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

Simmons University's Children's Literature (MA) + Children's Literature: Writing for Children (MFA) dual degree program invites you to study literature for young people while you also create it. 

Immerse yourself in transformative works from classic materials to current prizewinners as a rich context for your emerging voice. From picturebooks to young adult literature, fantasy to realism, humor to horror, you’ll consider structure, the challenges of the audience, and the cultural work of literature as it engages questions of power and justice. 

In small, interactive classes (12 students in writing courses, 16 in core courses), you’ll participate in animated seminar discussions. You'll build strong networks, and form deep connections with peers and faculty. Faculty bring expertise as scholars, writers, and publishers.

The faculty pride themselves on offering advising, support, and guidance. They will help you fine-tune your career goals as you develop skills of critical inquiry, writing, and communicating your passion to bring excellent literature into the hands of young people. 

Why Get a Dual Degree That Combines an MA in Children’s Literature and MFA in Writing for Children?

Our MA/MFA graduate program helps you make a difference in literature for young people. It combines critical analysis, creative practice, and cultural studies. You’ll:

• Develop your critical reading and writing skills through rigorous academic study in literature for children and young adults.
• Study across genres, such as picturebooks, verse novels, informational texts, speculative fiction, fantasy, realism, folk and fairy tales, and graphic novels.
• Consider the past, present, and future of texts for young readers as cultural products that reflect and innovate
• Attend the ways children’s literature invokes questions of social justice, power, and constructions of childhood.
• Participate in cross-disciplinary and cross-professional conversations that center multiple traditions and practices.
• Become part of a vibrant community that reads widely, thinks deeply, and engages with colleagues who share your passion.
• Develop a deep understanding of the craft as you write, revise, and polish your manuscripts.
• Put your scholarly and craft knowledge into practice as you engage in critiques of creative projects in development.
• Create two original manuscripts under 1-1 professional guidance in our mentorship program.

Enrich your experience beyond the classroom

• Access over 4,000 newly published titles annually through our BookNook
• Take part in programs like the Children’s Literature Summer Institute and Horn Book at Simmons
• Build connections with partners such as The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
• Join an expansive, welcoming alumnae/i network working in teaching, librarianship, publishing, doctoral study, and more

Join the Vibrant Literary World of Boston

The city of Boston offers myriad opportunities to grow professionally in the field. Our graduate students have completed internships in publishing at Candlewick, Charlesbridge, Barefoot Books locally and virtually at Penguin Random House, and HornBook.

Also, our students have interned at renowned local libraries including Boston Public Library and Cambridge Public Library. Students have pursued internships in literary agencies, such as Aevitas Creative.

Boston also offers many exciting cultural activities and events. From P.E.N. New England Discovery Night to the Boston Book Festival, participate in today’s literary heritage as you create tomorrow’s books.