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About Marist Italy

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The Birthplace of the Renaissance

Located in Florence Italy at the historic intersection of European culture and industry, Marist’s Florence branch campus was founded to be the international face of the College’s commitment to global education. Partnered with one of the most established and innovative educators in Florence, The Lorenzo d’Medici Institute, Marist has offered study abroad opportunities for more than two decades.

Photo of crowd in Florence Offering a wide range of Bachelor’s degrees, as well as a Master of Art in Museum Studies* (program currently on pause), Florence is an ideal location for Marist students to learn by living and experiencing entirely new cultures. Art students in Florence have the opportunity to view great works of art in their original location and grasp the original context. Italy is rich with fashion history, an advantage which our students and faculty actively utilize whenever possible. All of the programs offered at Marist’s branch campus are designed to build on the unique strengths of Florence and to treat the city and cultures as extensions of the classroom.

Aside from the immense educational opportunities that our Florence campus offers, students are encouraged to engage first-hand in not only Italian culture, but the global cultures that circulate throughout the city. From a coffee shop on the corner to the dozens of museums, Marist students are given access to new world experience and given the opportunity to mature and grow with other young, expanding minds. As Florence has become something of a mecca for global learning, our students often find themselves in learning environments with students from Egypt to Holland to Turkey. Florence is also a convenient gateway into all other areas of Europe. After quickly finding their bearings, Marist students often utilize direct access to a plethora of cultures and cities, from Budapest to Paris and beyond.

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In Partnership with Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici

Logo for Marist LdM partnership

Partnered with Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici for the past three decades, Marist offers several bachelor degrees, a master’s degree program, a one-year, study-abroad First-Year Florence Experience (FFE), traditional semester study abroad for Marist juniors and seniors, and the Pre-College program for rising high school juniors and seniors.

Marist College and Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici share a similar vision and mission in their approaches to education. These core values, of excellence in education, the importance of community, and the principle of service, are the foundation for this unique partnership.

Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici is authorized by the Ministry of Public Education in Italy, in addition to being an accredited member of many European and international educational organizations. LdM holds private agreements with all major Florence museums for student access to exclusive sites, artworks, and other events with additional campuses in Rome, Tuscania, and Venice.

Marist-Italy is an official branch campus recognized by Marist College’s accrediting body the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.  The degrees offered by Marist-Italy are U.S. University Degrees granted with all the same rights and privileges as those issued at the Marist Main Campus.

Marist College’s Mission

Marist is dedicated to helping students develop the intellect and character required for enlightened, ethical, and productive lives in the global community of the 21st century.

Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici’s mission

Istituto Lorenzo de' Medici is committed to providing a high quality education that enables students to realize their own potential, develop and apply their creativity, and interact successfully with the community worldwide.

About Florence

Photo of crowds in Florence

Marist College’s branch campus is located in the center of the beautiful and historic Tuscan city of Florence. Florence is approximately 180 miles (290 km) from Rome and 188 miles (300 km) from Milan. Florence is a World Heritage Site and played a pivotal role in the Renaissance. Florence provides its visitors with a rich account of art history, design, and architecture. The region’s passion for cuisine is well documented.

Marist’s urban campus is nestled among the many shops, cafes, markets, and historical sites that make up the character and spirit of Florence. For centuries, Florence has attracted visitors with its wide array of museums, archives, and exhibits dedicated to its most famous residents, including Dante, Michelangelo, Machiavelli, and Galileo. When you plan your visit to the Marist Branch Campus, you may want to build a little extra time into your schedule to explore and to discover all that this Tuscan city has to offer.