Individualized Study Abroad with Accademia Italiana
Florence, Italy • Fall, Spring, Or Summer
APPLICATION DEADLINES: For FALL TERM is APRIL 1, for SPRING TERM is OCTOBER 1, and for SUMMER TERM is MARCH 1
What is an Individualized Study Abroad Program?
This external program type allows you to study abroad and transfer credit to ArtCenter to fulfill major and/or H&S requirements with approval. You may also use state/federal aid if you are eligible through FAFSA.
What is Accademia Italiana?
Accademia Italiana is an international institute of art, fashion, and design located in Florence, Italy. Students apply to Accademia Italiana and study there for a semester while earning transfer credit toward their ArtCenter degree.
How to Apply
Step 1 — Submit application to ArtCenter Global Programs portal
Step 2 — Once approved by Global Programs, apply directly to study abroad program
Step 3 — Forward your study abroad program acceptance notification to Global Programs
For a detailed breakdown of the full process, visit this page.
Application Deadlines
Submit ArtCenter Global Programs application by:
February 1 — Summer or Fall term abroad
September 1 — Spring term abroad
Study abroad program deadlines vary but are typically due one term prior to your term abroad. Check your program for exact deadlines.
ACADEMICS
Areas of Study
Graphic Design • Illustration • Photography • Product Design • Spatial Experience Design • other majors may be eligible
Credit
Transfer up to 15 credits to ArtCenter
Students seeking transfer credit must complete ArtCenter's Individualized Study Abroad Authorization process.
Schedule
Fall Term: Mid-August - Mid-December
Spring Term: Mid-January - Mid-May
Summer Term: Mid-June - Late-July
ELIGIBILITY
• Have completed at least two terms
• Have at least one term remaining at ArtCenter after returning
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
• Not be on academic or disciplinary probation at the time of application
If you are not sure if you meet all the minimum eligibility requirements, you are still welcome to apply.
COST
Administrative fee
Pay a $250 fee to ArtCenter’s Global Program Office to confirm your participation.
Tuition
Participants in Accademia Italiana program pay all tuition and program fees directly to Accademia Italiana. Please follow this link for a full breakdown of these fees and what they cover. No ArtCenter tuition will be due for this program.
Additional estimated expenses to consider
• Round-trip international airfare: up to $1,500
• Passport: $135
• Visa (if required)
• Daily living expenses (meals, cellphone charges, toiletries, etc.): $50–$60 per day, varies by location and personal budget
Financial Aid + Scholarships
• You may use eligible state and federal financial aid if you complete ArtCenter’s Individualized Study Abroad Authorization process.
• ArtCenter institutional scholarships and grants are not available for this program.
• Additional scholarships may be available from outside sources:artcenterstudyaway.com/pay-for-study-away
HOUSING
Accademia Italiana offers housing for a fee. Visit this link for more information.
About This Program:
Accademia Italiana offers study abroad programs for US university students in the fall and spring semesters and in the summer.
Courses are available in English in design-related areas of study, including Fashion Design, Interior and Product Design, Graphic Design, Photography and New Media, and Jewelry Design. Studio Art and Liberal Arts classes provide an opportunity to learn about Italian art, history, culture and language.
Fall and spring study abroad students normally take 4 or 5 classes during the semester, which count for 3 academic credits each except for Italian, which provides 4 credits.
The summer program is 6 weeks long and includes a selection of classes focused on design, studio art, art history, Italian language and culture. Students can take one intensive 6-credit course or choose two 3-credit classes.
Visit the subject area sections for course listings and descriptions.
Programs include a comprehensive orientation, trips and excursions, and a housing placement service at no additional fee.
Learn More
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Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance, is a city of art, with ever present cultural and historic richness around every corner. The city is easy to navigate and full of incredible sites like the Ponte Vecchio, Pitti Palace, Piazza della Signoria, Accademia and San Marco creating a wonderful backdrop. Walk along the Arno river, visit museums, art galleries, churches and theaters. Sit in a sidewalk cafe, shop the latest Italian fashions, or spend time sketching the city. Despite its small size, there is a large international student population in the city, so it’s easy to connect with other young artists and designers. Florence is centrally located, so it’s easy to take the train to Tuscany, Rome, or Milan.
STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Use our online calendar to schedule an appointment!
Fall And Spring Semester Courses
Study abroad students are welcome to take design classes and to choose among an ample selection of Liberal Arts classes that focus on Italian language, culture, and art. Classes are taught in English or Italian, but students do not need Italian language to study at Academia Italiana.
They offer study abroad programs in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
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Study abroad students have access to a variety of English taught liberal arts courses that can transfer back as H&S credit. Each class is worth 3 credits, except for Italian language, which is with 4 credits. Course descriptions can be found here. Examples include:
FDTC390 History of 20th Century Fashion
ITLN 101 Elementary Italian
MSIC 310 Italian Cinema
SASF 110: Sketching Florence -
Students can choose from a combination of Fashion Design and Textile Design studio courses. Each course is worth 3 credits. Course descriptions can be found here. Examples include:
FDPD 290: Pattern Design I & II
FDMK 471: Marketing & Trends
TDTP 190: Textile PrintingDuring the course of study great attention is paid not only to the artistic and creative aspects of design, but also to the technical, with continuous reviews of students work throughout the design process.
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Students can choose from a combination of Interior + Product Design studio courses. Each course is worth 3 credits. Course descriptions can be found here. Examples include:
IDID 290-490: Industrial Design I, II, & III
IDCC 290: Introduction to AutoCad
IDMP 590: Materials and Industrial PlanningStudents will develop the capacity to design both individual objects and furnished spaces both on an industrial scale and "to measure." The major features the use of both traditional design instruments and the computer, with lessons and exercises using specific software.
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Students can choose from a variety of graphic design courses. Each one is worth 3 credits. Course descriptions can be found here. Examples include:
GDLT 290: Lettering
GDIN 390: Advertising Design
GDPD 390: Publishing DesignIn the Graphic Design program, students' creative potential will be developed in various directions (photography, use of the image and color theory) while they will also build a solid background in the fundamentals of advertising and market dynamics. This approach will help them to develop the flexibility and competence with which to excel in their professional endeavors.
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Students can choose from a variety of photography courses. Each one is worth 3 credits. Course descriptions can be found here. Examples include:
PTFP 390: Fashion Photography
PTLP 390: Landscape Photography
PTPJ 490: PhotojournalismThe Bachelor's degree in Photography and New Media is an artistic course of study at the university level that offers practical experience as well as cultural and technical knowledge that students apply to various areas of photography, from fashion to still life and from photojournalism to photo shoots in the studio and outdoors.