Children's Literature Degree

As children's literature become more and more important in the education of school children, many universities and colleges have begun to offer degrees in children's literature. The Simmons College of Arts and Sciences Graduate Studies offers to Masters Level degrees. These degrees are the first ever Master of Arts in Children's Literature and a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children.The Center for the Study of Children's Literature at Simmons College is a groundbreaker in the field of Children's Literature. Most college simply offer one course in children's literature to prospective English teachers or library science majors.

The CSCL offers a program which is aimed at students who are interested in becoming teachers, library services, writing, publishing, and prospective book editors. Students study every facet of children's literature ranging from mythology, folk lore, non fiction, and traditional realistic fiction. Students study children's literature to learn to analyze it on a deep, analytical manner. They learn to recognize good text, excellent plotlines, and the importance of illustrations. Although some scholars might scoff at studying children's literature as an easy course load, these courses teach students become discriminating readers who will influence the future of children's literature.

Graduated of these degree programs become wonderful advocated of children's literature. Since the beginning of the program in 1977 from funds from the National Endownment for the Humanities, graduates have gone on to become authors, critics, editors, scholars. Librarians, and teachers. Many graduates also use this Master's Program as the beginning of a Doctoral Degree.

The degree prgram consists of 36 credits for either the Masters of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and the Master of arrts in Children's Literature. If students want to pursue both degrees, there is a 56 credit program. Students who want to be teachers this college offers a dual degree in Children's Lierature and Education. This degree would allow teachers to teach in grades K-12.

Some of the courses that are offered are Criticism of Literature for Children, the Picturebook, Contemporary Realistic Fiction, Fantasy and Science Fiction, Victorian Children's Literature, 18th Century American's Literature, and Folk and Fairy Tales. These course certainly will prepare anyone to pursue a career in children's literature.

Admssion to the programrequires a baccalaureate degree. An English degree is preferred. The program also admits students with elementary or secondary education degrees. Fine Arts and social science students who have a number of English classes are also considered.

Anyone who desires a career in Children's Literature should certainly consider Simmons College degree programs.



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