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 Literature for Young People

ENG 372 Studies in Contemporary Literature for Young People

ENG 373 Verse for Children

ENG 375 Studies in Literature 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 literature for children's or adolescents

At least 4 electives, in literature, 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 Literature

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.