LUMSA University is a private Catholic university in Rome, Italy, founded in 1939 by Luigia Tincani and Cardinal Giuseppe Pizzardo. It is the second-oldest university in Rome after Sapienza and has been supported by the Vatican since its establishment. The university was originally created to provide higher education for nuns teaching in Catholic schools while promoting an intellectual and humanistic education free from ideological influence.

Historical Development

• 1939: Founded as Istituto Superiore Pareggiato di Magistero Maria Ss. Assunta, initially focusing on teacher education.
• 1960s-70s: Expanded enrollment to include lay female students and introduced more academic programs.
• 1989: Officially became LUMSA University, transforming into a multi-faculty institution.
• Late 1990s: Opened campuses in Taranto (Puglia) and Palermo (Sicily), with rapid growth in student numbers and faculty.

Academic Focus & Reputation

• LUMSA was among the first Italian universities to introduce Communication Science and Journalism programs.
• It gradually expanded its faculties to include law, politics, economics, psychology, and social services while maintaining a strong emphasis on education and pedagogy.
• The university is highly regarded in European academic programs, particularly the Erasmus project, and has received recognition from the European Union.
• It upholds Catholic values, integrating principles of fraternity, solidarity, equality, and peace into its education and research.