Degree Programs
After considering your options, you may decide that you want to go beyond a single course or writers' group. You may want to consider a full degree program. In recent years, the scholarly study of children's writing and literature has widened, and now the options for continuing your education in writing for children and young adults are numerous. The Children's Literature Association lists more than twenty-five colleges and universities offering degree programs in the field of children's literature. There are also a handful of schools offering Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees in writing for children. This list is not comprehensive, but merely a place to begin your research.
The New School, offering a traditional residency MFA program
Hollins University, offering both an MA and MFA, both brief-residency
Spalding University, offering a brief-residency MFA program
Vermont College, offering a brief-residency MFA program
Hamline University, offering a brief-residency MFA program
Simmons College, offering a traditional residency MFA as well as a dual degree in Children's Literature and Writing for Children, MA/MFA
Whidbey Island Writers Association, offering a brief-residency MFA program run by a writers' association, not a college or university
The Institute of Children's Literature offers a quality course in children's writing. Visit its website at
Other writing programs offer courses in writing for children as part of a broader creative writing curriculum. However, MFA programs are on the rise, and in the next few years, you can expect to see a number of additional writing for children and young adult degree program options.
For help finding the degree program for you, check the Children's Literature Association website (
