Choosing where to earn a master’s degree is about more than selecting an academic program. For many graduate students, it is also an opportunity to gain professional experience, build an international network, explore a new culture, and develop a broader perspective on their field.
So, why study for a master’s degree in Rome?
Rome offers graduate students a unique combination of academic, cultural, and professional opportunities. As the capital of Italy and a historic center of politics, art, culture, and international exchange, the city provides an environment where students can connect what they learn in the classroom with the world around them.
At John Cabot University, students can pursue a Master of Arts in International Affairs or a Master of Arts in Art History, two programs that take advantage of Rome's distinctive academic and cultural environment.
One of the biggest advantages of studying for a master’s degree in Rome is the opportunity to make the city part of your education.
Rome is a living classroom. Its museums, archaeological sites, historic architecture, cultural institutions, international organizations, and diplomatic communities provide opportunities to connect academic concepts with real-world examples.
For graduate students, this can make learning more immersive and relevant. Rather than simply reading about historical sites, political institutions, or cultural organizations, students can encounter them firsthand.
At JCU, this approach is particularly relevant to the MA in Art History, where students have opportunities to study works of art, architecture, and archaeological sites directly in Rome and throughout Italy and Europe. For International Affairs students, the city offers a different kind of classroom. Rome's role as a diplomatic and international center creates opportunities to engage with the institutions, organizations, and issues that shape contemporary global affairs.
Rome's international character brings together people, ideas, and cultures from across Europe and around the world. Living and studying in this environment can encourage students to consider different perspectives and develop a greater understanding of how their field operates across borders.
At JCU, this international perspective is reflected in the university's diverse student body and English-language academic environment.
For students pursuing careers in international organizations, diplomacy, cultural institutions, research, business, or other globally oriented fields, developing the ability to work across cultures can be an important part of graduate education.
A master’s degree in Rome can therefore provide two forms of learning at once: specialized academic knowledge and experience navigating an international environment.
For many students, a master's degree is an important step toward a professional goal. Choosing a program that provides opportunities to gain practical experience can help students connect what they learn in the classroom with the skills they will use in their careers.
Rome provides graduate students with access to a wide range of professional environments, from international organizations and diplomatic institutions to museums, galleries, cultural foundations, and other organizations.
At JCU, both graduate programs incorporate opportunities for students to connect their academic studies with professional experience.
The MA in International Affairs includes professional development, a practicum, and an internship or research assistantship, allowing students to gain practical experience alongside their coursework.
The MA in Art History also provides opportunities for professional experience, including internships in settings such as museums, galleries, schools, and foundations.
These experiences can help graduate students develop professional skills, explore potential career paths, and begin building networks within their fields before completing their degrees.
Graduate school is also an opportunity to build relationships that can extend beyond the classroom.
Studying in an international city like Rome brings students into contact with classmates from different countries, faculty members with diverse academic and professional backgrounds, and professionals working across a range of industries and institutions.
At JCU, students can develop these connections through their academic programs, internships, research opportunities, events, and interactions with the university's international community.
For students pursuing internationally oriented careers, building a network that crosses countries, cultures, and professional fields can be particularly valuable. These relationships can introduce students to new perspectives, potential areas of interest, and professional opportunities as they begin planning their next steps after graduate school.
Few cities offer the combination of history and contemporary relevance found in Rome.
At JCU, graduate students study in an English-language academic environment while living in Italy. The university's liberal arts approach emphasizes close interaction between students and faculty, discussion-based learning, and an international perspective.
This environment can be particularly valuable for students who want to pursue an American-style graduate education while gaining the experience of living in Europe.
Graduate school in Rome can therefore combine the familiarity of studying in English with the challenge and opportunity of living in another country.
Living in another country requires students to adapt to new environments, navigate different cultural norms, and become more independent. For graduate students, these experiences can complement academic and professional development.
Living in Rome also provides opportunities to experience Italian culture beyond the university campus - from learning about Italian traditions and cuisine to exploring different regions of the country and traveling throughout Europe.
For students pursuing careers in international organizations, diplomacy, cultural institutions, research, business, or other globally oriented fields, developing the ability to work across cultures can be an important part of graduate education.
These experiences can help students develop adaptability, curiosity, and cross-cultural communication skills that can remain valuable long after graduation.
Ultimately, one of the most important considerations when choosing a master’s degree is how the experience can support your future goals.
A graduate degree can help students develop specialized knowledge while strengthening transferable skills such as research, critical thinking, communication, analysis, and problem-solving. When combined with practical experience and professional networking, these skills can help students prepare for a range of career paths.
Choosing to study in Rome can add another dimension to that preparation by combining specialized academic study with international experience, professional opportunities, and exposure to different cultures and perspectives - qualities that can be valuable in increasingly global professional environments.
Students at JCU can pursue graduate study in fields with strong connections to Rome's international and cultural landscape. The MA in International Affairs can prepare students to explore career paths related to international organizations, diplomacy, public policy, research, and other globally focused fields. The MA in Art History can provide a foundation for students interested in museums, galleries, cultural institutions, foundations, education, research, and cultural heritage.
Rather than simply earning a degree, students can use their time in Rome to develop the academic knowledge, practical experience, professional connections, and international perspective that can help shape their next career step.
For students interested in pursuing graduate study in Rome, John Cabot University offers two Master of Arts programs: the MA in International Affairs and the MA in Art History.
Both programs are taught in English and combine graduate-level academic study with the opportunities provided by studying in Rome.
The Master of Arts in International Affairs is designed for students interested in global affairs, international relations, public policy, and related fields.
The program combines theoretical and practical approaches to international affairs, with coursework exploring areas such as international relations, comparative politics, international political economy, and political science research methodology.
Students also complete professional development, a practicum, an internship or research assistantship, and a master's thesis.
Studying International Affairs in Rome gives students the opportunity to explore global issues in a city where diplomacy, international organizations, and European and Mediterranean affairs intersect.
Explore the MA in International Affairs at John Cabot University.
For students interested in art, architecture, cultural heritage, museums, and visual culture, Rome offers an exceptional setting for graduate study.
JCU's Master of Arts in Art History allows students to study art and visual culture in the city where they can encounter many of the works, sites, and collections discussed in their courses firsthand.
The program focuses on the art of Rome, Italy, and the Mediterranean from antiquity to the present. Students can develop their interests through coursework, research, professional experiences, and an MA thesis.
The program also provides opportunities to engage with museums, galleries, foundations, archaeological sites, and other cultural institutions. For students passionate about art history, studying in Rome means having the opportunity to make the city's artistic and cultural heritage part of their everyday education.
Explore the MA in Art History at John Cabot University.
A master's degree in Rome may be a good fit for students who want to combine specialized graduate study with an international experience and opportunities to prepare for their future careers.
Consider studying in Rome if you are looking for:
Is Rome a good city for graduate students? Yes. Rome offers graduate students access to universities, cultural institutions, international organizations, museums, and professional opportunities, while providing the experience of living in one of Europe's most internationally recognized cities.
Can I earn a master’s degree in English in Rome? Yes. John Cabot University offers master's degree programs taught in English, including the MA in International Affairs and MA in Art History.
Why study for a master’s degree in Italy? Studying for a master's degree in Italy allows students to combine graduate education with the opportunity to experience Italian culture, develop an international perspective, and explore the country's history and professional landscape.
What can I study for a master’s degree in Rome? Graduate programs in Rome cover a range of academic fields. At John Cabot University, students can pursue an MA in International Affairs or an MA in Art History.
What career opportunities can a master’s degree in Rome prepare me for? A master's degree can help students develop specialized knowledge and transferable skills while gaining practical experience and building professional networks. At JCU, students in the MA in International Affairs can explore career paths related to international organizations, diplomacy, public policy, research, and other globally focused fields. Graduates of the MA in Art History may pursue opportunities in museums, galleries, cultural institutions, foundations, education, research, and other areas related to art and cultural heritage.
How can a master’s degree help with career development? A master's degree can help students deepen their expertise while developing skills that are relevant to professional settings, including research, critical thinking, communication, analysis, and problem-solving. Programs that incorporate internships, practicums, research assistantships, or other professional experiences can also give students opportunities to apply what they learn in the classroom. For students studying abroad, the experience can additionally help develop cross-cultural communication, adaptability, and an international perspective.
Choosing where to earn a master's degree is an important decision. Students must consider their academic interests, career goals, preferred learning environment, and the experience they want from graduate school.
For students looking for an international graduate experience, Rome offers something difficult to replicate elsewhere: the opportunity to study in a city where history, culture, politics, and contemporary international life intersect every day.
At John Cabot University, students can pursue an MA in International Affairs or an MA in Art History while experiencing Rome as more than a place to live and study. Here, the city itself can become part of the educational experience.
Ready to explore graduate study in Rome?
Discover JCU's MA in International Affairs and MA in Art History and take the next step toward your graduate degree in Italy. If you have any questions or would like to book an informational call, please contact graduateadmissions@johncabot.edu.