Prospective Graduate Students
The School of Liberal Arts offers a range of PhD, MA, and MFA programs. The PhD prepares students to be practicing scholars in the offering disciplines. Students receiving the PhD from departments and programs in the School of Liberal Arts have received teaching jobs at prestigious colleges and universities all over the country. The MA is an appropriate degree for students who are unsure whether they want to continue in a PhD program, for students who want to teach in secondary school, and for a wide range of other careers, depending on the discipline. The MFA is the terminal degree for practitioners in studio art, music performance, and theatre. In addition, Tulane University undergraduates can pursue post-graduate work by spending an extra year at Tulane in a "4+1" MA program, which is offered by many departments.
To find out more about the departments and programs that offer each of these degrees, please see the Degrees Offered page.
Applying to an SLA Graduate Program
Applicants who have earned an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution may be offered admission to the School of Liberal Arts graduate program if their academic record and personal attributes indicate the ability to pursue advanced study successfully. Applicants must present evidence, to the satisfaction of the department or the program committee concerned, of adequate preparation for the subjects in which they seek to specialize. All students must hold an undergraduate degree before enrolling. Applicants with a Bachelor's degree may apply directly to a PhD program; it is not necessary to have a Master's degree to apply to a PhD program. With special permission from the department, an applicant may seek admission as a special, non-degree student to pursue up to 9 hours of study which does not lead to a degree.
The School of Liberal Arts offers MFA, MA and PhD degrees. Not all departments/programs offer both Master’s and PhD degrees. Please check the department/program website for the specific degrees offered in your program of interest before you begin your application.
Current Tulane undergraduate students may apply for the 4+1 MA degree. This allows students currently enrolled in a TULANE undergraduate program to gain graduate credits toward an MA degree while still enrolled as an undergraduate. The 4+1 MA option is not offered by all departments so please check the appropriate department website for information on this option. The 4+1 MA is ONLY for students currently enrolled in a TULANE undergraduate program.
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary for each department. In order for your application to be reviewed, the application and application fee must be submitted online and all required materials received by the application deadline.
If a GRE score is required for your application, the department will review an application without a GRE score as long as the GRE test has been taken before the application deadline and the applicant requests, at the time of the test, that the scores be sent to Tulane School of Liberal Arts. The official GRE score must be received by the department before an admission decision can be made on your application; therefore it is STRONGLY suggested that all applicants take the GRE test well in advance of the deadline so that scores are received by the deadline, if at all possible.
Department Application Deadlines:
- Anthropology – December 15 of year proceeding enrollment year
- Art History – February 1
- Art Studio – February 1
- City, Culture and Community – January 5
- Classical Studies – February 1
- Dance – April 10
- Economics PhD – February 1
- Economics MA – April 1
- English – February 1
- French – January 5
- History – January 10
- Latin American Studies – February 1
- Latin American Studies and Art History Joint – February 1
- Linguistics – February 1
- Music – February 1
- Philosophy – February 1
- Political Science – February 15
- Spanish & Portuguese – February 1
- Theatre – May 1
- 4+1 MA (for Current Tulane students only) – many departments accept applications all year until April 15. Please check with the department for the specific deadline.
The English, Economics, and Philosophy MA programs allow admission for the Spring semester on a very limited basis with approval from the department. All other MA programs and all MFA and all PhD programs admit for Fall semester only.
Online Application Information and Application Form
Applications must be submitted online; paper applications are no longer accepted. The application fee is $50 payable by credit card or checking account transfer at the time the application is submitted. Verified Mc Nair Scholars are the only applicants eligible for a waiver of the application fee.
Once you create an account and start your application, if a specific degree or department/program does not appear as an option on the application it means that department/program either does not offer that degree OR is not offering it for the current application period.
Applications open August 15 for admission the following fall.
The following departments do NOT admit graduate students every year:>
- Economics PhD - only accepts students for enrollment for the fall semester of odd number years (ie. 2019, 2021). Economics MA applications are accepted every year.
- Interdisciplinary Dance Performance (IDP) MFA – only accepts students for enrollment for the fall semester every three years. (I.e. 2018, 2021, 2024). Applications are being accepted during the 2017/2018 academic year for 2018/2019 academic year enrollment.
- Music MA - only accepts students for enrollment for the fall semester of odd number years (ie. 2019, 2021). Music MFA applications are accepted every year.
- Theatre MFA - only accepts students for enrollment for the fall semester of odd number years (ie. 2019, 2021).
- Political Science PhD - only accepts students for enrollment for the fall semester of even number years (ie. 2018, 2020).
NOTE: Current Tulane students applying for the 4+1 MA program in ANY department MUST select the “4+1Liberal Arts” department/program application option that appears after creating your application account and NOT the option for the specific department/program. All other MA (not 4+1) applicants, MFA and PhD applicants should select the specific department/program application option and NOT the “4+1” option.
**APPLY HERE: School of Liberal Arts MFA, MA, 4+1 MA or PhD Application Form **
Frequently Asked Questions about Submitting an Application to SLA Graduate School
- What documents will I need to submit with my application?
The on-line application system will not allow an applicant to submit an application until all information on the application form is complete and required documents are attached to application. You may save a partially completed application and complete it later. To submit the application you must: a) fill in information in all parts of the application, b) self-report GRE scores if required and have taken the GRE test c) upload a personal statement, d) enter the names and requested contact information of three people who will submit (on-line) letters of academic and/or professional recommendation e) upload the most recent unofficial transcript from each university attended (for transcripts in a language other than English, please upload the original copy of a certified English translation with an explanation of the grading system) and f) upload writing sample, if required by the department (check department website for specific department requirements).
A completed application includes GRE scores, TOEFL or other English language proficiency test score (if not native English speaker) and letters of recommendation. More information about GRE scores, language scores and letters of recommendation follows in the questions below.
Should you be offered admission, you must send an official copy of your transcript from each institution you attended when you accept the admission offer. Official copies must either be in a sealed envelope, signed on the back by the University Registrar or sent electronically from the University's certified transcript transmission service.
- What is expected in my personal statement?
Applicants should explain in detail why they are interested in the specific graduate program at Tulane; describe career goals, strengths and accomplishments relevant to the intended course of study. Generally personal statements should be no more than about 500 words.
- How do my recommendation writers submit the letters?
The people you have selected to write a letter of recommendation will submit the letters electronically using the SLA on-line application system. You will enter the name and an e-mail address of each recommendation provider. After you select to send the Recommendation Request, an e-mail will be sent to the recommendation provider with an access code and instructions on how to proceed with the on-line recommendation. You do not have to submit the application in order for the recommendation instructions to be sent; the instructions will be emailed after you select send.
- Where do I send my GRE scores?
All applicants should direct ETS to send their official GRE score reports to Tulane School of Liberal Arts, the code is: 6183. All applicants (except MFA) are required to submit GRE scores. Applicants must self-report their GRE score on the application AND request the official score be sent to the School of Liberal Arts Graduate Programs Office. If you have not yet taken the GRE or language test, if applicable, you may still submit your application; however the official test scores must be received by the application deadline.
- Is TOEFL required for students from non-English speaking countries?
All applicants must present satisfactory evidence of sufficient competence to read, write, speak and understand spoken English. If you are from a non-English speaking country you are required to submit a TOEFL score unless you have received a degree from a U.S. University or a University in which courses were taught in English. TOEFL scores should also be sent to Tulane School of Liberal Arts, code: 6183.
- What documents do International students need to submit?
In addition to all the documents mentioned above International students must submit the International Student Information Form and Financial Affidavit/ Financial Support Form before the paperwork needed for your Visa can be processed and you can be officially admitted and enroll in classes. These documents are not required for consideration for admission but are required should you accept an offer of admission.
- What is 2017-2018 tuition and mandatory fees for the SLA graduate program *?
FULL TIME (9 or more credit hours (per semester) (per year) Tuition (PhD, MA, MFA )** $25,460 $50,920 Tuition MA*** – English, Linguistics, Philosophy, Economics $8,487 $16,974 Academic Support Service Fee $400 $800 Reily Center Fee $180 $360 Student Health Fee $320 $640 Student Activities Fee $120 $240
*Tuition and fees for the Fall 2017 through Spring 2018 semesters only. Tuition for the 2018 -2019 academic year has not yet been determined but is expected to increase 2% to 4%.
** This is the standard tuition rate for PhD, MFA and MA programs. However most departments offer a number of academic merit based tuition waivers and stipends (in the form of teaching assistantships, research assistantships or fellowships). All who apply are automatically considered for the tuition waiver/stipend if applicable in the specific department. Please contact the Financial Aid Office for need based aid.
***The tuition for selected MA programs (listed in the above chart) is offered at a special, reduced tuition rate. No tuition waivers and teaching assistantships/fellowships are available for these MA programs with reduced tuition.
Students who have completed their course work requirements are required to register for Master's Research 9980 (no credit hours) or Dissertation Research 9990 (no credit hours) in order to maintain continuous registration. A fee of $300.00 is charged each semester for this registration.
After applying, please read the Information for Incoming Students .