Chinese
Engaging in the Major
Competencies and Careers
Competencies Developed in the Program
Students in the Chinese program can expect to develop strong competencies:
- Communication
- Information Literacy
- Cultural Navigation
Want to know more about these professional competencies? Career Readiness.
Common Career Fields
Chinese students can use their degree to pursue careers in many fields!
Some of those include: Business Administration, Consulting, Marketing, Diplomacy, Law, Medicine, Education, and Translation and Localization.
Jobs in these career fields:
Would you like to know about specific jobs in these fields? Check out this pamphlet
Handshake: Check out job postings in a career field that interests you! Use Handshake, the ultimate job board for internships and entry level jobs. Use it to search for jobs, connect with alumni, and research companies.
Meet with your advisor!
Would you like to know more about the program to see if it’s a good fit for your goals? Would you like to know more about your career options? Do you have a career option in mind but you’d like resources to help you chart a path toward that goal? Come meet with your Academic and Professional Development Manager, Cielle Davis!
Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment!
Chinese Course Progression
Course order:
Chinese 202 is the first course that counts for the major. If you place in this course, take it first! If not, please take your on-level course and move forward from there. This program overview found here has a clear course guide and schedule.
- Students need to take 202, 301, 302, 321, and 322 sequentially.
- CHIN 345R, 342, 343, and 344 are all taught in English, so you can take them concurrently with your language course
Course substitutions:
Some classes from a language immersion program can count for the major. If you need a course substitution, contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center.
Challenge Exam: The Challenge Exam allows BYU students who had a significant language immersion experience for which they did not receive academic credit to demonstrate their proficiency and to receive graded credit.
The exam must be taken during your first Chinese language-focused class at BYU or your first Chinese language-focused class after your mission.
- Eligible classes: CHIN 201 or 202. See this website for details.
- Note: Native speakers cannot take the exam for credit.
Grad Plans:
If you would like help creating a grad plan, consider meeting with an undergraduate specialist at the Liberal Arts Advisement Center.
Funding & Internships
Should I do an internship?
Internships are encouraged! They vary widely, based on students' primary major. The Chinese program runs internships and direct enrollment programs in Taiwan. You can do a local internship as well. If you are curious about which internship options are a good fit for you, reach out to your academic and professional development manager, Cielle Davis, or the College of Humanities career director, Christian Sagers, or the Chinese Internship Coordinator, Rachel Yu Liu
Resources to find internships:
- Chinese Internship Coordinator, Rachel Yu Liu
- Washington Seminar
- Handshake
- On-Campus Internships
Funding for Internships
We offer funding for unpaid, professional internships. Please apply!
Humanities Financial Aid
Funding for mentored research
You can participate in a faculty-mentored research project, and you can receive funding for your project. Learn about the Hum Grants program.
College of Humanities Tuition Scholarships
The College of Humanities offers tuition scholarships. You can find out about the scholarship options and apply here: Humanities Financial Aid
The Department of Asian and Near Eastern Languages also has scholarships for its students. You can learn more here.
Funding for Study Abroad Programs:
There are great study abroad programs for Chinese students. Options for Taiwan Summer Study Abroad and Asia vary by year. Find Your Program through the Kennedy Center. Or check the department website for current study abroad and internship offerings.
The College of Humanities offers funding for Humanities students going on Humanities study abroad programs.
University financial aid options
There are many resources to help you fund your tuition and experiences at BYU. The Financial Aid Office can help!
Campus Resources
- Asian and Near Eastern Languages Department: For language placement, course questions, faculty contacts, study abroad info, and more, contact the Asian and Near Eastern Languages Department.
- Pre-Professional Advisement: For pre-med or pre-law resources, contact the Pre-Professional Advisement Center.
- Handshake Internships and Job Board: To search internships and jobs that match your interests and skills, use Handshake.
- Kennedy Center: For International Study programs and funding, contact the BYU Kennedy Center.
- Career Director: To get help searching for and applying to jobs, plus connecting with employers and alumni, meet with Christian Sagers.
- Course Descriptions and offerings: To check out which classes will be offered in the upcoming semester, use the BYU Class Search.
Getting Involved
Study Abroad
Mentored Research
Work as an Chinese TA
Language Immersion Student Residence
FAQ's
-
Toggle ItemWhich minors do Chinese students usually have?
Chinese pairs well with many minors! Depending on your career goals, you might choose: Digital Humanities, Information Systems, Global Business and Literacy, TESOL, International Strategy and Diplomacy, or Translation and Localisation. You can check out all of te minor sBYU offers in the BYU Catalog.
-
Toggle ItemHow do I get a language certificate in Chinese?
The Center for Language Studies administers all language certificates.
The Arabic Language Certificate courses are built into the major and
minor. Check out their website for information on classes to take and
registering for your certificate proficiency exams. For Chinese, you will need to take CHIN 302; CHIN 342 or 343 or 344; CHIN 345R or ANTHR 343 or HIST 340 or HIST 341 to qualify for the certificate. -
Toggle ItemI think a class from my language immersion program could count for a Chinese requirement. How can I find out?
Contact the Chinese Section Head Rachel Yu Liu
-
Toggle ItemWhat if I want to double major in Chinese and another program?
Many Chinese students double major. You can petition to double major. Learn about the process here.
-
Toggle ItemWhat is the language challenge exam? How do I take it?
The Challenge Exam allows BYU students who had a significant language immersion experience for which they did not receive academic credit to demonstrate their proficiency and to receive graded credit. The exam must be taken during your first Chinese language-focused class at BYU or your first Chinese language-focused class after your mission.
- Eligible classes: CHIN 201 or 202. See this website for details.
- Note: Native speakers cannot take the exam for credit. -
Toggle ItemI have a hold on my account. Who can help me get it removed?
If it is an AIP hold, please meet with your academic and professional development manager, Cielle Davis, to get that hold removed. Contact the Liberal Arts Advisement Center to set up an appointment with her.
-
Toggle ItemWhere can I get help with papers, homework, and studying?
- BYU RWC (Research and writing center)
- Y serve tutors
- TA Labs
- Peer Academic Study Specialists (PASS)