An M.A. in Children’s Lit, our scholarly track, qualifies you to teach as an adjunct at a 4-year college or tenure track at a community college, may lead to the pursuit of a PhD, and can help you qualify for salary increases as an M.A. in a related field as is often required of K-12 teachers and librarians. The degree can be accomplished in less than two years or spread out according to the needs of individual students. Forty credits are required for the M.A. degree, including eight 4-credit courses plus an 8-credit thesis. You may enroll in any ENG class (except for ENG 583 Advanced Creative Writing Tutorial which is taken for the M.F.A. degree). At least four of your eight courses for the M.A. degree must be critical. You will also spend two magical weeks on campus at the end of each summer semester to participate in the Francelia Butler Conference (FBC), attend the Book Launch Event and Illustrators’ Showcase, enjoy the biennial Alumni Retreat and Literature Symposium, and experience the book characters placed around our green and rolling Appalachian campus each year.
This program is ideal for:
- students wishing to prepare for doctoral study
- faculty already teaching at the college level who wish to add children’s literature to their specializations
- classroom teachers wanting more specialized knowledge in their field
- students who seek a deeper understanding of the ways in which children’s books shape our path to adulthood and our understanding of the world.
Reach out to schedule an appointment with Dr. Lisa Rowe Fraustino to go over the degree rubric and see how the M.A. program might best fit into your life. fraustinolr@hollins.edu
(Applications are due one month before each semester begins.)
Courses
The curriculum consists of both literature and creative writing courses taught by top experts in the field. Students learn from a diverse range of visiting speakers over the six-week summer term, including a scholar-in-residence on campus for one week. Forty credits (eight courses plus a thesis) are required for the degree, including the core course History and Criticism of Children’s Literature.
Costs
Tuition
$900 per credit hour for summer 2025.
Fees
- New student nonrefundable deposit: $400
- Returning student nonrefundable deposit: $200
- Housing: $1,400
- Technology fee: $165/summer
- Health services: $50
M.A. applicants must send 10-20 pages of written work. You’ll need to provide two letters of recommendation. GRE scores aren’t required, but may be submitted. Undergraduate transcript must be submitted.
Non-degree seeking students
Some courses are available for students or alumni who would like to take an individual course without it applying to a degree.
Scholarships and Financial Support
Students in the M.A. program may apply for an editorial internship with the Children’s Literature Journal, edited at Hollins. The internship carries a tuition stipend of $2,000. To apply, send a statement of your qualifications and reasons for applying to Dr. Lisa Rowe Fraustino (fraustinolr@hollins.edu).
Hollins offers scholarships and financial assistance. Review our offerings.
The KidLit Bookstore
Discover the creative heart of Hollins University at our bookstore, where every book highlights the talent of our students, alumni, and faculty. From enchanting children’s stories to stunning illustrations, these works celebrate the vibrant imagination of our community!