APSU in Rome
Summer • Open to all Majors • 2025
Undergraduate
Program Overview
The Art in Rome program will allow students to fully experience the vibrant historic and artistic culture of the city of Rome, nicknamed the “Eternal City” due to its rich 3,000-year-long history. Rome is a walking museum; class meetings will be held onsite, providing first-hand experience of artworks and monuments. Stroll through the ruins where Julius Caesar and Cleopatra walked; stand where crowds cheered gladiators in the Colosseum; walk the path of medieval pilgrims on their way to St. Peter’s; behold Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling; experience the vibrant contemporary art scene. Additionally, ample free time will allow you to explore churches, archaeological sites, fountains, gardens, parks, markets, outdoor cafes, restaurants, museums, galleries, and street art on your own. The city’s rich history and culture will come alive—you’ll surely be amazed. Creative inspiration, intellectual stimulation, and wonderful memories will last a lifetime.
Special Consideration
At times, this Program will be physically demanding, as class meetings will be on-site throughout the city during summer months. A large portion of class time will be spent outdoors. Archaeological sites can be especially hot, as there is limited shade from the sun. Proper sun protection is highly suggested. Most public interior space and metro buses are not air-conditioned.
Participants must be able to walk at least 5 miles per day on possibly hilly and uneven surfaces. Good, broken-in walking shoes are mandatory. In order to access many locations, steep hills and stairs must be climbed; elevator access in most buildings is limited or non-existent. There will also be long periods of waiting in entrance lines, and participants will be on their feet for the duration of the site visit; seating is often sparse. Summer is tourist season; expect large crowds at major sites and museums.
Credit Hours and Courses
ART 3910--Art + Design History Study Abroad. Topic: Art History of Rome
The art history course will explore art, culture, and history in Rome from the rise of the Empire through the Christian Middle Ages to the classical rebirth of the Renaissance through the decadent papal revival of the Baroque period to modern and contemporary times. The context, meaning, and style of the major works of art, architecture, and archaeological sites from antiquity to the present day will be studied through first-hand experience, readings, discussion, and research.
ART 3900--Studio Study Abroad. Topic: Studio Art in Rome
The studio art component will offer students immersive access to the world-renowned art of Italy from antiquity through today’s cutting edge contemporary visual arts. This course will allow students first-hand experience in examining Italy’s important archaeological sites, invaluable art collections in museums, churches, and contemporary art galleries and urban art through discussion, visual docume6 credits total). They can both count towards your major (an upper-level studio course and an upper-level art history course).
Art History or Studio Art Minors should enroll in both courses (6 credits total). Both courses can be arranged to count towards your minor.
Non-art majors can choose to enroll in Art 1035 Introduction to Art (3 credits) and can take the studio art course for an elective (3 credits) (6 credits total).
Lodging and Meals
Students will stay in or close to the heart of the city of Rome in shared 2-3 twin bed hotel rooms of the same gender. Single room supplements are available for purchase.
Breakfast will be provided at the hotel. Additionally, there will be a welcome group lunch and a farewell group dinner.
Contact
Dr. Tamara Smithers at 931-221-7789 or at smitherst@apsu.edu
Program Costs
Financial Aid
Your current scholarships and financial aid may apply toward the cost of the program. If you plan on using financial aid you need to call the Office of Student Financial Aid at (931) 221-7907 to schedule an appointment with a study abroad counselor.
Application Fee
$280
This non-refundable application fee will be charged to the student's account once the student authorizes the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange during the application process.
Payments
DUE Feb. 6: Group airfare: $1591 (Nashville to Rome, and return), Billed to Student Account
| Payment |
Amount |
Due Dates |
| 1st Payment |
$1912.50 |
February 15 |
| 2nd Payment |
$1912.50 |
March 1 |
| All Payments will be billed to your Student Account. |
Tuition
$1752 (undergraduate)
This tuition is based on 6 credit hours* Tuition is due prior to departure and will be billed to the student's account after registration.
* If you are planning on taking only one course, you need to deduct $852 to the total.
Total Application, Program, and Tuition Costs
Undergraduate: $7448*
*In the event that only 8-9 students commit to the program, the program costs per student will be increased by $290.
Included in the Program Cost
- Accommodation
- Breakfast plus a welcome group meal and a farewell group meal
- Ground transportation to and from airport in Rome
- Individual Rome Metro transit pass for duration of stay
- All group excursion, museum and site entrance fees in Rome
- Day trips to Florence, including excursion fees
- First-day orientation
- American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) services in Rome for students: a dedicated tour Manager who can provide additional information and advice, 24-hour on-call service for the duration of the program, and a study center in the heart of Rome
- Two class meetings at the AIFS study center
- Student medical insurance policy (see AIFS brochure)
Additional Expenses
- Passport: $165 (including photo)
- Museum entrance fees for HW (outside group entrances): $30
- 2 meals per day: $450 (one meal per day included)
- Books/Supplies: $100
- Good walking shoes: $100
- Spending Misc. $300
- Optional Single Room Supplement: $1350
- Individual Travel Insurance Recommended
***Due to safety, this walking program will only accept 16 students. Preference will be given to the 16 applicants who have a track record of positive engagement and strong academics, who plan to enroll in both courses, and will have completed Art 2010 Art History Survey 1 and/or Art 2020 Art History Survey II by the end of the semester before departure. If more than 16 apply, some students will be placed on the waiting list. Students will be contacted via email regarding their status a few days after the February 1 deadline.
This grant may be awarded to students who meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility requirements
- Full-time main-campus student (eligible for $500) who has paid the program service fee either for the spring semester or fall semester preceding the study-abroad or exchange program he/she has applied for. Part-time main-campus students who have paid the program service fee are eligible at a pro-rated amount.
- Applicants must have completed at least one full semester at APSU, have a record of enrollment, and a 2.5 GPA or greater.
- No history of formal student code of conduct violations.
- Not currently on academic probation or suspension.
- APPLY Prior to the deadline
