Marymount Manhattan College

What you'll study

The programme blends a core literature curriculum with a concentrated sequence in Chinese language, linguistics and literature. Core literature offerings cover literary analysis, critical theory, genres (poetry, drama, fiction) and comparative literature approaches. In the Chinese sequence you progress from elementary through advanced Mandarin, with emphasis on speaking, listening, reading and writing in both simplified and traditional characters where appropriate.

• Literature core: introductory and intermediate courses in literary analysis, world literature, close reading, literary theory, and a senior capstone or seminar.
• Chinese language sequence: beginning to advanced Mandarin, pronunciation and character work, conversation and composition, and media‑based language courses.
• Chinese linguistics: courses in phonetics and phonology of Mandarin, morphology and syntax, historical linguistics of Sinitic languages, sociolinguistics and language contact.
• Chinese literature: modern and contemporary Chinese literature in translation and in the original, classical Chinese texts, modern poetry and prose, literature of Taiwan and Hong Kong, and Chinese film and visual culture.
• Applied and interdisciplinary options: translation and interpreting, pedagogy of Chinese as a foreign language, digital humanities methods for textual analysis, and elective pairings with history, anthropology, political science or business.
• Capstone and experiential learning: senior thesis or seminar integrating literary and linguistic methods; internships with cultural organisations, publishers, museums and media outlets in New York City; opportunities for study abroad or intensive language immersion programs.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a secondary school diploma or equivalent with a record of academic achievement. Typical expectations include competency in writing and critical reading demonstrated through a personal statement and academic transcripts. Marymount Manhattan College considers standardised test scores as optional; applicants may submit SAT/ACT scores if they wish.

• Prior study in a foreign language: some background in a second language is helpful but not strictly required; the programme accepts beginners in Chinese as well as those with prior study.
• Portfolio and references: applicants may be asked for a writing sample or academic recommendation to demonstrate readiness for sustained reading and analysis.
• International applicants: must demonstrate English proficiency (for example via TOEFL or IELTS) unless exempt; transcripts should be accompanied by certified translations where necessary.

Career prospects

Graduates combine literary and linguistic skills with practical language proficiency, making them attractive to a range of employers and postgraduate programmes.

• Language and communication: translator, interpreter, bilingual editor, localisation specialist, or content developer for media and publishing.
• Education and academia: K–12 language teacher (with certification), curriculum developer, ESL instructor, or graduate study in linguistics, literature, or East Asian studies.
• Cultural and public sectors: museum and cultural programming, international NGOs, diplomacy and cultural affairs, community outreach and advocacy organisations.
• Business and media: international business, market research, communications, journalism focused on Chinese‑language markets, and roles in arts management.
• Further study: graduate degrees in linguistics, comparative literature, translation studies, library science, or area studies.

Why study at Marymount Manhattan College

Marymount Manhattan College offers a small, student‑centred liberal arts environment located in the heart of New York City, which provides unparalleled access to cultural institutions, publishers, media companies and internship placements. Class sizes are small, allowing close mentorship from faculty who blend scholarly expertise with professional experience in language teaching, translation and literary studies.

• Practical opportunities: internships, practicum placements and connections with museums, theatres, presses and cultural organisations across the city.
• Personalised advising: close faculty advising and career services tailored to liberal‑arts and language students.
• Experiential learning: study‑abroad and intensive language immersion options, as well as community partnerships that foster real‑world use of Chinese and literary analysis skills.
• Flexible curriculum: the programme’s interdisciplinary design lets students pair Chinese linguistics and literature with complementary majors or minors in fields such as theatre, business, international studies or digital media.