About Chinese

Chinese is one of the most widely spoken languages in the world. 

In the United States, and particularly in California, knowing Chinese has become essential and in many cases required skill for many jobs. Chinese is also one of the world’s major languages in business, diplomacy, global and international commerce, and literary and scientific research.

The CCSF Chinese program offers a robust variety of courses, from very basic for beginners to more advanced,  in order to meet the varied needs of our San Francisco community. There are two tracks of Mandarin courses offered. One for language learners, the other for the heritage speakers. Students can earn a Certificate of Achievement (16 units) and a major in Chinese (18 units). Many courses meet the CCSF GE requirement Area E. Some of the courses also fulfill the requirement for Asian Studies certificate.

Explore Potential Careers

Studying Chinese can lead to a variety of different jobs or career paths. Below are just some of the many options you will have!

  • Bilingual Book Editors and interpreters/ translators
  • Journalism
  • Public Relations
  • Healthcare Services
  • Hospitality and Tourism
  • Business
  • International Relations
  • Construction
  • Food Industry
  • Agriculture
  • Paralegal and Judicial Services
  • Law Enforcement and Emergency Assistance
  • Education
  • Political Affairs
  • Counseling
  • Social Work
  • Advertising or Sale

Program Options 

Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.

Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CHIN 1 Elementary Chinese 5  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
CCSF Area A Communication/Analytical Thinking 3   
CCSF Area G2 Physical Skills 1  

Total Units: 13-15

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3-5  
CCSF Math Requirement See Counselor 3-5  
CCSF Area G1 Health Knowledge 2-3  
CCSF Area H Ethnic Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, or LGBTQ Studies 3  

Total Units: 11-16 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3-5  
CCSF Area C Natural Sciences 3-4  
CCSF Area D Social and Behavioral Sciences 3  
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3-5  
CCSF Area E Humanities (See Counselor) 3  

Total Units: 16-17

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3-5  
CCSF Area F U.S. History and Government 3  
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3-5  
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3-5  
Degree Applicable Electives See Counselor 4  

Total Units: 16+

View Requirements in College Catalog

Choose 5 or 6 units from the following core courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CHIN 3 Intermediate Chinese 5  
or      
CHIN 3A Intermediate Chinese 3  
and      
CHIN 3B Intermediate Chinese 3  

Total Units: 5 - 6 

Choose at least 11 units from the following elective courses:

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CHIN 2 Continuation of Elementary Chinese 5  
or      
CHIN 2A Continuation of Elementary Chinese 3  
and      
CHIN 2B Continuation of Elementary Chinese 3  
CHIN 4 Continuation of Intermediate Chinese 5  
or      
CHIN 4A Continuation of Intermediate Chinese 3  
and      
CHIN 4B  Continuation of Intermediate Chinese 3  
CHIN 12B Continuation of Beginning Conversational Mandarin 3  
CHIN 12C Intermediate Conversational Mandarin 3  
CHIN 14B Conversational Mandarin for Other Dialect Speakers 3  
CHIN 14C Advanced Conversational Mandarin for Speakers of Other Chinese Dialects 3  
CHIN 30A Advanced Intermediate Chinese 3  
CHIN 30B Continuation of Advanced Intermediate Chinese 3  
CHIN 30C Advanced Intermediate Chinese 3  
CHIN 31A Pre-Advanced Mandarin Chinese for Bilingual Students 3  
CHIN 31B Continuation of Pre-Advanced Mandarin Chinese for Bilinguals 3  
CHIN 32 Chinese Grammar and Chinese Culture 3  
CHIN 36  Chinese Idioms And Proverbs 3  
CHIN 38 Translation Foundation in Chinese 3  

Total Units: 11

Overall Total Units: 16 - 17

View Requirements in College Catalog

Semester 1 

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CHIN 31A Intermediate Mandarin Chinese for Bilingual Students 3  
ENGL 1A + 1AS University-Parallel Reading and Composition + Support 4-6  
CCSF Area A Communication/Analytical Thinking 3   
CCSF Area F Physical Skills 3  

Total Units: 13-15

Semester 2

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CHIN 31B Continuation of Intermediate Mandarin Chinese for Bilinguals 3  
CCSF Math Requirement See Counselor 6  
CCSF Area G1 Health Knowledge 2  
CCSF Area H Ethnic Studies, Women’s and Gender Studies, or LGBTQ Studies 3  
CCSF Area G2 Physical Skills 1  

Total Units: 15 

Semester 3

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
CHIN 32 Chinese Grammar and Chinese Culture 3  
CCSF Area C Natural Sciences 3-4  
CCSF Area D Social and Behavioral Sciences 3  
CCSF Area E Humanities (See Counselor) 3  
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3  

Total Units: 15-16

Semester 4

Course Number Course Title Units Notes
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3  
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3  
Major Requirement Elective See Counselor 3  
Degree Applicable Elective See Counselor 3  
Degree Applicable Electives See Counselor 3  
Degree Applicable Elective See Counselor 2  

Total Units: 17

Transfer Options

The program coursework you complete at City College will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at several colleges and universities. Start planning your transfer by exploring Chinese programs at the following institutions:

  • University of California 
  • California State Universities 

Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.