Chinese, M.A.
Master of Arts
About this program
The Master of Arts in Chinese gives you a strong foundation in classical and modern Chinese literature, linguistics, and teaching methods. You will explore language structure, literary movements, and theory while building advanced skills in reading, writing, and analysis. The program guides you to research and teach Chinese with confidence. It includes electives in translation, interpretation, and language pedagogy.
Program Curriculum and Requirements
Program Scope
The Chinese Program at San Francisco State University offers a Masters Degree in Chinese with a curriculum encompassing classical and modern Chinese literature, Chinese linguistics and Chinese language pedagogy. Additional elective courses are available in the areas of Chinese-English translation and interpretation, and teaching Chinese as a foreign language.
Enter the only Chinese Masters Program in the California State University (CSU) system. Take graduate level classes and learn from top experts in literature, linguistics, pedagogy, research methodology, and translation/interpretation. Enjoy the multicultural buzz of the San Francisco Bay Area and nearby Silicon Valley. Earn a degree that will entitle you to teach at the college level (see the Teaching Credential pathway on this page for additional authorization to teach at the K-12 level) and empower you to pursue advanced research and language-related careers. Low tuition; teaching assistantships for matriculated students; State University Grant available for California residents.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to produce effective academic writing based on scholarly research.
- Demonstrate graduate-level competence in the concentration language.
- Analyze texts for theme, structure, style and other aspects of prose and poetry.
- Explain how literary movements influence each other and are shaped by history.
- Demonstrate interdisciplinary approaches when analyzing complex problems and intellectual questions.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the present day structure of the concentration language, including the phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax and discourse features.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the historical development and sociolinguistic variations of the concentration language.
- Demonstrate the ability to develop basic skills as teacher-researcher while applying theoretical knowledge to practice, and to implement standard-based Second Language Acquisition (SLA) instruction.
Admissions Information
Qualifications (1): Bachelor's Degree and Academic Training
A prerequisite for admission to the Masters Program in Chinese is a Bachelor's Degree in Chinese or a related subject, with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 (which is equivalent to a "B" average in letter grade terms). Applicants are expected to demonstrate advanced level skills in the following areas:
- Advanced proficiency in spoken Mandarin and standard written Chinese
- Familiarity with major literary/cultural figures and texts
- Training in the fundamentals of linguistic analysis
- Basic reading proficiency in classical Chinese
In exceptional circumstances, applicants who are lacking in one or more of these areas may be admitted conditionally after developing, through consultation with advisers, a program of studies to establish equivalency. Courses prescribed for equivalency may not be credited toward the M.A. degree.
Qualifications (2): English Language Proficiency
Applicants ARE NOT required to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or other standardized academic proficiency tests. However applicants whose native language is not English, who did not complete their Bachelor's Degree at a college or university in an English-speaking country (English-speaking countries include the United States, Canada, Jamaica, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand, and Belize), must demonstrate proficiency in English language by taking and passing a standardized English test recognized by San Francisco State University, such as the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. For a full list of recognized tests and passing scores, visit the Division of Graduate Studies’ English language requirements page. Note that these English language requirements are required of all non-native speakers and international students applying to San Francisco State University, and cannot be waived. The requirement holds regardless of citizenship or residency status -- non-native speakers who are U.S. citizens or Green Card holders still must take and pass the required English language exams. The requirement, however, is normally waived for applicants who have completed a bachelor's or master's degree in the United States.
Fall: August 15
Spring: January 15
Ready to apply? Visit the Graduate Students page to get started.
We’re Here to Help
Questions about the program or how to apply? Don’t hesitate to reach out.
Chris Wen-Chao Li
- Professor
- Graduate Coordinator