Introducing Tulane Graduate Direct

Tulane University
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By Deshan Mendis
Last updated on September 28, 2023

Study at a top-50 university in New Orleans and earn a prestigious master’s degree: International students can now enroll in graduate programs in architecture, public health, and engineering (including several STEM-designated fields), starting in Fall 2022.

Tulane University

Students walk under streetlights with banners showing the Tulane logo on Tulane University's campus in New Orleans

Tulane University has joined Shorelight! Tulane Graduate Direct, accepting its first class of students in Fall 2022, will offer international students a unique selection of specialized graduate programs in architectural design, public health, and engineering (including several STEM-designated fields). Read on to learn more about this top-50 university in New Orleans.* 

Tulane University — A Top-Ranked Research-Focused University

Tulane University, ranked #42 among US universities,* was founded in New Orleans, Louisiana, in 1834 as a medical college. Today, it is a highly respected US university offering a one-of-a-kind student experience that prepares graduates for challenging global careers.

Tulane University At a Glance

As a top-tier research university, Tulane is ranked R1 for very high research activity by the Carnegie Classification. Tulane is also one of only 62 members of the Association of American Universities, an elite group of top-ranking research focused institutions. 

When students pursue research at Tulane, they learn from pioneering faculty who have contributed toward groundbreaking research such as functional MRI neuroimaging and the identification of molecular targets for the treatment of liver fibrosis and liver cancer.

Check out just a few of Tulane University’s top rankings and achievements: 

  • #42 National Universities — U.S. News & World Report, 2022

  • $140M in sponsored research awards each year

  • #80 Best Value Schools — U.S. News & World Report, 2022

  • #12 Best Public Health Schools — U.S. News & World Report, 2021

  • #4 Happiest Students — Princeton Review, 2022

  • #34 Most Innovative Schools — U.S. News & World Report, 2022

What Makes Tulane University Stand Out?

With an 8-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, Tulane University provides students with personalized attention, independent focus, and encouragement to grow as scholars and individuals. In small classes, professors provide dedicated support and create environments where students feel empowered to succeed. Interdisciplinary collaborations and global research partnerships across the university enable students to explore exciting opportunities for graduate research and their future careers. 

Tulane University has long committed to supporting research across a wide variety of interests and disciplines, with more than 90 research institutions across different fields. The university’s research initiatives and networks connect students with each other and professional researchers, encouraging collaboration and innovation.

Life as a Tulane Graduate Student 

Whether students are foodies, adventurers, or history buffs, there is something for everyone to discover in the city of New Orleans. Tulane’s state-of-the-art university campuses offer convenient access to dining, housing, health, and recreation facilities. Students can explore more than 25 different dining locations, keep healthy through the on-campus clinic and pharmacy, and stay fit at the Reily Student Recreation Center. The center is fully equipped for a variety of sports and rec activities, featuring a pool, indoor track, and more.

A welcoming community is also part of student life at Tulane: More than 200 student-run organizations, including the India Association of Tulane University, Engineers Without Borders, and the Muslim Students Association, are eager for new arrivals to join. 

Students interested in athletics can follow the Tulane Green Wave, the official collegiate sports program for the university. You can also get involved in the many intramural sports programs available; students can participate in a variety of different team and individual sports including softball, rugby, baseball, basketball, Ultimate (ultimate Frisbee), ping pong, swimming and more.

Additionally, through the Earn and Learn Career Pathways program, Tulane gives students the opportunity to develop practical work experience and skills while studying. The program helps students find training opportunities such as paid apprenticeships and college-bearing coursework. 

Discover New Orleans — The City of Jazz

With two campuses in the city, New Orleans is a huge part of the Tulane experience. The “City of Jazz” lives up to its name with some of the greatest music festivals in the country, including the annual Mardi Gras (Carnival) celebrations. Students can look forward to exploring the city and experiencing its live music and street performers, getting immersed in the culture of “laissez les bon temps rouler” (“let the good times roll”). 

For students fond of cultural history, New Orleans’s unique landmarks, historic buildings, and iconic architecture can be found all over the city. Visit Treme, the oldest African-American neighborhood, and dine in the French Quarter, known for delicious, authentic Southern cuisine and lively nightlife. On the topic of food, Southern cooking is just one of many dining options available in New Orleans — there are more than 1,400 restaurants to try!

The city also offers exciting professional opportunities: Top industries include trade, energy, manufacturing, and music, and the Greater New Orleans region is one of the fastest-growing technology hubs in the US. Entrepreneurial students have the chance to connect with major employers in New Orleans, including Boeing, Chevron, Adams & Reese, Ernst & Young, and many more.

With so many activities to try out and places to visit, students can look forward to an exciting and adventurous experience in New Orleans as they pursue a graduate degree.

Tulane Graduate Direct offers a specialized choice of degrees across the School of Architecture, School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and the School of Science and Engineering.

School of Architecture

The Master of Architecture (M. Arch) program at Tulane’s School of Architecture helps students work toward becoming sustainable architects. Studio, seminar, and lecture courses enable students to dive deep into advanced topics and challenges in modern architectural design, while they also learn the importance of technical, social, and physical areas of architecture.

The two primary focuses of the Tulane School of Architecture are empowering communities through architecture and supporting students’ understanding of river and delta urbanism. Students learn how to critically examine architecture, including its impact on culture and the environment, through innovative visualization. The program also teaches alternative methods of sustainable building practices and allows students to engage with the local community through design-build projects. 

Tulane University also gives students the chance to develop first-hand experience and skills through engagement opportunities such as the Albert and Tina Small Center for Collaborative Design, URBANbuild, and more.

The M. Arch program is available in two options:

  • 2-year track — Complete the degree at an accelerated pace. This track is meant for international students with a terminal architecture degree in their home country who are aiming to obtain licensure in the US and Canada.

  • 3.5-year track — Complete the degree at a steady pace in line with other students. This seven-semester program starts with an introductory summer semester, making it a great option for students with limited or no previous architecture education.

School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

With Tulane initially starting as a medical college, the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine has been a leader for more than 100 years. Public health graduate students get a hands-on learning experience that focuses on key public health skills and global perspectives. 

Tulane Graduate Direct offers the following degrees under the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine:

  • Master of Science in Public Health

    • Epidemiology**

    • Health Policy**

    • International Health and Sustainable Development**

    • Social, Behavioral, and Population Sciences

  • Master of Science in Public Health

    • Environmental Health Sciences**

  • Master of Science Biostatistics**

  • Master of Science in Tropical Medicine**

**STEM-Designated

Public health instructors are expert researchers, actively involved in federal health policies, nutrition programs, and disaster response, among many other fields. Fully accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine is a member of the Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health, and is ranked #12 among the best public health schools in the US (U.S. News & World Report, 2022).

School of Science and Engineering

Tulane’s School of Science and Engineering combines cutting-edge facilities with small class sizes to teach modern engineering skills and knowledge that help students approach industry challenges. Students collaborate directly with their peers and professors in a learning-focused environment where they are empowered to pursue their career objectives. 

For its dedication to representation and excellence in teaching, the school received the Bronze Award for the American Society for Engineering Education Diversity Recognition program for 2020-2022. 

The School of Science and Engineering offers a variety of degree options, including:

  • Master of Science in Biomedical Engineering**

  • Master of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology**

  • Master of Science in Computer Science**

  • Master of Science in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering**

  • Master of Science in Materials Science and Engineering**

  • Master of Science in Mathematics**

  • Master of Science in Applied Mathematics**

**STEM-Designated

Professors are well-connected in their respective industries and may connect students with potential career opportunities after graduation. Students passionate about researching a specific field of engineering or science can also benefit from extensive sources for research funding, including scholarships and graduate fellowships from the School of Science and Engineering, National Science Foundation fellowships, and more.

Discover Your True Potential through Tulane Graduate Direct

Tulane Graduate Direct programs encourage international graduate students to pursue a prestigious degree that offers a unique and personal learning environment, practical work experience, and expert connections. By applying through Shorelight, students benefit from dedicated international student support from the point of application all the way to graduation, so they can work toward their degree in confidence.

Tulane Graduate Direct Services include:

  • Streamlined application process

  • Visa application assistance

  • Academic advising and English-language support

  • Career development services

  • And more!

Join us in New Orleans, starting in Fall 2022. 

Learn more about Tulane Graduate Direct  >

*U.S. News & World Report, 2022