College of DuPage offers a world of educational opportunities in your own backyard. At COD, you'll find:

•  Dedicated instructors with years of professional experience.
• Instruction utilizing our state-of-the-art facilities.
• Affordable courses to help you achieve success without creating overwhelming debt or draining your savings account.
• Small class sizes to ensure you receive personalized attention.

Chinese Transfer Pathway, A.A.

What is a Transfer Pathway?

A transfer pathway represents a typical course schedule/sequence for a student planning to complete the A.A. degree within two years, then transfer and major in a specific discipline. A transfer pathway is not institution-specific.

It is important to understand that the pathway provided in the adjacent tab is just one possible combination of classes by which to complete an A.A. and prepare for transfer in your chosen area of study. Other course combinations and sequences can work, too. It is strongly recommended that students work directly and frequently with a COD academic counselor/advisor, a COD faculty advisor, and academic counselors/advisors at potential transfer schools, to develop and execute a plan that works best for them.

The study of Chinese offers many benefits including: 

1. Communication
   Mandarin is currently spoken by nearly one-fifth of the world’s population. Since China is of one of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Chinese is also an official United Nations language. Chinese is one of the few world languages which remain pictographic. The writing of the language in itself can be described as an art form.
2. Cultural Knowledge
   The study of Chinese opens up a unique window into one of the world’s most ancient civilizations. Studying the Chinese language ultimately leads to learning Chinese history, cultural values, philosophical and religious beliefs and aesthetic traditions.  The more proficient you become in the language, the more you will be able to appreciate and understand China’s past and present. You will also understand and enjoy more when visiting historical sightseeing places.
3. Career Opportunities
   The People’s Republic of China currently boasts the second largest economy in the world and is widely expected to become a major geopolitical force in the new millennium. Graduates with proficiency in Mandarin will be well positioned for jobs in government, international relations, finance, tourism, translation and teaching. With China having a population of 1.28 billion people, the market share of fields and businesses which work with China continues to grow. 
4. Fun
   Chinese is a tonal language consisting of four tones. This adds one more dimension to understanding and speaking the language. Learning how to write characters is rewarding and an interesting experience for many new learners. These characteristics provide a lifetime of intellectual stimulation. 

Students who complete courses in any of the Foreign Languages disciplines will:

• Communicate effectively in more than one language in order to function in a variety of situations and for multiple purposes
• Interact with cultural competence and understanding
• Connect with other disciplines and acquire information and diverse perspectives in order to use the language to function in academic and career-related situations
• Develop insight into the nature of language and culture in order to interact with cultural competence
• Communicate and interact with cultural competence in order to participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world

College of DuPage partners with several four-year institutions to help students seamlessly complete a bachelor’s degree in languages. Students can connect with Transfer Services for personalized guidance on transfer opportunities.

For more information about Transfer Pathways, visit the College of DuPage Catalog. The pathway outlines a typical two-year course plan for completing an AA or AS degree before transferring to a four-year program. Course requirements vary by institution, so consult your faculty or academic advisor for specific guidance.

Articulation Agreements

College of DuPage maintains transfer agreements with many colleges and universities to ensure a smooth transition toward a bachelor’s degree. These agreements often include a defined course sequence. Students should regularly meet with a faculty member or Advising Services to stay on track.

• Elmhurst University. AA to BA in French
• Elmhurst University, AA to BA in German
• Elmhurst University, AA to BA in Spanish
• Northern Illinois University, AA to BA in World Languages and Cultures
• Temple University- Japan Campus, affiliation agreement

Transfer Guides

Beyond articulation agreements and guaranteed admission programs, College of DuPage courses transfer to many other institutions. Transfer Guides help students select COD courses that meet prerequisites for specific majors and include details such as contact information, major requirements, general education requirements, and transfer policies.

• Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA East Asian Language and Culture (LCIS)
• Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) French
• Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) German
• Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA East Asian Language and Culture (LCIS)
• Southern Illinois University- Carbondale, AA to BA Languages, Cultures, and International Studies (LCIS) Spanish