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| Semester & Year-Long Programs |
The programs are briefly summarized here. For detailed information on each, please visit the details links: 1. General Studies Program (Details) This is the most common program chosen by students studying at the Umbra Institute. It is a standard semester program during which students are required to take a 4-or 6-credit Italian language course as part of their curriculum, and may then choose any Umbra courses offered without restriction, other than any course prerequisites. Students must enroll in a minimum of 15 and maximum of 18 semester credits. Honors courses may be taken by students who qualify. This program is open to all students. 2. Independent Research Program (Details) This program is designed for students who wish to work on a thesis or senior project while studying abroad in Italy. Students are required to take a 4 or 6-credit Italian language course, a 3-credit Research Methods course, and a 6-credit Field-Study Research course. This program course consists of regular one-on-one consultations with a pre-assigned Umbra instructor, who assists and guides the student through their thesis. Students may also choose to work with instructors from their home institution if approved. Students may also choose one or two additional courses for a minimum of 15 and maximum of 18 semester credits. Honors courses may be taken by students who qualify. This program is open to all students. 3. Italian Language & Culture Program (Details) This full-immersion program is exclusively dedicated to the study of the Italian language and culture. Students who select this program are enrolled at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia in one of six levels of language instruction. The program is conducted entirely in Italian, but is open to students at all levels of language proficiency, from the beginner to the advanced student. The levels of instruction are based on The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Level A1, for example, is designed for beginners and assumes no prior study of the Italian language. Level C1, on the other hand, is designed for linguistically advanced students and offers elective courses covering a variety of subjects related to Italian studies. This program is open to all students and yields 16 semester credits in the Italian language and culture. 4. Direct Enrollment at the Universita' degli Studi di Perugia (Details) This program is only available to students with advanced proficiency in Italian. Umbra can facilitate direct enrollment at the Universita' degli Studi di Perugia for full-time study in either semester or for the academic year. SPECIAL COURSES Honors Courses (Details) The Umbra Institute offers a number of 4-credit courses classified as "Honors". Only students with a superior academic record (3.5 GPA or higher) and a specific letter of recommendation may enroll in one or more honors courses as part of the General Studies or Independent Research programs. Franciscan Studies Courses (Details) The Institute also offers a variety of Franciscan studies courses developed in cooperation with the Franciscan Institute of Saint Bonaventure University. The courses may vary from term to term, but all focus on various aspects of Saint Francis, his followers, as well as Franciscan history, tradition, philosophy and influence. Independent Research - 6 credits Part of the Independent Research Program. Students are encouraged to study with Umbra for a full academic year when possible. In such cases, students may enroll in one program in the fall and something different or more ambitious in the spring. Consider enrolling in the intensive Italian Language & Culture program in the fall to become proficient in Italian and satisfy a year of language study requirements; then continue in the spring with the General Studies program, and choose from the wide variety of exciting and useful elective courses, or create your own with the Independent Research track. When you study with Umbra, you decide what kind of academic experience you want. The Institute encourages you to take control of your time abroad and to follow the course of study best suited to your individual needs.
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The Umbra Institute offers a number of distinctive and innovative academic programs that present students with a choice of several curricular options. The General Studies Program allows students to take courses taught by Umbra faculty at our facilities in English, and in some cases Italian. The Independent Research Program offers students the opportunity to undertake an intensive research project in an area that interests them with one-on-one consultation with a research advisor. To supplement both of these programs, Umbra also offers Honor Courses, open to self-motivated learners who qualify and wish to challenge themselves while abroad. And, as the Umbra Institute is also recognized as a provider of credit-bearing courses for the Università degli Studi di Perugia, a number of Italian students join us each semester, providing further opportunities for cultural exchange and enrichment.
