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Chinese Studies, Master of Arts

The Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Chinese Studies at St. John’s will provide you with a solid foundation in the language, history, and culture of China.

Earn a master's degree in Chinese Studies at St. John's University in New York City!

The Master of Arts (M.A.) program in Chinese Studies at St. John’s will provide you with a solid foundation in the language, history, and culture of China. This specialized study and the research skills you develop will prepare you for a wide range of exciting global careers, as well as for further scholarship in the field.

You may elect a thesis or non-thesis option to complete your program of study. We strongly recommend the thesis option if you wish to continue your graduate studies beyond the master’s level.

Department Contact

Hung-Yi Erik Shen
Associate Director
718-990-2181
[email protected]

 

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Degree Type
MA
Area of Interest
Humanities
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
Required Credit Hours
33

Admission

In addition to the requirements for admission to graduate study in St. John’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, we expect students who apply to the M.A. in Chinese Studies to have taken at least one year of Chinese language studies.

Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
[email protected]

 

Courses

Thesis Option

The thesis option for the M.A. in Chinese Studies requires 33 credits, including six credits of master’s thesis research and a written thesis. If you elect this option, you must take either ASC 102 (Great Books from China) or ASC 300 (Introduction to Source Materials on China). You will choose your remaining courses in consultation with your advisor.

Non-Thesis Option

The non-thesis option also requires 33 credits, but all credits are to be applied to coursework. You must take either ASC 102 (Great Books from China) or ASC 300 (Introduction to Source Materials on China), and will select all other courses in consultation with your advisor.

If you are a non-Chinese native speaker, you must also take 12 credits of Chinese language courses, regardless of the program track you choose.

Career Outcomes

In today’s global market, professionals with cross-cultural knowledge and bilingual skills are in high demand. With knowledge of the history, culture, and languages of China, you will be ready to enter just about any field. From business and law to education and the arts, special opportunities are available to those with comprehensive and critical understanding of the world’s fastest-growing region.

Our graduates have gone on to further study in doctoral and advanced professional programs both in the United States and abroad. They have also landed jobs in such diverse fields as business, administration, education, libraries, and health care. Positions held by our alumni include: professors at American, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean universities; secondary education teachers in both America and China; writers; artists; librarians; military officers; government officials; investment bankers; newspaper reporters and television anchors; travel agents; entrepreneurs; and accountants.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Endowed Scholarships

Graduate students in the Institute for Asian Studies may apply for the Dr. David Choy Scholarship and the Pearl M.T. Tsai, Alfred M.H. Tsai, and David M. Choy Scholarship.

For more information, please visit Endowed Scholarships

Graduate Assistantships

You may apply for administrative graduate assistantships throughout the University. These positions offer tuition remission and, typically, a stipend. You can find more information about graduate assistantships on the Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships page.

Interested in Humanities, but not sure if Chinese Studies, Master of Arts is right for you?