John Cabot University

John Cabot University (JCU) is a private American university in Rome, Italy. It was founded in 1972 and it offers undergraduate degrees, graduate degrees, and study abroad programs to English-speaking students. The university has more than 700 degree-seeking students and more than 1000 visiting students every year, representing over 75 nationalities. The average class size is 15 students. The university consists of three campuses and three residence halls centrally located in Trastevere, Rome. The language of instruction is English.

History
The college was founded in 1972 and it was originally located within a religious school called Pro Deo University. It was named after 15th century Italian explorer Giovanni Caboto, also known as John Cabot, who opened the channels for further exploration of North America.

As of 1978, most students at John Cabot were business majors, though some were getting an Associate of Arts degree. From 1985 to 1991, the university expanded and created programs in Art History, International Affairs and English Literature. It was formerly academically associated with Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio. In 1991, the school became an independent university under the name John Cabot University and became accredited in 2003, thus endings its affiliation program with Hiram. The library moved, expanded, and was dedicated to benefactors Paul and Maxine Frohring in 1999.

Academics
John Cabot University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. It "follows the American system of education with a distinctive European character." The university offers associate and BA degrees in humanities subjects and in business administration. Classes are taught in English. In Fall 2017, John Cabot University launched a Master of Arts in Art History. The Guarini Institute for Public Affairs provides lectures and events on world political and human rights themes.

The Frank J. Guarini School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Undergraduate programs
The university has 11 academic departments:


 * Department of Art and Design
 * Department of Art History
 * Department of Business Administration
 * Department of Communication and Media Studies
 * Department of Economics
 * Department of English Language and Literature
 * Department of History and Humanities
 * Department of Mathematics, Natural, and Applied Sciences
 * Department of Modern Languages and Literature
 * Department of Political Science and International Affairs
 * Department of Psychological and Social Sciences

Graduate programs
John Cabot University's Master of Arts (MA) in Art History is based in Rome. There is an emphasis on first-hand research among the museums, monuments, and archeological sites of Rome.

The Master of Arts in International Affairs will be inaugurated in Fall 2024.

Campus
The university has three campuses located in the Trastevere neighborhood of central Rome: the Frank J. Guarini Campus, the Frohring Campus, and the Caroline Critelli Guarini Campus on the banks of the Tiber River. The three locations are about five minutes from each other and near both the Vatican and the Roman Forum. The Frank J. Guarini campus is a former convent with a main three-story building surrounded by terraces and courtyards.

There is also a computer lab, a student lounge, and the Frohring library. The largest classroom on-campus is the Aula Magna Regina auditorium. Some classes are held at the Sacchetti Building on the other side of the Tiber River and many art classes are conducted at monuments or at other notable landmarks.

A student dormitory, the Gianicolo Residence is located two minutes away from the main Guarini campus, but the university also offers off-campus dormitories on Viale di Trastevere and external apartments around the area.

Athletics
JCU Athletics offers varsity sports, including basketball, volleyball, men's 5v5 and 11v11 soccer, women's 5v5 soccer, cheerleading, and tennis. Intramural activities are offered regularly to students, faculty, and staff, and include beach volleyball, 5v5 soccer, tennis, paddle, table tennis, volleyball and basketball. The JCU Fitness Center, located inside the Gianicolo Residence Hall, is open for students, faculty, and staff with a full array of free weights, machines, and open workout space, along with weekly classes in abs & legs, running, yoga, and kickboxing.

The JCU Athletic department also organizes trips and activities to locations such as Cinque Terre, Mount Circeo, or Sapri. JCU's athletics teams are known as the Gladiators and are represented by their mascot Maximus the Gladiator.

Student demographics
About 66% of students are female. Students come from more than 75 countries, often in study abroad programs.

The student to teacher ratio is 15:1.