MSN/MDiv and MSN/MTS
Advanced practice nursing and theological study often find themselves closely aligned. Vanderbilt School of Nursing offers the MSN degree combined with a Master of Divinity(MDiv), which prepares graduates for the practice of ministry, and the Master of Theological Studies (MTS), which prepares graduates for doctoral studies in religion and certain diaconal or ordained ministerial roles.
Program Overview
The MSN/MTS and the MSN/MDiv degrees represent the Master of Science in Nursing and the Masters of Divinity and Theological Studies. These joint degrees encourage interdisciplinary work and intra-school collaboration.
Students must apply to each school separately and must be accepted by both to pursue the dual degree. Ideally, students will apply for dual degree status prior to enrolling in either program.
Dual MSN/MDiv
The MSN/MDiv program can usually be completed in four years for students with a prior BSN and in five years for students requiring the Vanderbilt School of Nursing Pre-Specialty year. A student must be registered as a full-time student in the Vanderbilt Divinity School for at least five semesters and in the School of Nursing for at least two semesters. A student will complete 84 hours for the MDiv and 39 hours for the MSN (with an additional year of work for those requiring the pre-specialty year). Twelve (12) elective hours from the total 84 MDiv program (Divinity hours) will be from the School of Nursing. 0 to 6 hours from the total 39 MSN program (School of Nursing hours) will be from the Divinity School, with hours varying depending on the student's major area of specialty. Under certain circumstances, students may be able to share School of Nursing and Divinity School credit for Vanderbilt Divinity School Field Education requirements and Vanderbilt School of Nursing Clinical Preceptorship requirements.
| Year One: | School of Nursing Pre-Specialty Year (if non-RN or RN Pre-Specialty entry) |
| Year Two: | Divinity School |
| Year Three: | School of Nursing Specialty Year |
| Year Four: | Divinity School |
| Year Five: | Divinity School |
For Direct Entries to Vanderbilt School of Nursing
(students with a BSN degree)
| Year One: | Divinity School |
| Year Two: | School of Nursing Specialty Year |
| Year Three: | Divinity School |
| Year Four: | Divinity School |
Tuition
Each school will receive student tuition and provide financial aid, if any, during those semesters in which the student is registered for courses in the respective school. Each school will forgo tuition for the joint enrollment hours (12 hours of tuition for Divinity and one semester’s tuition for the School of Nursing.)
Possible Coursework
Vanderbilt Divinity School
- Health and Salvation
- Research in Religion and Health
(shared course with School of Nursing) - Medical Ethics
- Pastoral Care for Persons with Mental Disorders
and Addictions - Death and Dying
- Clinical Pastoral Education
- Field Education
Vanderbilt School of Nursing
- Congregational Health Care Ministry
- Population Based Health Care
- Palliative Care I: Advanced Illness and Palliative Care
- Palliative Care II: Multidisciplinary Aspects of Loss,
Grief, Death, and Bereavement - Research in Religion and Health
(shared course with Divinity School)
Dual MSN/MTS
The MSN/MTS program can usually be completed in three years for students with a BSN and in four years for students requiring the School of Nursing pre-specialty year. A student must be registered as a full-time student in the Divinity School for at least three semesters and in the School of Nursing for at least two semesters. A student will complete 51 hours for the MTS and 39 hours for the MSN (with an additional year of work for those requiring the pre-specialty year). Nine (9) elective hours from the total 51 MTS program (Divinity hours) will be from the School of Nursing. 0 to 6 hours from the total 39 MSN program (School of Nursing hours) will be from the Divinity School, with hours varying depending on the student's major area of specialty. If the student elects to participate in field education experiences, students may be able to share School of Nursing and Divinity School credit for Vanderbilt Divinity School Field Education requirements and Vanderbilt School of Nursing Clinical Preceptorship requirements. Any awarding of joint credit will require approval of both Vanderbilt Divinity School Field Education and Vanderbilt School of Nursing Clinical Preceptorship programs.
For RN and Non-RN Pre-Specialty Students
| Year One: | School of Nursing Pre-Specialty Year |
| Year Two: | Divinity School |
| Year Three: | School of Nursing Specialty Year |
| Year Four: | Divinity School |
For Direct Entries to School of Nursing
(students with a BSN degree)
| Year One: | Divinity School |
| Year Two: | School of Nursing Specialty Year |
| Year Three: | Divinity School |
Dual Degree Program Director
James C. Pace, DSN, MDiv, APRN, BC, FAANP
Dr. James C. Pace is a doctorally prepared nurse, a certified ANP, and an Episcopal priest. He has extensive experience in primary, palliative and hospice care settings. He has served as hospital based as well as hospice chaplain and has experience as an adult nurse practitioner in both primary and chronic care settings. Dr. Pace has previously taught at The University of Alabama at Birmingham and Emory University Schools of Nursing.
