Seattle University quad and fountain looking north

Chinese, Minor

Prepare for opportunities related to China. In addition to learning Chinese, your studies can open the doors for you to become a global citizen.

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About this Program

Prepare for a Career Related to China

If you want to explore a career related to China, a Chinese minor is designed to complement your undergraduate studies in any major. The Chinese minor prepares you by meeting the language requirement of the College of Arts and Sciences with Chinese language courses from elementary to the advanced levels. These courses, together with courses offered by the Asian Studies major, provide you with a broad, diversified and yet focused learning experience on China.

China (or the Greater China that includes Taiwan and Hong Kong, the Special Administration Region of China) has increasingly become a major player on the political and economic stage in East Asia and in global politics. Its culture, philosophy, and arts have had lasting influence in the East Asian region. The opening up of China in the post-Mao era since 1976 has provided ample opportunities for scholarly pursuit, business and trade ventures, government and foreign services, and legal and other professional undertakings.

Chinese Minor at a Glance

Learn how this minor from the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University minor can be.

To earn a minor in Chinese, students must complete 35 credits with a minimum 2.00 GPA in one modern language, including:

CHIN 1250 Chinese Language II (5 credits)

CHIN 1350 Chinese Language III (5 credits)

CHIN 2150 Chinese Language IV (5 credits)

CHIN 2250 Chinese Language V (5 credits)

CHIN 2350 Chinese Language VI (5 credits) 
An integrated approach to understanding, speaking, reading, and writing in Mandarin Chinese and culture. These courses constitute a systematic study of Mandarin in the Romanized Pinyin and Chinese character systems.

CHIN 2910-2930 Special Topics (1-5 credits)

CHIN 3150 Chinese Culture and Civilization (5 credits)

CHIN (3000-level or above) or minor related course (5 credits) 

(see specific program for details)

An introduction to Chinese culture and civilization with emphasis on the impact of the cultural traditions on the Chinese contemporary lifestyles and cross-cultural comparisons. Taught in Chinese.

If a student’s native language is Mandarin Chinese, the student may not receive a minor.

Students who waive elementary language courses may meet the 35-credit minor requirement by substituting upper-division courses in the language of the minor or approved courses in other disciplines that relate to their minor language.

*All students must take at least 20 credits at Seattle University in order to obtain a minor.

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

From Our Alumni

Student Erin Golf

Erin Golf BA

"Prior to coming to SU, I had taken German and Spanish language classes, however I have always wanted to learn an Asian language. Naturally, I was very nervous about learning Chinese given that I have never studied a character or a tonal based language, but after the first week of class, all of that stress melted away. The two Chinese professors I have taken classes from, Professor Feng and Professor Qian, teach the language so well and made sure that the class understood each concept."

Criminal Justice and Minor in Chinese, 2023

Education Abroad

Learn more about how we seek to educate multicultural, responsible leaders, who are engaged with empowering traditionally marginalized communities and pursuing the common good of diverse peoples.

Learn More

CHINESE EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAMS

The following are a few major programs SU students have found rewarding:

Apply

Formal application through our department is required for all of our majors and minors. Current students will find those forms here.

Apply Now

Chinese Education Abroad

There are many opportunities, including in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and various sites in Mainland China, for students interested in studying Chinese and other subjects abroad.

  • Five minor Chinese students
  • Three minor Chinese students hanging out in a garden
  • Students in a Chinese library
  • Students in a Chinese restaurant
  • Multiple students in China
  • Students eating Chinese food

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a Chinese minor have found employment and opportunities such as:

  • U.S. diplomatic officer in China.
  • Marketing and salespersons in companies in Hong Kong and Shanghai.
  • Teaching English and French in Chinese institutions.
  • Pursuing IMBA in the MIT-China program in Beijing.
  • Pursuing internships and careers in international businesses and nonprofit organizations.

Featured Faculty

  • Ming Feng
    Ming Feng

    Associate Professor, Modern Languages and Cultures
    Associate Professor, Asian Studies Program

  • Daphne Qian
    Daphne Qian

    Instructor, Modern Languages and Cultures

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