Rome Program Overview
Experience the world’s most extraordinary art and architecture first-hand. Live in a major international city and center of European history and culture. See Italy’s most notable cities, towns, archaeological sites, gardens, and historical and contemporary art collections. Spend a term in an ancient yet contemporary European capital.
Cornell in Rome is a semester long study-abroad program of Cornell University’s College of Architecture, Art, and Planning. Educating students in Italy for over twenty years, the program has long provided a transformative experience for young, developing artists, architects, urbanists, and scholars. The program is open to students in and outside Cornell in the disciplines of architecture, visual arts, and urban studies, as well as related fields like art history, classics, European studies, medieval studies, and sociology.
Drawing upon the historical and cultural resources of Rome — its museums, art, and architecture — and the city’s beauty and complexity as an ancient and yet modern world capital, a semester in Rome has proven to be a pivotal semester for both intellectual and personal growth. The program provides extensive studio work, on-site classes, and a rich field trip itinerary.
Courses are offered both fall and spring terms in architecture, art, architectural history, art history, drawing, photography, architectural theory, contemporary Italian culture, and Italian language. Spring semesters also offer courses in urban studies and European politics. Maximum enrollment is 55 to 60 students each semester.
Weekly classes use the city and its wealth of museums, galleries, archaeological sites, villas, churches, and remarkable public spaces for on-site study, as well as Rome's many neighborhoods for field-based learning activities. An extensive field trip program to many different regions of Italy beyond Rome and a varied and dynamic lecture series featuring contemporary architects, artists, and planners complements course offerings.
Cornell in Rome's resident faculty are chosen from the best local and internationally known scholars, critics, architects, and artists, and are all expert at using the city as an unparalleled resource for instruction and inspiration. Additionally, distinguished Cornell professors from the Departments of Architecture, Art, and City and Regional Planning, live and teach in Rome for the entire term.
The program is based at Palazzo Lazzaroni, a handsomely restored, seventeenth-century palazzo, in the historic center of Rome. Large, completely furnished student apartments with wireless access — all within walking distance of studio and classroom space — house all participants.
As five-month-long residents of the center of Rome, students enjoy daily contact with the urban life of a major European city and its nearly 3,000 years of history and extraordinary backdrop of art and architecture. Cornell students say the Rome semester is the best of their undergraduate years. Consider joining us!
Application Deadlines
Applications should be submitted well in advance of the intended semester abroad. The deadline for the following academic year's fall and spring semesters is
November 1 for Cornell students and January 15 for off-campus applicants. Accepted students must confirm their enrollment by February 15.
Late Applicants
Late applications will be reviewed through April 1 for fall terms and October 1 for spring terms.
