Emory University

What you'll study

The curriculum centres on the major currents of Chinese thought—Confucianism, Daoism, Mohism and Chinese Buddhism—while situating these traditions in broader cultural and historical contexts. Key areas of learning include:

• Classical texts and philology: close reading and interpretation of primary sources in translation and, where possible, in classical Chinese.
• History of Chinese philosophy: historical development of ideas, institutions and schools from antiquity through the imperial period and into modernity.
• Chinese Buddhist philosophy: engagement with doctrinal and epistemological issues as they developed in China.
• Contemporary and comparative theory: modern Chinese thinkers and comparative work that brings Chinese perspectives into dialogue with analytic and continental philosophy.
• Research methods: training in philosophical argumentation, textual criticism, historiography and interdisciplinary methods drawn from religious studies, linguistics and cultural studies.
• Language training: intensive instruction in classical and modern Chinese to support primary-source research (where students take language modules appropriate to their background and research goals).

Students typically complete a combination of required seminars and elective courses, and undertake a substantial research thesis or capstone project under faculty supervision.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree, preferably in philosophy, religious studies, East Asian studies or a closely related field. Admissions decisions are based on evidence of academic achievement and clear preparation for graduate-level work in philosophy. Typical application materials include:

• Academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• A personal statement outlining scholarly interests, reasons for pursuing the programme and plans for study (including any intended focus within Chinese philosophy).
• One or more academic letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant's readiness for graduate study.
• A writing sample that demonstrates analytic clarity and engagement with philosophical or historical texts.
• Curriculum vitae detailing academic and relevant language experience.

While prior study of Chinese is advantageous for work with primary texts, applicants without language background may still be considered and can acquire language skills during the programme.

Career prospects

Graduates of this master's pathway move into a range of roles that value deep critical thinking, textual expertise and cross-cultural literacy. Common trajectories include:

• Progression to doctoral study in philosophy, religious studies or East Asian studies.
• Teaching and academic-adjacent roles at schools, colleges and cultural institutions.
• Research and curation positions in libraries, museums and archives with East Asian collections.
• Work in policy, international organisations, translation, publishing and non-profit sectors where knowledge of Chinese intellectual history and language is an asset.
• Consultancy and communication roles that benefit from advanced analytic skills and cultural competence.

Why study at Emory University

Emory offers small, discussion-focused seminars and close faculty mentoring within a research university that supports interdisciplinary work across philosophy, religion and area studies. Students benefit from the university's extensive library collections, access to primary-source holdings and opportunities to collaborate with related departments and centres. The programme's flexibility allows students to tailor studies—combining rigorous philosophical method with language training and historical scholarship—to support both academic and applied career goals.