About the Journal

Studies in Vocation and Calling is a peer reviewed, open access journal that advances scholarly study and professional practice related to the role of vocation and calling in higher education. The journal publishes peer-reviewed scholarly articles, editorially-reviewed reflections, and reviews of books and other resources. We invite submissions of articles that engage the theory and/or practice of vocational exploration and discernment in higher education, whether from within a specific academic field or through interdisciplinary approaches. Articles that foreground co-curricular perspectives from other areas of campus life are also encouraged; these may focus on areas such as career services, community engagement, experiential learning, athletics, student success, or religious and spiritual life.

In addition to scholarly articles (which are double-blind peer reviewed), we invite the submission of less formal reflective pieces that engage themes of calling and vocation. Reflections will be reviewed by the editors for possible inclusion and can be in the form of an essay, fiction, poetry, or other genres as appropriate for their content. Suggestions for reviews of books, films, podcasts, and other resources should be sent directly to the Book and Resource Review Editor.

Studies in Vocation and Calling is produced by the Network for Vocation in Undergraduate Education (NetVUE), a program of the Council of Independent Colleges (CIC), and is made possible through the generosity of Lilly Endowment Inc. Opinions and positions expressed in the journal are solely those of their authors and do not express the opinions or policies of the NetVUE program, CIC, or Lilly Endowment Inc.

This journal is published twice a year in spring and fall. Publication will began in Spring 2026.

Journal Sections & Policies

Scholarship

The Scholarship section constitutes the core of Studies in Vocation and Calling as a scholarly, peer-reviewed journal. Because the scholarship of vocation in higher education is widely interdisciplinary and also centrally concerns itself with both theory and practice, this section includes a broad scope of writing. It seeks to represent voices from across the academy: faculty, staff, and administrators.

We invite submissions of articles that engage the theory and/or practice of vocational exploration and discernment, whether from within a specific academic field or through interdisciplinary approaches. Articles that foreground co-curricular perspectives from other areas of campus life are also encouraged; these may focus on areas such as career services, community engagement, experiential learning, athletics, student success, or religious and spiritual life.

  • Open Submission
  • Indexed
  • Double-Blind Peer-Reviewed

Reflection

Vocational reflection takes many rich forms, and we have created space in Studies in Vocation and Calling for personal, literary, and creative perspectives.

We invite submissions of reflective essays, personal accounts, poetry, fiction, and other genres that highlight themes related to calling and vocation, with a particular focus on the role that these concepts play in higher education, especially at the undergraduate level. Contributors are also welcome to contact the managing editor to discuss ideas.

  • Open Submission
  • Reviewed by journal editorial staff
  • Indexed

Book and Resource Reviews

Suggestions for reviews of books, films, podcasts, and other resources should be sent to the journal’s book and resource review editor. Reviews are not submitted through this portal. 

  • Indexed

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.

Privacy Statement

The names and email addresses entered in this journal site will be used exclusively for the stated purposes of this journal and will not be made available for any other purpose or to any other party.