BA Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership at Vanderbilt University

Programme overview

Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership is an interdisciplinary program for students who want to change the world. As a result, the program prepares students for a broad range of advanced studies and career paths. After completing their Area Focus, students enter FOUNDATIONS Part II of the major, undertaking an intentional, ethical, and purposeful civic-engagement experience (see below), where partnerships based on service, mutual respect, and shared authority provide practice in leadership and advocacy.

Faculty: College of Arts and Science | Department: Culture, Advocacy, and Leadership | Duration: 30 credit hours | Study mode: full-time | Location: Nashville, TN, United States

What you will study

Students complete the major with a senior capstone course that brings them together to reflect on their varied experiences. Requirements The major consists of 30 hours of course work: FOUNDATIONS Part I (4 courses): Provides the intellectual direction and practical skills students will utilize in whatever area focus they pursue.

Career pathways

As a result, the program prepares students for a broad range of advanced studies and career paths.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission is to Vanderbilt University through the College of Arts and Science; no separate programme-level admission requirements are listed for the major (the major is declared after enrolment).

USD 69,822 a year (2026-27). Undergraduate full-year tuition 2026-27 ($34,911 per semester for 12-18 hours); one undergraduate rate is published for all students, with no separate in-state or international rate. Excludes student support fee, housing, meals and health insurance. Source

First-year applicants apply for fall 2027 entry under Early Decision I, Early Decision II or Regular Decision; transfer applicants apply on a rolling basis through the spring.

Early Decision I (binding): completed application due 1 November 2026, decisions in mid-December, matriculation deposit due 31 December 2026. Early Decision II (binding): completed application due 1 January 2027, decisions in mid-February, deposit due 1 March 2027. Regular Decision (non-binding): completed application due 1 January 2027, decisions in late March, deposit due 1 May 2027.

Blair School of Music applicants also submit the Blair School of Music Application with a pre-screening video, due 1 November 2026 for Early Decision I and 1 December 2026 (priority) for Early Decision II and Regular Decision.

Transfer: priority deadline 15 February 2027 for a completed application; decisions on a rolling basis from late April 2027.

Applications are accepted through the Coalition Application (powered by Scoir), the Common Application or QuestBridge. SAT or ACT scores are optional for fall 2027 and fall 2028 entry and required for fall 2029 entry; international applicants must show English proficiency (waived above 26 ACT English or 630 SAT EBRW).

Merit scholarship applications are due 1 December 2026. CSS Profile and FAFSA priority deadlines are 1 November 2026 (Early Decision I), 1 January 2027 (Early Decision II) and 1 February 2027 (Regular Decision).

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.vanderbilt.edu/apply/

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