CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

The programme combines core graduate seminars in Chinese literature and linguistics with elective courses that let you specialise in areas such as classical literature, modern and contemporary fiction, sociolinguistics, historical linguistics, and translation studies. Typical modules and topics include:

• Classical Chinese Literature: close reading and interpretation of premodern poetry, prose and drama, with emphasis on literary history and philological methods.
• Modern and Contemporary Chinese Literature: 20th- and 21st-century prose, poetry and narrative forms, literary movements, and the relationship between literature and politics.
• Chinese Linguistics: phonology, morphology and syntax of Mandarin and other Sinitic varieties; language change and historical linguistics; sociolinguistics of Chinese-speaking communities.
• Translation and Practice: theory and practice of translating literary and non-literary texts, issues of localisation and multilingual publishing.
• Research Methods and Theory: literary theory, discourse analysis, corpus methods for linguistic research, and archival research techniques for Chinese sources.
• Language Proficiency Courses: supervised advanced reading and composition in modern and/or classical Chinese to support primary-source research.

Study typically involves a combination of seminar work, independent research, language tutorials and a substantial final project such as a master's thesis or a comprehensive research portfolio. Students are encouraged to take electives across CUNY departments—for example, courses in history, comparative literature, film studies or education—to support interdisciplinary research projects.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a good undergraduate degree in Chinese, East Asian studies, linguistics, literature, or a closely related field. Typical application components include:

• Academic transcripts demonstrating strong undergraduate performance.
• A statement of purpose outlining academic background, research interests and reasons for pursuing graduate study in Chinese linguistics and literature.
• Two or three academic references that can speak to scholarly potential.
• A writing sample in English or Chinese that demonstrates analytical ability (for example, a course essay or a short research paper).
• Evidence of Chinese language ability appropriate to the intended course of study; advanced reading proficiency is required for work with primary texts. International applicants whose first language is not English must meet the university's English-language proficiency requirements.

Some applicants without a strong background in Chinese may be considered if they demonstrate exceptional potential and are prepared to undertake intensive language study. Specific testing requirements (such as GRE) vary by programme and should be confirmed with the relevant CUNY department or graduate admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme go on to a variety of careers that value advanced language skills, cultural literacy and research training. Common career paths include:

• Doctoral study in Chinese studies, comparative literature, linguistics or related humanities fields.
• Teaching Chinese language and literature at secondary and post-secondary levels, including positions in bilingual and international schools.
• Translation, interpreting and editorial work for publishers, cultural organisations, media and the localization industry.
• Roles in cultural institutions, libraries, museums and archives that require expertise in Chinese texts and history.
• Policy, research and outreach positions in government, NGOs and community organisations serving Chinese-speaking populations.

The programme’s combination of language training and research experience also prepares graduates for careers in international education, cultural programming and the private sector where analytical, communication and cross-cultural skills are in demand.

Why study at CUNY(The City University of New York)

CUNY offers a distinctive setting for graduate study in Chinese linguistics and literature: it is located in one of the most linguistically and culturally diverse cities in the world, providing direct access to vibrant Chinese language communities, libraries, cultural centres and internship opportunities. The university system’s multiple campuses allow students to tap faculty expertise across departments and to take interdisciplinary courses that broaden research perspectives.

Students benefit from experienced faculty who work on a wide range of topics across historical periods and linguistic subfields, as well as from research resources available across CUNY libraries and New York City institutions. Practical support for professional development—such as teaching practicum opportunities, career services and connections with cultural organisations—helps students translate graduate training into academic and non-academic careers.

Overall, CUNY’s programme emphasizes rigorous language training, close mentorship, and the chance to pursue research that engages both primary-source scholarship and contemporary cultural contexts.