Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1 Are the degrees obtained at Regina Apostolorum valid in other countries?
R/ Since Regina Apostolorum is a Pontifical University, the degrees it confers are ecclesiastical degrees, i.e. approved by the Holy See’s Congregation of Catholic Education. This degree should be accepted as valid by other Catholic Universities. In countries where ecclesiastical degrees are not officially recognized by the civil authorities, one may request to have them accredited by presenting our program of study. We have not experienced difficulties from students who were unable to have their studies recognized.

2 What difference is there between the Master's degree in Bioethics offered by Regina Apostolorum and a post-graduate degree in a different field?
R/ The Master's degree offered by the School of Bioethics at Regina Apostolorum is not just a post-graduate course. It is a full-fledged academic degree that corresponds to a Licentiate degree in the European system. The Bioethics curriculum starts with undergraduate studies where the foundation is laid for a solid preparation in Bioethics. This includes an interdisciplinary structure providing familiarity with key areas of knowledge associated with bioethics: Medicine and Biology, Law, Philosophy and Catholic Theology.

3 How do the programs of Regina Apostolorum compare with others Bioethics program elsewhere?
The program offered at the School of Bioethics is unique because of its interdisciplinary nature. Programs attached with the medical teaching institutions tend to focus on the clinical aspects and tend to be weak in their philosophical justifications. Other programs offered by law, philosophy and theology departments tend not to be comprehensive in their treatment on the scientific elements. Very few institutions offer programs with an interdisciplinary approach at the graduate and doctorate levels.

4 What benefit is there to studying in Rome?
R/ The academic tenure in Rome opens doors to discovering the enormous cultural, historical, and religious treasures of Europe. It provides opportunities for frequent contact with Rome's vast historical and artistic patrimony. The Eternal City lies at the heart of Christianity, and throughout the year Rome offers a large number of international conferences and lectures over a broad range of topics, including bioethics. From Rome other historic cities are easily accessible: Florence, Siena, Assisi, Pompeii...

5 Does Regina Apostolorum offer Scholarships or financial aids to students?
There is a very limited amount of private scholarship funding offered by the University. This aid will be given to those who demonstrate a true need. Beyond the personal economic situation, RA will also take into account the academic performance and previous background (country of origin, family financial status). There is a tendency to help students coming from developing countries. In general, the financial-aid application has to be submitted by July 15, 2004 and the results would be communicated to the students in late August. Tuition fees at RA are comparably much lower than what one is accustomed to pay in most American universities.

6 Is Regina Apostolorum registered with the FAFSA?
R/ Regina Apostolorum is actively pursuing the requirements for full recognition. The projected date of recognition is for June, 2005.

7 Can a lay person apply?
R/ Yes. The School of Bioethics is open to seminarians, priests, men and women religious, consecrated and lay people.

8 I have just finished high school. Can I apply to the Bioethics program?
R/ Yes. Whoever has a diploma or degree that allows them to apply to a university in their own country can apply to the undergraduate program of the School of Bioethics.

9 I have already obtained a medical degree. Can I apply directly to the Master's program?
R/ As a general rule you qualify for the Bachelor's program. However, depending on other previous studies (theology, philosophy, etc), the Dean of Studies may exempt you from subjects for which you have already obtained credit. In this case the Dean of Bioethics will help you to establish a personalized program to make up prerequisites missing from the Bachelor's program. Anyone who has a Bachelor's degree in bioethics or theology can directly enter the Master's program. If you have had studies in theology and/or philosophy, please send us course descriptions, total number of semester hours for each course, and the principal bibliography comprising the exposition of the course in order to confirm accreditation.

10 Does the School of Bioethics offer any courses other than those that form part of the Bachelor's and Master's programs?
R/ Yes. The School of Bioethics offers week long intensive courses in Bioethics four times a year. (See below). In addition, every year a two-week long thematic Summer Course is held.

11 Does the School of Bioethics offer any intensive courses?
R/ Yes. Intensive courses and seminars are available to students enrolled in the Master’s Degree Program. These classes may also be taken as an auditor without being enrolled in the program. Each intensive course is held over a two-week period week within a semester. The first week is held at the beginning of the semester and the second week will be held towards the end of the same semester. The calendar of intensive courses is the following:
ACADEMIC YEAR 2003-2004

Second Semester
March 29 to April 3, 2004
June 28 to July 3, 2004

The proposed dates for intensive courses 2004-2005 are:
1st semester
Nov 8-13, 2004
Feb 7-12, 2005

2nd semester
Apr 18 – 23, 2005
Jun 27 – Jul 2, 2005

During the intensive weeks, normal classes in the Master’s degree program are interrupted to allow regular students in the Master’s program to participate in courses during the intensive weeks. Both intensive courses and regular courses accumulate a total of 24 hours of class time each semester. Each intensive week corresponds to 12 hours of classes for a single subject. In other words, half of each course is seen during a single intensive week. The total number of intensive courses and seminars cannot exceed four each semester. Selected intensive courses carry simultaneous English translation.

12 Does the School of Bioethics offer any courses by distance?
At the moment, Regina Apostolorum is not contemplating in offering courses by distance in Bioethics.

13 What are the possible job opportunities for the graduates of the program?
R/ Since Bioethics is a new discipline, it is not such a well defined career as in other professions. However, judging from the fact that bioethical issues are becoming more and more present in the news and the minds of people, it is expected that there would a demand for bioethicists in the near future. Many health and governmental institutions presently seek qualified bioethicists. see www.torredibabele.it and www.bioethics.net/bioethics_jobs.php. Even though the Catholic position is not that prominent in these sites, it is a matter of time before the Church would also need well trained bioethicists to work in Catholic hospitals, diocesans programs and other church organizations.

14 In what languages are the classes given?
R/ The classes are given principally in Italian. Some courses at the Master's level are offered in English. The intensive weeks and summer courses may be given in English or with simultaneous translation into English.

15 How have English speaking students fared with studying in Italian?
The majority of those who hold English as their mother tongue have adjusted within two months and have been able to take their semester exams although with a little more difficulty in the beginning. Students find it especially enriching, not just the fact they are learning a second or third language, but Italian offers greater access to other documents, especially the ecclesial ones such as Papal discourses of which some are without translation. Fluency in Italian also serves to easily comprehend other Romance languages such as French, Spanish and Portuguese. Many students manage to capture the contents of a class lecture after a one month intensive course in September, and some students had come in the summer for an immersion course.

16 Is it possible to take exams in one's native language?
R/ Yes. Students may give their oral and written exams and submit their research papers in Italian, Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, or German.

17 Can someone apply who does not know Italian?
R/ For students who are enrolled in the intensive weeks and summer courses, this does not apply. For the regular courses which are mostly given in Italian, it is highly recommended that one be familiar enough with Italian in order to follow a class lecture. A proficiency exam will be given to all newly enrolled students in the regular courses. Those who have not demonstrated sufficient dominion of Italian are required to enroll in a remedial language course. Many students before coming to Rome have found a good preparation in using such proven language methods such as Pimsleur and Barron’s, which are available CD or cassette... and if you have the opportunity to enroll in a language class—all the better.

18 Does Regina Apostolorum offer any help with Italian or other languages?
R/ Regina Apostolorum has offered Italian classes at the beginning of September to help students acquire the needed proficiency, but the possibility of organizing this course will depend on a quota of registrations. Students at Regina Apostolorum have also demonstrated excellent results with the program offered by Torre di Babele Institute. Consult www.torredibabele.it . This institute also offers affordable housing during the academic tenure. Their website prices do not reflect the 10% discount they offer to students at Regina Apostolorum.
During the regular school year, Regina Apostolorum offers other language courses (Italian, German, Spanish, French) at two levels: beginners and advanced.

19 Does Regina Apostolorum offer any housing services or assistance in Rome?
R/ The University itself does not have housing facilities. The admissions office works with housing agents, families and private contacts to provide our students lodging. In most cases, home owners rent vacant single rooms or entire apartments. As a general rule owners prefer to meet students in person before reaching an agreement. Students who first arrive normally stay at the temporary residence “Highlands” until arrangements for permanent housing are found. The admissions office will reserve these facilities for new students. For more information about the Highlands, consult Student Housing.

20 Where is the campus Regina Apostolorum situated?
R/ Regina Apostolorum sits on a hill toward the western edge of Rome (Via degli Aldobrandeschi, 190. (Tel. 39/06/665/27800). The installations are easily accessible by bus and train. Trains arrive and depart every half hour from Stazione Aurelia (Train Station-Aurelia). The station is located 100 yards from the back entrance of the University. The principal train station in Rome is called Termini. At Termini the FM5 train route travels through four successive stops: Tuscolana, Ostiense, Trastevere, San Pietro (St. Peter’s), Aurelia . Get off at Aurelia. The FM5 circuit is habitually listed as the train bound for Civitàvecchia and usually departs from one of the tracks between 22 and 25. The train ride from Termini to Stazione Aurelia is about 27 minutes.
Also located at the Aurelia Train Station is the last stop of Bus 247 which departs Stazione Aurelia every 20 minutes. Bus 247’s last stop on its return trip will take you to close to the Vatican Museums and finishes at the last stop called Cipro-Musei Vaticani. The station at Cipro also has a connecting subway service called the Metro and the Metro travels to and from Termini train station. For more information about directions to Regina Apostolorum, consult the Student Housing.

21 Does Regina Apostolorum offer a shuttle service from the airport?
R/. No. A cab fare from Fiumicino Airport to Regina Apostolorum will cost about $40 USD. The fare will double when travelling to the Highlands. When taking a cab from the airport, find the white taxicab service in the designated area located just outside the terminal doors for arrivals. These taxis have fixed charges. All other taxi “pirate” services are sure to overcharge.
There is also a train station across the street from the terminal. Trains depart every half hour to Termini Train Station in Rome. A single ticket costs $8 USD and is purchased at the tobacco store (look for a sign with the “T”) in the train station across the street from the arrival terminal. If your destination is the Highlands, take Metro Line B (subway) at train station Termini in Rome. Tickets can be purchased at tobacco stores, newspaper stands or at the vending machines in the metro station. A single ticket sells for 1 USD.
A monthly pass public transport ticket sells for about $30 USD. It is valid for ATAC bus, metro and local train stops.

22 How should I make my application to the School?
R/ After the Dean has reviewed the requested documentation and confirmed acceptance of the interested party into the School of Bioethics the student may then fill out the Registration Form. This registration confirms your acceptance with the School of Bioethics. Official registration, however, must be done in person at the General Secretariat.

23 What are the admission requirements to the different programs?
R/ Students eligible for admission to university studies in his or her home country can enter the School of Bioethics. The basic documents required for admission to Regina Apostolorum:
- A copy of official transcripts. You must present the official transcripts in person at the General Secretariat at Regina Apostolorum.
- A curriculum vitae of previous studies, publications, investigations, awards, and professional experience. This information helps prepare an academic evaluation for a proper placement within one of the degree programs: Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate.
- A copy of your passport. Students residing outside the European Union will be required to obtain a visa through their local Italian consulate. If you reside in USA consult italconsdetroit.org/statelocator/statelocator.htm for regional Italian of consulates.
- A passport photo to present to the General Secretariat when officially registering in person.
- A copy of your Student Sojourn/Residency Permit. This is obtained from the Questura (Police Headquarters) in your residential area and requires that you have a full coverage Italian insurance policy unless your current health insurance policy can be adjusted to foresee full coverage overseas. You can obtain six and twelve month policies in Rome for about $40 and $80 respectively. For information on how and where to obtain an Italian coverage policy, consult insurance coverage information.
- A letter of recommendation from a priest that knows you or from your bishop in case you are a diocesan priest, seminarian or consecrated lay. If you are a religious, a letter from your superior is requested.
- An affidavit of support from the person or institution that is providing your financial assistance. If personal funds are being used, send a copy of your bank statement.
- Deposit a refundable fee of €180 (euros) to the account of Regina Apostolorum through the following bank:
Swift number: IT87 E 06285 03204 000000531803
Banca Carim, Via Boccea 33, 00165 Roma
Beneficiary: Pontificio Ateneo Regina Apostolorum
This fee will be deducted from your payment of the registration fee upon arrival. Please send a FAX with your full name, what program you are entering (Bachelors, Masters or Doctorate in the School of Bioethics) and the receipt, or email the details of the transaction just in case we need to track the transfer. The payment office is: FAX (39) (06) 6652789

Important: Students who are not member of the European Union must present an acceptance letter from Regina Apostolorum in order to obtain the visa to enter the country. In order to receive this letter, please send us a copy of your official transcripts, a photocopy of your passport, a curriculum vitae, the refundable €180 pre-registration fee and a photocopy of the letter of recommendation.
Please send this requested documentation either by e-mail to info@upra.org or to the e-mail address of the person contacted at Regina Apostolorum; by FAX at (39)(06) 66527814 (Please address it to the person you contacted); if you send this information by post, address it to Admissions Director, ATTN: (Personal Contact) School of Bioethics, Via degli Aldobrandeschi, 190- 00163 Rome, Italy.

24 Do I have to take an exam before applying?
R/ There are no entrance exams with exception to the Italian language mentioned earlier.

25 What is the registration deadline?
R/ The registration deadline for the regular programs falls in the inaugural week of classes at the beginning of October. Please inquire at info@upra.org regarding the deadlines of application for the intensive courses and summer courses.

26 When do regular classes begin?
R/ First semester classes begin after the first week of October and extend to the third week of January. The first semester exam session begins the final week of January and finishes in the second week of February. The second semester begins in the second week of February and extends until the last day of May. The second semester exam period immediately follows and lasts through the first three weeks of June. There is a two-week break during Christmas that normally starts the Saturday before Christmas. Classes resume the first weekday after January 6th. Another two-week break occurs during Holy Week and the Octave of Easter.

Last update: March 10, 2004.