Chinese
The Chinese language program at Penn State develops practical Mandarin Chinese communication skills, intercultural understanding, and knowledge of Chinese-speaking cultures and communities. Students build speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills while studying Chinese literature, culture, film and media, contemporary society, and professional communication contexts. Through coursework, education abroad, cultural events, research, and career-development resources, students learn to interpret Chinese language and China-related materials and communicate thoughtfully across cultural contexts.
Degree Types: Bachelor of Arts, Minor
Explore Interests Related to Chinese
Degree Options
Degree Concentrations
The Chinese major can serve as a primary field of study or as a complement to academic plans in Asian Studies, international affairs, business, law, education, media, health-related fields, science and technology, and other areas. Alumni examples show that Chinese language and cultural learning can support work in multilingual education, market research, legal and policy settings, international business, healthcare communication, and community-facing professional contexts. Graduates are prepared to pursue graduate/professional study and careers where Mandarin language ability, cultural literacy, research skills, and global perspective add value.
Popular Double Majors or Minors
- Asian Studies
- Global and International Studies
- International Politics, Political Science, International Affairs, and Public Policy
- Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Marketing, and Supply Chain
- Criminology, Global Security, Law and Society, Legal Studies, and pre-law planning
- Linguistics, English, TESOL, and Education
- Communication Arts and Sciences, Journalism, Media-related Fields, and Digital Humanities
- Information Sciences and Technology, Data Sciences, Engineering, Health-related Fields, Public Health, and other STEM-oriented programs
About the Program
Why should I pursue this degree?
You might like this program if…
- You want to study Mandarin Chinese, one of the world’s most widely spoken languages and one of the six official languages of the United Nations.
- You want to build Chinese proficiency while studying Chinese-speaking cultures, histories, societies, literatures, media, and cultural traditions from classical texts to contemporary digital culture.
- You want a major or minor that can complement career plans in global business, international affairs, public service, law, education, media, technology, health-related fields, or graduate/professional study.
- You are interested in education abroad, Chinese-language materials, cultural events, conversation opportunities, and communication across cultural contexts.
- You want to learn how language ability can support practical work such as market research, professional communication, client or patient rapport, document analysis, public service, and community engagement.
- You want to develop habits of close reading, careful listening, evidence-based analysis, and thoughtful communication with people whose languages and cultural backgrounds may differ from your own.
- You are looking for a flexible liberal arts pathway that can support internships, research, service, or professional development in China-related and globally connected settings.
Transferable Skills
- Mandarin Chinese speaking, listening, reading, and writing
- Cross-cultural communication and intercultural awareness
- Analysis of Chinese-language and China-related texts, media, cultural materials, and social issues
- Multilingual information research, including the ability to work with Chinese-language sources alongside English-language resources
- Critical thinking, research, and evidence-based writing
- Professional communication, presentation, and collaboration across cultural contexts
- Client-, patient-, student-, or stakeholder-facing communication in multilingual settings, within applicable professional standards
- Digital and media literacy through engagement with film, new media, presentation projects, and contemporary cultural production
- Adaptability, persistence, self-directed learning, and ethical decision-making in unfamiliar cultural and linguistic settings
- Career storytelling and professional self-presentation that connect Chinese proficiency to students’ primary academic and professional goals
- Preparation for graduate/professional study and globally oriented career development
Coursework
Opportunities to explore the following topics:
- Mandarin Chinese language from beginning through advanced levels
- Advanced Chinese language reading, writing, discussion, and presentation
- Chinese literature, culture, rhetorical traditions, and the great books of China
- Classical Chinese and the relationship between premodern traditions and modern Chinese expression
- Chinese film, new media, digital culture, video games, and authentic media
- Chinese language, culture, and contemporary society
- Business Chinese and professional communication contexts
- Chinese-language source work for research, market analysis, policy, media, or cultural inquiry
- China beyond China and Chinese diasporic communities
- Gender, sexuality, identity, and social change in modern and contemporary China
- Individualized research, independent study, or foreign study opportunities when appropriate and approved
Out-of-Classroom Experiences
Internships
- AlphaSights
- Penn State Division of Development and Alumni Affairs
- Imerys
- National Committee on U.S.-China Relations job and opportunity newsletter
Students can work with the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network and academic advisers to explore internships, research, education abroad, alumni mentoring, career coaching, and enrichment funding opportunities that fit their academic plans and career goals. Alumni have reported applying Chinese in multilingual education, consulting and financial communication, legal document analysis, policy research, Greater China market research, healthcare communication, business relationships abroad, and community-facing problem solving. Students may also strengthen their learning through Chinese cultural events, conversation opportunities, peer or alumni perspectives, and professional-development activities shared through the Department of Asian Studies, the College of the Liberal Arts, Penn State Global, and the Career Enrichment Network.
Education Abroad Destinations
China
Hong Kong
Japan
South Korea
Taiwan
Career Paths
Continuing Education
- Graduate study in Chinese, Asian Studies, International Affairs, International Relations, History, Education/TESOL, Business, Marketing, Accounting, Criminology, Public Policy, or related fields
- Professional study in law, medicine, health professions, business, education, or other fields where Chinese language ability and intercultural competence add value
- Integrated B.A. in Chinese and M.I.A. in International Affairs, for qualified students who meet program requirements
- Fellowships or postgraduate programs in Chinese Studies, Asian Studies, international affairs, public service, language study, or language-related fields, depending on student goals and eligibility
Job Titles
- International Business Consultant
- Foreign Affairs Officer
- Policy Research Assistant or Policy Analyst
- National Security or Risk Analyst
- Global Commodity Manager
- Political Analyst
- Market Research Analyst or Regional Strategy Analyst
- International Education Coordinator
- TESOL Teacher
- Legal Assistant, Litigation Support Specialist, or Paralegal
- Language Specialist, Translator, Interpreter, or Localization Specialist
- Journalist, Media Specialist, or Communications Professional
- Healthcare or public health professional serving multilingual communities
- Lawyer
Industries
and advanced manufacturing, and communications, and global mobility, and localization, and professional fields, Consulting, Education, Energy, engineering, Finance, Government and Public Service, health, hospitality, International Affairs, Interpretation, journalism, Management, Marketing, Media, Nonprofit and NGO Work, Sales, Science, Technology and data-related fields, Translation, Travel
Employers
- Microsoft
- Bank of America
- Deloitte
- U.S. Department of State
- United Nations
- U.S. Airforce
- Peace Corps
Additional Pennsylvania-based companies and firms that students may research for Asia-Pacific, China-related, or Mandarin-relevant career exploration include the following examples. Students should verify current openings, qualifications, work authorization, and application timelines with the Career Enrichment Network and employer career pages.
- Air Products and Chemicals — regional strategy, technical project coordination, market development, hydrogen energy, electronics manufacturing, and Asia manufacturing contexts
- Merck/MSD and Johnson & Johnson/Janssen — global healthcare, public health strategy, regulatory affairs, market access, clinical development, and corporate communications
- Westinghouse Electric Company — energy policy, international project coordination, geopolitical risk analysis, government affairs, and global operations
- Vanguard — international finance, global markets, investment research, client services, financial communications, and Asia-Pacific economic analysis
- Accenture — consulting, digital transformation, technology implementation, change management, market research, and Asia-Pacific business strategy
- Morgan Lewis and Reed Smith — international law, trade compliance, legal research, cross-border transactions, litigation support, and regulatory matters
- PPG Industries, Comcast/NBC Universal, and The Cigna Group — additional examples for students interested in Asia-Pacific supply chains, media and communications, international benefits, global health, or corporate strategy
Have questions about this program?
Future students, contact the Liberal Arts Recruitment Team.
Current students, contact your academic adviser.
This program is housed
in the Department of Asian Studies
at Penn State University Park.