Children’s Literature-Graduate

Illinois State University has a well-established graduate program in Children's Literature. Students in the Master's in English program may enroll in a Children's Literature emphasis, and students in the Ph.D. in English Studies may also choose Children's Literature as a specialization.

The following courses are available on the graduate level:

• ENG 370 Studies in the History of Literary and Cultural Studies for Young People
• ENG 372 Studies in Contemporary Literary and Cultural Studies for Young People
• ENG 373 Verse for Children
• ENG 375 Studies in Literary and Cultural Studies for Adolescents
• ENG 390 Research Studies in Language Arts
• ENG 470 Studies in Children's Literature (topics vary; may be repeated for credit)
• ENG 471 Critical Theories in Children's Literature
• ENG 492 Recent Research in English Language Arts

Degree requirements for the Master's in English (emphasis in Children's Literature):

• ENG 401, Introduction to Graduate Studies
• ENG 402, Introduction to the Composing Process (required for students on assistantship, only)
• ENG 370, History of Children's Literature
• One course in critical theory (ENG 471 preferred; can substitute 382 or 482)
• At least 3 courses in Literary and Cultural Studies for children's or adolescents
• At least 4 electives, in Literary and Cultural Studies, language, compostion, or approved cognate fields (up to 6 hours from fields such as Fine Arts, Psychology, Curriculum & Instruction, HIstory or Sociology)
• Comprehensive examination
• Thesis optional

Degree requirements for the Ph.D. in English Studies (emphasis in Children's Literature):

1. At least 13 courses and a teaching internship distributed as follows:

• ENG 510, Professional Seminar in the Teaching of English
• ENG 540, Seminar in Language
• ENG 560, Seminar in Selected Areas in Literary and Cultural Studies
• ENG 590, Seminar in Composition
• 4 courses in children's and/or Adolescent Literature
• 2 courses in the theory of Children's Literature, language arts, or a related theoretical perspective
• 3 electives
• A teaching internship (591), generally teaching ENG 170, Foundations of Children's Literature

2. Written comprehensive exams in three areas: English studies; research specialization; pedagogy and professional studies.

3. A dissertation of original scholarship in children's and/or Adolescent Literature that explores some pedagogical aspect relevant to the field.

To view the English course catalog descriptions online, please visit the Graduate Catalog.

Faculty in Children's and Adolescent Literature:

Karen Coats
Nathalie op de Beeck
Jan Susina
Anita Tarr
Roberta Trites