Chinese
Chinese Program
Delve into a foreign language, learn about another culture, and become a truly global citizen with the Chinese BA at the University of Utah. Chinese students will gain a deeper understanding of a culture other than their own through the study of language, literature, and society: the curriculum includes language classes from beginning to advanced levels, with additional courses covering Chinese philosophy and culture. The Chinese program aims to provide a well-rounded education on China, ultimately helping you to master the necessary language skills and intellectual understanding that will prepare you for a career in a China-related field.
Chinese Major (BA)
The Chinese Major requires a minimum of 27 upper-division credit hours listed under Chinese plus WLC Practicum Signature Experience and either WLC 2010 or 2020 for a total of 33 credit hours. At least 15 credits have to be taken at the University Of Utah. All courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
Bridge Dual Language Immersion students may see how the Bridge program interacts with the University of Utah's Chinese major on our Bridge program website here.
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS- post fall 2025
Major REQUIREMENTS- PRE FALL 2025 DOWNLOAD WLC PRACTICUM OPTIONS
Note that this plan is a prediction of courses but does not guarantee this exact availability of courses. Also note that students with prior language learning experience do not necessarily need to begin at the 1010 level and should visit our Language Placement FAQ page for questions about where to begin.
Students with advanced language skills (e.g., native speakers, heritage speakers, students who have lived for an extended period abroad) should not enroll in first, second, and some third-year courses. If you do not know what your language level is or if you think your situation justifies petitioning for an exception, contact the WLC advisors before enrolling in classes. For pedagogical reasons, the department reserves the right to remove advanced speakers who have not successfully petitioned from classes not appropriate for their language level.
Chinese Minor
The Chinese Minor requires a minimum of 15 upper-division credit hours listed under Chinese. At least 6 credits have to be taken at the University Of Utah. All courses must be passed with a grade of C or better.
Bridge Dual Language Immersion students may see how the Bridge program interacts with the University of Utah's Chinese minor on our Bridge program website here.
Minor requirements- post fall 2025
MInor REQUIREMENTS-pre fall 2025
All students should declare their minor at least two semesters prior to their anticipated graduation date.
Students with advanced language skills (e.g., native speakers, heritage speakers, students who have lived for an extended period abroad) should not enroll in first, second, and some third-year courses. If you do not know what your language level is or if you think your situation justifies petitioning for an exception, contact the WLC advisors before enrolling in classes. For pedagogical reasons, the department reserves the right to remove advanced speakers who have not successfully petitioned from classes not appropriate for their language level.
Student Experience
Learning Abroad
Learning abroad is the opportunity to live, study and intern abroad while completing your degree here at the University of Utah. Learning Abroad helps connect you to over 500+ program options in over 50 countries, many of which are great for improving your proficiency in another language. Learn more about Learning Abroad by visiting learningabroad.utah.edu and completing Learning Abroad 101.
To get started, see below for program options for Chinese.
For questions, email Learning Abroad at learningabroad@utah.edu, call them at 801-581-5849, or visit in person at Union 159.
Faculty-Led Programs
U of U faculty lead students on short-term programs centered on specific coursework, which is commonly integrated into your major or minor requirements. When participating on a faculty-led program you have the benefit of taking U of U courses abroad that combine in-country experiential learning with classwork.
- Intensive Chinese Language in Tianjin, China (FLAS eligible)
Exchanges
The U partners with universities around the world to offer you the opportunity to complete coursework in an immersive university environment alongside local students. Coursework can be quite flexible with students oftentimes completing major, minor, and general education requirements. Additionally, the cost of an exchange program is the same as paying U of U resident tuition, which makes exchanges one of our most affordable options!
- Nankai University
- National Taiwan University
- Tsinghua University China-US Humanities Exchange Scholarship: The Chinese government offers funding to US students participating in an approved exchange program at Tsinghua University. If nominated for this exchange, the Learning Abroad Exchange Coordinator will recommend you for this funding, which provides a monthly stipend of RMB 2500.
Affiliate Programs
The U partners with external organizations (Affiliates) to expand where you can go and what you can study on a learning abroad program. Affiliates offer programs at study centers, local institutions, or a combination of both in the host country. Programs are commonly structured around a particular theme or topic, such as "Language, Culture, and Society". Program options can also include internships, service learning & community engagement opportunities.
- Chinese focused affiliate programs: click here
- Note: FLAS eligible summer program available
Language-Learning Support
For additional language-learning support, participate in one of the U’s Second Language Teaching and Research Center (L2TReC) workshops or events on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research and education. Students can also complete their own research projects through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP).
Career Opportunities
After graduation, many students are prepared to enter graduate programs in Asian Studies, International Studies, law schools, business schools, and medical schools. Many alumni have also found employment in government service and the private sector, as project managers, international sales developers, and language teachers. Become a translator or diplomat, or pair your language skills with technical skills and work internationally in business, technology, or the sciences: careers as a supply chain manager, engineer, programmer, or marketing coordinator are all possible.
Faculty
Tenure-Line Faculty
Assistant Professor
kuanyi.chao@utah.edu
(801) 585-3004
Career-Line Faculty
Meijie Shen
Visiting Assistant Professor
meijie.shen@utah.edu
Yichun Xu
Instructor (Lecturer)
yichun.xu@utah.edu
FLAS Scholarship
The Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarship (FLAS) is provided by the Asia Center. For FAQs, application, and other information on the FLAS scholarship, click the button below.
Bridge Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program
Students who participated in the Bridge Dual Language Immersion (DLI) Program, which includes taking the AP Chinese Exam and one or more 3000-level Chinese courses in high school, can go to our Chinese Bridge program webpage here to see how they can complete the Chinese major or minor at the University of Utah.