Our Chinese Major | Our Chinese Minor | Declare a Chinese Major or Minor | Study Abroad with Chinese | Our Chinese Speaker Heritage Program | What Can I Do with a Chinese Major? | Chinese at UCA FAQs
Why Study Chinese?
Only in Arkansas!
Did you know that UCA is the only institution in Arkansas where you can major with a concentration in Mandarin Chinese? Distinguish yourself!
What Our Students Say (Outstanding Experiences):
Other Fast Facts
- UCA’s Center for Chinese Language and Culture brings dozens of cultural events, speakers and unique academic opportunities to campus each year. Surround yourself in the cultures of Chinese-speaking people and places, all in Conway!
- The most spoken language in the world with 1/5 of the world able to speak it.
- Second most spoken language of international business (after English)
- Learning Chinese is easier than you think! No conjugating verbs, no subject-verb agreement, no prefixes and suffixes to learn.
- Appeals to the artistic; learning the writing system, characters, uses strokes rather like painting.
- 去这里去任何地方 “Go here; go anywhere” Qù zhèlǐ qù rènhé dìfāng
What Chinese Degrees do You Offer?
Major in Mandarin Chinese
Major in Chinese (no Licensure): Traditional or Business Concentration
We offer three different types of Chinese majors and a Chinese minor, one of which leads to teaching licensure in the state of Arkansas. If you’re most interested in learning about the Chinese language and cultures, films, and literatures of places that speak Chinese, the Traditional track in our major is right for you. Or, if you’re hoping to use Chinese in business settings, or work for a company abroad in a Chinese-speaking country, our Business track in the Chinese major is right for you.
BA, Major in Chinese K-12 Education (with Teaching Licensure)
Dr. Suzanne Johnston, Director of Modern Language Education
This major concentration is for you if you either know you want to teach Chinese or are at least thinking about it. Though Chinese majors can pursue almost any career path they choose, being a teacher is truly one of the most rewarding careers imaginable. Teachers do not simply teach; they inspire. The process by which you can be licensed to teach Chinese in grades K-12 in the state of Arkansas is rigorous but worthwhile.
Should you have any questions or want to talk through this major in more depth, contact the Director of Modern Languages Education, Dr. Suzanne Johnston or stop by her office in Irby 405.
This concentration requires 37 credit hours. It also requires a 28-hour minor in Teaching and Learning. Candidates for teaching licensure may earn no lower than a C in any Chinese or professional education course. Candidates for teaching licensure must apply for admission to the teacher education program; you can see what that entails here.
Minor in Chinese
Our Chinese minor also complements any major, or even works well as a second minor! It’s 18 hours (6 courses) starting at the 2310 level and will ensure you have working proficiency and a good introduction to the cultures of places that speak Chinese. A lot of Chinese Minors attend our most popular study abroad program in Taiwan. After that program, you’re 2/3 of the way done with a Chinese minor!
See the Chinese Minor Checksheet →
Declaring A Major or Minor
Not yet a Chinese major or minor, but want to declare one? Email Mrs. Deanne Murphey. ([email protected]) She will help ensure the major or minor gets added and help you get connected to the right academic advisor to ensure you make degree progress!
Declare a Chinese Major or Minor Now!
Learn Chinese Abroad!
You can study abroad for a summer for an intensive language-immersion program or for a semester.
- Taipei, Taiwan (summer and semester)
- ECNU, China (semester)
- Quingdao, China (semester)
- Xi’an International University, China (semester)
Our Chinese Heritage Speaker Program
Did you grow up speaking Chinese? If so, you likely qualify for free UCA credit (up to 8 hours!) for your existing Chinese proficiency. Email [email protected] to learn more.
What Can I Do with a Chinese Major?
Anything and everything!
A Chinese major not only prepares you to speak, read, write, and understand spoken Mandarin Chinese, but it also teaches you important cultural skills valued in the 21st-century workplace. You will learn to: draw from cross-cultural sources and ideas, notice patterns and infer meaning, navigate ambiguity, distill complex information, propose persuasive ideas, and tailor messages to people of different backgrounds.
But what does that really mean?
Our alums work in communication, technology, business, public service, social work, education, law, and health fields. Featured careers include teachers of all kinds, entrepreneurs, business owners, diplomats, psychologists, audiologists, NGO founders; those who open coffee shops and those who go on to get a PhD.