Kent State University

What you'll study

The programme blends core graduate-level philosophical training with specialised modules on Chinese philosophical traditions and their cultural contexts. You will study classical and modern texts, interpretive methods, and comparative approaches that situate Confucianism, Daoism, and Chinese Buddhism within broader philosophical debates.

• Classical Chinese philosophy: close study of primary texts and interpretive scholarship on Confucius, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi and other pre-imperial and imperial thinkers.
• Chinese Buddhist thought: doctrines, metaphysics and practices as they developed in Sino-Buddhist contexts and their philosophical significance.
• Neo-Confucian and modern Chinese philosophy: development of Confucian moral and political thought, reception in the modern period, and 20th–21st century Chinese philosophy.
• Comparative philosophy: methods for comparing Chinese and Western philosophical traditions on ethics, metaphysics, epistemology and political theory.
• Research methods and seminars: advanced seminars in philosophical methods, historiography, textual interpretation and research design for thesis work.
• Language and cultural studies (optional/recommended): courses in modern or classical Chinese language and courses in history, religion or East Asian studies to support textual research and cultural understanding.

Students typically complete a combination of taught courses and an independent research component (thesis or comprehensive project), supervised by faculty with expertise in relevant areas.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree in philosophy or a related discipline such as Asian studies, religious studies, history or languages. Successful candidates should demonstrate strong academic achievement, readiness for graduate-level research and a clear statement of purpose outlining their interest in Chinese philosophy and culture.

• Transcripts from undergraduate study showing solid preparation in philosophy or closely related fields.
• A statement of purpose describing research interests and goals in Chinese philosophical traditions.
• Letters of recommendation from academic referees who can attest to research potential.
• A writing sample that demonstrates analytical and interpretive skills in philosophy or related areas.
• Where applicable, evidence of English language proficiency (such as IELTS or TOEFL) for international applicants.

Applicants without prior training in Chinese language may still be admitted, though language study is strongly recommended for students intending to work closely with primary texts.

Career prospects

Graduates with specialised training in Chinese philosophy and culture pursue a range of careers in academia, education, public service and the cultural sector. The programme prepares students for continued doctoral study as well as for roles that require critical thinking, cross-cultural competence and expertise in Asian intellectual traditions.

• Doctoral research and academic positions in philosophy, East Asian studies, religious studies and related fields.
• Secondary and tertiary teaching, curriculum development and educational outreach focusing on philosophy or Asian studies.
• Museum and cultural heritage work, including research, curation and public programming related to East Asian art and thought.
• Translation, publishing, journalism and media roles that demand strong language and interpretive skills.
• Policy, diplomacy and international organisations where cultural literacy and analytical skills are valued.

Why study at Kent State University

Kent State offers a supportive graduate environment with opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across departments such as Philosophy, Modern and Classical Languages, History and Religious Studies. Faculty supervision, small seminar formats and access to university research resources help students develop specialised expertise in Chinese intellectual traditions.

The university’s location and institutional networks also provide opportunities for conferences, collaborative research projects and engagement with broader regional and national academic communities in East Asian studies. Students benefit from mentoring, professional development workshops and guidance for publishing and preparing for further academic study.