<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?>
<!--XBRL document created by DFIN IXG 1.0.0.0 using Fujitsu Interstage XWand-->
<schema targetNamespace="http://www.vanguard.com/20230525" elementFormDefault="qualified" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:specialized="http://www.vanguard.com/20230525" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:dtr-types="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" xmlns:rr="http://xbrl.sec.gov/rr/2021">
  <annotation>
    <appinfo>
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="specialized-20230525_pre.xml" xlink:title="Presentation Links, all" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="specialized-20230525_cal.xml" xlink:title="Calculation Links, all" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/calculationLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="specialized-20230525_def.xml" xlink:title="Definition Links, all" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/definitionLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
      <link:linkbaseRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="specialized-20230525_lab.xml" xlink:title="Label Links, all" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/labelLinkbaseRef" xlink:arcrole="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink/properties/linkbase" />
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DocumentDocumentandEntityInformationElements" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDocumentDocumentandEntityInformationElements">
        <link:definition>000000 - Document - Document and Entity Information {Elements}</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/ScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses000013" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleScheduleAnnualFundOperatingExpenses000013">
        <link:definition>000013 - Schedule - Annual Fund Operating Expenses</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardDividendAppreciationIndexFundAdmiral" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardDividendAppreciationIndexFundAdmiral">
        <link:definition>000019 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund (Admiral)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardDividendAppreciationIndexFundETF" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardDividendAppreciationIndexFundETF">
        <link:definition>000029 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index Fund (ETF)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardDividendGrowthFundInvestor" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardDividendGrowthFundInvestor">
        <link:definition>000039 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (Investor)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardEnergyFundRetail" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardEnergyFundRetail">
        <link:definition>000049 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Energy Fund (Retail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardGlobalCapitalCyclesFundRetail" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardGlobalCapitalCyclesFundRetail">
        <link:definition>000059 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Global Capital Cycles Fund (Retail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardGlobalESGSelectStockFundRetail" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardGlobalESGSelectStockFundRetail">
        <link:definition>000069 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Global ESG Select Stock Fund (Retail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardHealthCareFundRetail" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardHealthCareFundRetail">
        <link:definition>000079 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Health Care Fund (Retail)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardRealEstateIndexFundInvestor" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardRealEstateIndexFundInvestor">
        <link:definition>000089 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (Investor)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardRealEstateIndexFundAdmiral" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardRealEstateIndexFundAdmiral">
        <link:definition>000099 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (Admiral)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardRealEstateIndexFundInstitutional" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardRealEstateIndexFundInstitutional">
        <link:definition>000109 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (Institutional)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
      <link:roleType roleURI="http://www.vanguard.com/role/DisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardRealEstateIndexFundETF" id="httpwwwvanguardcomroleDisclosureRiskReturnDetailDataElementsVanguardRealEstateIndexFundETF">
        <link:definition>000119 - Disclosure - Risk/Return Detail Data {Elements} - Vanguard Real Estate Index Fund (ETF)</link:definition>
        <link:usedOn>link:presentationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:calculationLink</link:usedOn>
        <link:usedOn>link:definitionLink</link:usedOn>
      </link:roleType>
    </appinfo>
  </annotation>
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd" />
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd" />
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/rr/2021" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/rr/2021/rr-2021.xsd" />
  <import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2021/dei-2021.xsd" />
  <import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21" schemaLocation="https://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2020-01-21/types.xsd" />
  <element name="AdmiralMember" id="specialized_AdmiralMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="S000011322Member" id="specialized_S000011322Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="ReturnAfterTaxesonDistributionsMember" id="specialized_ReturnAfterTaxesonDistributionsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="ReturnAfterTaxesonDistributionsandSaleofFundSharesMember" id="specialized_ReturnAfterTaxesonDistributionsandSaleofFundSharesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="SplicedSPUSDividendGrowersIndexMember" id="specialized_SplicedSPUSDividendGrowersIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="SPUSDividendGrowersIndexMember" id="specialized_SPUSDividendGrowersIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="DowJonesUSTotalStockMarketFloatAdjustedIndexMember" id="specialized_DowJonesUSTotalStockMarketFloatAdjustedIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000135474Member" id="specialized_C000135474Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="ETFMember" id="specialized_ETFMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="BasedonNAVMember" id="specialized_BasedonNAVMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="BasedonMarketPriceMember" id="specialized_BasedonMarketPriceMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000031350Member" id="specialized_C000031350Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="TransactionFeeOnPurchasesandSales" id="specialized_TransactionFeeOnPurchasesandSales" type="rr:NonNegativeMonetaryType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="TransactionFeeOnReinvestedDividends" id="specialized_TransactionFeeOnReinvestedDividends" type="rr:NonNegativeMonetaryType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="TransactionFeeOnConversionToETFShares" id="specialized_TransactionFeeOnConversionToETFShares" type="rr:NonNegativeMonetaryType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="InvestorMember" id="specialized_InvestorMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="S000002920Member" id="specialized_S000002920Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="DividendGrowthSplicedIndexMember" id="specialized_DividendGrowthSplicedIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008004Member" id="specialized_C000008004Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="RetailMember" id="specialized_RetailMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="S000002921Member" id="specialized_S000002921Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="SplicedEnergyIndexMember" id="specialized_SplicedEnergyIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="MSCIACWIEnergyplusUtilitiesIndexMember" id="specialized_MSCIACWIEnergyplusUtilitiesIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008005Member" id="specialized_C000008005Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008006Member" id="specialized_C000008006Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="S000002923Member" id="specialized_S000002923Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="SplicedGlobalCapitalCyclesIndexMember" id="specialized_SplicedGlobalCapitalCyclesIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="SPGlobalBMIMetalsandMining25PercentWeightedIndexUSDCustomMember" id="specialized_SPGlobalBMIMetalsandMining25PercentWeightedIndexUSDCustomMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="MSCIACWIIndexMember" id="specialized_MSCIACWIIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008009Member" id="specialized_C000008009Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="S000065529Member" id="specialized_S000065529Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="FTSEAllWorldIndexMember" id="specialized_FTSEAllWorldIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000211922Member" id="specialized_C000211922Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000211921Member" id="specialized_C000211921Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="S000002922Member" id="specialized_S000002922Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="MSCIACWIHealthCareIndexMember" id="specialized_MSCIACWIHealthCareIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008007Member" id="specialized_C000008007Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008008Member" id="specialized_C000008008Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="S000002924Member" id="specialized_S000002924Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="RealEstateSplicedIndexMember" id="specialized_RealEstateSplicedIndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="MSCIUSInvestableMarketRealEstate2550IndexMember" id="specialized_MSCIUSInvestableMarketRealEstate2550IndexMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008010Member" id="specialized_C000008010Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008011Member" id="specialized_C000008011Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="InstitutionalMember" id="specialized_InstitutionalMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000008012Member" id="specialized_C000008012Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
  <element name="C000032424Member" id="specialized_C000032424Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="false" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" />
</schema>
