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children's literature

The Center for the Study of Children's Literature (CSCL) at Simmons College administers the nation’s first Master of Arts in Children’s Literature as well as a Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.) in Writing for Children. The CSCL provides a rigorous, disciplined study of children's books for those who are — or who intend to be — involved in teaching, library services, publishing, writing, or related fields. To develop a critical vocabulary essential for appraising text and illustration, students apply a high level of scholarly analysis to children’s literature ranging from folklore and mythology to contemporary realistic fiction and nonfiction.

CSCL students are discriminating readers and advocates of children’s literature who recognize the value and influence of fine literature. In the decades since the CSCL opened in 1977 with funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the field of children’s literature has continued to grow, opening up to more critical study and job opportunities. Today CSCL students pursue careers as authors, editors, scholars, and critics, as well as librarians and teachers. Students also use their children’s literature degree as a steppingstone to doctoral programs and entrepreneurial work in children’s literature.

Degree Options

The 36-credit Children's Literature program leads to either a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature or a Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children. Students who wish to pursue both degrees may combine both master’s programs in a 56-credit course of study that includes core requirements for both programs. Simmons also offers a dual-degree in Children’s Literature and Education (M.A./MAT) for students who wish to become certified as an elementary, middle, or high school teacher.

Undergraduate students at Simmons can acquire a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature through an accelerated program within one year after completing their undergraduate studies at the College.

Spinning Stories Into Gold

Students in the Children’s Literature program develop an eye, ear, and voice for award-winning stories. Johanna Knowles ’95 recently won a Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators grant for her work-in-progress, Slut — a young adult novel about differing points of view on a specific event . While still a student in the program, Vicky Smith ’03 was selected to serve on the prestigious Newbery Committee. Susan Rich ’03, a senior editor at HarperCollins, presented the idea for the best-selling Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events books. Elena Abos ’99 interrupted her doctoral studies in translation to do the Children's Literature program and went on to translate Holes, the 1999 Newbery winner, into Spanish. She also translated the first two Jack Gantos books about Joey Pigza.

 

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