Children’s Literature [M.A.]

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Children's Literature is a fully online program designed to provide master's-level competency in all major areas of children's literature. The degree is appropriate for candidates who anticipate teaching in elementary, middle, or junior high school levels, as well as special education teachers, reading specialists, librarians, authors, and editors of children's books. It also prepares college teachers of children's literature and those who anticipate undertaking doctoral studies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• The Master of Arts in Children's Literature (CHL) is a fully online program designed to provide master's-level competency in all major areas of children's literature, including folklore, mythology, literary theory, illustrated texts, and multicultural children's literature.
• The degree is appropriate for candidates who anticipate teaching in the elementary, middle, or junior high school levels, as well as special education teachers, reading specialists, librarians, authors, and editors of children's books.
• It also prepares college teachers of children's literature and those who anticipate undertaking doctoral studies.

Outline:

Required Courses (21 hours)

• CHL 516 Introduction to Graduate Studies in Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 585 Children's Literature: Criticism and Response (3 hrs)
• Choose 15 credit hours from the following:
• CHL 517 Children's Literature for Teachers (3 hrs)
• CHL 518 History of Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 581 Critical Approaches to Mythology (3 hrs)
• CHL 582 Folktales, Legends and Ballads (3 hrs)
• CHL 583 Children's Illustrated Texts (3 hrs)
• CHL 584 Literature for Adolescents (3 hrs)
• CHL 586 Multicultural Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 587 Children's Media Studies (3 hrs)
• CHL 588 Topics in Children's Literature (3 hrs)

Capstone Requirement and Electives (9 hours)

Children's Literature Exam and Electives (9 hours)

• Written M.A.
examination in Children's Literature
• Complete a minimum of nine credit hours from the following:
• CHL 517 Children's Literature for Teachers (3 hrs)
• CHL 518 History of Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 581 Critical Approaches to Mythology (3 hrs)
• CHL 582 Folktales, Legends and Ballads (3 hrs)
• CHL 584 Literature for Adolescents (3 hrs)
• CHL 586 Multicultural Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 587 Children's Media Studies (3 hrs)
• CHL 588 Topics in Children's Literature (3 hrs)

Children's Literature Creative Project and Electives (9 hours)

• Master's Creative Project
• Complete a minimum of nine credit hours from the following:
• CHL 517 Children's Literature for Teachers (3 hrs)
• CHL 518 History of Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 581 Critical Approaches to Mythology (3 hrs)
• CHL 582 Folktales, Legends and Ballads (3 hrs)
• CHL 583 Children's Illustrated Texts (3 hrs)
• CHL 584 Literature for Adolescents (3 hrs)
• CHL 586 Multicultural Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 587 Children's Media Studies (3 hrs)
• CHL 588 Topics in Children's Literature (3 hrs)

Children's Literature Thesis and Electives (9 hours)

• Thesis
• Thesis Course: CHL 699 Independent Study (3 hrs)
• Restricted Electives:
• Complete a minimum of six credit hours from the following:
• CHL 517 Children's Literature for Teachers (3 hrs)
• CHL 518 History of Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 581 Critical Approaches to Mythology (3 hrs)
• CHL 582 Folktales, Legends and Ballads (3 hrs)
• CHL 584 Literature for Adolescents (3 hrs)
• CHL 586 Multicultural Children's Literature (3 hrs)
• CHL 587 Children's Media Studies (3 hrs)