Eligibility & Preparation for Study Abroad
Newcomb-Tulane College Study Abroad Committee
All academic affairs of study abroad are overseen by the Newcomb-Tulane College Study Abroad Committee. The committee approves new program proposals, reviews all study abroad applications to select students for study abroad, and sets all academic policies for study abroad. The committee is final authority on study abroad.
The Committee is composed of faculty 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 SAC’s review of each application 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. The committee's decision is final.
Progress Towards Graduation
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 to discuss their course of study at Tulane and abroad. In addition, it is recommended that students meet with the OSA study abroad advisor.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to study abroad, Tulane students must be in good standing with the University and meet the minimum program requirements, including minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), prior coursework, and class standing, in the semester prior to the start of the program. Specific program eligibility requirements will vary and are listed in this guide. Students who do not meet the eligibility requirements should explain in a separate letter the reasons for not meeting the requirements.
Minimum Cumulative GPA (CGPA)
Tulane University adopts the minimum CGPA required by our partner institutions. The TSAC cannot approve the application of a student who does not meet the overseas program’s minimum GPA and/or foreign language requirement. Specific program requirements are indicated in this guide. Meeting a program’s GPA requirement does not, however, guarantee acceptance.
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Core Curriculum Requirements
Prior to studying abroad, all Tulane students must demonstrate completion of the following components of the Newcomb-Tulane core curriculum:
- Language Competency
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Writing Proficiency
- TIDES
- Public Service Requirement (first level)
Prior to studying abroad, all Tulane students must demonstrate completion of the following components of the Newcomb-Tulane core curriculum:
Honor Code Violation
Students who have ever been found guilty of an honor code violation are prohibited from studying abroad with Tulane University. If the determination of guilt occurs after approval to study abroad has been rendered, the approval to study abroad will be rescinded. There shall be no appeals to this policy.
Disciplinary Probation
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 should be advised that applications will be reviewed by the Office of Study Abroad on a case-by-case basis in consultation with 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. In some cases, additional restrictions may be placed on their participation in the program at the discretion of the host institution and/or Tulane.
Students who are on disciplinary probation during the semester or term in which they wish to study abroad are not eligible to participate in a Newcomb-Tulane study abroad program.
Students who are placed on disciplinary probation after being approved to study abroad will have their approvals revoked.
Selection Process
Selection is a two-step process. Students must be approved by the Newcomb-Tulane Study Abroad Committee and accepted by the program or host university. The Newcomb-Tulane College Study Abroad Committee reviews all applications for study abroad, and scrutinizes closely all Independent Scholar Option (ISO) proposals, as well as those applications that do not meet the minimum eligibility requirements. The Committee is composed of faculty members representing Newcomb-Tulane College, School of Liberal Arts, School of Science and Engineering, School of Architecture and School of Business, as well as select administrators.
Selection for study abroad is based on the application, written essay, letters of recommendation, prior coursework and CGPA, as well as proposed course of study.
Some competition may occur within the various programs. Review of each application is confidential. The original application is the time to present the strongest case.
If a student believes there are grounds for an appeal, s/he 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.
Language & Culture Studies Policy
Language & Culture Preparation
The language of a country is intrinsically linked to the culture of that country. Knowledge of language is fundamental to understanding the subtle nuances and deep meanings of another culture. Even at the most basic level, language is a necessary tool to participate in the daily life of another culture, to develop social relationships, and engage in intellectual pursuits in the host country.
As part of Tulane’s core undergraduate curriculum, students are required to develop language and cultural competencies to prepare them actively participate in a global society. Tulane students have the opportunity to enrich their undergraduate course of study at Tulane through a rewarding academic experience abroad. To assist this, Tulane requires students to make a significant intellectual investment in their study abroad experience through solid academic preparation at Tulane and study of the host language and culture while abroad.
Language and Culture Preparation at Tulane before Departure
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). This is achieved by successfully completing a minimum of one year or more (or the equivalent) of college-level language study before going abroad. (Additional languages can be added to the list without prior notice.) Many programs require additional language preparation.
In competitive programs, preference will be given to students who take one course in the target language in the semester prior to departure. Current language proficiency is generally considered when reviewing applications for acceptance. Students should refer to specific eligibility requirements listed in the Tulane Study Abroad Program information section (section 4) or the OSA Web site.
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Language and Culture Coursework Abroad
While abroad, students must take at least one course for credit in the language of the country during each semester spent abroad. This may be a course in learning the language of the country or one conducted in the language of the country. Failure to study formally in a foreign language will result in the loss of all credit for the year/semester. Students studying in English-speaking countries are exempt from the language requirement (see below). In addition, students must enroll in one course focusing on culture of the host country. Specific coursework requirements are listed in the Tulane Study Abroad program information.
English-Language Study Abroad
All study abroad in English-speaking countries is undertaken through direct enrollment alongside local degree-seeking students. Tulane students will undertake a full course of study, generally in their major field or a defined academic interest, alongside regular degree candidates in the host country. Students must enroll in one course focusing on culture of the host country.
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