Brandeis University

What you'll study

The programme combines core graduate-level philosophy training with specialised coursework on Chinese thought and cultural contexts. Typical modules and seminar topics include:

• Classical Chinese Philosophy: close study of Confucian and Daoist texts, interpretive methods, and historical context.
• Buddhist Philosophy in East Asia: Madhyamaka, Yogācāra, Chan/Zen traditions and their philosophical implications.
• Chinese Ethics and Political Thought: moral theory, social philosophy, and modern transformations of classical ideas.
• Comparative Philosophy: comparative methodology, intersections between Western and Chinese philosophical frameworks.
• Classical Chinese for Philosophical Texts: language training aimed at reading primary sources in translation and, where appropriate, in the original.
• Research Methods and Seminar in Chinese Thought: research design, historiography, philology, and advanced seminar work on a focused topic.
• Thesis or Capstone Project: sustained piece of original research supervised by faculty, or a substantial seminar-based project.

Students typically combine seminar work, directed readings, and language study. The programme emphasises close textual analysis, philosophical argumentation, and comparative perspectives. Opportunities exist to take elective courses in East Asian Studies, religion, literature, or history to complement philosophical training.

Entry requirements

• A bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution, typically with a strong record in humanities or social sciences; applicants with undergraduate work in philosophy, Asian studies, religious studies or related fields are preferred.
• A statement of purpose outlining academic interests, reasons for pursuing graduate study in Chinese philosophy, and proposed areas of research.
• Academic transcripts and at least two academic letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s preparedness for graduate-level research and seminars.
• A writing sample (such as an undergraduate essay or published work) that demonstrates analytical ability and familiarity with philosophical argumentation; applicants focusing on Chinese texts may submit a translation or close reading.
• Proof of English proficiency for applicants whose first language is not English (e.g. TOEFL, IELTS) where required by the university’s admissions policy.
• Applicants may be asked to demonstrate prior preparation in philosophy or in relevant East Asian languages; the programme can accommodate students with varying backgrounds by recommending preparatory language or methodological courses.

Career prospects

Graduates develop skills in textual analysis, cross-cultural interpretation, critical reasoning and research design that are valued across multiple sectors. Common career paths include:

• Further academic study (PhD) and careers in teaching and research in philosophy, East Asian studies, or religious studies.
• Museum and cultural heritage work, including curatorial research and public programming focused on East Asian collections.
• Publishing, editing and translation, particularly for scholarly or literary work that engages Chinese intellectual traditions.
• Public policy, international organisations and NGOs where expertise in East Asian thought and cultural literacy informs diplomacy, ethics, or regional programming.
• Education at secondary and tertiary levels, curriculum development, and public humanities roles such as public scholarship or cultural consultancy.

Why study at Brandeis University

Brandeis offers a closely mentored, interdisciplinary environment well suited to studying Chinese philosophy and culture. The university’s philosophy department provides rigorous training in analytic and historical methods, while strong connections with the Department of East Asian Studies and related programmes allow students to draw on language instruction, area studies courses and faculty expertise across disciplines.

Students benefit from small seminars, regular faculty supervision for independent research, and access to Brandeis library collections and interlibrary networks in the Boston area. The university’s location near a major cluster of universities and cultural institutions provides additional opportunities for collaborative research, conferences, and internships that complement graduate study in Chinese intellectual traditions.