John Cabot University
John Cabot University (JCU) is an independent liberal arts 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 80 nationalities. The average class size is fifteen students. The university consists of three campuses and two 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 or 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 named after Frohring in 1999. Academics. Undergraduate Programs. The university has 9 academic departments: Graduate Program. John Cabot University's Masters in 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. Programs. John Cabot University has academic programs in areas like Political Science, English Literature, Economics and Communications. According to "Study Away: The Unauthorized Guide to College Abroad", its "especially strong" programs are Art History, Business Administration, and International Affairs. According  to "Cool Colleges 101", the University "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. Campus. The university has three campuses located in the Trastevere neighborhood of central Rome: the Frank J. Guarini Campus, the Tiber 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. The prior chapel now serves as a student lounge. There is also a computer lab, student housing buildings, and the Frohring library. The largest building 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 offers intramural basketball, dodgeball, beach volleyball, five-a-side soccer, tennis, paddle, and footgolf. The Fitness Center is located inside the Gianicolo Residence Hall. The club team sports consist of men's soccer, men and women's futsal, coed volleyball, coed basketball, and cheerleading. The university's team name is the Gladiators. Student demographics. About 66% of students are female. Students  come from more than 70 countries, often in study abroad programs. The student to teacher ratio is 15:1.