STUDY ABROAD
OVERVIEW
Ave Maria University’s Study Abroad Program in Rome, Italy focuses on furthering students’ academic and spiritual growth. Students are given the opportunity to live, study, and pray in the heart of the Eternal City during the semester that works best for them: fall, spring, or summer.
Location
During their time abroad, students will be immersed in the history and teachings of the Church, walking in the footsteps of saints and other important figures both in Rome and in its surrounding cities. The villa where our students live is located at the top of Via delle Fornaci, just steps away from St. Peter's Square.
Student Life
Our on-site staff and faculty have years of experience living, studying, and leading groups in and around the city; they are well-versed in Rome, the Christian faith, and the life-changing impact of a well-curated semester abroad. In addition to the more structured elements of the program, students are also given ample free time to do their own exploring—classes meet four days/week, leaving each three-day weekend open for personal travel and sightseeing. Also included in the program is a weekend pilgrimage to Assisi, the city of St. Francis, and optional trips to Florence and Orvieto.
FALL & SPRING PROGRAMS
Students seeking a longer study abroad experience may choose to go abroad during the fall or spring. Both programs are 11 weeks in length, with students taking between 12 and 16 credits in total (a full-time load).
A mix of general electives and core curriculum requirements are offered while in Rome. All courses are AMU courses taken for AMU credit. Each class meeting will take place at a different location throughout the city, depending on the topic for the day.
AMU staff work closely with the Rome team to ensure that the courses offered in Rome fit well within our overall framework here on campus. The courses offered in Rome are:
• HUMS 220R: Approaches to the Eternal City (fall/spring)
• HUMS 221R: Art & Architecture of Rome (fall/spring/summer)
• LIT 220R: Poetics (fall/spring)
• THEO 220R: Aquinas on Virtue (fall/spring)
• PHIL 205R: Nature & Person (fall only)
• PHIL 206R: Ethics (spring only)
In Art & Architecture of Rome, each class meeting will take place at a different location throughout the city, depending on the topic for the day. All other courses are taught in a normal classroom setting.
Additional information regarding course offerings can be found here.
SUMMER PROGRAM
Can't swing a full semester away? Spend your summer abroad instead!
In addition to the fall and spring programs, AMU is now offering a four week summer Rome program with all the same fun, adventure, and cultural enrichment as the fall and spring programs—think of it as a “mini” version of the programs, taking place at the same location and with the same staff as the fall and spring programs. This option is ideal for varsity athletes, nursing, and other majors who have less flexibility during the regular school year.
During the summer, students will take our flagship course, Art & Architecture of Rome. Each class meeting will take place at a different location throughout the city, depending on the topic for the day.
Meals, lodging, tuition, and two to three organized weekends (including a pilgrimage to Assisi) are included in program costs.
Total cost for Summer 2026: $5,491
TO ROME, WITH LOVE
Current Students: Ready to learn more? Attend an info session!
Dates: January 14, January 19, January 27, February 5 & February 16
Time: 8:00 p.m.
Location: Thomas & Selby Prince Building, Rm. 115.
Please note: Students must attend one of these sessions in order to gain access to the application for the following terms: Summer 2026, Fall 2026, Spring 2027 (early admission). Questions? Email AMUAbroad@avemaria.edu.
APPLYING FOR STUDY ABROAD
Students who are interested in a semester in Rome should first attend an informational session with our Study Abroad Coordinator, Alexandrea Bartsch (see above for session dates). At the informational session, students are given a thorough overview of the program, as well as access to apply.
Requirements For Admission
- Students are permitted to study abroad as early as their third semester at AMU.
- Students must have reached 18 years of age prior to the departure date for the program to be eligible to participate.
- Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
- All undergraduate, degree-seeking, AMU students who meet the minimum requirements for admission are welcome to apply.
- Student academic, health, and discipline records are evaluated by the Study Abroad Coordinator, in cooperation with the Office of Student Affairs and Dean of Faculty, for the health and maturity necessary to meet the challenges of the Rome program. Students who are actively on academic or disciplinary probation may not study abroad.
Please note: The program is not suited for married students or students with families. Rooms are shared, and separated by gender, and there are no single rooms.
IMPORTANT PROGRAM DATES AND DEADLINES
Spring 2026
- Applications for Spring 2026 are now closed.
- Program Dates: January 27–April 8, 2026
Summer 2026
- Completed applications will be reviewed in the order received.
- Final Deadline for Summer Applications: February 20, by 5:00 p.m.
- Program Dates: June 3–June 28, 2026
Fall 2026
- Final Deadline for Early Admission: February 27, by 5:00 p.m.
- Program Dates: October – December 2026 (exact dates TBA)
PROGRAM COSTS
Students going abroad during the fall and spring pay regular AMU tuition, fees, room, and board.* In addition, students also pay a $3,500 program fee ($300 upon admission; $3,200 prior to the start of the program).
The total cost for Summer 2026 is $5,491 per student.
Students are responsible for their airfare, spending money, and passport fees.
Commuter students should factor in the additional cost of room and board when calculating their program costs.
For more information regarding tuition and costs, please visit our Tuition and Costs page.
Included in Program Costs:
- Lodging at the villa (shared rooms, separated by gender)
- Laundry service
- 3 meals/day at the villa
- Bed linens, towels
- Group weekend pilgrimage to Assisi