Children's Literature + Children's Literature: Writing for Children

With our Children's Literature (MA) + Children's Literature: Writing for Children (MFA) dual degree you can cultivate a unique place in the landscape of children’s and young adult literature. Synthesize contemporary literary theory and your creative practice.

Students in class

Compose the literary future

Highlight critical analysis – including gender studies, ideology, narrative theory – to position your own voice as a writer for today’s young readers. Draw on an interdisciplinary curriculum that integrates art, history, education, sociology, psychology and media studies as illuminating perspectives. Test your creative mettle across genre – from picturebooks and beginning readers for the youngest audience to contemporary realistic fiction and fantasy for young adults.

Immerse yourself in The Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at Simmons to discuss craft and criticism with critics, editors, authors, and illustrators at the summer institute. Attend events with The Horn Book and Children’s Books Boston. Indulge in the Boston Book Festival, PEN-New England, Grub Street, and the active writing community of Boston.

Scholarships, Discounts, Fellowship and Teaching Assistantship Opportunities 

All applicants are considered for a range of university scholarships, including endowed and departmental awards; new and returning students may apply for selective fellowships to help fund their degrees. Students who have completed at least eight credits are eligible to apply for teaching assistantships to gain experience in the classroom and help finance their degree. Additionally, Simmons is proud to offer teachers, librarians, affiliates of partner organizations, and Simmons alumnae/i reduced tuition and other benefits.

 

Degree Requirements (56 credits)

Graduate students in the MA/MFA dual degree program typically carry between eight and ten credits in the fall, spring, and summer semesters after their first semester of eight credits. Students considering registering for more than 10 credits per term must consult with the graduate program director.


MA/MFA Required Courses (36 credits)

 

CHL401 Criticism of Literature for Children 4
CHL403 The Picturebook 4
CHL413 Contemporary Realistic Fiction for Young Adults 4
CHL414 Fantasy and Science Fiction 4
CHL421 Children's Book Publishing 4
CHL430 Writing for Children I 4
CHL431 Writing for Children II 4
CHL441 MFA Mentorship I 4
CHL442 MFA Mentorship II 4

MA/MFA Elective Requirements (20 credits)

 

CHL4XX

History elective/s

Coursework in the history of children's literature, selected from courses with a chronological focus.

To total 4 credits

CHL 4XX

Coursework in children's of children's and/ or young adult literature

To total 4 credits

Freely chosen elective coursework

Freely chosen elective coursework selected from the variety of 2- and 4-credit courses offered each semester 

To total 12 credits 

Our students take advantage of internships and research opportunities in Boston and beyond, building their skills and resumes and learning from mentors in their fields. Students have interned at publishing houses such as Delacorte, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Charlesbridge, Candlewick, Scholastic, Penguin, David Godine, and St. Martin's; at a variety of literary agencies in Boston and New York; and at advocacy groups, such as Reach Out and Read and the Boston Book Festival. Some students also seek professional internships with local schools and libraries.

Our students work with two mentors to advance their creative work toward publication. Authors, literary agents, and editors serve as mentors. Recent mentors have come from:

  • Candlewick Press
  • Charlesbridge Books
  • Scholastic Books
  • Tu Books 
  • Walden Media;
  • Jennifer DeChiara Literary Agency

Alumni of the M.F.A. program have served as Boston Public Library Children’s Writers-in-Residence and St Botolph Club Emerging Artists. Recent M.F.A. alumni have been contracted by Simon and Schuster, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and HarperCollins. Two May 2014 graduates received the P.E.N. New England Children’s Book Caucus Discovery Award.

Programs at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

All Children’s Literature degree and dual degree programs are offered on the Boston campus. In addition, the MA in Children’s Literature, MFA in Writing for Children, the dual degree MA/MFA are also offered 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 Greenfield Community College campus. Founded by Eric Carle, the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the Carle is the first full-scale museum in this country devoted to national and international picture book art.

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art

In collaboration with The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Simmons offers all four graduate programs in Children's Literature onsite at The Carle. This includes our M.A. in Children's Literature, M.F.A. in Writing for Children, M.A. in Children's Literature/M.F.A. dual degree, and M.A. in Children's Literature/M.S. in Library Science dual degree offered in collaboration with Simmons's School of Library and Information Science program at Greenfield Community College. Founded in part by Eric Carle, the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is the first full-scale museum in this country devoted to national and international picture book art. The Carle is located in Amherst, in the heart of the Five Colleges area of Western Massachusetts. Learn more about the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

Children's Literature at Simmons University

From picture books to young adult literature, classic works to contemporary prize-winners, you will explore the artistry of literature for children and young adults. Dare to discover new audiences and stories all your own.

Graduate Program Videos

Diverse Voices in Storytelling

Genielysse Reyes '20MFA is adding her diverse voice to storytelling. Learn more about her experience in the Children's Literature program.

More Videos

Spotlight on Children's Literature Students and Alums

Side by side book covers: Jumper by Jessica Lanan and Big Cat, Little Cat by Elisha Cooper

Simmons Alum Mentors MFA Students in Children’s Publishing

“I chose [to study] children’s literature because it brings me so much joy,” says Emily Feinberg ’11MAMA. Having studied English literature for her undergraduate studies, Feinberg expected to be drawn to courses focused on novels for children. But taking a...


Book covers for Immortal Dark and It Came from the Trees

Literary Agent Alumna Shares Passion for Children’s Literature

Paige Terlip ’18MA/MFA reflects on how Simmons prepared her to shepherd authors through the publishing process — and how it felt to get one of those books on the New York Times Bestsellers list.


A gallery in the Eric Carle Museum

Children’s Literature Alumna Receives Mentor Award at 2024 Carle Honors

On September 26, Elissa Gershowitz ’00MA, Editor-in-Chief of The Horn Book, received a Mentor Award at the Carle Honors ceremony in New York City. Bestowed by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art these annual awards celebrate individuals and organizations who have elevated the art of children’s picture-book making.


The logo of The Boston Globe Horn Book Awards

Simmons Children’s Lit Alum on Judging the Horn Book Awards

Rodney Fierce ’12MA, a Humanities Teacher at Sonoma Academy, shares what led him to study children’s literature, his work at the Academy, and his recent experience on the Horn Book Awards Committee.


Shelves full of children's books. Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash.

Children’s and English Literature Alumna Named Agent of the Month

Amy Thrall Flynn 95’MA, ’21MA, Senior Literary Agent of Aevitas Creative Management, has been named “Agent of the Month” (for October 2024) by Writing and Illustrating, a blog devoted to children’s literature authors and illustrators.


Stacy Whitman stands in fron of a mural holding a bag from her bookshop The Curious Cat

Children’s Literature Alum Celebrates Bookshop’s First Anniversary

Stacy Whitman '05MA celebrates the first anniversary of her brick and mortar bookstore, Curious Cat Bookshop in Winsted, CT, with an article in the CT Insider.


The cover of the book "The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow" next to a logo for the Massachusetts Book Awards

Simmons Alum Receives Mass Book Award Honor

The Remarkable Rescue at Milkweed Meadow (Charlesbridge Publishing, 2023) by Elaine Dimopoulos ’08MFA was selected as an Honors title for the Mass Book Awards.


Book covers from the 2024 Horn Book winners: Do You Remember, Remember Us, The Mona Lisa Vanishes, and Kin

Children’s Literature Professor Helps Select Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Winners

The Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards “recognize and reward excellence in literature for children and young adults.” As the School Library Journal reported, Professor and Graduate Program Director of Children’s Literature Cathryn Mercier chaired a group of judges who determined the 2024 awardees.