Organizer Information
Tulane University is a private research university in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Relevant opportunities in art, cinema, media, design, and related fields are offered primarily through the School of Liberal Arts, including the Newcomb Art Department and Department of Communication, as well as the School of Architecture and Built Environment and the School of Professional Advancement. The School of Liberal Arts encompasses arts, humanities, and social sciences and offers undergraduate and graduate study.
Key Information
- Official Institution Name: Tulane University
- Opportunity Type: University Programs & Admissions
- Study Levels: Undergraduate / Graduate / Doctoral
- Degrees Offered: BA / BFA / MA / MFA / PhD
- Academic Fields: Fine Arts / Art History / Cinema Studies / Communication / Digital Media / Design / Theatre & Dance
- Relevant Programs: Studio Art (BA, BFA); Art History (BA, MA); Cinema Studies (BA, minor); Digital Media Practices (coordinate major); Communication (BA); Art Studio (MFA); Africana Studies and Art History (MA); Studio Art and Africana Studies (MFA/MA); Art History and Latin American Studies (PhD)
- Language of Instruction: English
- International Applicants: Yes
- Application Period: Undergraduate applications open 1 August; School of Liberal Arts graduate applications open 1 September 2026.
- Application Deadline: Undergraduate deadlines vary by admission plan; relevant School of Liberal Arts art graduate programs close 10 January 2027.
- Start of Studies: Fall 2027 for the 2027–28 graduate cycle; undergraduate entry is primarily Fall.
- Application Fee: $30 for School of Liberal Arts graduate applications
- Tuition: $70,622/year undergraduate tuition; admitted Studio Art MFA students receive a full tuition waiver.
- Funding: Merit- and need-based undergraduate aid; Studio Art MFA students receive full tuition waivers and assistantship stipends.
Field of Study & Eligible Disciplines
- Relevant undergraduate study includes Studio Art, Art History, Cinema Studies, Communication, and Digital Media Practices. Studio Art offers concentrations including Ceramics, Digital Arts, Glass, Painting & Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture.
- Graduate study includes Art History and Studio Art, with additional interdisciplinary options involving Africana Studies and Latin American Studies. The Studio Art MFA is interdisciplinary and applicants specify an area of admission such as Ceramics, Digital Arts, Glass, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, or Sculpture.
- For the Art History and Latin American Studies PhD, applicants may enter directly with a BA or with an MA; the program specifically focuses on Latin American art within a broader art-history framework.
General Eligibility
- Tulane accepts international applicants for both undergraduate and relevant graduate study. International undergraduate applicants must provide additional documentation, including certification of finances.
- For School of Liberal Arts graduate programs, applicants must hold an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution before enrollment. The Studio Art MFA does not require an undergraduate degree specifically in art.
- Program-specific academic requirements apply. For example, the Art History 4+1 pathway is restricted to current Tulane undergraduates and requires an Art History major with specified GPA thresholds.
Educational Background
- Applicants to the Studio Art MFA must hold an undergraduate degree from a recognized institution; a BFA or undergraduate art major is not required.
- The Art History MA requires undergraduate academic records and recommends strong undergraduate performance, typically around a 3.2 overall GPA and 3.4 in the major.
- Applicants to the joint PhD in Art History and Latin American Studies may enter with a BA or an MA.
Language Requirements
- For international applicants to School of Liberal Arts graduate programs who are not U.S. citizens or citizens of a country where English is the primary/official language, TOEFL or IELTS is required. An undergraduate degree taught primarily in English does not waive the requirement; a graduate degree taught primarily in English does.
- For international undergraduate applicants who are not native English speakers, Tulane requires evidence of English proficiency through TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge C1/C2. Successful applicants typically score 95+ TOEFL, 6.5+ IELTS, or 130+ Duolingo.
Application Fee
| Applicant / Program | Application Fee |
|---|---|
| School of Liberal Arts graduate programs | $30 |
| Studio Art MFA | $30 |
| Art History MA | $30 |
Verified McNair Scholars are eligible for a graduate application-fee waiver.
Tuition
| Study Level / Program | Applicant Type | Tuition / Funding Structure | Other Mandatory Fees |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate, Newcomb-Tulane College | Full-time students | $70,622 per academic year | $4,514 mandatory fees |
| Studio Art MFA | Admitted students | Full tuition waiver | Assistantship stipend provided |
The undergraduate figure is the published 2026–27 tuition for first-year students living on campus and enrolled full-time; the $4,514 mandatory-fee figure includes Academic Service, Health Center, Student Activity, and Reily Recreation Center fees.
All Studio Art MFA students are accepted with full scholarships consisting of a tuition waiver and assistantship stipend.
Funding & Financial Support
- Tulane offers merit- and need-based undergraduate financial aid. All admitted undergraduate students are considered for partial merit scholarships, while additional competitive scholarships can range from $1,000 to full tuition.
- Studio Art MFA students receive full tuition waivers and assistantship stipends. International students are eligible for this MFA funding.
- The Crossroads Cohort offers full tuition waivers, living stipends, paid summer internships, and additional project/research funding, but the program is not accepting applications for 2026–27 and is expected to reopen for a Fall 2028 cohort.
University Services & Academic Support
- The Newcomb Art Department provides studio facilities and equipment across areas including ceramics, digital arts, glass, photography, printmaking, painting, drawing, and sculpture. It also offers lectures, visiting-artist workshops, and open-studio figure drawing sessions.
- Studio Art MFA students receive structured faculty reviews and teaching opportunities, including teaching-assistant work during the first year and opportunities to teach an undergraduate course during the second year.
- International students have access to the Office of International Students and Scholars, which provides visa services and language/academic support.
Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must submit the Common Application, application materials including a personal statement and activities, a high-school transcript, and a Secondary School Report/school-counselor recommendation. SAT/ACT scores are optional. Portfolio or audition materials are optional. International applicants must also submit the required international documentation, including Certification of Finances and English-proficiency evidence where applicable.
Studio Art MFA applicants must submit:
- Portfolio PDF including an artist statement and CV
- Portfolio inventory list
- Statement of Purpose
- Three letters of recommendation
- Unofficial transcripts from undergraduate and/or graduate study
A CV/resume may also be submitted as an optional document. GRE scores are not required.
Art History MA applicants must submit:
- Statement of Purpose
- Three recommendation forms
- Writing sample
- Undergraduate and previous graduate transcripts
Art History and Latin American Studies PhD applicants must submit transcripts, three recommendation letters, a Statement of Purpose, an MA thesis or two substantive research papers, and evidence of foreign-language ability.
How to Apply?
Deadline & Timeline
- Undergraduate Application Opens: 1 August 2026
- Early Decision Deadline: 1 November 2026
- Early Action Deadline: 10 November 2026
- Early Decision II Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Regular Decision Deadline: 15 January 2027
- Undergraduate Regular Decision Results: by 1 April 2027
- Undergraduate Enrollment Deposit Deadline: 1 May 2027
- School of Liberal Arts Graduate Applications Open: 1 September 2026
- Art History MA Application Deadline: 10 January 2027
- Art Studio MFA Application Deadline: 10 January 2027
- Graduate Program Start: Fall 2027
Location
Tulane University — New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Additional Details
- Tulane's 2026–27 catalog identifies Cinema Studies as an undergraduate BA major and minor rather than a production-focused film degree. The program emphasizes theoretical, historical, formal, technological, sociopolitical, economic, and environmental study of cinema.
- The School of Liberal Arts states that graduate application deadlines vary by department; the 2027 cycle specifically lists 10 January 2027 for both Art History MA and Art Studio MFA.
- The Crossroads Cohort is currently not accepting applications for the 2026–27 academic year; Tulane expects the next application cycle to open in Fall 2027 for Fall 2028 enrollment.