Italian

Benvenuti! Would you like to be fluent in one of the world's most-studied languages? Do you enjoy studying the culture that shaped historic thinkers such as Michelangelo, Dante and Montessori? Are you interested in learning more about Italy's world-renowned contributions to food, design and architecture? If you want to master the language spoken by more than 60 million people around the globe—from Switzerland and the U.S. to Canada, Australia and Brazil—then UB's Italian program might be the perfect fit.

Departments


Academic Programs

Majors

Minors

What will I learn?

Our small, engaging language courses are taught in Italian right from the start, immersing you in pronunciation and grammar to help you build your skills quickly. Along the way, you'll study various aspects of Italian life throughout history, from Roman architecture and Renaissance art to modern film and fashion.

As a student within the Department of Romance Languages and Literature, you'll also have opportunities to learn about other Romance languages and cultures that share common origins and characteristics.

What can I do with an Italian degree?

Lead people on food tours of Italy. Translate best-selling books into Italian. Teach Italian at a high school. These are just a few of the ways you can use your talent and expertise. Popular career paths include:

  • Academia and education. Teach at a school or university, advise international students or help develop educational materials.
  • International development. Promote human rights, gender justice and other important issues worldwide.
  • Medicine and health care. Help people live healthier lives with a career in global public health.
  • Publishing and translation. Become an interpreter or media specialist, or work for a publisher or immigration agency.
  • Industry, research and consultation. Serve as a diplomat, promote tourism or work in international trade.

Many students also go to graduate school to study language, education, law, business or other fields.

By the Numbers

Check out salary ranges and career outlooks straight from the U.S. Department of Labor to see the return on investment for your degree.

Occupational Wage and Growth Statistics
Occupation TitleMean Annual WageMean Hourly WageFuture Outlook
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$112,950.00N/A
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$78,500.00N/A
Interpreters and Translators$40,540.00$19.49

Data provided by the and DOL data from 2024.