Italian Language and Literature (in Universities) Schools and Programs in The United States

Italian Language and Literature (in Universities) Studies in The United States

Italian language and literature at a US university combines learning the language with the study of Italian literature, film, art and history. The Italian Department at Rutgers University-New Brunswick, for example, teaches Italian language, literature and culture from all periods, from Dante to opera, theatre and contemporary film. At the University of Washington in Seattle, courses range from Dante's Divine Comedy to language and cultural identity, human and machine translation and the cultural history of Italy. SpainExchange lists 59 colleges and universities in the United States where Italian can be studied.

How the degree is organised

There is no national degree title. Italian is usually taught in a Department of Italian, a joint department of French and Italian (as at the University of Washington and the University of Wisconsin-Madison) or a department of Romance languages. Undergraduates take a bachelor's degree with a major or minor in Italian or Italian Studies. A bachelor's degree usually takes four years of full-time study. US undergraduate education follows the liberal arts model, so students also take classes in many other subjects, and each institution sets the number of credits needed to graduate. Language courses start at beginner level, and classes are often small: the University of Washington highlights small class sizes and an interdisciplinary curriculum in its major and minor programmes.

Study abroad in Italy is a regular part of many programmes. Rutgers lists programmes in Rome, Florence and Perugia, including its own Rutgers programme in Rome, and the University of Washington runs Rome in Residence and Italian Studies in Perugia.

The two main graduate degrees are the master's degree, usually about two years, and the doctorate. Rutgers offers an MA, a PhD and a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT), and it also runs teacher development for K-12 teachers of Italian, a sign of the link between Italian studies and school teaching in the United States.

Admission, language and costs

Outside Italian classes, teaching is in English, and US universities require an English language proficiency test before admission. For a full degree, international students need a student visa; the F visa is for study at an accredited US college or university. Once accepted by a school certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), the international student office issues the Form I-20 or DS-2019 used in the visa application.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), average tuition and fees at 4-year institutions in 2022-23 were $9,800 at public institutions (the in-state rate) and $40,700 at private nonprofit institutions, so check what each university charges students from outside the state.

Where to study Italian

Italian is taught at public and private universities across the country. Philadelphia has three schools on our list: the University of Pennsylvania, Temple University and Saint Joseph's University. Other examples include Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey in New Brunswick, New York University, the University of Washington in Seattle, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Bryn Mawr College, Middlebury College and several campuses of the University of California, including Berkeley, Los Angeles, Davis and Santa Barbara.

Recognition of the qualification

US higher education has no central ministry that awards degrees. The recognition of credits and degrees by other institutions and by employers in the US and abroad is linked to the institution's accreditation, so check that a college is accredited before applying.

Careers

Graduates often combine Italian with a second field. The University of Washington says its French and Italian alumni find their language skills in demand and go into careers in tech, teaching and marketing, among others. Other paths include translation and interpreting, tourism, international business, the arts, publishing and cultural institutions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), interpreters and translators typically need at least a bachelor's degree and must be proficient in English and at least one other language. Their median annual wage was $60,170 in May 2025, and employment is projected to grow 2 percent from 2025 to 2035, slower than average, with about 6,000 openings a year. A PhD leads mainly to university teaching and research.

Frequently asked questions

Can I start an Italian major without speaking Italian?

Yes. US universities teach Italian from beginner level, and students build up the language before taking literature and culture courses.

Can I study in Italy as part of a US degree?

Yes, many departments run programmes in Italy. Rutgers lists programmes in Rome, Florence and Perugia, and the University of Washington has programmes in Rome and Perugia.

Is there a master's degree for future Italian teachers?

Some universities offer one. Rutgers, for example, has a Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) alongside its MA and PhD in Italian.

What jobs can I get with a degree in Italian?

Teaching, translation, tourism, international business and cultural work are common paths. The University of Washington mentions alumni careers in tech, teaching and marketing.