Master’s in Children’s Literature
Program Overview
Simmons University's Master of Arts in Children's Literature is a 36-credit program designed for individuals pursuing careers in teaching, library services, publishing, writing, or related fields. The program emphasizes historical and critical analysis of children's and young adult literature, exploring diverse perspectives and drawing upon interdisciplinary fields. Graduates are prepared for careers in the children's and young adult book industry, including editorial, marketing, writing, and education.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Arts in Children's Literature at Simmons University is a 36-credit program designed for individuals interested in teaching, library services, publishing, writing, or related fields. The program provides a rigorous, disciplined study of children's and young adult books, emphasizing historical and critical analysis. Students delve into materials ranging from folklore and fantasy to contemporary realistic fiction, nonfiction, and picturebooks, exploring diverse perspectives including gender studies, ideological, and multicultural viewpoints. The interdisciplinary curriculum draws upon literature, art, history, education, sociology, psychology, and media studies.
Outline:
The program requires four mandatory courses:
- CHL401 Criticism of Literature for Children (4 credits)
- CHL403 The Picturebook (4 credits)
- CHL413 Contemporary Realistic Fiction for Young Adults (4 credits)
- CHL414 Fantasy and Science Fiction (4 credits) In addition to these core courses, students must complete 4 credits in history electives (CHL 4XX) focusing on the history of children's literature and 4 credits in genre electives (CHL 4XX) exploring various genres of children's and young adult literature. Students typically take 8-10 credits per semester after their initial 8-credit semester.
Teaching:
The program boasts faculty from both academic and professional fields. Each student works closely with a faculty advisor to tailor their program to their specific interests and future goals. The program offers a variety of two-credit courses using intensive weekend, week-long, or short-term models throughout the year.
Careers:
The MA in Children's Literature prepares students for careers in creating, analyzing, and publishing books for children and young adults. Students have access to career exploration and internship opportunities in Boston and Amherst. Graduates work in various roles within the children's and young adult book industry, including:
- Marketing positions within publishing houses.
- Leadership roles, as exemplified by the founder of the Boston Book Festival and the children's book editor of Kirkus Reviews, both Simmons Children's Literature alumni.
- Authors and illustrators of best-selling and award-winning children's and young adult books.
- Translators of children's literature for international audiences.
Other:
The program is offered on the Boston campus and at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst. Students can complete the MA in Children's Literature/MS in Library Science with MA courses at the Carle and LIS courses on the Mount Holyoke campus. The program offers scholarships, fellowships, professional and partner discounts, and other funding sources. Students who have completed at least eight credits are eligible to apply for teaching assistantships.
