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Master of Arts in Children's Literature

Degrees Offered: M.A.

Program Overview

The School of Information, with the participation of the School of Creative Writing and the departments of English Language and Literatures and Language and Literacy Education, offers a multi-disciplinary Master of Arts program in Children's Literature. The program provides specialized education for graduate students in the study of children's literature using a multi-disciplinary approach. The program is designed to provide each student with the opportunity to study the creative writing and publishing of this literature, examine models of sharing its rich heritage with the young, and also facilitate the literary, social, historic, and psychological analyses of children's literature as literature. This multi-disciplinary approach will expose students to many schools of literary criticism, educational theory, and professional and creative practice. It will acquaint students with the broad literary canon of children's literature across a spectrum of languages and cultures and with a variety of critical perspectives and professional applications.

An undergraduate student considering working in the field of children's literature should consult the School about useful preparatory classes. An interview may be arranged at any time.

Admission Requirements

For admission to the M.A. program, a student must:

  1. hold a four-year bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from a recognized university in a relevant discipline or in an area that is regarded as appropriate by the Admissions Committee for the program;
  2. have achieved a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76-79% at UBC) in third-and fourth-year level courses of a bachelor's degree; and
  3. show promise of success or superior accomplishment in one or more aspects of children's literature as attested by letters of reference and a personal letter of intent.

An applicant holding a bachelor's degree or its academic equivalent who does not meet the requirements of the second requirement (above) should contact the School's Educational Services Coordinator for information regarding possible qualifying work.

Program Requirements

The M.A. is awarded on the completion of 30 credits of work, including 24 credits of coursework and a 6-credit thesis. The coursework will be selected in consultation with the supervisory committee to support the multi-disciplinary nature of the program. A maximum of 6 credits of coursework may be taken at the 300- or 400-level; the remainder must be at the 500-level and above.

Of the 24 credits of coursework, 3 credits are required from each of the following categories, including at least 6 credits at the 500-level:

  • Historical Overview (3 credits): LLED 441, ENGL 392, LIBR 520, 521
  • Contemporary Children's/Young Adult Literature (3 credits): LLED 442, 449, LIBR 520, 521, 526, LLED 540, 541
  • Research Methodology (3 credits): CHIL 500, EDUC 500, LIBR 507

The remaining 15 credits of courses may be chosen from the wide range of offerings available in the departments of English Language and Literatures, French, Hispanic and Italian Studies, Language and Literacy Education, the School of Creative Writing, and the School of Information; from relevant courses, with the Chair's approval, offered elsewhere at UBC; and from approved courses offered by other institutions. Subjects can also be pursued under Direct Readings.

A maximum of 12 credits in courses germane to children's literature, earned no more than five years prior to entry into the program, may be transferred from another institution or another program at UBC. Transfer credit will not be accepted for a course that has been applied to another degree. The degree may be taken on a full-time or part-time basis. Students may begin the program in Winter Term One.

Thesis: The supervisory committee will advise on, monitor, and evaluate the 6-credit thesis.

Contact Information


School of Information
The Irving K. Barber Learning Centre
470-1961 East Mall
Vancouver, BC, Canada V6T 1Z1
Tel: 604.822.2404
Fax: 604.822.6006
Email: ischool.info@ubc.ca
Web: http://macl.arts.ubc.ca/


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