Tulane University - Fall Semester in Rome

John Cabot University is Tulane’s partner for the Fall Semester in Rome program for Spring Scholars. Established in 1972, JCU is an American liberal arts university accredited in the United States by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (www.msche.org) and awards Bachelor of Arts degrees in the fields of business, communications, humanities, and the social sciences. All courses are taught in English, and the academic environment and support is typical of that of a university in the U.S. The University values the quality of its academic programs as well as its student support services and its extensive range of extracurricular and co-curricular activities.

JCU’s diverse student body of over 1,800 students from about 75 different countries and 47 U.S. states and its outstanding and dedicated faculty come together in Rome to learn and explore following the American liberal arts tradition of critical thinking and communication of knowledge. Class sizes average about 18 students, allowing for an exchange of ideas and opinions within the context of Rome as a global city of cultural heritage, diplomacy, and modernity.

Faculty

Student Enrollment Profile

During the Fall semester at JCU, you may take courses across a wide range of subjects. Your JCU courses fulfill Tulane requirements and transfer for credit when you continue at Tulane beginning in the spring. Most JCU classes are 3-credit courses. A normal semester course load would be 5 courses for 15 credits.

JCU’s Fall semester schedule of classes Tulane Spring Scholars approved courses

Tulane Spring Scholars will stay in one of the JCU Residences. You will have at least one other Spring Scholar in your apartment. All JCU residences have 24/7 security, on-call JCU staff, and a community of Resident Assistants and Resident Directors to provide support for students during their stay at JCU. All apartments have WiFi, fully equipped kitchens, bed and bath linens, and a washing machine. To learn more about JCU Housing, please visit our website at: JCU Housing.

JCU’s Office of Housing and Residential Life upholds the American belief that students living in a community of their peers benefit both academically and socially. However, JCU Housing differs from a typical dorm-style experience and challenges students to take on the responsibilities that come with living in a fully equipped, independent apartment.

During your fall semester in Rome, you will register as a full-time student at John Cabot University, paying JCU tuition and fees. Once you confirm your participation in the Fall Semester in Rome program, you will begin to receive important pre-arrival information to help prepare for your semester in Italy: how to confirm your enrollment, reserve your housing preferences, and pay your tuition and fees.

Tulane Spring Scholars who are United States citizens or permanent residents may apply for a private Sallie Mae Smart Option Loan for educational expenses. This is the most common option, although some students may find private loans from other organizations. 

Additionally, students may explore the John Cabot University Study Abroad Scholarship. Italian-American students may also consider the Pietro Secchia Scholarship. 

In order to study at JCU, you will need to obtain a study visa. Once you are officially enrolled, the university will provide the required documents and explain the process to obtain your student visa. Citizens of the European Union do not require a visa to study in Italy. Please book your visa appointment up to 180 days prior to August 25th, 2025, through your local Italian Consulate, as appointments book well in advance. 

You will enroll in five 3-credit courses during the fall semester at John Cabot University, earning 15 or 16 semester credits. Tulane has transfer articulations with selected JCU courses, so you are assured that your JCU credits will transfer and fulfill General Education requirements in the Tulane curriculum.

In the Fall Semester in Rome program, you may select from a variety of courses that allow you to study onsite at some of the most important cultural heritage sites in the world. Or, you can select classes that provide greater insights into the social, cultural, and political environment of Italy and Europe. Studying with students from all over the world provides you with a rich and unique opportunity to question, learn, and discover international perspectives.

Spring Scholars will register online for Tulane's pre-selected transfer courses before arriving at JCU.

Once your enrollment in JCU is confirmed, you will receive information about online registration. Online registration will start on Wednesday, June 4th, 2025, at 6:30 pm EST (USA). 

Tulane Spring Scholars should apply to John Cabot University as a “Study Abroad Student” using our online application. Students also must submit a housing application. Students must turn 18 by August 25th, 2025, in order to qualify for the program.

In your application for admission, please list under Education - School Name:
Tulane University - Freshman Program

This will allow us to fast-track your application and receive the required admissions documents directly from Tulane.

By applying as a Tulane Spring Scholar, you are giving Tulane permission to exchange admissions documents with JCU. JCU will review your documents in a timely manner and inform you of your admissions status as soon as possible.

Academic Calendar
Admissions: Online application
Housing: Online application