Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages with a Concentration in Chinese
Fairfax, USA
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 Jun 2026*
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
USD 4,897 / per semester **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* International student deadline is 1st of June of every year | Domestic student deadline is 1st of February
** in-state tuition full-time | $16,980: out-of-state tuition full-time | $1,803: mandatory student fee
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Key Summary
The Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages prepares students for teaching, graduate study in languages and cultures, research, professional work, as well as service in government, nonprofits, or business. Our graduates are particularly valued for their multilingual and cross-cultural knowledge.
The concentration in Chinese prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level, graduate study in Chinese, and research and professional work in government and private enterprises. Language majors with Chinese concentration are encouraged to complete a minor or, if possible, a second major in another field.
Double majors in a foreign language and another subject should plan a program of study with advisors from both disciplines and follow the steps outlined in AP.5.3.3 Second Bachelor's Degree.
- Oral Skills
Achieve a Level 2+ (Intermediate High) in speaking on the proficiency scale developed by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL). Graduates are expected to demonstrate an ability to negotiate face-to face interactions as well as other formal and informal speaking contexts in linguistically, socially, and culturally appropriate ways. - Reading Skills
Achieve an ACTFL Level 2+ (Intermediate High) level in Chinese. Graduates are expected to be able to read authentic materials in Chinese for informative purposes. - Writing Skills
Graduates are expected to be able to write simple narration and descriptions in the Chinese language about given topics and events. - General Knowledge of Chinese Culture
Graduates are expected to be able to demonstrate a generalist's knowledge of the political, social, and cultural history of China from the earliest times to the present and its application to the reading or analysis of a historical, social, or cultural figure, event, phenomenon, or movement. - Critical Thinking
Graduates are expected to be able to analyze and discuss the ideas, values, and images of people from various Chinese communities; be able to analyze and discuss various aspects of Chinese civilization, including classical and modern Chinese literature, language, and culture.
The BA in foreign languages prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level, work in government, security, non-profits, international business, and graduate study and research in languages.
Total credits: minimum 120
In addition to the other college and university requirements for a degree, students pursuing this degree complete a 30-credit concentration.
Concentration in Chinese
The concentration in Chinese prepares students for research and professional work in government and private enterprises, teaching careers at the secondary school level, and graduate study in Chinese. Language majors with a Chinese concentration are encouraged to complete a minor or, if possible, a second major in another field.
Students pursuing a concentration in Chinese must complete a minimum of 30 credits in Chinese at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. Students are expected to complete a balanced program that includes courses in language, culture and civilization, and literature. Only two courses (6 credits) taught in English may be applied to the major. Students are highly encouraged to participate in studying abroad.
A minor in Chinese is also offered, which can easily and effectively be combined with majors in other disciplines, such as global affairs, international relations, government, journalism, philosophy, and religion.
Core Courses
Select eight courses from the following: 24
- CHIN 300 Reading Skills Development
- CHIN 301 Advanced Grammar and Syntax
- CHIN 305 Chinese for the Business World
- CHIN 318 Introduction to Classical Chinese (Mason Core)
- CHIN 355 Readings in Chinese Poetry and Poetics (Mason Core)
- CHIN 365 Readings in Chinese Fiction after Mao
- CHIN 475 Chinese Popular Culture (Mason Core)
- CHIN 480 Fourth-Year Chinese I
- CHIN 481 Fourth-Year Chinese II
- CHIN 485 China on Stage: Introduction to Chinese Theatrical Dramas in the 20th Century
Electives
Select two courses from the following: 1 6
- CHIN 310 Survey of Chinese Literature (Mason Core)
- CHIN 311 Modern Chinese Literature in Translation (Mason Core)
- CHIN 320 Contemporary Chinese Film
- CHIN 325 Major Chinese Writers (Mason Core)
- CHIN 328 Asian American Women Writers (Mason Core)
- CHIN 470 Special Topics in Chinese Studies
- CHIN 490 Internship in Chinese Studies
- ARTH 384 Arts of China (Mason Core)
- GGS 317 Geography of China (Mason Core)
- HIST 353 History of Traditional China
- HIST 354 Modern China (Mason Core)
- HIST 358 Post-1949 China (Mason Core)
- RELI 314 Chinese Philosophies and Religious Traditions
1Relevant courses offered by other departments may be allowed with the Chinese program director's approval.
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