Undergraduates from NYU who have majored or minored in Italian with a GPA of 3.5 or above are eligible for the BA/MA Master’s degree program, with the 5th- year MA held entirely in Florence at Villa La Pietra. They must apply for the BA/MA before they graduate, and ideally before they have accumulated more than 96 credits. Additionally, they must have taken at least one graduate course over and above their required credits for the BA while they are in the BA program, and must have a 3.5 or above in their major. They receive a steep tuition discount of 50% for their MA year abroad. 

While enrolled in the MA program, students take courses during the fall and spring semesters in Florence with resident faculty from the department of Italian Studies, faculty at the Universita’ di Firenze and the Istituto Italiano di Scienze Umane, and as appropriate, NYU in Florence faculty. They are also eligible for internships. With the assistance of a Senior Academic Advisor, MA students visit research institutions such as the Biblioteca Nazionale, Villa I Tatti, and the Archivio di Stato, and attend biweekly seminars at Villa La Pietra led by distinguished Italian and American scholars. While in Florence, they may have the opportunity to work as a Peer Advisor in one of the undergraduate dorms, and receive free room and board; otherwise they are entitled to receive assistance with housing options through the Office of Student Life. One such option is living with an Italian family in Florence. 

Current majors and minors in Italian at NYU are encouraged to begin thinking about the BA/MA program in their junior year, and should plan to register for two graduate-level seminars before graduating. They should also contact Professor Jane Tylus (jt76@nyu.,edu), departmental liaison to the villa program, and Professor Virginia Cox, Director of Graduate Studies (virginia.cox@nyu.edu), for further information on the M.A. Riaz Khan, in the Office of Pre- Professional Advising in Silver (9th floor), is also available for assistance on BA/MA programs (riaz.khan@nyu.edu). 

The application packet includes the application form (available in the department or in 901 Silver), two letters of recommendation, and a personal statement. Applications should be sent directly to Riaz Khan, 901 Silver.