Students attend a pre-session course in Bologna to improve their command of Italian and facilitate their adjustment to life in Bologna and at the university. They then enroll in one or two regular University of Bologna courses with Italian students as well as take special courses in Italian literature, language, culture, art history, film studies, and contemporary politics and history arranged by the BCSP for program students. All instruction in program courses is in Italian and the courses are taught by University of Bologna faculty.

Academic year students complete 30 hours of credit across the year while fall or spring semester students complete 15. Students from institutions using different credit systems (units or quarters) should consult their home school academic advisors for equivalencies to these semester hour requirements.