Chinese
Chinese is offered as a concentration within the World Languages major at the University of Memphis, with flexible options for one-, two-, or three-language concentrations requiring 24, 27, or at least 33 upper-division credit hours respectively (with minimum hours in each language). Students may also pursue a minor in Chinese by completing 18 credit hours, including courses at the 1020, 2010, and 2020 levels (or equivalents) and 9 upper-division hours in Chinese; those who place into 2010 or higher may either receive retroactive credit or complete additional upper-division coursework to meet the requirement. Students interested in adding Chinese as an additional major or minor should consult their academic advisors, and those declaring Chinese as a new major or minor are encouraged to contact Dr. Lan Zhang (zhang3@memphis.edu) for further guidance.
Why Study Chinese?
Learning Chinese offers a powerful advantage in today’s global and multilingual society. With over 1.2 billion speakers worldwide, Chinese connects you to more people than any other language—opening doors to new friendships, customers, and professional networks. As China continues to be one of the fastest-growing and most influential economies in the world, proficiency in Chinese significantly enhances career opportunities in fields such as international business, trade, diplomacy, education, technology, and global development. Studying Chinese also provides access to one of the world’s oldest and most influential cultures, allowing students to engage with rich traditions in history, philosophy, literature, and innovation. At the University of Memphis, Chinese coursework fulfills world language requirements and can contribute to majors such as Asian Studies and International Trade, further strengthening its academic and professional value.
