Click here to read Penn State students' experience and tips for studying Chinese.

The Department of Comparative Literature is pleased to announce that a Minor in Chinese Language is available. All students who would like to study Mandarin Chinese beyond the basic level are invite to consider this minor. The minor in Chinese is intended to provide students with a good working knowledge of the language and culture of China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, taught in a context that emphasizes the characteristics of the Chinese-speaking world.

You will need a total of 21 credits, as listed under language courses. However, non-language courses related to the study of China and Chinese internship may also be used upon approval.

Some students, such as those who have previously studied Chinese, may be able to accelerate their program by exempting lower-level courses or using the "Credit by Examination" arrangement as a substitute for lower-level courses. Your transcript should still show 21 credits.

Even if you use substitutions, you must show 6 credits of language course work in Chinese at the 400 level.

You may download the form and information about possible proficiency testing here.

Students in any Penn State undergraduate major are welcome to consider this minor.  It was not designed to be limited to any specific major or group of majors.

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While not required, you are encouraged to participate in a Chinese education abroad program. Penn State offers a wide range of options, ranging from summer programs to semester and year-long programs in all major Chinese-speaking cities (Taipei, Shanghai, Beijing, and Singapore).

There are plenty of study-abroad scholarships. Financial aid is also available.

Upon approval, you may transfer credits earned on both PSU- and non-PSU education abroad programs to Penn State. Students can substitute appropriate credits that are earned abroad.

We encourage students to take advantage of this special opportunity. Please see Prof. Huang for details regarding scholarships and education-abroad programs. Students who study on non-Penn State programs should check with the advisor for the Minor (Prof. Huang) about credit transfers.

If you sign up for the minor and complete the requirements, the minor will be indicated on your Penn State transcript.  Upon graduation, you will receive a certificate.  It will thus be part of your formal academic record and credentials.  On your resume, for example, you can list you major and then add "Minor in Chinese."

Complete the application form online:

http://asian.la.psu.edu/under-minorapp.shtml

Advising for the language programs is taken care of by Julianna Chaszar <jxc50@psu.edu>; you can make an appointment to meet with her using this web-based calendar.

Click here to see a list of students minoring in Chinese

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