-based institutions not in one of the above listed locations still need to submit English language scores. OR
- You have received a college degree and completed coursework from an accredited institution in Ghana, India, Nigeria, or South Africa and English was the language of instruction for the entirety of your degree program. You will need to provide proof that English is the official language from your institution in the application. All documentation will be reviewed following submission of your application.
- Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
- Official or attested letter from the undergraduate college, university Registrar, or Controller of Examinations office.
- Unofficial transcripts, attested mark sheets or degree statements, are also accepted if English is stated as the language of instruction.
- Acceptable documentation must be one of the following:
- Students who complete coursework on campuses of U.S.-based institutions not in one of the above listed locations still need to submit English language scores.
- An official score report sent directly from the testing agency is required.
- Our TOEFL institutional code is 1871, and there is no department code. The minimum recommended TOEFL score is 100.
- There is no institutional code for the IELTS. A minimum recommended score is 7.0 for the composite score with no individual band score below 6.5.
- Duolingo scores are also accepted. Test results must include subscores. If you took the test prior to July 15, 2019 when subscores were added, you should retake the test to comply with the subscore requirement. A minimum recommended score is 120.
All undergraduate applicants interested in Peabody College will apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. You can find more about international student application requirements and costs on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying to Vanderbilt Peabody College
Frequently Asked Questions About Priority Decision at Vanderbilt Peabody College
Contact Us
Peabody Graduate Admissions
Peabody.admissions@vanderbilt.edu
615.322.8410