FAQ: Graduate Programs

Admissions FAQ: Graduate Programs

Frequently Asked Questions

General

  1. How long are the graduate programs?
  2. What kind of background should I have?
  3. Can I get advanced standing?
  4. Is there Fall and Spring admission?
  5. Can I transfer in?
  6. What will my experience be like as an International Student?
  7. How much is the tuition?
  8. What is available in terms of Financial Aid?
  9. Are the architecture and preservation programs accredited?
  10. Does Tulane provide special housing for graduate and/or married students?

The Application

  1. What is the application deadline?
  2. What are the requirements?
  3. How can I prepare a good portfolio?
  4. What types of letters of recommendation should I get?
  5. How should I write my Statement of Interest?
  6. What about the GRE, GPA and TOEFL scores?
  7. What is the most important part of my application?
  8. How large is the incoming class?
  9. Are formal interviews required?
  10. Can I defer enrollment?
  11. When are letters of acceptance mailed, and how are we notified?
  12. Is there a wait list?

Tulane University and New Orleans

  1. How do I plan a campus visit and get a tour?
  2. Does the School of Architecture host an Open House?
  3. How do I schedule an appointment with an advisor?
  4. What is it like to live in New Orleans?

The School of Architecture

  1. Will I have an opportunity to take the courses I want?
  2. Can I attend the program part-time?
  3. Will I have to maintain a certain grade-point average?
  4. What type of advising is offered to graduate students?
  5. What academic opportunities do I have at Tulane and throughout campus?
  6. How will I get internship experience?
  7. What types of student organizations are available?

My Career

  1. After I finish my Architecture professional degree, how do I get licensure?
  2. What job prospects do I have with a professional architecture degree?
  3. What job prospects do I have with a Masters in Preservation Studies degree?
  4. What advantages will I have as an alumnus of Tulane University?

General

How long are the graduate programs?

M.Arch I, First Prof. Degree Program: 3.5 years (begins in the summer)
M.Arch I, First Prof. Degree Program (Advanced Placement): 2-3 years
M.Arch II, Post-Professional Degree Program: 1 year
M.P.S., Masters in Preservation Studies: 1.5 years (ends with a summer session)

The M.P.S. program offers a flexible curriculum allowing students to take a longer path and maintain full-time employment.

What kind of background should I have? Are prerequisites required?

While a bachelor’s degree in any field is required for the M.Arch I and M.P.S. programs, no specific background in architecture is required for the M.Arch I degree program. Similarly, no previous preservation background is required for the M.P.S. degree program. The M.Arch II, however, requires a professional degree from a NAAB-accredited school of architecture (from Canada or the United States) or from an equivalent degree granting institutions in a foreign country. For a complete list of NAAB-accredited programs visit the National Architectural Accrediting Board’s website.

Can I get advanced standing?

Yes. Advanced standing is offered in the M.Arch I post-professional degree program to students who have taken significant architectural courses but still lack a professional degree. This may result in a 2-3 year curriculum. Once you have been admitted to the School, the Director of Graduate Admissions & Advising will evaluate your college transcripts and assign you credit for various classes.

Is there fall and spring admission?

M.Arch I students who will complete the program in 3.5 years begin their studies in the summer, while M.Arch I students with advanced placement and students in the M.Arch II program begin in the fall semester. Students admitted into the M.P.S. degree program may begin in a fall or spring semester.

Can I transfer into a graduate program?

All students admitted into the graduate programs must follow the same admission process, and therefore transfers into the graduate program do not take place as they normally do at the undergraduate level. Rather, students who are admitted may ask for Advanced Placement, and the Director of Graduate Admissions & Advising will determine whether courses successfully completed (as indicated in an official transcript) can lead to Advance Placement.

What will my experience be like as an International Student?

Tulane University and the School of Architecture have served International Students in all of its programs. To find out more about the services and networks offered to International Students at Tulane, visit the website of The Center for Global Education at Tulane. The new center incorporates the Office of Study Abroad and the Office of International Students and Scholars. The Center for Global Education holds regular coffee hours on the Tate House patio for international students and scholars, students returning from study abroad and students interested in studying abroad. For more information, call 504-865-5339.

How much is the tuition?

Tuition and fees for the 2007-2008 year was $35,700. For a detailed explanation of the cost of attendance at Tulane University, including estimates for living expenses and additional fees, please visit the website of the Office of Financial Aid . As an incentive to prospective graduate students, the M.Arch II post-professional program is currently offered with a tuition waiver of approximately 25 percent of the total tuition cost, and the M.P.S. program is currently offered with a tuition waiver of approximately 60 percent. Please consult the Tuition and Fees schedule for total tuition and fees.

What kind of Financial Aid does Tulane University offer?

Graduate students typically rely on any combination of the following four types of funding. Prospective students should explore all options:

Grants and scholarships (competitive)
Federal and/or private loans (need-based or competitive)
Off-campus employment and work-study (need-based)
Teaching/Research Assistantships (competitive)

Some merit-based scholarships are available to domestic and foreign graduate students on a competitive basis. Distribution of these awards occurs upon admittance to the program as determined by the Director of Graduate Admissions & Advising. All graduate students are also eligible for Teaching and Research Assistantships. These are determined by individual professors.

Only U.S. citizens may apply for federal loans. They can begin the process by filling out the FAFSA form. As an extension of this need-based application, domestic students may also be eligible for work-study. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information about other federal and private loans. The Graduate School Financial Aid Counselor contact person is Umeka Nicholas. To make an appointment or to schedule a telephone query, please contact the main office at finaid@tulane.edu or call 504-865-5723 or 1-800-335-3210.

Are the architecture and preservation programs accredited?

The School of Architecture has been accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) for many decades. The Preservation Studies program follows the guidelines set forth by the National Council of Preservation Education . The M.P.S. degree program fully complies with these guidelines. In addition to this, the M.P.S. program is one of only 12 graduate-level programs nationwide to be housed in an accredited School of Architecture, and one of the 10 programs in that category to offer a Certificate of Historic Preservation. The M.P.S. program has historically benefited from its association with the Vieux Carré Commission, the nation’s second oldest Historic District, and the program has also had a significant impact on numerous preservation and conservation initiatives throughout the State of Louisiana and Latin America.

Does Tulane provide special housing for graduate and/or married students?

Yes. Graduate students and family applicants have many housing options. They may apply for apartment living at the Papillon Apartments [PDF] in the Lower Garden District or at Deming Pavilion downtown. Students may also choose to live in Uptown campus housing on the fourth floors of Irby and Phelps Houses. Visit the Tulane Housing website, for more information.

The Application

What is the deadline for application submission?

The deadline is February 15, 2008 for the M.Arch I and II applications, and for the fall admission M.P.S. application. Applications for spring admission into the M.P.S. program are due on September 15, 2008.

What are the requirements?

Please download a copy of the application form to get detailed information about the following seven (7) items you will need to submit:

1. Portfolio
2. Statement of Interest
3. Official Transcripts
4. Letters of Recommendation (3)
5. Resumé
6. Application Form
7. Application Fee ($50, non-returnable)

In addition to this, all students must also submit GRE scores, which should be sent directly to the School of Architecture by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). M.P.S. applicants who have worked for five years or more in a Preservation-related field do not have to submit a GRE score. TOEFL scores are also required for non-native English speakers. Please read the question below that addresses the minimum test scores accepted (GRE, GPA and TOEFL). We will not process an application until it is complete. All application materials should be mailed in one envelope (9 × 12 in.) to: Tulane University, School of Architecture, Director of Graduate Admissions & Advising, 6823 St. Charles Ave., New Orleans, LA, 70118. Any questions about the status of you application material should be directed to Kathleen Branley in the School of Architecture. You will receive an email confirming the receipt of your application. When you submit an email, please include your full name in the subject line.

How do I prepare a portfolio?

Please submit a non-returnable portfolio that is 8.5 × 11 inches (22 by 28 cm) and that presents a select number of examples of your work (limited to 10 sheets). Do not send slides, CDs, videos or web-based portfolios. Portfolios should not have any removable parts. You should present evidence of your own creative work organized in reverse chronological order, beginning with your most recent projects. Please note where collaborative work has been included. Your name and address should be included on either the front or back cover of the portfolio, but your name should not appear anywhere inside the actual portfolio. While we would like to encourage you to ask us as many questions as you’d like with regards to your application, we cannot review your portfolio before it is submitted to us. Portfolios for the M.P.S. degree program are optional. Please read the application form for more information about portfolio requirements.

What types of letters of recommendation do I need?

Three letters are required from individuals acquainted with your recent academic, professional, or creative work. At least two letters should be from past professors who can speak directly about your performance in a class or research project. Letters and the review form should be submitted to you in a sealed envelope and signed across the back by the recommender. Submit these unopened with your application.

How should I write my Statement of Interest?

The Statement of Interest gives you an opportunity to convey information that is not easily gleaned from the other submitted documents, although it may also be used to further explain or clarify an aspect of your work or past academic experiences. We encourage you to write about your personal experiences and aspirations in relation to the profession of architecture or preservation, and to explain your reason for choosing the School of Architecture at Tulane University. We have found that applicants sometimes frame their statements with clichés (i.e. “I want to change the world”). We have come to value those statements that reflect a genuine interest in a particular aspect of the field of design, architecture or preservation, such as technological, environmental, aesthetic, digital, etc. Your essay should not exceed 1000 words.

Are there minimum GRE, GPA and TOEFL scores?

Although the committee occasionally makes exceptions, it does use benchmarks as a general guide. We carefully weigh these against strong portfolios and letters of recommendation. For the GRE, we prefer a Verbal score of 500 or greater and a Quantitative score of 500 or greater. An applicant’s cumulative GPA should be 3.0 or greater.

Applicants whose first language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). No exceptions are made. In order to meet the admissions deadline, the applicant should take the TOEFL on the earliest date possible. The minimum TOEFL score is 600 for the paper-based test; 250 for the computer-based test; and 100 for the Internet-based test. Applicants must ask the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send official test results directly to Tulane University. Scores must be no more than two years old. The Tulane University Institution Code is: 6823. The School of Architecture Department Code is: 6798. While exceptions may be made with regard to your acceptance into the School, minimum scores in these three categories (GPA, GRE and TOEFL) do factor heavily in the granting of merit-based scholarships upon admission into the program.

What is the most important part of my application?

The selection process for the M.Arch I and M.Arch II programs weighs heavily on the portfolio. The Statement of Interest also provides reviewers with a critical understanding of the applicant’s background and creative interests and his/her path towards a career in architecture. For the M.P.S. degree, the committee looks for the motivation behind the applicant’s interest in preservation and how the applicant regards this field in relation to important urban, civic or landscape issues, cultural expressions and/or material concerns. This may be expressed with a Statement of Interest or with a portfolio, the latter being optional for the M.P.S. applications.

How large is the incoming class?

Applicants compete for the approximately 12 places available each year in the M.Arch I program. Additional students in the M.Arch I Advanced Placement category and the M.Arch II degree program complete the graduate pool. The graduate programs have demonstrated a significant growth spurt with the renewed interest in post-Katrina New Orleans. The M.P.S. program has consistently brought a diverse group of graduate students to the School of Architecture and has played an important role in the development of the preservation community in New Orleans and the surrounding region. Altogether, the graduate student pool consists of approximately 48 students representing diverse backgrounds, professional experiences, ages and goals.

Are formal interviews required or recommended?

No, they are not required. Yes, we strongly encourage applicants to visit the city of New Orleans, our Uptown Campus and Richardson Memorial, the home of the School of Architecture. Visits to design studios, final reviews and lectures will give the applicant a better sense of the School. It will give you the opportunity to do the “interviewing,” as you meet students and faculty members in their academic environment. Learn more about our Graduate Open House below.

Can I defer enrollment?

Applicants who have been admitted can request a deferral for one year only. Such requests must be made in writing to the Director of Graduate Admissions & Advising. Because merit scholarships are influenced by the composition of an incoming class, we cannot guarantee the exact support originally offered if an applicant chooses to defer admission.

When are letters of acceptance mailed, and how are we notified?

Applicants will be notified via e-mail by March 15, with a hard copy posted on the same day. Decisions cannot be given by telephone. Letters of acceptance from the applicant must be received by April 15.

Is there a wait list?

There is commonly a wait list for the M.Arch I degree program. If you are notified that you are on the wait list, you will be notified no later than May 1 of your acceptance into the program.

Tulane University and New Orleans

How do I plan a campus visit and get a tour?

Daily campus tours are offered by the “Office of Undergraduate Admissions”http://www.admission.tulane.edu/ , Room 210 Gibson Hall (1-800-873-9283). These tours are meant to target prospective undergraduate students but may still be informative. Information sessions and campus tours begin at 9:00 am and 2:00 pm M-F during the school year, and at 9:00 am most Saturdays. You can see all available dates and times, and arrange your campus tour by using our online reservation system. The School of Architecture offers tours as well. Please contact Natalie Williams to request a tour given by Director of Graduate Admissions & Advising. The best times to visit the School of Architecture are Mondays and Fridays. If you cannot come to New Orleans, you may have an opportunity to meet Tulane admission staff in your own city through the “Tulane Comes to You” program. Throughout the months of September, October and November, this group will visit 63 cities. While these meetings are organized primarily to recruit undergraduates, prospective graduate applicants may attend. To see if we are coming to your city, consult the Tulane Comes to You calendar. Please let us know in advance if you will be attending a “Tulane Comes to You” meeting so we can prepare some materials for you.

Does the School of Architecture host an Open House?

We are hosting our Graduate Open House this year on January 28, 2008. This is the Monday before Mardi Gras. This week, the School will once again be in the spotlight of the Sundance Filming Crew, the Los Angeles-based group that is producing the nation’s first reality show to feature a School of Architecture. The main feature is our URBANbuild program. If you are interested in attending the January 28 Graduate Open House, please contact Natalie Williams for more information about the day’s schedule. Hotel Inter-Continental New Orleans offers a Tulane special rate to our Open House guests; you can contact Dawn Pembo at 504-585-4345 or 1-800-445-6563 for more information. If you would like to stay in the French Quarter, Best Western Landmark French Quarter Hotel also offers a special Tulane rate; contact Lisa Taylor at 504-888-9500 for more information. Because this is a busy time in New Orleans, we recommend you make your reservations well in advance. We will also host a second Graduate Open House on April 11 and April 18, for a number of invited students who have been accepted into the program and who have not had an opportunity to visit the city on their own.

How do I schedule an appointment with an advisor?

If you are here for either of the two Graduate Open Houses mentioned above, we will organize a number of sessions where you can meet with students and professors, the Director of Graduate Admissions & Advising, Dr. Robert A González, the Director of the M.P.S. Program, Dr. Eugene D. Cizek, Interim Associate Dean Elizabeth Burns Gamard, and Interim Dean Scott Bernhard. If you are traveling to New Orleans and visiting the campus at any other time, please make arrangements with Natalie Williams to meet with the administration. We are happy to accommodate you any time you choose to drop in, but the preferable days for visits are always Mondays (Red Beans & Rice Day) and Fridays (Gumbo Day). We’ll explain this when you get here.

What is it like to live in New Orleans?

This is the question of the season. While many of the severely damaged areas in remote parts of the city are still in a state of disrepair, the area surrounding Tulane University, including the Garden District and the French Quarter, are back to normal and better than ever. All parts of the city developed before 1878, on the high ground, are basically intact. Check out the attached Video for Prospective Graduate Students and visit the following links for information about the city of New Orleans (Fleur de Lis Site).

The School of Architecture

Will I have an opportunity to take the courses I want?

As a graduate student, it is our policy to ensure that you are given first choice in option studios and in the travel abroad programs offered by the School of Architecture. We want to make sure that you get the most out of your time at Tulane University.

Can I attend the program part-time?

While the M.P.S. program is designed to accommodate part-time students who maintain full-time jobs, we strongly discourage students in the M.Arch I and II degree programs from doing this. Classes are held Monday-Friday in the morning, afternoon and early evening and a flexible schedule is required—not to mention plenty of sleep and some time off from school. Students who devote their full attention to their graduate studies are always the most satisfied with their progress.

Will I have to maintain a certain grade-point average?

All graduate students are required to maintain a cumulative 3.0 average each semester and they must receive a B or better in every design studio. Failure to maintain this average in either studio or across the curriculum can negatively affect a merit-based scholarship. Students are also asked to read the Unified Code of Graduate Student Academic Conduct [PDF].

What type of advising is offered to graduate students?

While undergraduate advising is handled centrally at the Academic Advising Center, the School of Architecture, along with the other graduate and professional programs, is committed to providing graduate students with on-site advising. The Director of Graduate Admissions & Advising, Dr. Robert A. González, offers regular office hours for appointments, as does the Director of the Preservation Program, Dr. Eugene D. Cizek.

What other academic opportunities do I have elsewhere on the Tulane campus?

Graduate studies at the School of Architecture offer a variety of academic experiences in the areas of digital fabrication, energy and sustainability, preservation, urban studies and travel. Generally, students in the M.Arch I curriculum find themselves immersed in their all-architecture curriculum, while M.Arch II and M.P.S. students are presented with open curricula but are limited by a compressed time frame. In both cases, we work with graduate students to ensure you have the opportunity to explore minors and other areas of specialization. Some M.Arch I students, for example, have successfully completed an additional M.P.S. degree with one additional semester. Other opportunities for cross-disciplinary research are the new minor in Environmental Studies for which the architecture school offers a number of classes in sustainability, green building and environmental law. The School also has a number of programs through the Tulane City Center. Travel Abroad programs are also offered by the School for the winter break, intersession period and summer months. Students can earn credit hours as they study abroad in such cities as Barcelona, Mexico, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Tokyo and Vienna. Students can also spend a semester in our Rome Program or enroll in exchange programs in Copenhagen, Glasgow or London. A detailed description of the full complement of travel abroad programs is found in the Travel Programs section of our website.

Can I get internship experience and career guidance?

Each fall, the School of Architecture organizes a Career Day. Representatives from some of the nation’s top firms from across the country come to the School of Architecture for a two-day interviewing fair.

What types of student organizations are available?

The Architecture Student Government (ASG) and the student chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIAS) sponsor many student activities, such as TGIFs, the annual Faculty Auction, the Beaux-Arts Ball, Can-Struction and Architecture Week. Graduate students have traditionally participated in all of these events.

My Career Path

After I finish my Architecture professional degree, how do I get a license?

Licensure requirements include a professional degree, a period of practical training (the Internship Development Program, or IDP), and successful completion of all of the sections of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Each state determines the specific requirements with regard to initial training, examination, and professional practice. Associate Professor Bruce Goodwin serves as the School of Architecture’s IDP liaison, and he is available for additional consultation.

What job prospects do I have with a professional architecture degree?

In addition to pursuing a career as a registered architect, graduates with architectural backgrounds work as architectural delineators and model builders, landscape architects, design consultants, urban planners, museum curators, set designers, developers, construction managers, and graphic designers. Many registered architects diversify with additional credentials, such as a Certificate or Masters in Historic Preservation, a license in Urban Planning, LEEDS Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), and Landscape Architecture or Interior Architecture licenses. Some architects also pursue areas of specialization in Architectural Lighting, Post-Occupancy Studies, Architectural Acoustics or Green Building.

What job prospects do I have with a Masters in Preservation Studies degree?

The interdisciplinary nature of Preservation studies spans from Heritage Education, to Conservation, Restoration, Resource Management and Museum Management and Exhibition Design. Graduates of Tulane’s M.P.S. hold positions as: administrators at the national, state and local levels; professors in Preservation Studies programs; professionals in offices specializing in Architecture, Planning, Preservation Planning and Conservation Resource Management; professionals in the fields of development and real estate, and positions related to the fields of law and non-profit management.

What advantages will I have as an alumnus of Tulane University?

Joining the prestigious Tulane alumni means an immediate connection with a network of professionals, administrators and scholars who maintain a strong tie with their alma mater. Please visit the Alumni section of our web site featuring numerous members of this talented group of professionals who have built their careers on the education they received at Tulane University and their experiences in the city of New Orleans.