University of Colorado Boulder

What you'll study

The programme combines rigorous study of primary Chinese philosophical texts with contemporary philosophical methods and cultural studies. Core topics typically include Confucian ethical and political thought, Daoist metaphysics, Buddhist philosophy in East Asia, classical Chinese hermeneutics, and the history of Chinese intellectual traditions.

Students can expect to take seminars in areas such as:

• Classical Chinese Philosophy — close readings of canonical texts (e.g. Analects, Mencius, Dao De Jing, Zhuangzi) and interpretive approaches.
• East Asian Buddhist Philosophy — key doctrines, metaphysics and debates as they developed in Chinese, Korean and Japanese contexts.
• Modern Chinese Thought — intellectual responses to modernity, reform movements and 20th-century philosophical developments in China.
• Comparative Philosophy — dialogue between Chinese and Western philosophical traditions on topics such as ethics, political theory and metaphysics.
• Classical Chinese Language and Philology — reading and translating classical texts to support research and close textual analysis.
• Research Methods — training in philosophical argumentation, textual scholarship, and interdisciplinary methods drawing on history, religious studies and literary studies.

The degree normally offers a choice between a thesis-based route, which culminates in an extended original research project, and a coursework/capstone route focused on advanced seminars and a substantial final paper. Students are encouraged to take relevant electives across departments (e.g. Asian Languages & Civilizations, Religious Studies, History) and to use special collections, language resources and digital humanities tools available through the university.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised undergraduate degree, typically with a significant component in philosophy, Asian studies, Chinese language, religious studies or a closely related discipline. Admissions committees look for evidence of strong academic achievement, clear research interests and readiness for graduate-level work.

Typical application materials include:

• Transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended.
• A statement of purpose outlining academic background, research interests in Chinese philosophy and intended goals for postgraduate study.
• A writing sample demonstrating analytical ability—this can be a philosophy essay, term paper or translated/annotated text.
• Two or three academic references from instructors familiar with the applicant's scholarly potential.
• Proof of English language competence if English is not the applicant's first language (e.g. accepted language test scores or equivalent evidence).

Familiarity with classical or modern Chinese is advantageous and often recommended for students intending the thesis route, though many students begin with language training during the programme.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of academic and non-academic careers. Common pathways include further doctoral study in philosophy, religious studies or East Asian studies, and teaching at secondary or tertiary levels where permitted.

Outside academia, alumni work in fields that value deep intercultural knowledge, critical thinking and language skills, such as:

• Government and diplomacy, particularly cultural and policy units dealing with East Asia.
• International NGOs and think tanks focused on cultural policy, human rights or regional studies.
• Museums, libraries and cultural heritage organisations requiring expertise in East Asian texts and contexts.
• Publishing, journalism and translation, especially for scholarly or cultural publishing.
• Private sector roles in education, consulting and organisations engaging with China and broader East Asia where analytical and cross-cultural communication skills are needed.

Why study at University of Colorado Boulder

University of Colorado Boulder offers an interdisciplinary environment with active faculty working on Chinese philosophy, East Asian intellectual history and comparative philosophy. Students benefit from close supervision, small seminar formats and opportunities to take courses across departments such as Asian Languages & Civilizations, Religious Studies and History.

The university provides access to strong library holdings, language resources and regional expertise through area studies initiatives and visiting scholars. Boulder’s academic community and collaborative research culture make it well suited for students seeking both specialised training in Chinese philosophical traditions and connections to broader humanities and social-science research projects.