Applying to study abroad is a two-step process. Students must apply both through Tulane via our website and through their chosen program or host university. Why? Think of it this way--the internal Tulane application gives students approval to study abroad as an actively enrolled Tulane student through a select list of programs based on NTC requirements. The external program application (the application you submit through your provider or host institution) constitutes applying for admission as an international student to a university or program abroad based on requirements set by that program or host institution.
Tulane application deadlines for Academic Year, Fall, Spring, and Summer programs can be found by navigating to your chosen program's online brochure on our website. Simply navigate to the "Programs" section of our website and select the program of your choice by location or through our advanced or simple search features. Again, please remember that nearly all programs will also require an external host application to be completed, usually on the website of the provider or host university. These deadlines may vary from Tulane's but typically fall after or in some cases concurrent with our internal deadline. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of external application deadlines and submit external applications in a timely manner. Students are advised to consider applying to their external application whie completing their Tulane application if possible. Tulane deadlines vary from year to year (and in summer from program to program) but typically follow the below schedule:
- Fall & Academic Year - mid-February to early March
- Summer - late February to early March
- Spring - mid-September
The NTC Office of Study Abroad requires that students applying to study abroad complete their Tier-1 service, first year writing, and TIDEs course by the time of application or in the semester prior to departure. At the time of application and in the semester prior to departure, applicants must be in good academic and disciplinary standing, meet the minimum Tulane and program requirements, including minimum Grade Point Average (GPA), prior coursework, full-time status and adequate progress toward graduation. The NTC Office of Study Abroad requires a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA. Students falling under a 2.5 CGPA are unable to petition for acceptance. They are encouraged to apply at a future date when their GPA meets the 2.5 minimum. Students with academic or disciplinary holds should consult our Academic and Disciplinary Policies page.
Individual program eligibility requirements may differ from Tulane's. For example, certain programs may require a GPA above 3.0 or ask that students complete pre-requisite coursework in a foreign language or intended area of study. In the event a program provider requires a higher CGPA than the Tulane standard, students should meet the higher standard--approval through the NTC Office of Study Abroad does not guarantee admission to the program of choice. A summary of individual program eligibility requirements can be found on each program's online brochure, in addition to on the website of the program or host university.
Additionally, students approved to study abroad must earn a minimum of 12 credits in the semester prior to studying abroad. Failure to meet this minimum standard will result in revocation of approval to study abroad.
To ensure continued progress towards graduation, timely completion of general education and major requirements, and completion of eligibility requirements, all study abroad applicants are required to schedule an advising appointment with their academic advisor and major advisor(s) to discuss their course of study at Tulane and their plans to study abroad prior to departure.
Any indication that a student is not making satisfactory progress toward graduation in the semester prior to studying abroad may result in revocation of approval to study abroad.
Prior to studying abroad, students must complete the writing proficiency and TIDES components of the Newcomb-Tulane core curriculum. Additionally, students who have not yet completed the first-tier public service requirement must plan to complete that requirement by the end of the fifth semester or have the approval of their academic advisor to complete service learning upon return from study abroad. Alternatively, students who would like to complete first-tier public service requirement while abroad may consider enrolling in the asynchronous INTU pre, during, and post study abroad course and pursuing a service learning project while abroad. Further questions about timelines for fulfilling core curriculum requirements should be directed to the Academic Advising Center.
Students who have been found guilty or who have pled guilty to an Honor Code violation within one year prior to submitting an application to study abroad may not study abroad on a Tulane program, nor will they receive approval or be eligible to receive transfer credit for a non-Tulane program for the same period of time.
Students who are on disciplinary probation during the semester or term in which they intend to study abroad are not eligible to participate in a Newcomb-Tulane study abroad program.
Approvals will be revoked for students who are placed on disciplinary probation after being approved to study abroad.
Students who are currently on disciplinary probation and wish to submit an application for a study abroad program that will take place after their probation ends may do so. However, such applications will be reviewed by the Office of Study Abroad on a case-by-case basis in consultation with Tulane’s Division of Student Affairs. If the application is approved by the Tulane Study Abroad Committee, the faculty director, host institution, and/or program provider will be notified of the disciplinary status. It is within the discretion of the host institution and/or Newcomb-Tulane College to place additional restrictions on a recently-disciplined student’s participation in a study abroad program.
Preparation Before Departing Tulane: Language and Culture
Tulane seeks to ensure students have a rich and immersive experience abroad. In general, Tulane students who apply to study abroad are expected to demonstrate, at a minimum, a basic knowledge or higher of the language of the host country when that language is taught at Tulane (Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Haitian, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish or Vietnamese). Additional languages can be added to the list without prior notice. This knowledge is demonstrated by successfully completing a minimum of one year or more (or the equivalent) of college-level language study before going abroad. Many programs require additional language preparation.
Current language proficiency is generally considered when reviewing applications for acceptance and approved students are expected to take one course in the target language in the semester prior to studying abroad.
Newcomb-Tulane College Study Abroad Committee
The Newcomb-Tulane College Study Abroad Committee (TSAC) approves new study abroad program proposals, reviews applications to select students for study abroad, and sets academic policies for study abroad. The Committee is the final authority on study abroad.
The Committee is composed of members representing the Schools of Liberal Arts, Science & Engineering, Business, Public Health and Architecture, as well as the Newcomb-Tulane College Dean’s Office.
The Committee’s review of applications is confidential. If a student believes there are grounds for an appeal, he/she must make an appointment with the Director of Study Abroad within one week of the date of the notification letter.
Students must apply to their selected Tulane study abroad program by the OSA deadline and submit an external host application through their program by their provider or host institution's deadline. The Tulane application is online and available by navigating to your selected program's brochure. To create an application for the first time, find your selected program on our Programs page and click "Apply Now." You will be prompted to log in using your Tulane credentials. Do not login using an alternate email address. You must choose a program before starting an application and cannot open multiple applications within the same semester.
To complete an external host application, the majority of students can navigate to the website of their program through the "Helpful Links" section of each Tulane program brochure. If you need assistance finding your secondary application portal, contact an OSA advisor or email us at osa@tulane.edu. A select few programs do not require a secondary application:
- DIS (interviews are conducted with DIS staff following the Tulane application review period)
- EDUCO (EDUCO only, Sciences Po does require a secondary application)
- Reunidas WIP Madrid
- Bologna BCSP
Selection for a study abroad program is a two-step process. Students must first be approved by Newcomb-Tulane College, and then accepted by the program or host university. The Newcomb-Tulane College Study Abroad Committee reviews and approves applications for study abroad, and scrutinizes closely all Independent Scholar Option (ISO) proposals. To be considered for study abroad, students must be academically eligible and in good standing in the College. They must also carefully prepare an online application, which includes an essay, a proposed course of study, letters of recommendation, a record of prior coursework and CGPA.
Students will, in almost all cases, also have to complete a separate application, which they will submit directly to the foreign university or study abroad provider. Program providers and host universities reserve the right to approve or deny students independent of the NTC Office of Study Abroad. Approval of the Tulane application does not guarantee approval of the external host application.
While it is the objective of Newcomb-Tulane College to give every eligible student the opportunity to study abroad, the Study Abroad Committee, in the interest of preserving the quality of the study abroad experience for all students, reserves the right to limit the number of Tulane students approved to participate in any given program. Students should expect the selection process for popular programs to be competitive. In its selection process, the Committee will focus on relative strength of academic credentials and clarity of educational purpose as expressed in the application. In the event an academically eligible student is not selected to study abroad in their preferred program, they will be invited to submit an application for a different program.
If a student believes there are grounds for an appeal of the Committee’s decision, they must make an appointment with the Director of Study Abroad within one week of the date of the notification letter. The Committee's decision on the appeal is final.
