Additional Information
Scholarships
Children's literature graduate students are welcome to apply to scholarships.
Graduate Assistantships
Children's literature graduate students often fund their education through graduate assistantships.
About this Program
The master's in children’s literature -- now fully Online! -- is a degree designed to provide a master's level competency in all major areas of children's literature, including folklore, mythology, literary theory, illustrated texts, children's culture, children's media and multicultural children's literature. The degree is an appropriate choice for candidates who anticipate teaching in the elementary, middle or junior high school levels, as well as special education teachers, reading specialists, librarians, authors and editors of children's books. It also provides preparation for college teachers of children's literature and for those who anticipate undertaking doctoral studies.
For specific information, visit the Master's in Children's Literature catalog page.
Need funding? Graduate assistant applications are usually due toward the end of January each year.
Children's Literature Course Offerings
View Children's Literature course offerings for upcoming terms by visiting the course schedule page.
Courses include the following:
- CHL 516: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Children's Literature (3 hrs)
- CHL 517: Children's Literature for Teachers (3 hrs)
- CHL 518: History of Children's Literature (3 hrs)
- CHL 581: Critical Approaches to Mythology (3 hrs)
- CHL 582: Folktales, Legends and Ballads (3 hrs)
- CHL 583: Illustrated Texts (3 hrs)
- CHL 584: Literature for Adolescents (3 hrs)
- CHL 585: Children's Literature: Criticism and Theory (3 hrs)
- CHL 586: Multicultural Children's Literature (3 hrs)
- CHL 587: Children's Media Studies (3 hrs)
- CHL 588: Topics in Children's Literature (3 hrs)
Study Abroad Opportunities
Narnia to Neverland: Children's and YA Lit in Oxford and London
April 25-May 3, 2025.
Want to see the city that inspired Wonderland, visit the famous train station where Paddington Bear was found, or hang out in the pub where CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien used to meet?
“Narnia to Neverland” is a special one-week study abroad program that invites you to discover the inspiration behind some of the most famous stories and characters in British children’s and young adult literature! Join us as we explore famous sites such as the Christ Church College, the Bodleian, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and Windsor Castle; take photos with the London Eye, Big Ben, the Tower of London, and Buckingham Palace; enjoy a sightseeing river cruise of Oxford; have afternoon tea in Soho; and attend a performance of an award-winning musical in London’s famous West End (among many other activities)! “Narnia to Neverland” is an exciting adventure not to be missed!
Estimated program fee: $1995.00 (includes travel within the UK, all accommodation, all experience tickets, and some meals. See the Study Abroad budget for details).
Who runs this course?
Dr. Amanda Allen is a full professor who has been running study abroad courses with EMU since 2016. She has previously lived in the UK, has lots of experience in guiding students as they explore new places, and loves to show off hidden gems that many tourists don’t know about!
For more information and to apply, visit the Study Abroad website. Application deadline is December 1, 2024.
Jobs We Get
A degree in children's literature allows graduates to pursue a wide variety of careers, including:
- Library technician, librarian*
- Publisher, author, editor, bookseller
- Elementary teacher, high school teacher, university professor*
- Communications director, project manager
- Children's media, children's television, children's marketing, children's licensing
To get a sense of where the MA degree has taken recent students, read our Alumni Stories!
*Please note that some careers may require additional degrees.
Graduate Placement Record
Many of our alumni have continued their studies at the graduate level, including placements at:
- Ph.D., Auburn University
- Ph.D., Ohio State University
- Ph.D., University of Florida
- Ph.D., Michigan State University
- MLIS, University of Michigan
"I work part-time for a digital marketing firm as a graphic designer for Google, Bing, FB ads, and content writing, and work full-time as a mom of two kids. This degree in children's literature was just a kick-start to a life-changing thinking process that extended beyond picking literature! I worked for a while in the publishing industry, where I applied every bit of knowledge gained while editing, designing children's books, and I am currently in the process of finishing my first book."
–Urmila Bilgi, MA, 2012, Author, Digital Marketer, Self Employed
"I manage youth programming for Arlington Public Library, leading a team that creates programs for our diverse, urban community. I've led workshops for childcare providers, staff, and conferences on analyzing picture books. My children's literature degree helps me teach my team to select quality books for our 17 weekly storytimes. I run an adult book club exploring children's books and films. Inspired by EMU, I advocate for diversity with displays and programs promoting multicultural literature."
–Bethany Fort, MA, 2014, Manager of Youth Programming, Arlington Public Library
"I currently work for Volkswagen Group of America as a content specialist, assisting in the publication process for the owners and dealer literature for all Volkswagen and Audi vehicles. It's amazing that I daily use the knowledge I learned in the Children's Lit Graduate Program about the publishing process!"
–Cosette Girardot, MA, 2016, Content Specialist, Volkswagen Group of America
"I teach English part-time at Washtenaw Community College while being a full-time mom. My role requires flexibility to cover various courses, from composition to horror and sci-fi. The CHL program has shaped me into a stronger teacher and parent by highlighting the importance of diverse texts and critical reading. It has deepened my understanding of how we engage with literature, enriching both my classroom and home."
–Cheryl Hoskins, MA, 2019, English Instructor, Washtenaw Community College
"Since graduating from Eastern, I'm now working full time as a barista at Starbucks. When not serving coffee to a varied cast of characters, I'm working on the second draft of the manuscript I wrote for my Creative Project, a YA novel adaptation of the Grimm's Fairy Tale 'Fundevogel.'"
–Andrea Paul-Bonham, MA, 2017, Author, Barista, Starbucks
"Since graduation, I have published two children's books. My first, "Might-E" was nominated for an Independent Publishers Award for best picture book. The "Mud Princess", my new book, has had a strong start, breaking through the top 10,000 books (out of 8 million) on Amazon. Without the detailed look at multicultural and illustrated texts provided by the Children's Literature Program, I would not be in the position I am in today! #BeMightE & StayMuddy!"
–Jordan Scavone, MA, 2016, Author, Self Employed
"After graduating the CHL MA program at EMU, I obtained a position as a library clerk at the Monroe County library. It doesn’t require an extra library science degree and I’m using the skills I acquired as a TA for the CHL program to help develop, organize, and run various events (from books clubs to special programs) offered in the library for the community. Additionally, I assist patrons with book recommendations, requests, checking in materials, and sometimes I even help the children’s librarians with displays and reading programs!"
– Samantha Weatherholt, MA, 2017, Library Clerk, Monroe County Library
Graduate Program
Student Resources
- Call: 734.487.8892
- Email: [email protected]