Italy

Program Description

The Master’s University in Italy is a new study abroad program, based in the beautiful country of Italy! Our focus is to provide a unique, deeply biblical approach to intellectual history, grounded in the study of the European Renaissance and Reformation. Students will live in Florence for six weeks in the summer and earn nine (9) undergraduate credits in a variety of courses while deeply immersed in Italian culture and Renaissance history.

Importance

The modern world is the child of the Italian Renaissance. All modernist worldview issues were first fully formulated in the Renaissance, in both the sciences and the humanities. Florence, the home base of the program, is the cradle of the Renaissance and the birthplace of the modern world. It is the city of Dante, Petrarch, Giotto, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Galileo, Boccaccio, Cimabue, Brunelleschi and Donatello, the Medici banking family, Botticelli, Savonarola, Machiavelli, Rossini. And, of course, Amerigo Vespucci—for whom America was named. With all this in mind, we have created a program grounded in the exploration of the dual questions “quid est homo?” (“what is Man?”) asked by the Italian Renaissance Christian Humanist scholars, and the related biblical question “what is man that Thou art mindful of him?” (Psalm 8).

Faculty

Esther Chua

Grant Horner

Cost

Approximate cost of the program is 12K for airfare, room and board, intercity travel to Venice, Rome and Cinque Terre, museum passes, and tuition for 9 units.

Locations

We will be living in a lovely Medieval/Renaissance period villa in Florence with trips to Rome, Venice, as well as extensive time spent in museums, palaces, classical-era ruins, Renaissance gardens, the Vatican museum and libraries, and the famous Mediterranean Coast.

Class Offerings

Our summer semesters are designed to help students graduate on-time, or even early, which means that the GE courses we offer every summer will be determined by the group of students selected and the faculty members who will join the program. The typical student will take one-two general education courses and one-two Oxford-style tutorials. The academically intensive tutorials will have 2-5 students in socratic discussion—and in both the general education courses and the tutorials the major focus will be an exploratory discussion of Man: his origin, creative nature, purpose and end. The following is a CURRENT list of course offerings:

General Education Courses

E211 English Literature I
ART338 Art History of the Western World (Essentials of Music and Art)
P311 Essentials in Philosophy

Tutorials

E368 The Life, Influences, and Writings of Robert and Elizabeth Browning
E479 Renaissance Cultural History
LAT399 Introductory Latin
C234 Travel Writing

For the most current course listings, please visit Prof. Esther Chua in the English Department or email italy@masters.edu.

Application

Application Process

For each student interested in The Master’s University in Italy Program, we will require a completed application and letters of recommendation, as listed on the application. Applications for Summer 2022 are now open. Priority registration begins March 31st and ends May 10th, 2021. Final deadlines for Summer 2022 applications will be October 15, 2021. Students will pay a $50 non-refundable application fee.

Because we receive many applications throughout the year, we recommend that students complete and submit their applications (and recommendation letters) as early as possible. When an application is received and processed, students will receive a confirmation email with further instructions and additional information.

For any additional questions, please email Professor Esther Chua at italy@masters.edu. We hope to hear from you soon!

Apply Mentor Form

Program Policies
FAQ
Health and Safety Policies

Application Deadline and Fee:

Applications for Summer 2022 are now open. Priority registration is from March 31st to May 10th, 2021. Final deadlines for Summer 2022 applications will be October 15, 2021. Students will pay a $50 non-refundable application fee.

Refund Schedule

Refunds will be made for students who drop out of the program completely according to the following:

Prior to Jan 31	100%
Prior to Feb 28	75%
Prior to Mar 31	50%
Prior to Apr 30	25%
After Apr 30	0%

Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):

Before going on the program, students will sign a MOU, acknowledging that they adhere to all travel, health, and conduct policies. This signature is required before going to TMU in Italy.

Likewise, students attending TMU in Italy will adhere to the Student Handbook

Registration Policy

Course selections for each summer will be determined by and designed for the students who have been accepted into the program. As in our program description, we will offer a range of courses that fulfill GE requirements as well as upper division credit.

For registration, students will meet with Professor Chua during the month of November to discuss and register for classes. For the most current course listings, please visit Professor Esther Chua in the English Department (EHC building on North Campus) or email italy@masters.edu.

To drop or change classes, students should schedule an appointment to meet with Professor Chua. The Add/Drop period will end March 1st.

For a list of offered classes, see the course list.

When is the Application Deadline?

We are now accepting applications for summer 2022. Applications are accepted year-round and all students are encouraged to apply early. The summer 2022 application final deadline is October 15, 2021. Click here for the application.

Is there an application fee?

There is a $50 non-refundable fee that must be paid when applying.

How much does the program cost?

The program will cost approximately 12K. This includes airfare, housing, most meals, and tuition.

How will I know if I have been accepted?

When a student completes an application, the student will receive a confirmation email with further instructions and additional information. Students will then undergo an interview process to determine if the student is a good fit for the rigorous academic nature of this program. Calls will also be made to students’ academic and spiritual advisor.

What happens if I’m not selected or unable to participate?

If you are not selected (or are unable to participate) and still have interest in participating the following summer, email Professor Chua to keep your file open for the fall. Make sure to also email Professor Chua if the passport or health insurance information from your application changes.

Will there be a waitlist?

Yes. Students will be contacted if they are put on the waitlist.

Is Financial Aid offered?

No. The Master’s University is set up to only give financial aid for the fall and spring semester, there is no available financial aid for post-session programs and courses.

When do I need to pay for the program?

Students accepted into the program will need to register for classes by the end of November. Their bill will be mailed by November 20, the month after registration. After the bill is received, students will need to talk to Student Accounts to opt in to a payment plan - five payments between December or April or one payment in full due by December 10.

How can I pay for the program?

Cash or check payments may be mailed to:

21726 Placerita Canyon Road, Box 36 Santa Clarita, CA 91321 E-check payments can also be made online at www.masters.edu/payments.

Who should I contact if I have additional financial questions?

The Student Accounts Office can be reached at 661.362.2212. The student can also email the office at accountinfo@masters.edu.

What classes will be offered?

The program is designed to help students graduate on-time and, if planned in advance, to graduate early. Students will meet with Professor Chua and together they will decide which classes will work best for each individual student.

How many credits are required?

Students must take 9 units.

Is food included in the program cost?

Most meals are provided in the program cost. However, students will have free time to eat on their own. To cover this, we recommend that students bring their own spending money. As an estimate, students can budget $20-25 per week for any extra meals, desserts, gelato runs and coffee breaks that they may want.

Are dietary restrictions accommodated?

Yes. Italy is a high tourist location. Most restaurant workers can understand English and will be able to accommodate common dietary restrictions. Students should list uncommon restrictions upon application and a special card with instructions on how to accommodate the student’s restriction will be made in Italian for the student to give to restaurant workers when ordering.

For meals prepared in housing, students should let Professor Chua know of the student’s restriction(s) and we will prepare accordingly.

What should I bring if I have allergies? (food or seasonal)

Students with allergies should bring the proper medication (over the counter or prescribed) to combat the general summer allergies or reactions they might have in Italy. Please consult your doctor before taking any medication.

What will housing be like?

As a home-base, students will be living in a Medieval/Renaissance period villa in the Florence country-side. During the program students will take trips to other cities such as Rome, Venice, and Cinque Terre, as schedules/opportunity permits. There the students will be staying in apartments together.

What should students consider about being exposed to art forms that include nudity?

Throughout the Italy program students will be exposed to many forms of art, including representations of the human form. Sometimes, this includes nudity. We understand that in humans’ fallen state, nudity is shameful and can sear a Christian’s conscience. We don’t want to hurt any student’s conscience and if a student thinks he or she will be tempted by the nudity represented in the art all over Italy, then the student should not participate in TMU in Italy. If the student is not sure, the student can meet with Professors Chua and Horner.

Health Policies

According to the TMU in Italy Application, students will mark certain medical conditions on the Application. Certain conditions, as guided by the Application, will require the student to consult with their physician as to the feasibility of participation. Those applicants who identify such conditions are required to provide a medical clearance (a doctor’s written permission) as a prerequisite to participation in the TMU in Italy program. The TMU in Italy program is physically demanding and may exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions.

When applying, students will sign a medical release, giving permission to the faculty to select a physician, to hospitalize, to secure proper treatment, to order injections, anesthesia, or surgery for the student in case of an emergency.

Safety Policies

While student safety will be a high priority for the TMU Italy faculty, students should also be prepared to foster a culture of safety. Please refer to the student handbookfor more student and faculty responsibilities. Also, students will sign a Memorandum of Understanding, which includes a statement regarding safe conduct.

Students should be aware that although traveling abroad and visiting other countries as a tourist is fun, Italy is a place that people actually live in. Certain cultural differences may seem strange and difficult to understand. Because the program is also an immersive cultural experience, students are expected to show a certain amount of flexibility and a strong sense of personal responsibility in their conduct with other students, tourists and residents. Prior to the start of the program, students will be briefed on travel and safety procedures, which will help them navigate through the normal challenges of international travel.