A person working on Chinese calligraphy.

Bachelor of Arts in
Chinese Studies

Develop Expertise in Chinese Language, Culture and History

Learn Chinese language alongside a broad education in the culture and history of China. Historical and modern perspectives are both emphasized in courses within the Chinese major and will combine to give you a nuanced, comprehensive picture of China.

Additional Program Information

Undergraduate Bulletin   |   Course Catalog   |   Four-Year Plan   |  Department Contact

Program of Study

Immersive Learning

You have options regarding traveling to China for intensive study. Whether you go for a summer, a semester or a whole year, this immersive experience is sure to be a valuable highlight of your collegiate education, a way to take your language learning to the next level and gain firsthand knowledge.

You can do more than take courses while studying in China. There are internships available at Chinese companies and the local branches of multinational firms. Work experience and connections gained at these positions may have lasting value beyond graduation, and the language and cultural immersion will add emphasis to your learning experience.


Honors Program

Students with 3.50 grade point average are eligible for the Honors Program. In addition to completing the regular requirements for the major in Chinese Studies, students in the Honors Program complete a further six credits of A EAS 495, Colloquium in East Asian Studies.


Chinese Studies Foundation Courses

Choose six credits from:

  • Chinese Studies courses at the 100 and 200 levels courses (except Elementary Chinese 101, 102)
  • Note: Elementary Chinese language courses (101 and 102) are excluded from this requirement.


Language Requirements

  • Intermediate Chinese I & II
  • Advanced Chinese I & II


Information Literacy Course

East Asian Studies Research Methods
 

Upper Level Courses

Choose six credits from any upper-level Chinese Studies (EAC) Courses and upper level East Asian Studies (EAS) courses.

Sample courses:

  • Urban Development in China
  • China's Economic History
  • Government and Politics in the People's Republic of China
  • History of Premodern China
  • History of Modern China
  • Classical Chinese Poetry
  • Zen Buddhism
  • Confucius and Confucianism
  • The Silk Road


Capstone Course

  • East Asian Studies Research Capstone
Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Option

You can save time and money by beginning your graduate degree coursework while still enrolled as an undergraduate student. Up to 12 academic credits, billed at the undergraduate rate, will count towards both degrees – so you’ll complete your combined program in only 5 years and spend less than you would if you completed each program separately. 

Combine your Chinese Studies degree with the MS in Information Science program. This ALA-accredited master's program covers a broad range of interdisciplinary topics related to library science, information processing, information management and data analysis.

UAlbany graduate at Commencement
combined
Career Outcomes

A Chinese Studies degree will enhance your ability to succeed in any field that involves expertise about China. Two popular areas are governmental service and international business. China's enormous stature on the world stage ensures that individuals with this kind of knowledge will be in demand for the foreseeable future. You may also opt to combine your knowledge of Chinese language and culture with graduate studies in health care, education, information science or communication to seek specialized roles in those additional fields. 

Potential career paths include:

  • Banking, accounting or marketing work with an international focus
  • Government work at the State Department, Central Intelligence Agency, National Security Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation or Department of Homeland Security
  • Cultural commentary and analysis
  • Interpreting or language expertise in the military
  • Chinese language instruction
  • Health, IT or communications roles that require Chinese language fluency

 

 

Beijing Central Business District, mix of offices and apartments
career

"The University at Albany Chinese Studies program prepared me well for the challenges of law school, and I continue to explore many of the subjects I was exposed to during my time at UAlbany. I have no doubt that my experience as a student in the Chinese Studies program, and the support I received from the EAS faculty as an alumnus greatly contributed to my acceptance to and graduation from Albany Law School."

-Matthew Burnham, ’02

Student Learning Objectives
Bachelor of Arts

Chinese Studies BA

  1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written Chinese to the advanced college level.
  2. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the highlights of Chinese Literature, History, Religion and Geography.
  3. Students will acquire the ability to navigate library catalogs and the internet, with specific emphasis on Chinese databases and resources, in order to conduct research using East Asian Studies materials.
  4. Students will gain an understanding of native perspectives from a broad exposure to primary material and complete a research project based on that knowledge.

 
East Asian Studies BA

  1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written Chinese, Japanese, or Korean to the intermediate level.
  2. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the highlights of East Asian Literature, History, Religion and Geography.
  3. Students will acquire the ability to navigate library catalogs and the internet, with specific emphasis on Chinese, Japanese and Korean databases and resources, in order to conduct research using East Asian Studies materials.
  4. Students will gain an understanding of native perspectives from a broad exposure to primary material and complete a research project based on that knowledge.

 
Japanese Studies BA

  1. Students will demonstrate proficiency in spoken and written Japanese to the advanced college level.
  2. Students will demonstrate familiarity with the highlights of Japanese Literature, History, Religion and Geography.
  3. Students will acquire the ability to navigate library catalogs and the internet, with specific emphasis on Japanese databases and resources, in order to conduct research using East Asian Studies materials.
  4. Students will gain an understanding of native perspectives from a broad exposure to primary material and complete a research project based on that knowledge.
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What Makes The University at Albany Great

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Living-Learning Communities

Live and take classes with other incoming freshmen who share your personal interests, passions or intended academic major.

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Study Abroad

Become a global citizen: international experience is crucial to success in business, education, research, and public policy.

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Undergraduate Research

Research, scholarship, and creative activities at the University at Albany is an option for all students, across all academic disciplines. You will be able to learn more about a specific academic field or career path all while building a long-lasting mentoring relationship with a faculty member or principal investigator.

Explore Minors

Build competency in a passion or strengthen your resume.

A minor consists of 18–24 graduation credits which must include a minimum of 9 graduation credits of advanced coursework at or above the 300 level. Most undergraduate degrees require completing a minor and it has to have a different title from your major.

Full List of Minors
  • Acting
  • Africana Studies
  • Anthropology
  • Art
  • Art History
  • Atmospheric Science
  • Bioethics
  • Biology
  • Broadcast Meteorology
  • Business
  • Chemistry
  • Chinese Studies
  • Cognitive Science
  • Communication (Fully Online Option)
  • Computer Science
  • Creative Writing
  • Criminal Justice Studies (Fully Online Option)
  • Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • Documentary Studies
  • East Asian Studies
  • Economics
  • Educational Studies
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Electronics
  • Film Studies
  • Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity (Fully Online Option)
  • English
  • Forensic Science
  • French
  • Game Design and Development
  • Geographic Information Science
  • Geography
  • Globalization Studies
  • Hebrew
  • History (Fully Online Option)
  • Informatics (Fully Online Option)
  • Instrumental Performance
  • International Studies
  • Italian
  • Japanese Studies
  • Journalism (Fully Online Option)
  • Judaic Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Latin American and Caribbean Studies
  • Law and Philosophy
  • Leadership
  • Legal Studies
  • LGBTQ Studies
  • Library and Information Science
  • Linguistics
  • Machine Learning
  • Mathematics
  • Medical Anthropology
  • Music
  • Musical Performance
  • Musical Theatre
  • Philosophy
  • Physics
  • Political Science
  • Portuguese
  • Pre-Education
  • Psychology (Fully Online Option)
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy
  • Religious Studies
  • Russian
  • Russian and Eastern European Studies
  • Social Welfare Studies
  • Sociology (Fully Online Option)
  • Spanish
  • Statistics
  • Sustainability
  • Theatre
  • Theatrical Design/Technology
  • Urban Studies and Planning
  • U.S. Latino Studies
  • Vocal Performance
  • Women's, Gender and Sexuality Studies

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