How To Apply -

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Typically, graduate and professional applications open in early August for the following academic year. (For example, applications for programs starting in the fall of 2025 will open in early August 2024.) You can open 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.

When you start an application, you will set up a login for your application portal. This will allow you to save your progress and login later to revisit your application. Should you need to upload additional materials to be considered alongside your application (if required, these will be stated on your application), you will only be able to do so after submitting your application.

Application Checklist for Master's and Ed.D. Applicants

We look forward to reviewing your application for admission. Applications for the 2025-26 academic year are now open! Our priority deadline is January 3. All applications submitted by January 3rd will be reviewed after the deadline and applicants will receive decisions in early-mid February.* Students who submit their application by the priority deadline have the greatest opportunity for admission and scholarship.

*Due to application volume, applicants to the Human Development Counseling program who meet the January 3 deadline will receive decisions in late February/early March.

Our secondary deadline is February 3. Applications submitted and completed by February 3 will receive decisions by the end of February.** Applications submitted after February 3 are considered on a rolling basis as space and funds are available. There is no fee to apply for our Master's and Ed.D. programs.

**Due to application volume, applicants to the Human Development Counseling program who meet the February 3 deadline will receive decisions in late March.

To help make the application process easier, please review our application checklist.

Transcript(s)

Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application process. You should include transcripts from all previous post secondary work (bachelor's and master's studies) with your application.
Official verification of prior degrees is required should you be admitted and choose to enroll at Peabody College. All entering graduate and professional students must submit final, official transcripts (and any necessary supporting documentation) in order to register for classes for their first semester at Vanderbilt. A final, official transcript should list the degree(s) awarded and the month and year of conferment.
Official transcripts should be sent to cdm@vanderbilt.edu or CDM/PMB 407833, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7833.
International Applicants should review the Additional Information section for additional transcript requirements.
Letters of Recommendation
- Two letters of recommendation are required, and three are preferred, for our master's degree programs.
- Three letters of recommendation are required for our Ed.D. programs.
You may submit your application before all letters of recommendation are received by Vanderbilt. Recommenders will still be able to submit letters after you officially submit your application. Be sure to double check your recommender's email address when listing them on the application. Letters of recommendation submitted by the student (even if written by the recommender) will not be accepted.
Statement of purpose

We encourage you to write a personal statement that outlines your interest in Peabody and your program, what you hope to bring to your cohort, and how you plan to use your Peabody education. Be aware that some programs ask for specific questions to be answered in the personal statement, which you should prioritize. Personal statements are typically two pages double-spaced in length.
GRE Scores

For All Master’s and Ed.D. Applicants:
The GRE is optional for admission to master's programs. For the Ed.D. program, it is strongly recommended. If you have taken the GRE and believe your scores will improve your application, you may submit the GRE with your application.
Should you choose to submit GRE scores, self-reported scores are accepted at the time of application. Students who are admitted and choose to enroll will need to submit official score reports directly from the testing agency before enrolling. Our GRE institutional code is 1871, and there is no department code.
You may register for the GRE test directly at the ETS website.
International Applicants should review the Additional Information section for information on English proficiency testing.
Additional Information for International Applicants
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. 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:
- International Education Evaluation (IEE) - Note: students who use the Vanderbilt University Institution Portal will receive their evaluation at a discounted rate in three days with standard processing
- World Education Services (WES)
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
English Proficiency Testing
TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required of all international applicants unless you have received a college degree and completed coursework from an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
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.

Why Peabody? Hear from current students.

Application Checklist for Ph.D. Applicants

We are grateful for your interest in applying to a Peabody Ph.D. program. 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.

Transcript(s)

Unofficial transcripts are accepted for the application process. You should include transcripts from all previous post-secondary work (bachelor's and master's studies) with your application.
Official verification of prior degrees is required should you be admitted and choose to enroll at Peabody College. All entering graduate and professional students must submit final, official transcripts (and any necessary supporting documentation) in order to register for classes for their first semester at Vanderbilt. A final, official transcript should list the degree(s) awarded and the month and year of conferment.
Official transcripts can be sent to cdm@vanderbilt.edu or CDM/PMB 407833, 2301 Vanderbilt Place, Nashville, TN 37240-7833.
International Applicants should review the Additional Information section for specific transcript translation requirements and information.
Letters of Recommendation

Three letters of recommendation are required for all Ph.D. applicants.
Recent graduates should have at least two letters of recommendation from college or university faculty with whom they have studied.
You may submit your application before all letters of recommendation are received by Vanderbilt. Recommenders will still be able to submit letters after you officially submit your application. Be sure to double check your recommender's email address when listing them on the application. Letters of recommendation submitted by the student (even if written by the recommender) will not be accepted.
Statement of purpose

We encourage you to write a personal statement that outlines your interest in Peabody and your program, what you hope to bring to your cohort, and how you plan to use your Peabody education. Please note that some programs ask for specific questions to be answered in the personal statement, which you should prioritize. Personal statements at the Ph.D. level are typically 2-3 pages double-spaced in length.
GRE scores

For All Ph.D. Applicants:
Official GRE scores are required as part of the Ph.D. application and must have been taken within the last 5 years for scores to be considered. Our GRE institutional code is 1871, and there is no department code.
You may register for the GRE test directly at the ETS website.
International Applicants should review the Additional Information section for additional testing requirements and information.
Supplemental materials

Upload any supplemental materials in the "additional materials" section of your application. You will not be able to upload materials until after you submit the application.
SPED Ph.D. Applicants only

In addition to your application, all applicants to the Special Education Ph.D. program must submit examples of scholarly writing whether it is abstract from thesis, journals or research papers.
Additional Information for International Applicants
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. 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:
- International Education Evaluation (IEE) - Note: students who use the Vanderbilt University Institution Portal will receive their evaluation at a discounted rate in three days with standard processing
- World Education Services (WES)
- Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
English Proficiency Testing
TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required of all international applicants unless you have received a college degree and completed coursework from an accredited institution in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand.
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.

Undergraduate Applicants

All undergraduate applicants interested in Peabody College will apply through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Contact Us

Peabody Graduate Admissions
Peabody.admissions@vanderbilt.edu
615.322.8410