University of Hawaii at Manoa

What you'll study

This programme combines core philosophical training with concentrated study of Chinese philosophical traditions and their cultural settings. You study central topics in philosophy—logic, epistemology, ethics, history of Western philosophy and critical thinking—alongside specialised courses in Chinese thought.

• Core philosophy modules: Introduction to Philosophical Problems, Logic and Critical Thinking, Ethics, Philosophy of Mind, and History of Modern Western Philosophy, which provide analytical tools and methods of argumentation.
• Chinese philosophy modules: Close study of Confucian texts (Analects, Mencius), Daoist writings (Tao Te Ching, Zhuangzi), Chinese Buddhist thought and its transmission, neo-Confucianism, Chinese political and moral philosophy, and contemporary Chinese philosophy.
• Language and textual work: Modern Mandarin and opportunities for Classical/ Literary Chinese to enable engagement with primary sources and translation practice. Language study is typically available through linked courses in the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures or the Center for Chinese Studies.
• Interdisciplinary options: Courses in Asian Studies, history, religious studies, anthropology and literature to situate philosophical texts within broader cultural and historical frameworks; electives may include Chinese religion, comparative philosophy and the philosophy of science in East Asia.
• Capstone and research: Senior seminar, honours thesis or directed-research project supervising sustained engagement with a philosophical topic, often using original-language sources.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to have strong secondary-school credentials and evidence of readiness for a demanding liberal-arts programme. Typical successful applicants will have a background in humanities subjects, strong grades in writing and critical-reading courses, and recommendations that speak to intellectual maturity and analytical ability.

• General academic qualification: completion of high-school diploma or equivalent with competitive grades; specific subject prerequisites are not usually required but coursework in humanities and social sciences is beneficial.
• For transfer students: college-level coursework in introductory philosophy and humanities will strengthen an application.
• Language expectations: no compulsory prior Mandarin requirement for admission, but prior study of Chinese or another East Asian language is an advantage for immediately engaging with specialised modules.
• International students: demonstrated English language proficiency (for example recognised tests or fulfilment of the University’s English-language conditions) is required.
• Other elements: a personal statement explaining interest in philosophy and Chinese thought, and academic references, are typically used in the selection process.

Career prospects

Graduates from this programme develop skills in critical thinking, close textual analysis, language competence and cross-cultural understanding—attributes valued in many fields.

• Further study: many students progress to graduate work in philosophy, Asian studies, religious studies, comparative literature or area studies, including MA and PhD programmes.
• Education and research: teaching at secondary and tertiary levels, museum and cultural heritage roles, research assistantships and archival work.
• Public and international service: careers in government, diplomacy, public policy, NGOs and international organisations where knowledge of Chinese culture and strong analytic skills are useful.
• Private sector: roles in translation and interpretation, publishing, communications, consulting, and multinational business where cultural literacy and problem-solving are important.
• Professional pathways: alumni also move into law, journalism and technology-adjacent roles that prize clear reasoning and the ability to engage complex texts and contexts.

Why study at University of Hawaii at Manoa

The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa offers a distinctive setting for studying Chinese philosophy because of its Pacific location, long-standing engagement with Asia and established area-studies infrastructure. The campus hosts units and centres that support research and language instruction relevant to Chinese studies.

• Interdisciplinary resources: easy access to the Center for Chinese Studies and related programmes in Asian Studies, religious studies and East Asian languages enriches course offerings and research opportunities.
• Faculty expertise: faculty members with interests in Chinese thought, comparative philosophy and textual studies provide supervision for advanced projects and links to contemporary scholarship.
• Language and primary sources: opportunities to learn Mandarin and Classical Chinese and to work directly with translations and source texts, supported by the University’s library collections.
• Regional perspective: Hawaiʻi’s cultural and geographic position fosters unique comparative and transpacific approaches to East Asian intellectual traditions and contemporary cultural exchange.
• Experiential opportunities: seminars, guest lectures, and connections with community organisations and regional networks allow students to apply their learning beyond the classroom.