TCU-In Rome

Program Overview

TCU in Rome allows students to experience an international and historically rich environment while studying at the American University of Rome (AUR), an American-style university in the heart of Rome. AUR is home to a highly diverse student body representing over 60 countries on campus. 28 native languages are spoken amongst their faculty and students, although all programs are conducted in English.American University of Rome Campus

Students study in Monteverde, a quiet neighborhood adjacent to Trastevere. TCU in Rome offers many types of courses, with strengths in Business, Communication, Fine Arts, and Liberal Arts. No prior language is required to be accepted to the program.

Program Details

TCU-In Rome students take classes at the American University of Rome (AUR). There are no language prerequisites. Students will take 4 or 5 courses at AUR, counting as 12 or 15 TCU credit hours.

Students also have the ability to take direct TCU-taught courses at AUR. These are the planned offerings, subject to change:

    • INSC 30313 – Supply Chain Management
    • BUSI 30383 – Global Business with an Ethical Lens
    • MARK 30153 – Marketing Management
    • MANA 30153 – Organizational Management

Credit returns as TCU credit and applies towards the TCU GPA. As part of the application, students must have 10 – 12 courses pre-approved through the Credit Approval Process. After admission, students will receive instructions from AUR on how to register for courses.

 

As part of the application, students must have their Rome courses pre-approved through the credit approval process. This process is changing for the Spring 2025 semester and instructions will be updated soon.

While you are abroad, you are enrolled in 12 hours of coursework as a placeholder. Your classes will not be posted to your TCU recorded until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends, when the transcript from AUR is sent. Once the Registrar receives your transcript, they will record the courses using the department codes on your Credit Approval Form (i.e., MARK, HIST) and a generic course code. You dean’s office will apply these to your major / minor / electives / core as pre-approved. All coursework, regardless of program type, counts for grades and will be included in your TCU GPA.

You must abide by the academic policies and regulations of the host university, including but not limited to policies on:

  • Attendance / Absence policies
  • Add / Drop process
  • Grade Appeals
  • Final Exam schedule

TCU cannot override host university policies and regulations.

For more information about how credits work, see our Study Abroad Basics page.

TCU students are required to live in AUR Housing, which is Italian by nature in every way. Housing is shared apartments with 4 to 9 students in each apartment. All housing is fully furnished with varied floor plans, aesthetics, and furnishings. Students will generally have between a 15 and 25 minute commute to their classes. For more details on housing options, visit the AUR Housing website.Two female students sitting in their room

Students may request one TCU roommate. Housing consists of AUR students from all over the world. Any damages to housing will be posted to student accounts upon return.

SemesterEventDate
Fall 2025Program Start (Arrive by 5 PM)August 27
Fall 2025On-Site OrientationAugust 27 - 31
Fall 2025Classes BeginSeptember 1
Fall 2025Final ExamsDecember 8 - 12
Fall 2025Program EndsDecember 13 (estimate)
Spring 2025Program Start (Arrive by 5 PM)January 13
Spring 2025On-Site OrientationJanuary 13 - 19
Spring 2025Classes BeginJanuary 20
Spring 2025Mid-Semester BreakMarch 10 - 14
Spring 2025Final ExamsMay 5 - 9
Spring 2025Program EndsMay 10

Semester Costs for 2025-26

  1. Rome Program Fee: Spring 2025 – $7900:
    Pay $500 Non-Refundable Deposit to confirm your spot in the program after admission
    Program Fee is billed to your TCU Student Account before the semester begins ($500 deposit applied as a credit)
    This includes:
    — Housing
    — AUR campus services and amenities
    — TCU Sash
  2. TCU Tuition: $31,750
  3. Estimated Additional Expenses: For outside expenses not included in the program fee. Individual budgets are highly variable. This may include:
    — Airfare: $1,400
    — Italian Visa Fees: $100
    — Books: $200
    — Class Excursions: $300
    — Meals/Groceries: $2,000
    — Local Transportation: $200
    — Personal Expenses: $1,000
    — Travel Expenses: Highly variable

Visit the Scholarships & Aid page to learn about study abroad scholarships, through TCU and other organizations. In particular, TCU-In Rome applicants should look at the:

  • TCU International Studies Award

Withdrawal Penalties:
Financial penalties are assessed on a sliding scale, based on withdrawal date.

Date of WithdrawalPercentage of Program Fee Collected:
70-90 days prior to the start of the program25% (inclusive of $500 deposit)
50-69 days prior to the start of the program50% (inclusive of $500 deposit)
15-49 days prior to the start of the program75% (inclusive of $500 deposit)
0-14 days prior to the start of the program100% (inclusive of $500 deposit)
  • To withdraw from a program, you must notify TCU Global (studyabroad@tcu.edu) in writing. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded and cannot be used towards penalty amounts.
  • In the case that TCU must cancel the program, the program fee (including deposit) and tuition will be fully refunded. Study abroad scholarships and aid will be rescinded.
  • Financial penalties will be billed to your student account.
  • TCU Tuition refunds are subject to TCU policies :(See TCU Undergraduate Catalog: http://catalog.tcu.edu/undergraduate/, Bachelor’s Degree, Definitions and Regulations.)

Meet our Rome Ambassadors

Click on the student’s photo to learn more about their experiences in Rome!

Katie Hess, TCU-In Rome (American University of Rome)

Katie Hess, TCU-In Rome (American University of Rome)

Isabella Nastas, TCU-In Rome (American University of Rome)

Isabella Nastas, TCU-In Rome (American University of Rome)

Katie Putnam, TCU-In Rome (John Cabot University)

Katie Putnam, TCU-In Rome (John Cabot University)

How to Apply

Fall applications open in late January/early February

Spring applications open in late June/early July.

  • Minimum 2.8 GPA; petitions may be considered
  • At least two semesters in residence at TCU by the start of the program
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing at TCU
  • A valid passport (that will not expire until at least 6 months after your return)
  • Fall Programs:
    • Priority Deadline: March 21
    • Regular Deadline: March 28, if space available
  • Spring Programs
    • Priority Deadline: September 12
    • Regular Deadline: September 29, if space available

If applications exceed enrollment maximums, a lottery system will determine admission.

  1. Complete the Global TCU Study Abroad Forms (already started an application? Login here to finish it).
    • This step includes completing a course approval process for your courses abroad.

Important Information

TCU encourages all students, including students with disabilities, to actively participate in the Study Abroad programs offered by the University. In partnership with TCU Global, TCU Student Access & Accommodation helps to ensure the best possible study abroad experience for students with registered disabilities by providing reasonable and necessary accommodations during their time abroad.

Study Abroad programs include field components that require the ability to perform tasks beyond what is required in a typical classroom. Among other things, many programs require extensive walking and/or the ability to stand for extended periods of time; the ability to independently use public transportation; and/or sleeping in shared quarters. Program activities may take place in extreme temperatures (including excessive heat or cold). Housing facilities may lack central heat and air-conditioning, elevators, and other conveniences. In all cases, students should expect to transport and manage their own luggage through airports and public transportation centers. Prior to applying to specific Study Abroad programs, students should review the physical requirements for each program to ascertain whether they will be able to participate in all activities of the program. Students needing accommodations should follow the process outlined by Student Access & Accommodation.

Students requiring an accommodation to meet these or other program essential eligibility requirements must request any accommodation through TCU Student Access and Accommodation well in advance (suggest a minimum of 3 months) of the program departure following university proceduresTCU Student Access and Accommodation, located in The Harrison, Suite 1200, strongly recommends that students notify both Student Access and Accommodation as well as TCU Global early on to initiate the process of securing reasonable accommodations. If TCU determines that you do not, with reasonable accommodations approved through TCU Student Access and Accommodation, meet the essential eligibility requirements of the program, then you may not participate in the program. Each student’s request for accommodation will be looked at on an individualized, case by case basis, taking into consideration student documentation and the essential eligibility requirements of the program.

Managing your health and safety is an important component in having a positive experience abroad. TCU provides you with a number of resources to assist you:

  1. Prior to departure, you will need to attend the mandatory orientation which covers specific health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
  2. Upon arrival, you will have an orientation to reiterate health, safety, logistical, and cultural information.
  3. TCU provides you membership to On Call International, a premier Global Assistance program. You can call On Call for any kind of travel, health, safety, or emergency issues, including:
  • help replacing a lost passpor help translating and interpreting
  • help with lost luggage, along with reimbursement for items needed while luggage is lost
  • assistance finding general and specialty health care
  • assistance with emergency refills of prescription
  • health insurance for your time abroad.

For more information, please see Health & Safety

Italian Visas

Italy requires a visa for all TCU-In Rome students. The Italian Consulate is changing how students apply for visas. Instructions will be provided after admission. You must have a valid passport that will not expire until at least 6 months after your return from Rome.

Students should not plan to travel outside the U.S. during the three months prior to the semester abroad because passports are surrendered with visa applications. Visa processing for Italy can take 4-10 weeks.

Before Departure

You must attend the mandatory TCU-In Rome orientation. You should also review the TCU-In Rome Handbook and Know Before You Go page.

Arrival and On-Site Information

We recommend that students arrive on the program start date at Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) before 3 pm. AUR provides airport pickup but students must arrive before 3pm. During the first few days in Rome, students will participate in the AUR Study Abroad Orientation, a comprehensive and personal introduction not only to AUR but also to life in Italy.

Because students are not enrolled in TCU classes, the TCU system will show 12 hours of coursework as a placeholder during the semester abroad. Classes will not transfer back to TCU until 8 – 10 weeks after the semester ends. At that time, the correct credit hours will be posted to the TCU record.