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Doctoral Degrees
Teaching, learning & sociocultural studies, children’s and young adult literature ph.d..
The TLS Doctoral Degree offers a focus area in children’s and young adult literature as either a major or minor. TLS PhD students are required to take two core courses and four research courses in addition to selecting a major focus area and a minor focus area.
Our courses center on bringing a critical lens to youth literature through examining issues surrounding books and their use with readers. The courses are experiential, involving many interactions with books and engagements to connect readers with books. We are passionate about books and readers and a focus on diversity with the U.S. and globally. Students in our programs have many opportunities to participate in projects and events in Worlds of Words, Center of Global Literacies and Literatures, and to interact with authors, illustrators, and publishers at the Tucson Festival of Books.
Core faculty include Desirée Cueto, Sybil Durand, and Kathy G. Short along with Carol Brochin and Leah Durán.
Study children's and young adult literature to examine matters around books and involvement with readers.
Learn about outlook with books and connection between the literature and the readers with a focus within the U.S. and around the globe.
Gain experience with opportunities to interact with authors, illustrators, and publishers.
The TLS PhD is a 69-unit program delivered in-person and online. The TLS Required Core Courses are:
- TLS 797, Theoretical and Practical Foundations of Teaching, Learning, and Sociocultural Studies
- TLS 640, Multicultural Education and Social Justice
Sample Courses
Courses in Youth Literature Include
- Literature and Literacy for Young Children
- Reading Children’s Literature as a Writer
- Diverse Youth Literatures and Literacies
- The Art of the Picturebook
- Inviting Readers into Dialogue and Critical Literacy
- Reading the World through Youth Literature
- Anit-Colonial Perspectives in Young Adult Literature
- Book Banning and the Politicization of Schools and Libraries
- Gender and Sexuality in Youth Literature
- Reader Response Theories
- Critical Content Analysis of Text and Image
- Special Topics courses
For inquiries about the program, please contact Graduate Program Coordinator Andrea Lauritzen
Quick Links
Graduate programs in children’s literature and illustration.
In This Section
- Children’s Literature Program Scholarships and Financial Assistance
- Children’s Literature Workshops
- The Second Biennial Children’s Literature Symposium (Virtual)
- Kidlit Alumni Retreat
Find the Joy of Capturing a Child’s Heart Through Books
If you have a passion for children’s books and dream of being an author or illustrator, working in publishing, or teaching children’s literature, you’ve found your happy place. Welcome to the Children’s Literature & Illustration Graduate Programs at Hollins University. We offer an exciting range of programs, from master’s degrees to certificates and continuing education programs.
Program Director Elizabeth “e” Dulemba is happy to answer your questions or provide additional information!
[email protected] (540) 362-6024
M. A. in Children’s Literature
The curriculum consists of both literature and creative writing courses taught by top experts in the field. Completed over the course of two to four summers.
M.F.A. in Children’s Literature
The curriculum consists of both literature and creative writing courses taught by top experts in the field. Completed over the course of three to five summers.
M.F.A. in Children’s Book Writing and Illustration
Hollins offers the only Master of Fine Arts program in writing and illustrating children’s books in the United States . The curriculum consists of literature, creative writing, and illustration courses covering all forms and genres within children’s and young adult literature. To better support students’ needs, you can now pursue this degree either solely during summer semesters or year-round.
Certificate in Children’s Book Illustration
Completed over the course of two summers, the Certificate in Children’s Book Illustration offers working artists and art teachers a program to develop a personal vision and style for tomorrow’s picture book market.
Tribute to “Goodnight Moon” Author
The margaret wise brown prize.
Hollins pays tribute to one of its best-known alumnae and one of the most beloved children’s book authors by awarding the Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children’s Literature. The annual award showcases the best picture book manuscript as selected by a panel of judges and is among the few children’s book honors with a cash prize.
Hollins Announces Winner, Honor Book for 2024 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in …
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Graduate Programs in Children's Literature Highlight New Books
Director of Hollins' Children's Literature Graduate Programs Edits New Seri…
Lisa Rowe Fraustino, who directs the graduate programs in children’s…
Hollins Announces Winner of the 2023 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children'…
Hollins University has honored Chana Stiefel, an award-winning au…
Hollins Announces Children's Literature Workshops for Summer 2023
This summer, Hollins University’s graduate programs in children’s …
In New Essay, Hollins Professor Looks at How 19th-century Novels for Girls …
When it comes to addressing the challenges and anxieties of modern-day…
Hollins Authors Featured in Publishers Weekly's 2022 Children's Starred Rev…
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Hollins Announces Winner of the 2022 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children'…
Hollins University has honored Vietnamese author Muon Thi Van as the w…
Children's Literature M.F.A. Student Wins New Voices Award
Maleeha Malik, a student in Hollins University's Master of Fine Arts p…
Submission Deadline for 2022 Margaret Wise Brown Prize Is January 15
Publishers of picture books released in 2021 are invited to have their…
Obamas to Produce New Netflix Project Based on Collection Cowritten by Dhon…
In 2020, Dhonielle Clayton M.A. '09, an alumna of Hollins University's…
M.F.A. Student Wins Essay Award from the Children's Literature Association
Amanda Becker, who is pursuing her Master of Fine Arts degree in child…
Hollins Announces Winner of the 2021 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children'…
Hollins University has honored Newbery Medalist and New York Times bes…
Friendship, Empowerment Triumph Over Bad Dates in New Picture Book by Child…
When Rebekah Manley M.F.A. ’11 set out to create not only her first …
Submission Guidelines Announced for 2021 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Child…
Publishers of picture books released in 2020 are invited to have their…
Hollins Announces Winner of the 2020 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children'…
Hollins University has honored a writer/illustrator/academic from the …
M.F.A. Student Selected As “We Need Diverse Books” Mentee
Donald A.D. Sutton, an aspiring author and illustrator who is currentl…
New Book by MFA Grads Supports Local Early Literacy Initiative
Two Hollins authors are helping to promote the benefits of reading wit…
Submission Deadline for 2020 Margaret Wise Brown Prize is January 15
Publishers of picture books released in 2019 are invited to have their…
Netflix To Feature YA Drama Based On Hollins Author's Novel
An acclaimed young adult book co-written by an alumna of Hollins' grad…
Penguin Random House to Publish Hollins Author's Debut Novel
Rebekah Lowell was drawn to Hollins five years ago to pursue an advanc…
Wilson Museum Exhibition Inspired by the Ideas of Immigrants and “Oth…
Each summer, the Eleanor D. Wilson Museum collaborates with the Master…
Hollins Announces Winner of the 2019 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children'…
Hollins University has honored a first-time author as the winner of th…
Submission Deadline for 2019 Margaret Wise Brown Prize Is Jan. 15
Publishers of picture books released in 2018 are invited to have their…
Hollins Connections Highlight Special Stage Event at Mill Mt. Theatre
Roanoke's Mill Mountain Theatre (MMT) is paying tribute to a member of…
Wilson Museum Exhibition Highlights the Artwork of “Four Fur FeetR…
Partnering with a local nonprofit that promotes reading to children, t…
Hollins Announces Winners of the 2018 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children…
Hollins University has honored a retired teacher who writes poetry for…
Noted Author, Academic Is New Director of Children's Lit Grad Programs
Lisa Rowe Fraustino, a critically acclaimed and award-winning author o…
Hollins, Sweet Briar Alums Help Send Middle Schoolers to Book Festival
Caity Gladstone, a 2009 graduate of Sweet Briar College, is currently …
Adam Rex Receives 2017 Margaret Wise Brown Prize
Hollins University honored author/illustrator Adam Rex with the second…
Hollins Announces Winners of the 2017 Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children…
The annual award showcases the most distinguished picture book manuscr…
Judges, Submission Guidelines Announced for the 2017 Margaret Wise Brown Pr…
Hollins University has named three distinguished authors as judges for…
“Marvelous Cornelius” Author Phil Bildner Receives the Margaret…
Hollins University honored the winner of the inaugural Margaret W…
Conference's New Award Recognizes Founding Director of Children's Literatur…
Amy Deligdisch (left) and Jessi Cole Jackson (right), co-chairs of the…
Beloved Picture Book Characters Adorn the Hollins Campus this Summer
Ferdinand the Bull, Eyeore, Pooh and Piglet, Mister Toad from Wind in …
Hollins Announces Winners of the Inaugural Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Chi…
“Goodnight Moon: The Magical Musical” Returns to the Hollins Th…
Hollins Theatre is opening its 2015-16 season with a revival of Goodni…
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Hollins Establishes Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children's Literature
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“Goodnight Moon” Among Library of Congress' “Books that S…
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Two Prestigious “Best of” Lists for 2011 Feature Novel by Child…
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Literacy Education, Ph.D.
The Literacy Education doctoral area of emphasis in Literature for Children and Young Adults is interdisciplinary and capitalizes on the academic expertise and research of scholars across departments. Students in this program pursue disciplined and rigorous inquiries in the history, development, and literary critical trends in children’s and young adult literature.
The Literacy Education Literature for Children and Young Adults doctoral area of emphasis offers graduate students opportunities to pursue in-depth research in the history, theory, and development of children’s and young adult literature. This research includes:
- literary theory and its links with multicultural and international children’s and young adult literature;
- the role children’s literature plays in understanding the broader contexts of literacy as a learning process, a text, and the critical application of interpreting, exploring and investigating to support learning; as well as
- the study of how children and young adults read and respond to this literature.
Students study literature as an art form that emanates from and reflects historical and contemporary discourses. They also closely analyze social context, social relationships, and genres.
Additional focus is devoted to the analyses of written and visual forms of literacy, genres, and content in children’s and young adult literature. Students also examine the meaning of this literature for youth and adults in and out of school settings. Students also are especially interested in theoretical lenses that inform the relationships between texts and readers within and outside the school setting.
This course of study also provides opportunities for exploring topics that include genres and topics such as:
- historical perspectives and genres;
- picture books;
- fantasy and poetry for children and young adults;
- relationships between popular culture and children’s and young adult literature;
- censorship issues;
- selection and evaluation of literature for children and young adults;
- opportunities for students to respond to literature through creative writing, drama, and art; and
- exploring the integration of literature across classroom content areas.
Courses focusing on literacy education stress the importance of engaging motivation for reading through the holistic use of quality literature and creating meaningful and aesthetic reading experiences across the life span.
Students and faculty in the Literature for Children and Young Adults doctoral area of emphasis are engaged in the systematic study of picture book forms, multicultural literature (African American, Latino, and Native American), international literature, poetry, and literature for young and middle school-aged children and for young adults. Students in the program integrate their work in the program with research in history and literary critical theory and researching topics such as child-authored novels, visual literacy, genres, reader response, and young adult dystopian texts.
The area of emphasis is designed to provide pathways to additional areas of study in the Department of Teaching and Learning, Policy and Leadership such as Literacy in Early and Middle Childhood; and Adolescent, Post-Secondary, and Community Literacies.
Children’s Literature and Childhood Studies
Drawing on Pitt’s nationally-renowned faculty in Children’s Literature and Culture, CLCS pursues the interdisciplinary study of children’s literature and media from the U.S., Great Britain, and beyond. Pitt was a pioneering department in the field of children’s literature and continues to help forge new directions in the field.
Graduate students in the area benefit from:
- Rigorous training in historical and archival literary studies as well as exceptional support for interdisciplinary projects on children's literature, media, and culture.
- An active undergraduate Children’s Literature program that offers excellent teaching opportunities for PhD students.
- Faculty strengths in American and British studies, queer studies, ecocriticism, ethnography, musicology, readership/literacy, and new media.
- The Elizabeth Nesbitt and Nietz Old Textbook Collections (children’s literature, materials related to the history of children’s literature, nineteenth-century schoolbooks).
Study at Cambridge
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Multifaceted research in children's literature and culture
Research in children’s literature and culture at Cambridge is multifaceted and touches upon every aspect of children’s and young people’s lives, exploring what is children’s literature and its role in children’s and young people’s intellectual, emotional, and social development.
The Centre for Research in Children's Literature at Cambridge is jointly funded by the Faculty of Education and Homerton College .
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Children's Literature
Pitt's interdisciplinary, internationally recognized Certificate in Children’s Literature offers undergraduates the opportunity to bring together studies across a broad range of subjects as they contemplate questions pertaining to youth literature and culture. The program is designed to meet an individual student’s interests and strengths. The Department of English at the University of Pittsburgh allows students to focus on Children's Literature and Childhood Studies (CLCS) as part of our PhD Program in Critical and Cultural Studies.
Drawing on Pitt’s nationally-renowned faculty in Children’s Literature and Culture, the CLCS focal area pursues the interdisciplinary study of children’s literature and media from the U.S., Great Britain, and beyond. Pitt was a pioneering department in the field of children’s literature and continues to forge new directions in the field.
Children's Literature Certificate
Children's literature certificate.
Pitt's interdisciplinary, internationally recognized Certificate in Children’s Literature offers students the opportunity to bring together studies across a broad range of subjects as they contemplate questions pertaining to youth literature and culture.
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Children's Literature
A thriving centre for the study of children’s literature, history, and publishing.
- Children’s Literature
- Newcastle University
- English Literature, Language and Linguistics
- Our Research
Newcastle’s Children’s Literature Unit is one of the UK’s leading centres for the study of children’s literature. Research interests cover cultures of childhood and youth from the Renaissance, through the long eighteenth century, to the present day. We have a particular focus on book history and publishing. In 2018 we welcomed British Academy Global Professor Karen Sands-O’Connor , bringing leading expertise on race and diversity.
Partnerships
Central to the life of the Children’s Literature Unit is our partnership with Seven Stories – the National Centre for Children’s Books – the only UK institution dedicated to original material relating to children’s literature. The Seven Stories Collection represents over 250 authors, illustrators, and editors from the 1930s onwards, and through The Vital North Partnership supports our innovative work on modern and contemporary children’s literature. In collaboration with Seven Stories, the Children's Literature Unit hosts the annual Fickling Lecture on Developments in Children's Literature.
We have a thriving research community centred around the Children's Literature Unit Graduate Group (CLUGG). Our lively and inclusive community includes an annual programme of lectures and seminars on aspects of children's literature and culture, and a regular series of work-in-progress seminars.
Dr Zoe Cooper
Lecturer in Creative Writing.
Professor Kate Chedgzoy
Professor of Renaissance Literature.
Dr Helen Freshwater
Reader in Theatre & Performance.
Professor Matthew Grenby
Dean of Research & Innovation.
Dr Emily Murphy
Lecturer in Children's Literature
Dr Lucy Pearson
Senior Lecturer in Childrens Literature.
Professor Kim Reynolds
Professor of Children's Literature.
Professor Karen Sands-O'Connor
British Academy Global Professor.
Children's Literature PhD Programs
Colleges for Biblical Archeology
A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Children's Literature can provide individuals with an extensive background in the various elements of character, style and plotting that make up children's novels and stories. Graduates of Ph.D. programs in literature often go on to become university professors, although they are also suitable for positions in children's advocacy groups, literacy groups, research organizations or publishing firms specializing in children's books. There are a handful of schools around the country offering Ph.D.s in the subject.
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh offers a Ph.D. program in children's literature through its Department of English. The public university actually requires graduate students interested in children's literature to apply to a Ph.D. program in cultural studies and then petition to specialize in children's literature. Graduate students at the school are eligible to take advanced seminars in children's literature, popular children's stories or cultural theory while also working on their individual dissertations. The most essential aspect of a Ph.D. program is often the dissertation paper, which can take three or more years to research, and should further study in a particular subject. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program in children's literature at the University of Pittsburgh have additional opportunities to teach master's level courses in children's literature or even design a course on childhood books for the school.
Ohio State University
Graduates of Ohio State University 's Ph.D. program in literature for children and young adults have gone on to become literary scholars, poets, novelists and professors in the field of children's literature. The seminars included in the school's program cover topics such as the analysis of visual content in picture story books, ethnographic studies of children and literature, perspectives on international children's literature, gender relations in children's books and much more. The program is particularly focused on exploring how children's literature relates to educational development in elementary and middle schools. Doctoral candidates must complete a dissertation related to one of these particular issues and have it approved by a committee before they can graduate.
University of Florida
The Department of English at the University of Florida allows its doctoral students to focus their studies particularly on children's literature. Students in the program can devote extensive study to a number of topics, including children's literature and media, 20th century children's literature and adolescent literature. Students can also work with the university's graduate coordinator to design and execute their own individualized plans of study in the field of children's literature. The University of Florida also provides its doctoral students extra resources through The Center for Children's Literature and Culture, which houses a local community of faculty, researchers, librarians, teachers and media specialists. Students can take advantage of the center's many symposiums, seminars, scholarly findings and historical collections of children's literature.
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Lindsey Klingele is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer with more than five years of experience writing for consumer and trade publications such as "Meatingplace," "Plate" and "Celeb Life" magazines. She holds a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University and has covered topics ranging from the food industry to popular culture.
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Graduate Certificate in Children's Literature
Program summary.
Explore classic and contemporary works of children’s literature as you learn about imagination and its role in the lives of children. This online program is ideal for educators and librarians, as well as aspiring children's writers and illustrators yearning to refine their craft.
100% Online
Complete your Penn State course work at your own pace and 100% online.
Application deadline
Credits and costs, children's literature skills in the classroom and beyond.
Understand and navigate the diverse perspectives and contexts that shape children's reading experiences .
Demonstrate an understanding of the various theories and genres of literature for children and young adults.
Explain childhood as an idea and teach children's literature as a social project and cultural artifact.
Expand your understanding of issues of race, class, gender, and disability in children's literature.
Course Work to Advance Your Understanding of Children’s Literature
Courses can teach you to help children discover the joys of reading by allowing you to:
- study both classic and modern children’s and young adult literature
- learn about and incorporate the use of picturebooks, folklore, and myths
- interpret picturebooks as an active, creative process that is socially, culturally, and historically significant
Required Course (3 credits)
Study of various genres of children's literature, from various critical perspectives. Emphasis on role of literature in children's lives.
Electives (select 12 credits)
Note: Only two of the four elective courses can be at the 400 level.
The study of childhood from cultural, historical, psychological, and philosophical perspectives.
An in-depth study of picturebooks as art objects providing aesthetic experiences and contributing to our aesthetic development in literacy education.
A study of nonfiction literature for children and adolescents with an emphasis on inspiring curiosity and agency.
Examine work by writers of classic fantasies (H. C. Andersen, A. A. Milne, etc.) written for children, as well as the work of some contemporary authors (J. K. Rowling, Philip Pullman, Tomi Adeyemi, Nnedi Okorafor, etc.) and popular comics. We will also look at the role of the imagination in the lives of children and the important ways children may transform their private spaces into spaces of wonder that allow them to flourish and reimagine their possibilities.
Critical study of adolescent literature, its diversity of cultural voices, and designs for its use in secondary school classrooms.
Read, discuss, analyze, and reflect on diverse literature from multicultural and critical multicultural perspectives to demonstrate how such ways of readings not only expand literacies but center issues of social justice.
An in-depth study of myths and folktales shared with children and how these stories are remade across different modes and disseminated today across multiple communities of practices.
Supervised workshop in the craft and techniques of writing picture books, short stories, longer fiction, and nonfiction literature for children.
Addresses the different research approaches for doing research in children's literature. Specifically, it discusses research methods and topics in a wide range of theoretical and practical fields — including psychoanalysis, literacies, genre studies, critical pedagogies, biographical studies, critical race theory, and reader responses — guiding learners on how to conduct original research around any topic of choice. It also addresses research methods for doing research on creative writing.
Students in the Children's Literature path will take this core course instead of CI 501
This course should be taken near the end of your program, but not as your last course
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Start or Advance Your Career
You can use the knowledge gained from this program and the support of Penn State career resources to pursue careers in a variety of fields, depending on your goals.
Job Titles Related to This Certificate
Your graduate studies in children's literature can lead to an exciting career in various fields, including education, the arts, and publishing. Possible careers for you may include but are not limited to:
- school administrator
- illustrator
Career Services to Set You Up for Success
From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.
- Opportunities to connect with employers
- Career counselor/coach support
- Occupation and salary information
- Internships
- Graduate school resources
Ready to Learn More?
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
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Learn more about this program
Ready to take the next step toward your penn state graduate certificate, costs and financial aid.
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
2024–25 Academic Year Rates
How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | |
---|---|
11 or fewer | $1,027 per credit |
12 or more | $12,325 per semester |
Paying for Your Certificate
Students pursuing a certificate are considered "nondegree," a status that is not eligible for federal student aid, including the Federal Direct Stafford Loan program. A private alternative loan may be an option to consider.
Additionally, Penn State offers many ways to pay for your education, including an installment plan and third-party payments. Penn State World Campus also offers an Employer Reimbursement and Tuition Deferment Plan. Learn more about the options for paying for your education .
Students pursuing a degree and meeting all other eligibility requirements may qualify for financial aid.
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities , as well.
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements, select “World Campus” as the location on the tuition site .
A Head Start toward a Master’s Degree
Not only can this program help create opportunities in your career, it can also give you a solid head start toward a full master’s degree.
Degree Program Related to This Certificate
If you are a teacher or librarian who wants to improve your strategies for encouraging students to master their reading skills, this program is for you. Some or all credits earned for this certificate can be applied to the following Penn State World Campus degree program:
Advance your understanding of equitable and just curriculum, teaching and learning, schooling, and supervision. Join a vibrant community of educators working to address complex issues facing education today. Work with a faculty adviser to create a personalized plan of study that will help you achieve your goals.
Act 48– Approved
Penn State is an Act 48–approved provider for Pennsylvania educators, so the courses for the Graduate Certificate in Children’s Literature may count toward professional development hours.
Who Should Apply?
Whether you are, or aspire to become, a teacher, librarian, children’s writer, illustrator, or publisher, this online program can give you the skills to transform the lives of your readers, hone your craft, and advance your career goals.
Set Your Own Pace
Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.
Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser.
To Finish Your Certificate in One Year
- Take 2 courses each semester
To Finish Your Certificate in Two Years
- Take 1 course each semester
Timelines may vary based on course availability.
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
A Trusted Leader in Online Education
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
How to Apply to Penn State
Apply by November 1 to start January 13
Application Instructions
Deadlines and important dates.
Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.
Spring Deadline
Summer deadline, fall deadline, steps to apply, 1. review the admission requirements..
For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
To enroll in graduate-level courses, or to earn the graduate certificate in children's literature, you must have a baccalaureate degree.
2. Gather your required materials.
You will need to upload the following as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended , regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alumni, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page . Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
3. Create a Penn State login account.
To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.
Create a New Penn State Account
If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected] .
Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
4. Read the application instructions.
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Certificate Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.
Technical Requirements Review the technical requirements for this program.
5. Complete the application.
Admissions help.
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected] .
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
To learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Children's Literature, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors Phone: 814-863-5386 Email: [email protected]
Kayla McCloskey Department of Curriculum and Instruction The Pennsylvania State University 170 Chambers Building University Park, PA 16802 Phone: 814-865-2430 Email: [email protected]
Learn from the Best
One of the primary reasons Penn State is recognized around the globe as a distinguished university is its faculty. This program is offered in partnership with the Penn State College of Education and as a student, you will enjoy the opportunity to learn from the same instructors who teach traditional, face-to-face classes on Penn State's campuses across Pennsylvania.
Elisa Hopkins
- Degree Ph.D., Curriculum and Instruction, Penn State
- Degree M.A., English, Florida State University
- Degree B.A., English, College of William and Mary
Dr. Elisa Hopkins is an associate teaching professor of education specializing in literature for children and adolescents. She is lead faculty for the Penn State World Campus children's literature program. Her research interests include multicultural poetry, the development of critical consciousness, fairy-tale studies, and nonfiction literature for children and adolescents.
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MA Children's Literature
Content navigation menu, why study ma children's literature at goldsmiths.
Expand your understanding of children’s and young adult literature by specialising as a researcher, creative writer, or children’s book illustrator with the MA Children’s Literature programme.
- Have the unique experience of learning alongside researchers, authors, and illustrators and benefit from exposure to industry experts to develop a well-rounded understanding of children’s and Young Adult (YA) literature.
- Join a programme that affirms the importance of culturally relevant books for showing underrepresented readers that they have a place in the world and in the books they read. Our core module – Children’s Literature, Culture and Diversity – examines how texts for young people can challenge and disrupt existing power systems and we regularly visit the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education to celebrate their Reflecting Realities work and explore the 23,000 books and resources in their Literacy Library.
- Be taught by leading figures in children’s and young adult literature.
- Join a vibrant and supportive academic community, where you can collaborate with fellow students and engage in lively discussions about the literature that shapes young minds.
- Be invited to join the Children’s and Young Adult Literature Research Forum (CYALRF) and contribute to Spinning Gold, the online publication led by MA Children’s Literature students.
Contact the department
If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Professor Vicky Macleroy or Emily Corbett .
1 year full-time or 2 years part-time
Entry requirements
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a related field. You might also be considered if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field. See below for more information and how to apply for the creative writing pathway.
Departments
Educational Studies English and Creative Writing
What our students say
Sophia Malak
I owe a lot of my success to this MA’s excellent courses, in-depth conversations, and knowledgeable staff who supported me and my goals.
View profile
The optional elements of this programme mean you can choose between pursuing a pathway focusing on the study of literature for children in community contexts (Theory and Criticism pathway) or to mainly focus on developing your writing for children (Creative Writing pathway).
MA Children’s Literature: Theoretical Approaches to Children’s and Young Adult Literature (Theory and Criticism pathway)
This pathway is for those who want to specialise as a researcher and a critical thinker. Whether you come from an academic, publishing, education, or children's media background, and whether you are an established professional or just starting out, this pathway will support your development in the world of children’s and YA literature.
It can also prepare you to go on to doctoral-level study.
Contact Dr Emily Corbett for more information on this pathway.
MA Children’s Literature: Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults (Creative Writing pathway)
Those on this pathway will explore the world of children’s and YA literature, and find innovative and exciting ways to develop their creative writing for diverse readers, while reflecting critically on the process and contexts in which they write.
Contact Tori Bovalino for more information on this pathway.
Children’s Book Illustration
We also offer an MA in Children’s Book Illustration , in which you can immerse yourself in exploring professional and practical approaches to this area. This pathway is jointly delivered by the Department of Educational Studies and the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies .
Please visit the dedicated pathway page to find out more.
What you'll study
You'll complete the following modules*:
Module title | Credits |
---|---|
Children's Literature: Theory and Criticism In this module, you'll explore: --> | 30 credits |
Inclusion and Diversity --> | 30 credits |
Research with Texts --> | 30 credits |
The Publishing Industry --> | 30 credits |
Children's Literature in Action At the onset of this module students will set up participant-observer, ‘action research’ projects involving themselves and child or young adult readers. Through seminar discussion, students will learn how to adapt and change the project; how to report on ‘work in progress’, how to analyse process within the progression of the project, how to use learning theory, talk analysis, reader-response theory. As the project progresses the students will learn how to analyse and evaluate the data they are collecting in terms of use of language, social interactions around literary texts, psychological indications given by how children speak and behave in relation to literary texts, the importance of the role of intertextuality, social class, race and gender in how or why the children are responding in particular ways. By the end of their projects, the students will be able to produce lucid accounts of this original research, evaluating both their ‘intervention’ in the learning environment and the children’s progress through the project, showing how the account was informed by theory and by the seminar discussions so that the project may a) be reproduced by others attempting similar projects; b) inform the debates around literacy, oracy and children’s literature; c) affect and improve the students’ own practice in whatever learning environment they work. --> | 30 credits |
* Note all modules are compulsory except from Children's Literature in Action, which is the recommended option for this pathway.
Final Project
You will complete a Final Project (60 credits). This is a critical enquiry related to theory and criticism in the study of children’s literature or a portfolio that will enable you to engage with critical and practical debates relating to creative writing and work creatively and imaginatively within the constraints of the designated project.
Note about optional modules (if available): The above is indicative of the typical modules offered, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. The module content and availability is subject to change.
For this pathway you'll take the following four compulsory modules:
Module title | Credits |
---|---|
Inclusion and Diversity --> | 30 credits |
Workshop in Creative and Life Writing Presentations of their work to each other, with an account of their aims and approach, forms one important element. The students meet a range of practices, concerns and, techniques. The workshop is also the place where the issues raised in the Contemporary Contexts module are further debated in relation to the students’ own practice. --> | 30 credits |
The Publishing Industry --> | 30 credits |
Creative and Life Writing Portfolio --> | 60 credits |
You'll also choose one 30 credit module from the following list:
Module title | Credits |
---|---|
Writing for Children and Young Adults You'll be encouraged to discuss the work of established writers for younger readers in relation to their own writing practice and consider the theoretical, social and cultural contexts of contemporary writing for children and young adults. The workshop will allow you to develop your own interests and preferences. Critical analysis, close reading, workshop exercises and critical evaluation methods will help you to develop and demonstrate an ability to produce writing in different forms, from a number of different perspectives. You'll gain an informed critical understanding in this field. You'll be required to read widely and to follow current debates and research. The module will emphasise small group and individual study contributing to the critical dialogue within the wider group. --> | 30 credits |
Children's Literature in Action At the onset of this module students will set up participant-observer, ‘action research’ projects involving themselves and child or young adult readers. Through seminar discussion, students will learn how to adapt and change the project; how to report on ‘work in progress’, how to analyse process within the progression of the project, how to use learning theory, talk analysis, reader-response theory. As the project progresses the students will learn how to analyse and evaluate the data they are collecting in terms of use of language, social interactions around literary texts, psychological indications given by how children speak and behave in relation to literary texts, the importance of the role of intertextuality, social class, race and gender in how or why the children are responding in particular ways. By the end of their projects, the students will be able to produce lucid accounts of this original research, evaluating both their ‘intervention’ in the learning environment and the children’s progress through the project, showing how the account was informed by theory and by the seminar discussions so that the project may a) be reproduced by others attempting similar projects; b) inform the debates around literacy, oracy and children’s literature; c) affect and improve the students’ own practice in whatever learning environment they work. --> | 30 credits |
Picture Book Writing It also encourages you to discuss the work of established writers for younger readers in relation to your own writing practice and consider the theoretical, social and cultural contexts of contemporary writing for children. The workshop will aim to allow you to develop your own interests and preferences. Critical analysis, close reading, workshop exercises and critical evaluation methods will be used to enable you to develop and demonstrate an ability to produce writing in different forms, from a number of different perspectives and to develop informed critical understanding in this field. You will be required to read widely and to follow current debates and research. You will explore a wide variety of picture book texts to better understand the joys and challenges of writing for young readers. You will be encouraged to experiment with writing for different age ranges and genres to help you hone your individual writing interests, preferences and styles. --> | 30 credits |
Taught sessions and lectures provide overviews of coursework themes, which you are encouraged to complement with intensive reading for presentation and discussion with peers at seminars. Coursework essays build on lectures and seminars, so you are encouraged to attend all taught sessions to build knowledge and their own understanding of their chosen discipline.
In depth feedback is provided for written assignments and essays via written feedback forms and formative feedback with module tutors/leads is provided to ensure that your work is on the right track. Feedback comes in many forms and not only as a result of written comments on a marked essay.
You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least second class standard in a related field.
You might also be considered for some programmes if you aren’t a graduate or your degree is in an unrelated field, but have relevant experience and can show that you have the ability to work at postgraduate level.
Additional requirement for the Creative Writing Pathway
To apply to study on the Creative Writing Pathway you should follow the usual application process, submitting a substantial piece or pieces of original creative writing, up to a maximum of 3,000 words, with your application. This work does not have to be in the form of writing for children/young adults. It will be considered by the module leader of the Workshop in Creative and Life Writing. Your submission should include one item from the following list:
- One short story
- One or two extracts from a novel
- One or two extracts from non-fiction writing, for example, a memoir.
International qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.
If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification ) of 6.5 with a 6.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.0 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for postgraduate-level study .
How to apply
Apply directly to Goldsmiths using our online application system
Before submitting your application you’ll need to have:
- Details of your academic qualifications
- The email address of your referee who we can request a reference from, or alternatively a copy of your academic reference
- Copies of your educational transcripts or certificates
- A personal statement – this can either be uploaded as a Word Document or PDF, or completed online. Please see our guidance on writing a postgraduate statement
- Applicants to the Creative Writing Pathway also need to submit examples of their work. Please see the Entry Requirements section above.
You'll be able to save your progress at any point and return to your application by logging in using your username/email and password.
When to apply
We accept applications from October for students wanting to start the following September.
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you haven't finished your current programme of study. It's very common to be offered a place that is conditional on you achieving a particular qualification.
Late applications will only be considered if there are spaces available.
If you're applying for funding, you may be subject to an earlier application deadline.
Selection process
Admission to many programmes is by interview, unless you live outside the UK. Occasionally, we'll make candidates an offer of a place on the basis of their application and qualifications alone.
Find out more about applying .
Fees and funding
Annual tuition fees.
These are the PG fees for students starting their programme in the 2024/2025 academic year.
If your fees are not listed here, please check our postgraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office , who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.
It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time under a student visa. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.
If you are looking to pay your fees please see our guide to making a payment .
Funding opportunities
Explore the Goldsmiths scholarships finder to find out what funding you may be eligible for.
Funding may also be available from schools’ CPD budgets.
Paying your fees
Find out about paying your tuition fees .
If you are a UK student you may be eligible for a postgraduate loan .
Meanwhile our Careers Service can also offer advice on finding work during your studies.
Additional costs
In addition to your tuition fees, you'll be responsible for any additional costs associated with your course, such as buying stationery and paying for photocopying. You can find out more about what you need to budget for on our study costs page .
There may also be specific additional costs associated with your programme. This can include things like paying for field trips or specialist materials for your assignments. Please check the programme specification for more information.
Where this degree can take you
The MA Children's Literature can support a new or continuing career in:
- Children’s media
- Writing texts for children
- Librarianship
- Academic study
- Youth and community work
Some of the skills you'll develop during the MA Children's Literature are:
- A range of communication skills - including written, spoken, and digital
- An ability to handle ideas in rational, critical, creative and evaluative ways
- Independence and self-management
- Proficiency in assessing evidence and in expressing ideas clearly
- An ability to bring together insights from a range of disciplines
Professor Michael Rosen
Award-winning author Michael Rosen , who has written more than 200 books and was the fifth British Children's Laureate (2007-2009), is one of the leading lights on the programme. Michael Rosen has authored world-famous classics such as We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Chocolate Cake.
“It's been very exciting developing an MA in Children's Literature at Goldsmiths, especially as there's a huge appetite for it in recent years. We have potentially a huge number of people who want to study this fascinating subject.
There are so many interesting elements to Children's Literature that perhaps aren't obvious; psychological and anthropological elements for example. Children's Literature is essentially a human practice, it's part of how we initiate our children into life, but also how we begin to shape how they think about and question what they are ”.
Professor Vicky Macleroy
Professor Vicky Macleroy is the Head of the Centre for Language, Culture and Learning and co-Director of the ‘Critical Connections Multilingual Storytelling’ Project.
Dr Emily Corbett
Dr Emily Corbett is the General Editor of The International Journal of Young Adult Literature and Founding Vice President of the YA Studies Association.
Dr Tori Bovalino
Dr Tori Bovalino is a renowned author of several YA novels, including The Devil Makes Three, Not Good for Maidens, and My Throat an Open Grave.
Bruce Ingman
Bruce Ingman is a prominent children’s illustrator who regularly collaborates with much-loved author, Allan Ahlberg, and was founding Ambassador for the House of Illustration.
Find out more about staff in the Departments of Educational Studies and English and Creative Writing.
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Become a vital part of the literacy learning process with an MEd in Reading Education. The program focuses on issues students face from preschool to high school.
- MEd in Reading Education (New and Digital Literacies, Online)
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This program is designed for those who want to become an educator but have sights set beyond the K-12 classroom, or for experienced educators who wish to conduct intense literacy research.
Educational Specialist (EdS)
Further your language and literacy expertise in this flexible program that allows you to pursue your topics of interest in the format that works best for you.
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Pursue a career as an educator with our Ph.D. in Language and Literacy Education and experience opportunities to conduct research, publish, and engage in other activities integral to higher education.
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If you are certified to teach in Georgia, our reading endorsement may be added on to your teaching certificate, giving you expertise in P-5 or 6-12 classrooms.
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Literature for Children and Young Adults
Graduate students in Ohio State’s Literature for Children and Young Adults specialization pursue deep study of the history, evolution and current trends in children’s and young adult literature from nationally and internationally recognized scholars.
Student Opportunities
Enhance your knowledge, abilities and career through membership with the ALA. Continuing education, networking, scholarships and more are available.
A professional home for students preparing for careers as literacy educators. Expand your expertise and start your teaching career with tools and resources from NCTE.
AERA offers a rich array of programs and services for students through its divisions, special interest groups, and the Graduate Student Council for professional development, mentoring and networking.
A professional community of children’s literature enthusiasts, a part of the National Council of Teachers of English who advocate the centrality of literature in children’s academic and personal lives.
Program stories
Jonda McNair, Charlotte S. Huck Endowed Professor of Children's Literature, published an article in The Reading Teacher on the value of peritextual book features.
Research by PhD student Nithya Sivashankar will help adults engage children ages 10 and younger in mindful reading.
PhD student earns university's presidential fellowship for research on young adult diary books.
Professor Cynthia A. Tyson was a guest on the podcast “3 Questions” to discuss the use of multicultural literature to increase student engagement.
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Graduate Student Research
Individuals wishing to study Children's Literature at either the MA or PhD level in the Department of English at the University of Pittsburgh are encouraged to apply. There is not a separate graduate degree in children's literature at Pitt; those who wish to specialize in this field will apply either to our MA program in English or our PhD program in Critical and Cultural Studies. For more information on applying to these programs please visit the English Department Graduate web site.
At Pitt, graduate study in the broader field of literary and cultural studies is understood to be integral to graduate work in children's literature. Consequently, graduate students will be required to fulfill the general requirement for the MA or PhD degree in the Department of English. Please consult the Requirements page to familiarize yourself with the general requirements for these degrees.
PhD students may specialize in children's literature by means of a self-designed PhD Project Exam (our equivalent of the comprehensive or qualifying exam) on the subject and in their dissertation work. MA students may write a Master's Research Paper (our equivalent of the Master's thesis) on the subject of children's literature with the agreement of a faculty supervisor and in the context of a particular graduate seminar. Although it cannot be guaranteed that graduate seminars dealing primarily with the subject of children's literature will be offered frequently, it is possible for graduate students interested in the field to engage in self-designed directed study courses by negotiation with individual faculty members.
There is also the Childhood Studies Faculty/Graduate Student Reading Group, which meets approximately once a month to discuss either a children’s book or a work of criticism or theory. In 2007, the Children’s Literature Program inaugurated a speaker series to bring distinguished children’s literature speakers to campus; that too provides a forum for graduate students wishing to engage in conversations about youth literature and culture.
PhD students working on children's literature in our department normally have the opportunity to serve as a teaching assistant for our undergraduate course "Childhood and Culture,” as well as to design their own “Childhood's Books" course.
Recent Pitt PhDs with dissertations on children's literature have been appointed to tenure-track positions at the University of Florida and Illinois State University.
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An intervention to improve deaf children’s social communication skills, phd research project.
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Evidence-Based Parent Education and Support Interventions in Youth Sport (Self-Funded PhD)
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- Postgraduate study
- Erasmus Mundus
Children's Literature, Media & Culture (Erasmus Mundus International Master)
- The Programme Structure
CLMC Alumni
Insights into Ukrainian Children’s Literature
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The Consortium (Cohorts, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- Tuition fees and Funding for 2023-2024
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The CLMC programme is now closed for applications.
Please refer to the new CLMCE Programme website for future opportunities.
Applications for 2024 entry to CLMCE now open.
www.clmce-erasmusmundus.eu
The Programme
CLMC addresses the relationship between children’s and young adult’s texts and media, and how this relationship is interpreted, understood and responded to within different educational, social and cultural frameworks. This is especially important now and in the future, as texts and media have an impact not only on cognitive development but also on social inclusion and cohesion as well as on industry expansion.
Children’s and young adult (YA) literature and media has become a global business (that includes toys, video-games, apps and other development of technology), tightly interwoven with a broad range of cultural activities, and reaching readers through a variety of new channels. In the light of new technologies, innovative analytical models are required for both studying these texts and for identifying the literacy skills needed to make sense of them. At the same time, texts and media are reflecting greater linguistic and cultural diversity. Therefore, we need a new ‘repertoire’ of literacy and cultural skills, such as language awareness, intercultural communication and visual understanding, to deal with these emerging text and media types.
The holistic study of children’s literature, childhood culture and media can provide the platform for examining the evolution of texts and developing these new repertoires of skills. The integration of theoretical and empirical approaches throughout the programme will allow graduates to create innovative strategies for promoting reading, improving literary competence and incorporating media and digital technology in learning and teaching. The communication and cooperation skills developed in CLMC, together with the understanding of the global, as well as the local contexts, will allow students to move towards positions of leadership in institutions and organizations that seek to shape education and in particular, the development of specific literacies (print, media, digital) that are relevant to 21st century children and young adults.
Please note that the CLMC Consortium is currently co-funded by the European Union through the Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Degree programme (EMJMD) until 2024. This funding has provided CLMC with the capacity to award scholarships over 4 cohorts with the final cohort of students beginning studies in September 2022*. In addition the programme ran for a final year on a self-funded basis with the cohort of students beginning studies in September 2023.
*Cohort 1: 2019-2021; Cohort 2: 2020-2022; Cohort 3: 2021-2023; Cohort 4: 2022-2024.
For future opportunities, please visit the CLMCE website. Applications for 2024-2026 entry are open and information about the programme, Entry and English Language requirements, application guidance and required documents, and deadlines can be found on the CLMCE website: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/erasmusmundus/clmce/howtoapply/ .
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This thematic route concentrates on a wide range of writing for children, including the "classics", texts for very young readers, international literature and literature for young adults. Close textual study and the history of children's literature are embedded within the route, on which students will also be expected to engage with some of the key debates in the field and to consider a range of theoretical perspectives – from Romanticism to reader-response theory; gender issues to posthumanism; historical studies to new historicism; sociocultural viewpoints to semiotics – as well as examining critically views of young readers and their reading choices.
The course is organised to include four modules: Texts, Contexts and Childhood; Perspectives on Children's Literature; Visual Texts; and Texts and Readers. It is assessed through two essays and a dissertation, each designed to be personally rewarding as well as professionally enlightening and intellectually challenging.
The main educational aims are:
- to examine the theoretical frameworks used in the study of education and its constituent disciplines;
- provide training in research methods appropriate to education;
- advance students’ capacity for professional reflection and judgement;
- cater to a range of specialists interested within the field of education or one of its constituent disciplines.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the programme, students will have:
- a comprehensive understanding of research techniques, and a thorough knowledge of the literature applicable to their specific educational domain;
- demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in their field;
- shown abilities in the critical evaluation of current research and research techniques and methodologies;
- demonstrated self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and acted autonomously in the planning and implementation of research.
Continuation to the PhD from Masters programmes within the Faculty of Education is not automatic, and students wishing to do so must submit a PhD application by the usual deadline.
The Postgraduate Virtual Open Day usually takes place at the end of October. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions to admissions staff and academics, explore the Colleges virtually, and to find out more about courses, the application process and funding opportunities. Visit the Postgraduate Open Day page for more details.
See further the Postgraduate Admissions Events pages for other events relating to Postgraduate study, including study fairs, visits and international events.
Key Information
10 months full-time, study mode : taught, master of philosophy, faculty of education, course - related enquiries, application - related enquiries, course on department website, dates and deadlines:, michaelmas 2025.
Some courses can close early. See the Deadlines page for guidance on when to apply.
Funding Deadlines
These deadlines apply to applications for courses starting in Michaelmas 2025, Lent 2026 and Easter 2026.
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