About OGPS

The Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) is the service and support office for all masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral students in the School of Liberal Arts, School of Science and Engineering, School of Medicine - Biomedical Sciences, as well as doctoral students in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. OGPS advances graduate education and enhances graduate training through programmatic oversight, policy development, and the implementation of career and academic workshops.

Joseph Merrick Jones Hall at Tulane University on Monday, March 28, 2022.

The Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies serves all masters, doctoral, and postdoctoral students in the School of Liberal Arts, School of Science and Engineering, School of Medicine - Biomedical Sciences, as well as doctoral students in the School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine

Tulane University also offers research-oriented graduate programs in the Schools of Architecture, Business, Law,  Medicine, and Social Work. The School of Professional Advancement, the continuing education division of the university, sponsors a Master of Liberal Arts and a Master of Professional Studies. OGPS does not provide any programmatic oversight to these programs. 

You can browse the available graduate programs using this search tool

Every year, OGPS hosts a myriad of in-person and virtual events to engage student populations. From the internationally competitive Three-Minute Thesis to headshot opportunities to productivity sessions, there's something for everyone. If you are interested in learning more about the various events OGPS hosts, please visit our Event page

OGPS publishes a monthly newsletter with updates on workshops, events, and opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. If you would like to receive the newsletter via email, please register here. 

Graduate work was first offered at Tulane in 1883-84. Four students received Master of Arts degrees in 1885, and the first Doctor of Philosophy was conferred in 1887. In the ensuing years, graduate program offerings continued to develop under several different names and forms of administration. In 1925, the Faculty of Graduate Studies became the Graduate School.  With the renewal of the university in 2006, all graduate program administration returned to the respective schools, and the Graduate School was closed. Today, graduate studies are administered by the deans of the schools. At the departmental level, the graduate chair is responsible for the administration of graduate affairs.  The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) opened in 2012.   

If you have questions related to admissions or funding, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page. If the questions you have is not answered, you can reach out to the office via email at ogps@tulane.edu. 

Michael Cunningham He/Him

mcunnin1@tulane.edu | (504) 314 - 2818

Associate Provost for Graduate Studies and Research 

Professor of Psychology 

Michael is responsible for oversight of all graduate and professional studies academic issues at Tulane, and he assists in the formulation of university research policy. 

Jennifer O'Brien-Brown She/Her

jobrien2@tulane.edu | (504) 247-1213

Associate Director 

Jennifer is responsible for the day-to-day operations of OGPS as well as the formulation and dissemination of policies relevant to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Ryan Stivers He/Him

rstivers@tulane.edu | (504) 314-2402

Senior Academic and Career Adviser 

Ryan assists graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in achieving their career goals. He provides professional assistance in CV and resume writing, the job search, and leads career workshops and seminars. Current students and postdoctoral fellows can schedule an appointment online through Handshake.

Lauren Lukkarila She/They

llukkarila@tulane.edu 

Academic & Professional Development Support Specialist

Lauren develops and implements programs to help graduate students improve their academic speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills. She also has significant experience working with international and remote students to address the unique challenges those populations face.

Molly McClure She/They

mmcclure1@tulane.edu  | (504) 247-1214

Administrative Program Coordinator

Molly is responsible for the operations and administrative support of OGPS events as well as the communications relevant to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.