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This major will enable you to write, speak, think, enjoy literature and film, and solve real-world problems in Italian—and at a high level. You’ll be ready to use your new knowledge and skills in a wide range of professional settings.

Mastering a world language will open doors for you

Italian is a Romance language with 65 million speakers all over the world. Chicago is one of the largest centers of Italian-speaking people in the United States. Dominican honors an Italian priest, Father Samuel Mazzuchelli, as its founder. The message: there’s no better place to study this beautiful language than Dominican. In small classes, you’ll work side-by-side with caring faculty. You’ll study not only the language but also the literature and culture of Italians and Italian Americans. The advanced skills and knowledge you will develop will enable you to stand out from the crowd and enter the job market exceptionally prepared for professional success. Students seeking to teach Italian can complete our Italian Studies major alongside our secondary and K-12 education program.

More ways to learn—on campus and way beyond

Practical experience is built into the Italian curriculum. Our domestic internships draw on Chicago’s cultural and corporate resources. Our international internships offer positions in a variety of fields including fashion, art, and the business world. You can combine academic study with compassionate service to people in need, or complete your own research or creative projects in close collaboration with faculty. We especially encourage you to take full advantage of Dominican’s outstanding study abroad program and international internship program in Florence, Italy.

Angela Evola

Dominican Graduate

“It was a great honor to attend Dominican. I was fortunate enough to earn a scholarship to the university. It allowed me to focus on my studies in Italian and international business and really prepare me for my future.”

Pursue your passion—and earn a scholarship

Accepted students interested in the Italian language and culture who meet the minimum criteria are invited to apply for the Barbantini Family Scholarship, offering $5,000 per year for a total of four years for freshmen students and two to three years for transfer students. Previous experience with Italian is not required. You’ll simply need to take one course in the Italian program per semester, which may be applied toward a major or minor in Italian Studies. You’ll join an immersive language program with built-in practical experience, the opportunity for study abroad adventures, outstanding complementary programs in international business, marketing, graphic design, and more.

Join a relationship-centered learning community

No one is lost in the crowd at Dominican. Our student-faculty ratio is 11 to 1. The average class has 16 students. This enables our faculty to engage each student as an individual with particular gifts, hopes and goals. The Dominican model of community is based on a recognition of the profound value and unique potential of each person. We challenge one another to find our true voices and become our best selves.

Olivia Babusci

MSW Candidate

“I was drawn to the familial aspect of Dominican, which was especially evident in the Italian program. I experienced the richness of the Italian culture and expanded my knowledge of the language. My Italian degree will help me in the field of social work to better work with more culturally diverse populations.”