Information for:
If you are a University of Southern California (USC) transfer applicant, taking your freshman year classes at John Cabot University (JCU) in Rome allows you to enroll in a variety of competitive courses that are transferable to the University of Southern California (USC). This can help prepare you should you successfully transfer to USC in your sophomore year.
JCU recognizes that your priority is to successfully transfer to USC after a year of studying with us in Rome. We work closely with USC to ensure that we offer an ample quantity of competitive courses that can help transfer applicants make progress towards their USC transfer admissions requirements.
JCU also understands that this will be your first year of university. JCU has many freshmen from the US and other countries who will also be starting college a bit farther from home – so you are not alone in your decision to study in Rome!
USC recognizes the value of an extended international experience early on in your college career. When you live and learn in another country, you develop a deeper understanding of and respect for intercultural differences, greater flexibility and adaptability, and an openness to new ideas. These characteristics are valued by companies, organizations, and universities and will distinguish you as you move along in your life and career.
While JCU provides you with the freedom for intellectual and personal growth in a different culture, at the same time, you will be surrounded by the familiar structure of a solid American academic and student service environment. This combination of both ”foreign” and “familiar” is exciting and refreshing. Students who enjoy being
independent, have a strong desire to reflect and learn, and wish to challenge themselves in an international setting, will thrive in this context.
As you explore John Cabot University for your freshmen year, please remember that you may always come back to this dedicated page by going to the John Cabot website and searching under “USC Course Transfers or USC-T.”
Information Session
Please view a recording of the USC Transfer Applicant Info Session here.
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.
Academic Calendar
Admissions: Online application
Housing: Online application
Deadlines for John Cabot University enrollment as a “USC Transfer Applicants Students” are below. Space at JCU may be limited, so decisions will be made on a rolling basis.
| USC Transfer Applicants | Application Deadline | Deposit Deadline |
| Admissions Application | May 1 | May 15 |
| Housing Application | May 15 | May 15 |
Admission to USC requires a high level of success, and your USC-JCU articulated courses are likely to be more rigorous than those you have experienced in high school. Successfully completing your course transfer plan demands hard work and focus.
During the fall semester at JCU, you may take courses across a wide range of subjects. JCU’s course articulation agreement with USC allows you to take JCU courses that fulfill USC requirements for transfer admissions. Most JCU classes are 3-credit courses. A normal semester course load would be 5 courses for 15 credits.
In addition to the specific courses that help transfer applicants make progress towards USC transfer admissions requirements such as classes in English and mathematics, JCU offers a large selection of courses which fulfill USC general education requirements. 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 insight 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.
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).
USC - JCU Course Transfer Articulation | JCU’s Fall semester schedule of classes
You may also find this link helpful: USC’s Transfer Planning Guide Transfer Planning Guide
Visiting USC Transfer Applicant students will be housed in one of the JCU residences. All JCU residences have 24/7 security, on-call JCU staff, a staff Resident Director, and a community of Resident Assistants 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. There will be at least two USC students in each apartment. Students may request up to 2 roommates in the housing application. To learn more about JCU Housing options and pricing, 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 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.
Beginning with the fall semester in Rome, you will register as a full-time study abroad student at John Cabot University, paying JCU tuition and fees. Once you confirm your participation, you will begin to receive important pre-arrival information to help prepare for your year in Italy: how to confirm your enrollment, obtain your study visa, reserve your housing preferences, and pay your tuition and fees.
Students 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 needed documents and explain the process required 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.
The links below will take you to the relevant section of the John Cabot University website:
Tuition and Housing Fees
USC Competitive Course for Transfer Students Online Information Session
Student Life
Health and Wellbeing
Housing and Residential Life
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Student Consumer Information (N.B. U.S. Federal Financial Aid cannot be used for USC Transfer Plan students)
