The Italian Program at James Madison University offers a Major and a Minor in Italian and a Minor in Business Italian. Students can also take Italian to complete their B.A. World Language requirement.
Thinking about studying Italian at JMU?! Sign up on MyMadison for ITALIAN 101 or contact any of our Faculty with any questions you may have. Arrivederci!
VISIT OUR CULTURAL EVENTS OR INSTAGRAM PAGE @JMU.ITALIAN FOR UPCOMING EVENTS!
Summer 2025 Study Abroad
"A Journey through Language and Culture"
- June 2025 - 4 weeks
- 6 credits total
- 3 credits in Italian Language (ITAL 102, 231, 232, 300, 320, 400)
- 3 credits in Italian Culture, Business, and Society (ITAL 447 - "Made in Italy: Community, Customs, and Creative Heritage")
- Earn credits toward
- BA Language Requirement
- Italian major and minor
- Business Italian minor
- International Affairs requirements
10 reasons why you should learn Italian!
- Great for your career: Italy is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. International companies are opening offices around Italy and searching for employees who know how to speak Italian and English.
- Easy to learn: Italian is quite simple to learn because it's a phonetic language, which means it's spoken the way it's written. Also, Italian and English share the same Latin alphabet.
- Opens doors to other languages: Once you learn how to speak Italian, you'll be on your way to mastering Spanish and French. That's because, learning one romance language makes it easier to learn others.
- Comes in handy: Whether you're dining at an Italian restaurant or trying to impress the girl or guy next door, you will be surprised by how much your Italian skills will come in handy in everyday life.
- Makes you smarter: Many studies have proven that studying a foreign language enhances your cognitive abilities and sharpens your mind.
- Broadens your cultural horizons: Some of the most well-known artists and authors - including Dante, Da Vinci, and Michelangelo - come from Italy. By learning how to speak Italian, you can better understand and appreciate their works.
- Travel more easily: Planning a trip to Italy? Knowing the language can help you in so many ways. Not only will you be able to get around more easily, but you'll also be able to meet locals, save money, and explore unknown places.
- Become a musical master: Italian is often referred to as the most musical language, as many musical terms are Italian. If you're an aspiring musician, learning to speak Italian can help you become a music master.
- Improve your health: Besides improving your cognitive skills, learning a foreign language can also improve your health and even slow the brain's aging.
- It's downright fun: Simply put, learning how to speak Italian is fun!
Stay up-to-date with Italy
Italy in the US
World Languages & Cultures - Italian Program
