An American university in the heart of Rome
MA/LM Double Degree Program with the University of Naples "L’Orientale "
Master of Arts in International Affairs
MA/LM Double Degree Program with the University of Naples "L’Orientale "

MA/LM Double Degree Program with the University of Naples "L’Orientale "

Introduction

Students can simultaneously earn an MA in International Affairs and a Laurea Magistrale (LM) in Relations and Institutions of Asia and Africa through a two-year program between John Cabot University and the University of Naples “L’Orientale.” Students can begin their studies at either John Cabot University or L’Orientale. Upon successful completion of degree requirements for both programs, students will be awarded an MA in International Affairs from John Cabot University and a Laurea Magistrale in Relations and Institutions of Asia and Africa from the Orientale University. Students must apply separately to both programs and be accepted into each.

Curriculum

Students who begin their MA in International Affairs at John Cabot University must earn at least 30US/60CFU credits at JCU before transferring to L’Orientale University. They will need to complete an additional 60CFU/30US credits at L’Orientale University to be awarded their Laurea Magistrale in Relations and Institutions of Asia and Africa. John Cabot students will be awarded their MA in International Affairs only after they have completed their MA thesis at L’Orientale. Students who begin their Laurea Magistrale at L’Orientale University earn 60CFU/30US credits in their first year of study before transferring to John Cabot University’s MA program. They must then earn an additional 30US/60CFU credits in residence at John Cabot University and complete their MA thesis to be awarded the MA in International Affairs.

Dedicated Scholarships

Through their dedicated partnership, John Cabot University offers financial aid for LM students from L’Orientale University who wish to earn their MA degree at John Cabot University. This includes up to two, full-year tuition scholarships for a single year of study at John Cabot University. Similarly, L’Orientale University will waive tuition fees for up to two John Cabot students admitted to L’Orientale University for their second year of study.

Application Deadlines

Students enrolled in the MA program in International Affairs at John Cabot University who would like to apply to the double degree program and spend their second year at L’Orientale must communicate their interest in doing so to the Director of the MA program by March 1, 2025, for a pre-selection process. A full application and presentation of documents must then be submitted to L’Orientale University by March 15th, 2025.

Study Program for Students in the Double Degree Program

Students must complete the degree requirements for both programs. See the degree requirements for John Cabot University’s MA in International Affairs. See the degree requirements for L’Orientale’s Laurea Magistrale in Relations and Institutions of Asia and Africa. Through the dedicated partnership between John Cabot and L’Orientale, students may transfer credits towards the completion of these requirements following the study program below. The language of instruction for both programs is English.

Study Program for Students beginning their studies at John Cabot University

Students who begin their MA in International Affairs at John Cabot University will complete the foundation year requirements including:

  • 4 Foundation Courses (International Relations, Comparative Politics, Research Methodology and International Political Economy) (12US/24CFU)
  • 4 Graduate Seminars (12US/24CFU)
  • Internship (3US/6CFU)
  • International Affairs practicum (2US/4CFU)
  • Professional Development courses (1US/2CFU)

A total of 30US/60CFU taken in their first year of study at John Cabot.

Students who begin their MA in International Affairs at John Cabot University will then need to complete an additional 60CFU/30US credits at L’Orientale University in their 2nd year to be awarded their Laurea Magistrale in Relations and Institutions of Asia and Africa.

They must take 5-6 exams that can be chosen among the following areas (totaling 44CFU/22US credits). The must also complete their LM thesis (totaling 16CFU/8US credits):

  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 4 – Historical area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 5 – Historical area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 7 – Sociological area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 8 – Historical – Political area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 9 – Law area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 10 – Applied skills area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 11 – Language area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 12 – Free choice exam within the Curriculum or laboratorio

Study Program for students beginning their studies at L’Orientale University 

In their first year of study, students who begin their LM at L’Orientale University must take 7 exams (56CFU/28US credits) and 1 laboratorio (4CFU/2US credits) that can be chosen among the following areas:

  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 4 – Historical area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 5 – Historical area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 7 – Sociological area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 8 – Historical – Political area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 9 – Law area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 10 – Applied skills area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 11 – Language area
  • 1 Course of Disciplinary Area 12 – Free choice exam within the Curriculum or laboratorio

Students beginning their studies at L’Orientale University must then earn an additional 30US/60CFU credits at John Cabot University in their 2nd year to be awarded the MA in International Affairs.

Specifically, they must complete the following requirements:

  • the 4 foundation courses (International Relations, Comparative Politics, Research Methodology and International Political Economy) (12US/24CFU). Students who have taken History of International Relations or International Political Economy at L’Orientale may transfer these courses
  • 1 or 2 graduate seminar (6US/12CFU).
  • International Affairs practicum (2US/4CFU)
  • Professional Development course (1US/2CFU)
  • one additional language course (3US/6CFU credits). This may include French, Spanish or English language courses, including English composition courses (EN110) or public speaking courses (COM 220, BUS 220 or CMS 280)
  • Internship (3US/6CFU); Students who have completed their internship requirement in their first year at L’Orientale can take further graduate seminars instead.
  • MA Thesis (6US/12CFU) during their second year of study. 

Find out more information on the Double Degree Program and the application process.