What You’ll Study
TOTAL CREDITS - 12-17 credits per semester
Students who choose to study abroad in Rome with API at the John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome can study a wide variety of disciplines in English. Most API students choose to complete an Italian language course along with several other elective courses taught in English. It is highly recommended that students enroll in at least one Italian language course per semester. Italian language courses are taught at all levels.
Course registration is conducted online prior to departure. Some courses do fill, so students are advised to have 1-2 alternates pre-approved for each class. Students complete a total of four to five courses and receive 12-17 credit hours per semester session; most courses are equivalent to 3 credits. The program fee includes a maximum of 17 credits per semester session. Courses with site visits require an additional fee. API recommends that students obtain pre-approval from their home university for courses that they plan on taking abroad.
JCU offers both lower division and upper division courses. Course numbers are as follows: 100-299 freshman, sophomore or other introductory level courses; 300-399 junior or senior-level courses (requires a background in the material); 400-499 seniors only. Some courses may have prerequisites listed after the course description.
Some courses may require additional fees for books, labs, equipment, etc. These fees are not included in the program cost. Students are encouraged to make course selections from the online listings when completing the program application as course listings, descriptions, prerequisites and/or lab fees are subject to change.
Most courses taught at JCU require the use of personal computers. While computers are available in the computer labs, students are strongly encouraged to bring a laptop with them.
HONORS CLASSES
Students at JCU who have a minimum G.P.A. of 3.5 have the option of taking specifically designated “Honors Courses.” Honors courses are designated with an “H” on the online course listings and on the student’s final transcript and are worth 4 semester credits each. This option also offers additional educational activities (seminars, papers, projects, etc.) and further mentoring by the professor.
INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
API students have the opportunity to participate in an internship for a semester or academic year while studying at JCU. Internships are only credit-bearing if the student stays for a semester or full academic year and submits all required documents by the API application deadline (though interested students are encouraged to apply early). Internships may or may not require Italian experience; it will depend upon the specific placement. There are no extra charges for the internship. Students who are interested in this opportunity should submit a CV/resume and letter of interest to their API Program Manager in addition to their API application. Once your Program Manager receives all completed supplemental application components for the internship, you will then be contacted by the JCU internship coordinator for follow up.
THE JCU INSTITUTE FOR ENTREPRENEURSHIP
JCU has created an innovative Institute for Entrepreneurship, offering students a variety of means to tap into and develop their creative business skills. There are a number of courses on the schedule that fit in this track, along with internship options at the Institute, as well as with local businesses. Involvement with the Institute for Entrepreneurship also exposes students to unique events, workshops, and networking opportunities to meet and learn from successful entrepreneurs and companies.
“ITALY READS” VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
JCU has developed an extensive network of over 45 Italian public high schools as part of its Italy Reads program. In one year alone 70 study abroad students visited Italian high schools to collaborate with Italian high school teachers of English and their students on discussions of a selected novel. For the fall 2013 term, the novel students will be reading is Jhumpa Lahiri’s “The Namesake,” which was specially selected to address multiculturalism in Italian public high schools.
To participate in this program, students will sign up online before they leave, undertake a short not-for-credit training course on the selected novel, and then they receive an additional orientation in Rome before beginning. Upon completion of the program, students receive a certificate. For more information on this option, please contact your API Program Manager.
TRANSCRIPTS
API students will receive a transcript from John Cabot University upon completion of the program. John Cabot University is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
