CUNY(The City University of New York)

What you'll study

The programme is built on a standard Philosophy BA curriculum enhanced by a sustained concentration in Chinese philosophy and culture. You will take core courses in logic, epistemology, ethics, metaphysics and the history of Western philosophy, alongside specialised modules on classical and modern Chinese thought.

• Core philosophy modules: Formal logic, critical reasoning, philosophy of mind, moral and political philosophy, research methods in philosophy.
• Chinese philosophy modules: Classical Confucianism (Analects, Mencius, Xunzi), Daoist texts and thought (Laozi, Zhuangzi), Chinese Buddhist philosophy, Neo-Confucianism and Song–Ming intellectual history.
• Language and culture: Mandarin language sequence (elementary to intermediate), classical Chinese reading, courses in Chinese literature, religion and cultural history to situate philosophical texts.
• Comparative and contemporary topics: Comparative ethics and political thought, Chinese aesthetics, modern Chinese philosophy and intellectual history, contemporary debates in Chinese social and political thought.
• Research and capstone: Senior seminar or honours thesis in Chinese philosophy, independent research projects and opportunities for faculty-supervised study on a topic of choice.
• Electives and interdisciplinary options: You can combine philosophy with courses from East Asian Studies, History, Religious Studies, Anthropology, Linguistics and Political Science to build an interdisciplinary profile.

Entry requirements

Admission is to a CUNY undergraduate campus; applicants typically need a high school diploma or equivalent and fulfil the general admissions criteria of the participating CUNY college. Successful candidates usually have strong grades in humanities and social sciences and demonstrated interest in philosophy or East Asian studies.

• Recommended secondary-school preparation: courses in English, history, a foreign language (Mandarin or other), and advanced humanities where available.
• Standard application materials: academic transcripts, personal statement outlining interest in philosophy and Chinese studies, and letters of recommendation where requested by the college.
• Transfers: applicants with college coursework should submit college transcripts; prior coursework in philosophy or Chinese language strengthens an application.
• International students: proof of English language proficiency may be required (e.g. TOEFL/IELTS) and evidence of equivalent secondary qualifications; Mandarin ability is desirable but not mandatory at entry.
• There are no universal national-level exam cut-offs listed here; consult the specific CUNY college for precise GPA or test expectations and any placement testing in language or mathematics.

Career prospects

Graduates gain strong analytic, interpretive and cross-cultural communication skills that are valued across many sectors. Typical career paths include:

• Further study: MA or PhD programmes in philosophy, East Asian Studies, religious studies or related humanities disciplines.
• Education and academia: secondary teaching, educational outreach, museum education or university research and teaching (with further qualifications).
• Public sector and policy: roles in cultural policy, public diplomacy, international organisations and municipal government that require cultural literacy and critical reasoning.
• Non-profit and cultural institutions: work with cultural centres, museums, community organisations, and NGOs focused on Asian cultural affairs or education.
• Media, publishing and translation: editorial, curatorial, research and translation work where knowledge of Chinese language and culture is an asset.
• Private sector and tech: ethics, user research, policy and consulting roles that value ethical reasoning, comparative perspective and communication skills.
• Legal and business preparation: many graduates go on to law school or business postgraduate programmes, using philosophical training to prepare for professional careers.

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

CUNY offers this interdisciplinary pathway within one of the largest public urban university systems in the United States, giving students access to a wide range of faculty expertise across philosophy, Asian studies and language departments. Studying in New York City provides direct access to cultural institutions, consulates, NGOs and a large Chinese-speaking community for internship, research and community-engagement opportunities.

• Interdisciplinary resources: cross-campus collaborations, language programmes and elective options across CUNY colleges let you tailor study to philosophical and cultural interests.
• Research and community engagement: opportunities to work with faculty on primary-text research, public programming and partnerships with cultural organisations in the city.
• Professional development: internship placements, career services and alumni networks in New York support transitions into employment or postgraduate study.
• Affordability and access: as a public university system, CUNY emphasises access and support for a diverse student body, with advising and language support services for international and multilingual students.