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SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL ADVANCEMENT

FAQs

General FAQ

The School of Professional Advancement is ideal for students who need flexibility without sacrificing the quality. Our students range from recent high school graduates and working professionals to military personnel, stay-at-home parents, and people with disabilities. We also welcome employees seeking professional development and Tulane alumni.

Any person with a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED) may enroll in noncredit or undergraduate courses. Some courses may have specific college-level work prerequisites. Admission to a graduate degree program requires a completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and minimum grade requirements. You can learn more about Admissions Requirements here.

You are earning a degree from Tulane University. Tulane University will be at the top of your diploma. The name of the school within the university (ie. School of Professional Advancement, School of Business, School of Public Health) will also be included on your diploma.

Tulane University, and all schools within Tulane including the School of Professional Advancement, is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award undergraduate and graduate degrees and certificates. 

The School of Professional Advancement follows the same academic calendar (start and end dates) as the main Tulane campus. However, our online classes give you the flexibility to complete coursework on a schedule that fits your life. You can access the Academic Calendar here.

Students enrolled in School of Professional Advancement courses have reported spending approximately 8- 12 hours per week on readings and assignments for a 3-credit course in one semester.  In 8 week terms, which is a compressed format, students should plan for around 8-15 hours of work per week on readings, discussions, and assignments for a 3-credit course.  Plan to spend extra time when you have papers, projects, or exams. Graduate-level courses will likely require more time per week.

This answer varies for each student. There are many factors (e.g., transfer credits, course load per semester or 8-week term) that influence how long it will take. Students generally take between 1 or 2 classes per 8-week term. A graduate certificate can be completed in a minimum of two 8-week terms or up to four semesters, while a student can finish a a graduate degree in in as little as one year when taking two courses per 8-week term.

Courses are accessed through Canvas and created in partnership with our faculty and our instructional designers and informed by industry leaders to ensure a learning experience that is tailored to the subject matter, expected learning outcomes, and industry needs. You'll learn through lessons taught by faculty who work in the professions they teach. Lessons often involve videos, podcasts, and other interactive activities. You will also have the opportunity to interact with your faculty and classmates in live sessions via videoconferencing, and you can work together through course content, discussion forums, and class announcements. For more information about online learning at the School of Professional Advancement, please visit here.

Canvas is Tulane's online learning management system. All coursework, for both on-campus and online courses, is in Canvas. This allows for easy access to all the assignments and materials you will need for your courses. You can learn more about Canvas here.

Your assignments and exams are submitted through Canvas, Tulane’s online learning management system. Your instructor will create assignments, exams, and quizzes, and then you will submit your work electronically through the system.

Admissions FAQ

The School of Professional Advancement does not require test scores or letters of recommendation. Our goal is to make the application process as simple as possible. Visit our admissions process page for more information.

Deadlines are January 1 for the spring semester, May 1 for the summer semester, and August 1 for the fall semester. Admissions is rolling and you can apply at any time.

You will receive emails prompting you to register for class once the schedule is available to students. Visit the Schedule of Classes to see all available courses. To limit your course search to School of Professional Advancement courses, click on the search button at the bottom of the page that reads, Professional Advancement ONLY, after entering your search options. Courses included at the School of Professional Advancement tuition rate can be identified on the Schedule of Classes by a School of Professional Advancement icon near the top of the course listing, between the course title and the CRN.

The application process for a transfer student is streamlined and we make the process as simple as possible. Undergraduate students may transfer up to 75 credits and graduate students may transfer up to 9 credits. Additionally, many transfer students are eligible for a 20% discount on tuition. Learn more about how to transfer undergraduate credits to the School of Professional Advancement. Learn more about how to transfer undergraduate credits to the School of Professional Advancement. Learn more about how to transfer graduate level credits to the School of Professional Advancement.

Financial FAQ

Yes! The School of Professional Advancement offers tuition discounts, scholarships, and financial aid to students. Visit our Financial Assistance page for more information.

Tuition is based upon how many credit hours you register for in each semester or term, and calculated per credit hour. For more information, visit our Tuition and Fees page, which includes a tuition calculator to help determine your cost of attendance.

The School of Professional Advancement caters to online students and working professionals who want the degree without the extra fees. Traditional undergraduate and graduate students at Tulane contribute to campus services and amenities that are not used by online students such as the Student Recreation Center, Campus Dining Halls, and housing expenses.

Beginning fall 2026, graduate credits are $900 per credit hour. The rate is the same whether your course is on campus or online. Most master’s degrees are 33 credits, meaning your degree would cost $29,700. However, many students qualify for a 20% discount, reducing the cost of the degree to $23,760. Some students may also be eligible for up to 6 credits awarded for work and life experience, making the total cost of the degree to about $18,360.

Beginning fall 2026, undergraduate credits are $600 per credit hour. The rate is the same whether your course is on campus or online. A full degree is 120 credits, meaning your degree would cost $72,000.

Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees accept up to 60 transfer credits. If you transfer 60 credits, the cost of your Tulane degree is $36,000. However, many students qualify for a 20% discount, reducing the cost of the degree to $28,608.

The Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies accepts up to 75 transfer credits. If you transfer 75 credits, the cost of your Tulane degree is $27,000. However, many students qualify for a 20% discount, reducing the cost of the degree to $21,600.

The School of Professional Advancement honors the service of armed forces members. We offer an unlimited number of Yellow Ribbon Scholarships up to $10,000 per year and a 20% discount on all courses. Visit our Veterans and Active Duty Military page for more information.

Eight-Week Terms FAQ

  • Increased Focus: Students can concentrate on fewer courses (e.g., two at a time) rather than juggling four or five, reducing the feeling of being overwhelmed.
  • Accelerated Format: Accelerated, 8-week terms allow students to finish courses in half the time of a traditional 16-week semester. A shorter timeframe can keep students engaged and motivated, reducing the risk of burnout.
  • Flexibility for Life/Work: The format is ideal for students who work or have other responsibilities, providing more balance to manage their schedules.

Yes. Undergraduates can remain full-time by taking at least four courses across two 8 week terms, or part time by taking three or fewer courses in the same academic semester. Graduate students stay full-time by taking at least three courses across two 8 week terms. If you are using financial aid to support your education, make sure to reach out to your financial aid counselor.

It is recommended that students enroll in one class in each 8-week term. If you would like to accelerate your progress, you should speak with your advisor regarding the right course load for your goals.

Because the pace of the 8-week term structure is accelerated, we strongly recommend that undergraduate students take no more than two courses every eight weeks and speak to their advisor should they wish to take more. Graduate students may enroll in up to 2 courses per 8-week term but must receive permission from the program director due to the intensity of the workload in the accelerated format.

Yes. Certain courses will only be offered as 8-week options. You can find the list here. When taking both 16-week and 8-week classes at the same time, we highly encourage you to discuss your schedule with your academic advisor.

No, the price per credit hour will be the same for both 8-week and 16-week classes. Starting in Fall 2026, tuition is $600 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $900 per credit hour for graduate courses.

The Master of Science in Cyber Technology, Master of Science in Sport Administration, Bachelor of Science in Organizational Behavior and Management and the Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies can all be earned exclusively through 8-week terms.

Some undergraduate courses in the Media + Design, Information Technology, Kinesiology, Paralegal,  Business and Leadership Studies, and Humanities & Social Sciences programs will also offer 8-week courses.  
 

Students who are already enrolled in the BS in Organizational Behavior and Management Studies, MS in Sport Studies, MS in IT Management, and the MS in Cybersecurity, will automatically roll over to the 8-week term format. You may view the complete list of 8-week undergraduate and graduate courses here. Check with your advisor if you are unsure whether your courses are affected or if you have any questions.

The 8-week term is accelerated, so you can expect a faster pace than a traditional semester. However, instructors and the team of instructional designers have redesigned course assignments and assessments, so the pace should feel fast, but manageable. Because you will typically take fewer courses at one time, you can concentrate your energy and attention more fully on each subject. Many students find that this focused approach helps them stay engaged, absorb material efficiently, and balance coursework with professional and personal responsibilities.

You must register for at least six credit hours per semester to be eligible for financial aid.  This can be two courses or one course in one 8-week term. Your financial aid will be disbursed based on the number of hours that you’re enrolled, your specific financial aid eligibility, as well as your status as a full time or part time student. Always speak to a Financial Aid Advisor before making any changes to your schedule after the start of the semester.

Yes, but all courses in 8-week terms are online and mostly asynchronous, with opportunities to have live sessions with your instructor and other classmates. The 8 week term calendar is distinct from the full semester schedule. As a result, breaks do not always align with other university scheduled breaks.  The break schedule is as follows:

  • 1-week break between Fall I and Fall II
  • 4-week break between Fall II and Spring I
  • 1-week break between Spring I and Spring II
  • 1-week break between Spring II and Summer
  • 4-week break between Summer and Fall I

See more details on the 8-Week Terms Academic Calendar.

You’ll register for 16-week courses and both 8-week terms (Term I and Term II) at the same time during the regular registration period.

All 8-week courses will have an indicator on the Schedule of Classes under “Part of Term”. 8-week courses will be labeled Fall I, Fall II, Spring I, Spring II, or Summer.

Don't see the answer to your question? Email asksopa@tulane.edu.