The Center teaches Mandarin Chinese, the official language in China and Taiwan, through the fourth year of study, including courses for heritage learners at the second- and third-year levels. Every other year we offer Chinese for Medical Professions. The Center awards the Certificate in Language and Intercultural Communication in Chinese.
Chinese an option to fulfill the language requirements for the Asian Studies major and minor and the Linguistics major. Chinese is recognized as a critical language by the United States Department of State.
Course Sequence
Before registering for a Chinese course, take the Language Placement Test to find out which course is right for you.
Study Abroad
Please visit our Study Abroad pages for information on our 6 week, 6 credit summer faculty led Rice in Country study abroad programs and our CLIC Language Study Scholarship Awards. For additional study abroad opportunities, visit the Study Abroad Office’s website.
Sampson and Faye Shen Chinese Scholarship
The Sampson and Faye Shen Chinese Scholarship was established by Dr. Anne Chao in memory of her parents. The Scholarship provides travel grants of up to $1,500 for Rice students who want to study Chinese in China or Taiwan. Applicants for Rice in Taiwan will automatically be considered for this award. Students participating in other Chinese language programs in China or Taiwan may apply using the CLIC Language Study Awards application.
Yuen Family Chinese Language Travel Fund
The Yuen family was pleased to create a fund that enables Rice students to study abroad with the purpose of increasing their Chinese language proficiency. Applicants for Rice in Taiwan will automatically be considered for this award. Students participating in other Chinese language programs in China or Taiwan may apply using the CLIC Language Study Awards application.