PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS AND GENERAL INFORMATION

• Minimum 2.75 G.P.A.
• One semester of college (those who do not meet this requirement are considered on case-by-case basis)
• Completed API application
• Advisor signature form
• One letter of recommendation
• One official transcript
• Classes taught in English and Italian
• Smaller classes, more individualized attention
• Housing: apartment residence with other API students
• Entry requirements: valid passport with student visa

TOTAL CREDIT HOURS

• 12-18 semester credits

EXCURSIONS

SPRING STUDENTS

• Florence: Heart of the Renaissance
• Lazio: Off the Beaten Path
• Pompeii
• Taste of Tuscany 

FALL STUDENTS

• Florence: Heart of the Renaissance
• Green Heart of Italy
• Lazio
• In the Shadow of Vesuvius: Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri

ACADEMIC PROGRAM

API students at the Lorenzo de’ Medici - The Italian International Institute (LdM) may participate in one of the following programs: 

FREE ELECTIVE PROGRAM

15-16 credit hours per semester (3-4 credits in language; 12 credits in electives)

This program is designed for students interested in selecting courses from a wide variety of disciplines with less emphasis on Italian language. Students select one language course and three to four additional courses from the course listings.

SUPER-INTENSIVE ITALIAN PROGRAM

18 credit hours per semester session (all credits in language; no electives allowed)

This program has been designed specifically for those students whose personal interest and/or academic priority is to learn Italian. Emphasis is placed on developing and/or broadening each student’s speaking, reading, writing and listening comprehension skills. Students enrolling in the Super-Intensive Italian Program are not allowed to add elective courses. Students are required to attend weekly seminars and guided city tours.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAM INFORMATION

Program selection must be made at the time of application and cannot be changed on-site. Students must take at least one Italian language course per semester session. Italian language courses are taught at all levels (beginning through advanced) while most other courses are taught in English. 

Students complete four to five courses and receive 12-16 credit hours per semester; most courses are equivalent to 3 credits. The number of semester credits for each course is indicated in parentheses after the course title. With the exception of the Super-Intensive Italian Program (for which students may earn up to 18 credits), the program fee includes a maximum of 16 credits per semester session; however, students may take additional courses for credit for an additional fee per course. Courses are available at lower- and upper-division levels. In general, 100 level courses are elementary, 200–300 level courses are intermediate, and 400 level courses are advanced.  Students who choose intermediate level Italian or higher complete a placement exam upon arrival to verify their level of proficiency. Students who do not meet the required proficiency level are assigned to the appropriate course.

Not all courses in the catalog are offered every session. The course selection may vary and no course is guaranteed. Some may require additional fees for books, labs, equipment, etc. These fees are not included in the program cost. Students should make their course selections from the online listings when completing the program application as course times, descriptions, prerequisites and lab fees are subject to change. API recommends that students obtain pre-approval from their home university for courses that they plan on taking abroad.

STUDIO ART COURSES

The class schedules on the API website indicate that many of the studio art courses involve two time blocks; students enrolled in those courses must attend both time blocks.

Placement exams for studio arts courses are mandatory for any student wishing to register for any course at a level other than beginning. Studio art placement tests are administered during the first week of classes. Students are provided with the exact meeting time during orientation.

COURSE MATERIALS AND LAB FEES

Many studio art classes require that students purchase their own materials. The cost of materials varies depending on the type of course. While students may want to bring some basic, easily transportable materials (such as brushes or pastels) with them, most course materials should be purchased in Italy once classes start. Students can speak directly with their instructors to make sure they buy exactly what is required for the course. Many studio arts and cuisine courses require a lab fee that is paid by students upon arrival. In addition, several courses from different departments require that students pay for visits and field trips as noted in the descriptions for such courses.

TRANSCRIPTS

You will receive U.S.-transferable credits for courses taken at LdM from Marist College. Courses at LdM in business administration are offered in partnership with Marist College's AACSB-accredited School of Management. Marist College is a four-year, fully accredited U.S. college in Poughkeepsie, New York.