Tulane School of Professional Advancement — Attraction in New Orleans

I guess time will tell what rating Tulane's SoPA deserves, but I can't say I was 100% satisfied.

I'm glad I did it. It felt good to use my brain again. My advisors were always helpful.

But for the sake of reviewing the whole thing and giving feedback, I have three criticisms that kept it from being five stars.

The first one might seem petty, but when I was considering Tulane, I was told that after six credits, the seventh was free. That was the policy my first year. It was discontinued after that one year due to a whole reconfiguration. It went from continuing studies to professional advancement, and that every-seventh-credit-is-free went out the window, just when I was enrolling in my sixth and seventh credit. So that seemed like a bad business deal.

After that, I took a couple online classes that I felt were totally worthless. I also had a couple online classes that were great, but the bad ones made me question the worth of my degree.

Then, lastly, I wish I wouldn't have felt like such a Tulane also-ran. It felt like JV Tulane sometimes. For instance, I could've chosen an IT degree with an emphasis on business, but the business classes wouldn't have been through Tulane's more prestigious business school, but rather through a night school in Elmwood with nothing in common with the real one. Real Tulane students can use the Reily Center, but not us. Why not?

Hope this helps...

My entire experience with Tulane's School of Professional Advancement (SOPA) was outstanding! This was one of the most challenging and rewarding academic endeavors I have faced to date. It started with my first discussion with the SOPA Professor of Practice and Director Emergency and Security Studies who convinced me that the program was designed for professionals like me who have limited free time and many obligations outside work. The faculty pushed me and solicited my input from my military experience and time in the corporate world. The staff were always very helpful and genuinely cared about my satisfaction. I was also pleased at the level of effort the faculty placed on offering career suggestions and passing on job opportunities to the students. My experience in this program and the bonds formed with the faculty and staff exceeded my expectations. I am forever grateful and wholeheartedly endorse Tulane's SOPA! Col (ret)...

My experience was amazing as a Tulane student. I was apprehensive initially because of being an older adult. But with alot of family encouragement I graduate with a B.A. in Digital Design and then continued and received a Masters in Liberal Arts two years later. One of my most memorable experiences was having a chance opportunity to meet the Dalai Lama, he spoke at my graduation for my B.A. I happened to be at the Convention Center to purchase prayer flags and he walked in the door, so I had to meet him. It was a moving experience and one I will never forget. I went on to become an art teacher for Jefferson Parish, a job I had only once dreamed of having. Sometimes it is not only about the salary but to be able to do something I love doing and making a difference in a child's life is truly a dream come true! Thank you Tulane! Without you none of this would have...