Chinese Studies
Pursue Chinese Studies at Fordham
About the Chinese studies major
Immerse yourself in Chinese language, art, history, and culture—from the heart of NYC to the streets of Shanghai.
At Fordham, New York City will become your classroom. You’ll gain a solid understanding of Chinese political, social, and cultural practices over time. Explore the diverse Mandarin-speaking communities across the city’s five boroughs—and around the world, through one of our 100+ study abroad programs. Gain hands-on internship experience at renowned institutions like the United Nations. And use your knowledge to drive meaningful change for Chinese communities worldwide.
Our graduates go on to …
- prestigious graduate programs
- teaching and public service
- careers in law, international affairs, public history, and more
Chinese studies program profile
Major
Rose Hill
Major
Lincoln Center
Program at a glance
of Chinese studies graduates in the past five years were employed, continuing their education, or engaged in public service or other meaningful endeavors within six months of graduation
of Chinese studies graduates in the past five years have pursued advanced degrees
electives drawn from art history, history, philosophy, political science, theology, and more
majors and minors to pair with your Chinese studies major, so you can tailor your degree toward international business, law, government, or journalism
courses to complete the major, including options like Confucius and the Analects, China in the Headlines, and Learning Mandarin Chinese Through Music and Songs
Dual-Focus Curriculum
students graduate with Mandarin proficiency and a grounding in China’s literary, philosophical, religious, political, and social traditions
Chinese studies for the greater good
Chinese Studies Program FAQ
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Here, you’ll learn by doing. With hands-on opportunities in one of the world’s most multicultural cities, you’ll gain the skills and experiences employers seek. And in addition to the big city energy of New York, you’ll have a tight-knit, supportive campus community, eager for you to thrive.
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As a Chinese studies major, your coursework will have a dual focus on language and culture. Beyond your foundational courses, you might dive into specific areas with classes like Gender and China, where you’ll examine issues of gender and sexuality in China throughout history, or Learning Chinese Through Film, where you’ll develop your Mandarin language skills by studying Chinese films.
You’ll also have the option to dive deeper into the language with our minor in Mandarin Chinese, where you’ll become fluent and gain the skills necessary for a global, bilingual career.
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Our location in the heart of New York City means you’ll have the opportunity to learn from and partner with organizations like the Museum of Chinese in America and Fordham’s Center on Asian Americans and the Law. You’ll also have the chance to study abroad in a Mandarin-speaking city or elsewhere through one of our 100+ programs.
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As a Chinese studies major, you’ll graduate with a proficiency in the Mandarin language and Chinese culture, preparing you for roles in any field requiring bilingual skills or multicultural knowledge. You’ll also be uniquely prepared to pursue advanced study in areas such as foreign languages, international affairs, and law.
Plus, you can connect with alumni through the Fordham Mentoring Program to receive one-on-one guidance and advice for your career.
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At Fordham, you’ll use AI as a tool to enhance your learning. Our program will equip you with the skills to navigate the ever-changing landscape of AI in the workforce. As a Chinese studies major, you might use AI for basic transcription or examine Mandarin data sets used to train AI models, preparing you for high-growth roles in areas like linguistic data analysis.
You’ll also be able to earn credentials and paid micro-internships through IBM SkillsBuild’s Getting Started with AI course. All Fordham students and graduates have access to AI training through RamConnect, the University’s alumni and experiential learning platform.
Above all, you’ll learn skills that can’t be replaced by AI, such as critical thinking, problem solving, and emotional intelligence.
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