Undergraduate Chinese Studies
Study the Chinese language and culture to become a global professional.
Why Study Chinese?
China, whose name translates into English as “the Middle Kingdom,” is one of the largest and most populous nations in the world that is a driving force in the world’s economy. As globalization continues to expand in scale and scope, American companies will depend on workers who not only speak Chinese but also have a deep level of cultural understanding to promote their business.
Mandarin is spoken by approximately 1.1 billion people worldwide. Although all Chinese high school students are required to take several years of English, only a small fraction of the U.S. population studies Chinese.
Our Chinese Program
The Department of Modern Languages offers an Chinese major and minor. There is also a separate Chinese Language Flagship Program with a competitive entry application.
The study of Chinese provides students with the practical instruction in a second language required to function in a nonnative environment, as well as the cultural awareness and intellectual strategies necessary to successfully navigate a foreign landscape.
Besides language and conversation courses, students can take courses in such topics as Chinese culture and civilization, writing system, literature and literary analysis, film and literature, Chinese narratives and storytelling, 20th century Chinese society, and China and the World.
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Academic Information
Learn about the Chinese major and minor requirements, including the general education requirements for the B.A. degree. Download a 4-year degree plan for the B.A. in Chinese.
Chinese Curriculum -
Chinese Language Flagship Program
The UM Chinese Language Flagship Program is one of only eight in the nation. It is competitive entry and students have a deeper level of engagement with language learning.
Chinese Language Flagship Program -
Scholarships
Scholarships from the Department of Modern Languages, College of Liberal Arts, and UM Office of Financial Aid help many students study Chinese.
Resources and Scholarships
Meet the Faculty
Cheng-Fu Chen
- Associate Professor of Modern Languages
Yu-Ting Chiu
- Instructor in Chinese
Tianwen Han
- Instructor in Chinese
Rongrong Hao
- Lecturer in Modern Languages
Mengjie Lin
- Instructor in Modern Languages
Zhini Zeng
- Associate Professor of Chinese
Beyond the Classroom
Chinese Club
The Chinese Club hosts activities where students can meet outside of the classroom to practice Chinese. They host and attend guest speakers on a wide range of related topics about China and Chinese language and literature. They celebrate holidays such as the Chinese New Year and the Mid-Autumn Festival where students prepare skits, songs, and activities to actively participate in holiday festivities with the local Chinese community.
Global Ambassadors
Students have opportunities to interact with students from Chinese-speaking countries. For example, the Global Ambassadors program connects students from the United States and across the world to spend time each week building friendships across language and culture.
Study Abroad
Embark on a journey to discover yourself and the world through study abroad. The Office of Study Abroad lists over 100 programs to learn Chinese at universities and language institutes around the world, from Europe, Africa, Australia/Pacific Islands, and Asia.
Importance of Study Abroad
"One of my most memorable experiences during study abroad in Taiwan was taking a roadtrip with my Taiwanese friend and his family. I spent two days traveling around Tainan, Pingtung, Taitung and Chishang with them. We got to see the ocean, visit temples and traditional markets, eat stinky tofu and get lost in the countryside rice fields. Their generosity and kindness really made me feel welcomed in Taiwan, and I'm forever grateful to them for sharing their time and culture with me."
Sarah Hall
B.A. in Chinese, minored in Korean and Global Security Studies ('24)
Outstanding Student Awards
| Year | Honors Day Chinese Award |
| 2024 | Michael Luster |
| 2023 | Karen Wong |
| 2022 | Karen Mun Wong |
| 2021 | Jesse Paxton |
| 2020 | Olivia Nicole Melvin |
| 2019 | Brendan Farrell Ryan |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | Olivia Nicole Melvin |
| 2016 | Conner Stephen Clark |
| 2015 | Kevin Gordon Scott |
| 2014 | Erin Leigh Dyer |
| 2013 | Conner Stephen Clark |
| 2012 | Erin Leigh Dyer |
| 2011 | Ryan James Parsons |
| 2010 | Natalie Rose Dickson |
| 2009 | Susan Thurman Lawrence |
| 2008 | Daniel Hedglin |
| 2007 | Derek Huang |
| 2024 | 100 Level: June Yungle Guin 200 Level: Jack Scafide 300 Level: Jackie Lin 300 Level Flagship: John Henry Amburgy 400 Level: Benjamin Hale |
| 2023 | 100 Level: Nancy Liu 200 Level: Reagan Allen 300 Level: Emma jones 400 Level: Zachary Partin 500 Level: Daniel James Ferro |
| 2022 | 100 Level: Jacob William Holifield 200 Level: Emily Yong Shan Lin 300 Level: Abigail Moeller 400 Level: Luke Jacobus 500 Level: Jesse Paxton |
| 2021 | 100 Level: Eden Elizabeth Bayer 200 Level: Emily Barron 300 Level: Ainsley Gordon 400 Level: Johanna Avalyn Cooper 500 Level: Jesse Paxton |
| 2020 | 100 Level: Jeanie Ni 200 Level: Daniel James Ferro 300 Level: Karen Wong 500 Level: Olivia Melvin |
| 2019 | 100 Level: Gloma Milner 200 Level: Johanna Cooper 300 Level: Megan Steis 500 Level: Brendan Ryan |
| 2018 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2016 | Meredith Brown, Avery Kennedy, McKenna Mossman |
| 2015 | James Demarshall, Cara Keyser, Shawn-Wesley Skinner, Evan Heitzmann |
| 2014 | Alison Bartel, Conner Clark, James Demarshall |
| 2013 | Zachary Turner Cookston, Joe Ji Kor, Susannah Slimp, Ross Conner Baker, Charles Withers, Erin Dyer, Paul Alexander Kynerd, Luan Vu |
| 2012 | Amy Richard, Kevin Scott, Luan Vu, William Bumpas |
| 2011 | Erin Dyer, Megan Loria, Erin Singleton |
| 2010 | Robert Eberhart, Evan Extine, Anna Hailey, Jamey Hurst, Erin Callahan, Gabriel Weiss, Robert Pettit |
| 2009 | Jamey Hurst, Ryan Parsons, Tatiana Sarasin, Jacqueline Ennis |
| 2008 | Erin Singleton, Anna Haley, Megan Rogers |
| 2007 | Jessica Moeller, Alecia Waite, Anthony Yuen |