Writing for Children (MFA)
Faculty
Cathryn M. Mercier, Professor, Children’s Literature and Director of the Graduate Degree Programs in Children’s Literature, and Director of the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature
Kelly Hager, Professor of English
Megan Lambert, Senior Lecturer
Amy Pattee, Associate Professor of Library and Information Science
Lauren Rizzuto, Senior Lecturer
Description
The unique feature of the M.F.A. program stems from its combination of creative work and the engaged critical study and analysis of literature for children and young adults. Students examine transformative works from folklore, fantasy, nonfiction, poetry, and realism as rich contexts to developing their individual artistic visions and voices. Small group critiques, individualized mentorships, and grounding in the publishing industry the student’s career development as writers.
Students will experiment with new audiences and forms of creative work for young people
Because M.F.A. students join in some core courses with M.A. and dual degree students, they learn from colleagues from across professions. Core classes will include teachers, librarians, editors, illustrators, academics.
Learning Outcomes
Students leave Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children with an extensive theoretical context and a broad knowledge of contemporary literature for children and young adults. In graduating, they have
- Developed a critical voice and demonstrated the capacity for original argument;
- Analyzed literature for children and young adults;
- Assessed and interpreted scholarship in the field of children’s and young adult literature;
- Applied critical perspectives across genres in children’s and young adult literature;
- Understood historical works, contexts, and influences in the field;
- Valued the diversities of human experiences (re)presented in literature for children and young adults and in the scholarship in the field;
- Demonstrated individual and collaborative leadership;
- Experimented with writing across genres;
- Evaluated and provided meaningful feedback on manuscripts-in-development; and
- Completed two original creative projects.
Requirements for entry into program
Admission to the MFA program requires a baccalaureate degree preferably with academic work in literature and creative writing from an accredited institution. However, the program is also open to students with majors in elementary or secondary education, fine arts, or social sciences who have done study in creative writing and literature for children and young adults. The application should include official transcripts of all degree work, two letters of recommendation, and, for international students, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants must submit a writing portfolio not to exceed 20 pages as well as a statement of purpose that reflects on their writing process. This statement should address the applicant’s goals as a writer, his/her publishing history and/or any works in progress. An interview, though not required, is strongly recommended.
Degree Requirements
Credits
MFA (Writing for Children) students must complete 32 credits of graduate coursework to qualify for the MFA degree.
Graduate students in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children degree program typically carry between eight and ten (8 - 10) credits in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Students considering registering for more than 10 credits per term must consult with the graduate program director.
Weekend and Intensive Courses: Two (2) credit courses may be scheduled to occur during a weekend, during which students may meet up to eight hours daily to engage in coursework. Similarly, some four (4) credit courses in summers, weekends, or other times of year may follow an intensive, immersive format.
Required and Elective Courses (32 credits)
| CHL 401 | Criticism of Literature for Children | 4.00 |
| CHL 403 | The Picturebook | 4.00 |
| CHL 430 | Writing for Children I | 4.00 |
| CHL 431 | Writing for Children II | 4.00 |
| CHL 441 | MFA Mentorship I | 4.00 |
| CHL 442 | MFA Mentorship II | 4.00 |
| Coursework in the history of children’s literature, selected from courses with a chronological focus. | 4.00 |
| Coursework in children’s literary genres | 4.00 |
Required courses include 4 credits of courses designated as (h) in the list of elective courses above and 4 credits of courses designated as (g) in the list of elective courses above.