Chinese Studies Major in Pennsylvania
Become knowledgeable, confident and competent in Chinese language, history and culture with our Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Chinese studies. Build highly marketable skills as a Chinese studies major at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian universities in the U.S.
Study Chinese Studies at a Christian University
“中文课欢迎你! zhōngwén kè huānyíng nĭ !” “Welcome to the Chinese class!”
China has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and Chinese is spoken by more people than any other language in the world. This major will help you build a wide range of highly marketable skills that global–minded employers desire. Messiah’s Chinese studies major provides broad preparation in the Chinese language and culture while also giving you the flexibility to complete a second major—or even two minors—in other areas that interest you. You can also puruse a K-12 teaching certification in Chinese.
Learning Chinese language and culture will equip you with a better understanding of China’s culture and people, and will prepare you for effectiveness in whichever profession you choose. You can also pair this program with Messiah's Business Administration (B.A.), a secondary major that will allow you to study foundational business principles in accounting, finance, management, economics and marketing.
As a Chinese Studies major or minor at Messiah University, you’ll be able to:
- Develop proficiency in another language.
- Spend a semester studying in China through the CIEE Shanghai program.
- Live either with a host family or in student housing where you can easily meet and interact with many Chinese students.
- Take nine credits of Chinese language courses and three to six credits of courses in Chinese culture or history conducted in English.
- Gain skills that are in high demand among many of today’s employers.
- Develop global awareness and cultural understanding through direct experiences in the Chinese culture.
- Prepare for a career as a translator or interpreter in secondary and higher education, missions, international business, law, journalism, government or the Foreign Service.
- Continue on to graduate school to specialize in Chinese, business, international studies and many other fields.
- Apply for a yearlong senior honors project and work one-on-one with a Chinese professor to write your senior thesis.
- Join the Chinese Club, a group that educates students about and celebrates China's culture, festivals and holidays.
After completing your Chinese studies degree, you’ll be prepared for a career as a translator or interpreter in secondary and higher education, missions, international business, law, journalism, government or the Foreign Service. Many students wish to continue on to graduate school to specialize in Chinese, business, international studies and many other fields.
You'll also be equipped for jobs like:
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Lawyer
- Journalist
- Educator
- Government employee
- Missionary
- Teacher
For more information on career planning for the Chinese studies program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Messiah’s nationally recognized internship program places students in a variety of Chinese studies internships. A few examples include:
- CEO Global USA
- English First
- Teach for China
- Work with ISA/GlobalLinks Learning Abroad to secure internships in locations throughout China
- English Language Institute of China
Program emphasis
From ancient time, Chinese individuals believed it is essential to know another person’s culture before entering their territory. This is particularly true for those interested in business and missionary opportunities in China.
In the Chinese studies program, you won’t only read textbooks and attend class lectures to complete the course requirements for this major. You will have the unique opportunity to learn about the Chinese culture firsthand through an exciting semester abroad in China, where you will live among other international students. Here you will easily meet and interact with many Chinese students!
In the Chinese Studies program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Chinese Studies:
Chinese Studies (B.A.) with PK-12 Teaching Certification
Careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of this program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
95% of the Class of 2024 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
MEET ALUMNI FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF LANGUAGE, LITERATURE AND WRITING
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.