Studio Art & Fashion Design

Florence, Italy
Studio Art & Fashion Design

About the Program

Designed for both art and non-art majors, this program challenges you to transform your Italian experience into art. Choose from printmaking, fashion design, painting, drawing, and more; close instruction by practicing artists encourage your contemporary work in response to Florentine traditions. Italy’s history, culture, and art are typical themes of complementary elective courses. Studio art courses are taught at our partner institution, Santa Reparata International School of Art (SRISA). Semester students attend courses both at SRISA and the CEA CAPA Florence Center; over the summer you will take courses only at SRISA. At the end of your program, you will exhibit your work at SRISA’s highly visible art gallery.  

Requirements

Overview

Location:

Florence

Dates:

8/24/16 - 12/17/16

Price:

$16,895

Credits:

13 - 16

Deadlines

Apply By:

Closed

Withdraw By:

7/1/16

Requirements

$95 Online Application Fee
Complete Application
Transcript - Unofficial

Eligibility

Course Prerequisites:

Some courses may have prerequisites.

Education
Completed:

High School Graduate

Foreign Language Proficiency:

All Levels

Minimum GPA:

2.5

Get a Flight Credit worth up to $1,000 when you apply with code* by September 12, 2025

Where You'll Study

13-16

Credits

Program Structure & Courses

Enroll in 1 CEA CAPA core course, 1-3 CEA CAPA courses and 1-2 SRISA studio art courses. CEA CAPA language courses meet for 60 contact hours/4 credits; CEA CAPA and SRISA courses meet for 45 contact hours/3 credits; and SRISA studio art courses meet for 45-90 contact hours/3 credits.   

Each semester, you may earn a total of up to 16 credits (up to 240 contact hours).

CEA CAPA language courses meet 4 times per week, Monday-Thursday. Elective courses generally meet 2 times per week, Monday-Thursday; some SRISA classes may only meet once per week. Active learning components required by your courses may be scheduled for Fridays. 

Prior to departure, you will select your preferred courses and indicate your estimated Italian language level. After you arrive in Florence, you'll take a language placement exam to determine final placement. You will be enrolled into courses based on their availability.  It is in your best interest to have multiple alternative courses approved by your home university prior to your departure due to course availabilities. To ensure that you receive credit for the language level you place into, have your home school pre-approve courses at several levels before you leave for Italy.

Please note that SRISA is affiliated with a School of Record, Maryville University in St. Louis, which grants credit for courses successfully completed at SRISA. As such, course details on the CEA CAPA website include both Maryville University and SRISA course information, including course code, subject area and course level, as recommended by each institution.

While CEA CAPA recommends using the Maryville University course code designations and transcript for credit transfer purposes, it is at the discretion of your home institution to determine the transfer of credit for SRISA courses. Please consult with your academic advisor at your home university on credit pre-approval guidelines. 

Option A - CEA and SRISA Courses Course Structure

Available Levels

Courses

The following courses have been confirmed for this term. Please note, the host institution reserves the right to cancel or change courses without prior notification.

*Courses with an asterisk indicate that the course has been associated with multiple subject areas.
Please click on the course title to view additional subject areas and detailed course information.

Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Advanced Italian 300 It 60 4
Beginning Italian I 100 It 60 4
Beginning Italian II 100 It 60 4
Intermediate Italian I 200 It 60 4
Intermediate Italian II 200 It 60 4
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
ART 101 Drawing I * 100 En 90 3
ART 151 Drawing II * 100 En 90 3
ART 316 Advanced Drawing * 300 En 90 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Fashion Research and History 200 En 90 3
Sustainable Clothing and Ethical Fashion * 400 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Graphic Design for Artists: Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator 200 En 90 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
HUM 297 Introduction to Fashion Merchandising Concepts * 200 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Advanced Painting * 300 En 90 3
ART 210 Beginning Painting * 200 En 90 3
ART 310 Painting II * 300 En 90 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
ART 220 Printmaking I 200 En 90 3
New Genres: Video Sound, Performance, and Installation 200 En 90 3
Self-Promotion and Portfolio 400 En 90 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Special Topics: The Business of Art * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Family Business and Entrepreneurship 300 En 45 3
Special Topics: The Business of Art * 300 En 45 3
The Business of Food * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Communication & Global Competence 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Sport & Culture in Contemporary Italy * 300 En 45 3
The Culture of Food & Wine in Italy 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Fashion Marketing & Merchandising 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Gender as a Social Construct: (re)defining Roles in Italian Society * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Social History of the Italian Mafia * 300 En 45 3
Sport & Culture in Contemporary Italy * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
The Politics of European Integration: an Italian Perspective * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Fashion Marketing & Merchandising 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
The Politics of European Integration: an Italian Perspective * 300 En 45 3
Course Name Level Lang Hours Credits
Critical Perspectives on Italy: Contemporary Society & Culture * 300 En 45 3
The Business of Food * 300 En 45 3

Interested in taking your career to the next level?

Where You'll Stay

*Housing options may change and will be confirmed on the housing application form prior to the start of the term. Below are the housing options that have been offered in the past.

Excursions

Get out and explore! Excursions are offered for most semester, year, and summer programs. Semester students are typically offered between two to three excursions and summer study students are typically offered between one to two excursions. You'll receive a calendar of excursions during orientation; here are a few day and overnight excursions we've offered in the past.

What's Included in your Program

From housing to excursions, our programs include a variety of inclusions to enhance your study abroad experience! Here are examples that may be available in Florence. Inclusions vary by program – please contact our Enrollment and Advising team to find out what options are available for you.

  • Personalized Pre-Departure Advising
  • Visa & Immigration Advising
  • Financial Advising
  • Tuition and Registration
  • Airport Pick-up
  • Onsite Orientation
  • City Tour
  • Onsite Staff Support
  • 24/7 Emergency Assistance
  • Travel Medical Insurance
  • International Emergency Service Support
  • Welcome & Farewell Events
  • Centrally Located Housing
  • Wellness Activities
  • Cultural Engagement
  • Language Exchanges
  • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Excursions
  • Host Institution Services & Amenities
  • Official Transcript(s)

Sample Calendar

Below is a tentative itinerary for your program. Please note, dates and events below may change without prior notification. Contact CEA CAPA before purchasing airline tickets.

You will receive a finalized itinerary once you arrive onsite.

Note: Additional cultural activities/excursions or required course-related activities may be incorporated into your final itinerary. You are advised not to make personal travel arrangements until you have the final dates.

Date Description
January 04
Arrival/Program Begins

Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Florence airport (FLR "Amerigo Vespucci") on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.

January 05 - 10
Orientation

Mandatory Orientation will be held: general orientation, academic orientation, health & safety, student fair, and time to familiarize yourself with Florence!

January 11
Classes Begin

Spring semester classes begin at the CEA Florence Center on this day.

January 18
Classes Begin

Classes begin at SRISA on this day.

February 22 - 26
Midterm Exams

Midterm exams will be held this week.

February 27 - March 06
School Break

Spring Break. No classes will be held.

March 11
Make-Up Class

Make-Up day for Monday classes. All Monday classes will meet this day at CEA Florence center.

March 28
Holiday

National Holiday. No classes will be held.

April 22
Make-Up Class

Make-Up day for Monday classes. All Monday classes will meet this day at CEA Florence center.

April 25 - 29
Final Exams

Final exams will be held this week.

April 27
Cultural Activity

SRISA Student Art Show.

April 30
Program Ends/Move-Out

Official Semester End Date. Students must move out of apartments by noon.

August 24
Arrival/Program Begins

Official Program Start Date. Students must arrive at the Florence airport (FLR "Amerigo Vespucci") on this date in order to be eligible for airport pickup. Students will then be transferred to their assigned housing.

August 25 - 26
Orientation

Mandatory CEA Orientation will be held: general orientation, academic orientation, health & safety, and time to familiarize yourself with Florence!

August 29 - September 02
Intensive Language Prep Course

Option B students participate in a one-week Intensive Language Prep Course at SRISA.

August 30 - September 03
Orientation

Option A students will participate in additional CEA Orientation sessions.

September 05
Classes Begin

Fall semester classes begin at the CEA Florence Center on this day.

September 09
Drop/Add Deadline

This is the last day to drop and/or add classes at CEA Florence Center.

September 10
Excursion

CEA Excursion to Cinque Terre - Daytrip.

September 30 - October 01
Excursion

CEA Excursion to Turin - Overnight.

October 03 - 13
Midterm Exams

Midterm exams will be held at CEA Florence Center anytime within these two weeks.

October 07
Make-Up Class

Make-Up day for CEA Tuesday classes (November 1st holiday). All CEA Tuesday classes will meet this day.

October 14 - 23
School Break

Fall Break. No classes will be held.

October 28
Make-Up Class

Make-Up day for Thursday classes (December 8th holiday). All Thursday classes will meet this day.

November 01
Holiday

National holiday. The CEA Florence Center will be closed

November 04
Course Withdrawal Deadline

This is the last day on which students can withdraw from a course at the CEA Florence Center and receive a "W".

November 11
Excursion

CEA Excursion to Bologna - Daytrip.

December 08
Holiday

National holiday. The CEA Center will be closed.

December 12 - 15
Final Exams

Final exams will be held at CEA Florence Center.

December 17
Program Ends/Move-Out

Official Semester End Date. Students must move out of apartments by noon.

Sample Budget

This budget contains costs that you can take to your financial aid office. Please note that amounts may fluctuate; we've included a range of costs.

Federal law allows the use of financial aid to cover "reasonable" costs of study abroad including round-trip transportation, tuition and fees for the program, living costs, passport and visa fees, health insurance, and more.

Please note that all costs and charges listed below are subject to change without notice. With the exception of Program Price, all costs are estimates and may vary.

Description Low-Cost High-Cost
Program Fee
Tuition and fees, registration, orientation, airport pickup, welcome and farewell receptions, housing, official transcript, cultural excursions/activities, student support services, CEA On-site Staff and administrative costs.
$16,895
$16,895
CEA Secure
CEASecure™ is an optional refund plan that allows students to withdraw for any covered reason up to one week before the program’s start date
$0
$475
International Airfare & Transfers
Cost varies depending on time of purchase, point of origin and time of travel.
$1,000
$1,600
Immigration Requirements
Includes passport and additional requirements such as visa, entry and exit fees, French Carte de Séjour, French University Administrative Fee (if applicable), or Italian Permesso di Soggiorno.
$615
$615
Books, Materials and Supplies
Includes books, school supplies, art supplies, and course fees. Does not include fees or supplies for optional courses. This cost varies depending on the course choices of the student.
$230
$995
Meals
Includes the average expected cost for food in addition to your meal plan, such as eating out at restaurants.
$1,733
$3,465
Personal Expenses
Includes telephone, laundry, local transportation, personal necessities and upfront payments for potential doctor visits. Please note, certain locations may require deposits to secure spots in CEA organized activities and excursions (deposits are returned at the end of the program if student attends activities/excursions or cancels participation before set deadlines). Some of these costs vary according to the spending habits of the student.
$578
$1,733
Travel Expenses
Includes additional travel outside of CEA excursions. This cost varies according to the spending habits of the student.
$693
$6,930
TOTAL EXPENSES $21,744 $32,708