From Books to Careers!

The Children’s Literature Program at EMU is one of the oldest in the United States. We maintain this tradition by teaching courses in children’s literature, young adult literature, mythology, and folklore. We also offer cutting-edge courses in such diverse areas as children’s media and culture, multicultural children’s literature, global children’s literature, queer children’s literature, Jewish children’s literature, illustrated texts, and various special topics. We hope you’ll come join us!

We now offer a new major, Children's and Young Adult Literature! Within this major, students choose a concentration (literary analysis, publishing or theatre for the young) that best prepares them for their chosen career or further study. We also continue to build our minor in Children's Literature.

  • 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

    Our alumni have become editors at MacMillan Learning, content specialists for Volkswagon Group of America, librarians and library clerks, teachers (primary and secondary) and successful children's and young adult authors. Meet some of our alumni!

    *Please note that some careers may require additional degrees.

  • Course Offerings in Children's Literature

    View Children's Literature course offerings for upcoming terms by visiting the course schedule page.

    Courses include:

    CHL 137: Harry Potter: Literary Allusion, Popular Culture, and Children's Literature (3 hrs) 

    CHL 207: Introduction to Children's Literature (3 hrs) 
(Area IV: Knowledge of the Disciplines: Humanities)
    CHL 208: Multicultural Children's Literature (3 hrs) (Area III: Perspectives on a Diverse World: U.S. Diversity)
    CHL 209: Global Children's Literature (3 hrs) (Area III: Perspectives on a Diverse World: Global Awareness)
    CHL 351: World Mythology (3 hrs) 

    CHL 352: Folk Literature: Ballads and Folk Tales (3 hrs) 

    CHL 353: Genders and Sexualities in Literature for Younger Readers (3 hrs)

    CHL 354: Children's Literature in Grades PK-3 (2 hrs)

    CHL 355: Children's Literature in Grades 3-6 (2 hrs)
    CHL 450-W: Children's Literature: Criticism and Response (3 hrs) 

    CHL 451-W: Writing about Controversy in Literature for the Young (3 hrs) 

    CHL 453: Illustrated Texts: Picture Books, Comics and Graphic Novels (3 hrs) 

    CHL 455: Adolescent Literature (3 hrs) 

    CHL456-W: Jewish Children's and Adolescent 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!

     

    ·      Counts as part of your Winter 2025 tuition block

    ·      Is eligible for Winter 2025 financial aid & scholarships

    ·      3 credits; fulfills Gen Ed GEKH: Knowledge of the Humanities

    ·      Can be counted for credit even if you’ve already taken CHL 207: Introduction to Children’s Literature 

    ·      Fulfills requirements for multiple majors and minors

    ·      Can be counted for undergraduate or graduate credit

     

    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.

  • 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

 

Additional Information

A group of students having a class discussion.

Alumni Stories

Our alumni are editors, content specialists, librarians and library clerks, teachers and authors.

Scholarships

Children's literature undergraduate students are welcome to apply to scholarships.