May 09, 2024  
2024-2025 General Catalog 
  
2024-2025 General Catalog

Chinese - BA


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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of World Languages and Cultures

About This Degree

The goal of the Chinese program at USU is to prepare students for a high level of proficiency in professional and academic contexts. Mandarin Chinese is emphasized in the program.

Majors take language courses in which they develop speaking, listening, reading and writing skills; culture and literature courses where they learn about the traditions and perspectives of Chinese-speaking communities; and business and translation courses, which offer practice-oriented preparation for the job market.

They also have the option to participate in study abroad programs in China or Taiwan, where they gain proficiency in Chinese and experience exciting travel opportunities.

The faculty members in the Chinese program have culturally diverse expertise in language, literature, and culture which helps majors gain a solid grounding in Chinese language and culture and prepares them to function effectively in a variety of careers and as members of the international community. 

Minimum University Requirements


Admission Requirements For This Program


  • New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
  • Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.50 GPA.

Chinese Major Requirements (34 credits)


  • Total Credits for Chinese Major: 34
  • Grade Point Average to Declare Major: 2.5 Career GPA
  • Grade Point Average to Graduate with Major: 2.5 GPA within major coursework
  • USU Credit Requirement: At least half (50 percent) of the credits earned for this degree must be completed in upper-division USU courses having prefixes of CHIN or LING. All other credits (including transfer and study abroad credits) must be approved by the program’s academic advisor in order to be counted toward the major.
    • Students who have completed Bridge Program Language courses should contact their advisor as these courses may count toward elective credits and credits toward major requirements.
  • Minimum Grade Requirement: All courses for the major require a minimum grade of C- or better. Courses for the major may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.
  • Note: Credits obtained in lower-division Chinese courses cannot be applied toward the Chinese major, except CHIN 2050 . Students desiring to apply study abroad credits (CHIN 1800 CHIN 2800 CHIN 3800 CHIN 4800 ) toward these degrees must obtain approval from the World Languages and Cultures office prior to participating.

A. Required Courses (7 credits)


Language Option 1: Chinese Conversation


NOTE: In order to get into CHIN 2050 , a student should have completed CHIN 2010  or taken the Chinese Placement test in the World Languages and Cultures Department. This is a required transition course that is intended for students who have not had extensive experience living in a Chinese community. Cantonese-speakers should take CHIN 2050  after they complete or test out of CHIN 2020 . Students with at least one-year extensive immersion experience in a Chinese-speaking environment (e.g., returned missionaries) should take Option 2 below.

CHIN 2050  is a required transition course that is intended for students who have not had extensive experience living in a Chinese community. CHIN 2050  is required after CHIN 2010  and before CHIN 3010  and does not count towards the Chinese minor. For students with at least one year of extensive experience speaking Mandarin Chinese in a Mandarin-speaking environment (e.g., returned missionaries), CHIN 2050  is waived and the student should take CHIN 3010  after they have tested in the World Languages and Cultures Department.

The bridge students who scored a 3 or 4 on the AP Exam must complete CHIN 3000  prior to enrolling in CHIN 3010  and other upper-division Chinese courses.

Language Option 2: Linguistics


NOTE: Students who are not true beginners of Mandarin Chinese are required to take the Chinese placement test in World Languages and Cultures Department Main 204. The CHIN 2050  course is waived, but the Chinese major should do Language Option 2 to complete the “Required Courses” (7 credits) requirement.

B. Elective Courses (27 credits minimum)


Only one credit of CHIN 4920  may count toward the Chinese Major. Students must complete at least 27 credits of upper-division coursework selected from the following list:

Additional Information


Students must complete the General Education Requirements .

Students must also complete the University Studies Requirements .

Open Electives


Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 120


Related Programs


  • Chinese Minor: 16 credits
  • Chinese Minor, Teaching Emphasis: 21 credits + 29 STEP credits
  • Chinese Minor, Teaching Emphasis without Licensure: 20 credits

Suggested Degree Map - Chinese BA


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