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Chinese Major

Learn about the Chinese major.

The Chinese major provides the training and cultural background needed for entering East Asia-related careers in such fields as higher education, the arts, business, government, international relations, agriculture or the media. Students may also consider a double major in Chinese and another discipline such as business, government and politics, economics or journalism. Chinese students have the option of applying to live in the Language House Living Learning Program and participating in a study abroad program.

Program Requirements

All students new to SLLC courses must take the online Foreign Language Placement Assessment (FLPA) before registering for classes.

  • Language Acquisition Courses: 18 credits at the 200-level or above
  • Literature: 3 credits at the 300-level or above
  • Linguistics: 6 credits (CHIN307 and 3 credits of Chinese linguistics at the 300-level or above)
  • History & Civilization: 6 credits of Chinese history and civilization (See Testudo for the list of current history courses)
  • Electives: 6 credits of electives at the 300-level or above)

Notes:

  • Students with prior experience in Chinese may satisfy prerequisites and language acquisition requirements by placement in consultation with the undergraduate advisor.
  • All prerequisites imply "or equivalent knowledge." In cases of equivalent knowledge, required language-focus credits are replaced with the written approval of the undergraduate advisor or the program director.
  • Most content courses taught in Chinese are not open to fluent or native speakers of Chinese.
  • All majors returning from study abroad must take one 400 level course before graduating.

Study Abroad

For information on study abroad programs see the undergraduate advisor and contact UMD Education Abroad.

Declaring the Major

We recommend that interested students declare their major as early as possible

Step 1: Carefully read Chinese major requirements
Step 2: Read through all forms carefully, and pencil in a sequence of courses to discuss with the program advisor, Dr. Guiling Hu (ghu@umd.edu).
Step 3: Contact the College of Arts and Humanities Office of Student Affairs (301-405-2108) to make an appointment to discuss the non-Chinese aspects of your 4-year plan (bring signed form from previous step), including CORE courses. Walk-in hours are also available.
Step 4: If you are adding Chinese as an additional major, check with your home department and college to identify paperwork you may need to complete.

Chinese Program Advisor

Guiling Hu

Senior Lecturer, School of Languages, Literatures, and Cultures
Senior Lecturer and Advisor, Chinese

4223 Jiménez Hall
College Park MD, 20742

(301) 405-4541