Valparaiso University

What you'll study

The programme is typically offered as a Philosophy major with a concentration or track in Chinese Philosophy and Culture. Students take foundational courses in logic, epistemology, ethics and metaphysics to build analytic and argumentative skills, and then move into courses focused on Chinese intellectual history and cultural contexts.

• Core philosophy modules: Introduction to Philosophy, Symbolic Logic, Ethics, Epistemology, History of Western Philosophy, Philosophy of Mind or Metaphysics.
• Chinese philosophy and culture modules: Classical Chinese Philosophy (covering Confucius, Mencius, Xunzi), Daoist Thought (including Dao De Jing and Zhuangzi), Chinese Buddhist Philosophy, Philosophy in Imperial China, and Modern Chinese Intellectual History.
• Language and primary texts: Elementary and Intermediate Mandarin Chinese, Classical Chinese or readings in translation, and courses emphasizing close reading and translation of primary sources such as the Analects, Laozi and Chan/Zen texts.
• Comparative and methodological courses: Comparative Philosophy (East-West dialogues), Hermeneutics, Philosophy of Religion, and courses on methods for interpreting religious and philosophical texts.
• Experiential and capstone work: Senior seminar or capstone project, opportunities for an honours thesis, internships with cultural organisations or research centres, and optional study abroad or exchange in Chinese-speaking regions.

Degree structure follows a liberal-arts model: major requirements are combined with general-education courses and elective credits, allowing students to pair the Chinese philosophy concentration with minors such as Asian Studies, History, Political Science or Language.

Entry requirements

• Completion of secondary education or equivalent with a competitive academic record; Valparaiso University evaluates applicants on high school coursework and grades.
• Submission of a personal statement or essay that demonstrates intellectual curiosity and reasons for pursuing philosophy and Chinese studies.
• Letters of recommendation are commonly requested to support academic readiness.
• Standardised tests (SAT/ACT) may be considered according to the university's current admissions policy; applicants should check the institution's admissions pages for the most up-to-date guidance.
• International applicants must demonstrate English proficiency through recognised tests or pathways; evidence of prior study of Chinese is helpful but not required, as language instruction is available from beginner level.

Career prospects

Graduates possess strong skills in critical thinking, textual analysis, cross-cultural communication and language — versatile assets in many professions. Typical career paths include:

• Graduate study in philosophy, religious studies, Asian studies or comparative literature leading to academic and research careers.
• Education and teaching, including language instruction and secondary-school humanities teaching (often following teacher-licensure pathways).
• Government, diplomacy and international relations roles that value cultural literacy and regional expertise.
• Non-governmental organisations, cultural institutions, museums and heritage organisations focused on Asia-related programmes.
• Business and consulting roles that require intercultural competence, ethics training and analytical problem-solving; opportunities in corporations with Asia-Pacific connections.
• Publishing, translation and communications work that use language skills and textual expertise.

Why study at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University offers a liberal-arts environment with small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, which benefits discussion-driven disciplines like philosophy. Students in the Chinese Philosophy and Culture track can expect regular contact with faculty who teach both philosophical methods and historical-cultural contexts, and to undertake substantial primary-text work supported by the university's library resources.

The university’s emphasis on undergraduate research and experiential learning means students can pursue capstone projects, internships and study-abroad opportunities to deepen language competence and regional familiarity. Valparaiso’s general-education curriculum supports interdisciplinary study, enabling students to combine philosophy with language study, history or political science to prepare for diverse postgraduate and professional paths.