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Admission Requirements & Applications Process
Master of Arts in Children's Literature Degree Program
For further information, see the website at http://macl.arts.ubc.ca
The University of British Columbia offers a multi-disciplinary Master of Arts program in Children's Literature, sponsored and administered by the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, with the participation of the departments of English, Language and Literacy Education, and Theatre, Film and Creative Writing. The program provides specialized education for graduate students in the study of children's literature using a multi-disciplinary approach. It provides each student with the opportunity to study the creative writing and publishing of this literature, to examine models of sharing its rich heritage with the young, and also to facilitate the literary, social, historic, and psychological analyses of children's literature as literature. This multi-disciplinary approach exposes students to many schools of literary criticism, educational theory, and professional and creative practice. It acquaints 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 application.
Across various disciplines, departments, and faculties, a broad range of courses is available in children's and young adult literature, the creative writing of that literature, and its use with children and teenagers in different institutional settings. In the departments of Theatre, Film and Creative Writing, English, Language and Literacy Education, and the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies, approximately sixteen regular course offerings, and several more each Summer Session, provide disciplined, academic study of children's literature. Faculty in these departments are authors of both acclaimed children's books and scholarly guides to the literature. The University Library collections in historical and contemporary children's books and the critical study of children's literature are considered among the strongest such collections in an academic library in Canada, including some 4,000 early and rare children's books and some 50,000 modern children's books. As well, the Library maintains a large collection of research materials on children's literature, including histories, criticisms, bibliographies, catalogues, and biographies. The program provides specialized study of children's books to those who are, or who intend to be, involved in teaching, school and public library services, writing, editing/publishing, theatre/film, storytelling, or affiliated fields.
Background Preparation
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.
A broad cultural background is expected of M.A. candidates. The prospective student should select courses to give some acquaintance with the humanities and social sciences during undergraduate studies. Particular attention should be paid in undergraduate or graduate studies to courses in children's literature, English, writing for children, child psychology, and the history of childhood.
Admission
For admission to the M.A. program, a candidate must:
- Possess a four-year bachelor's degree (or its equivalent) from a recognized university in a relevant discipline or in an area which is regarded as appropriate by the SLAIS Admissions Committee for the program
- Have achieved a minimum overall average in the "B+" range (76% at UBC) in third- and fourth-year level courses of a bachelor's degree
- Show promise of success or superior accomplishment in one or more aspects of children's literature as attested by letters of reference
Candidates meeting the admission standards of the University register in the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies and are assigned an advisor from one of the participating departments. A supervisory committee responsible for giving advice on the course work and the thesis is appointed, consisting of the Chair/research supervisor and at least two other members of the faculty of the University, representing a minimum of two different academic disciplines. The selection of faculty supervisors is administered by the Chair and Committee for the program.
Admission Procedures
Applications can be submitted using the Online Application Form.
There is a non-refundable application fee of $91.80 Canadian for Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents. For all international applicants, the application fee is $153 Canadian. Make cheques payable to UBC - Faculty of Graduate Studies.
In addition to a completed application form and the fee, the applicant must arrange to have sent to the School:
- Two copies of official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
- Three letters of reference from university instructors under whom the applicant has studied, or employers
- Include:
- Copies of two essays as examples of your written academic work in English;
- a personal statement (one to three pages) outlining your goals and expectations for the program;
- a brief statement of your area of thesis interest, with
preliminary ideas for your thesis
Transcripts must be sent directly to the School of Library, Archival and Information Studies from the issuing institutions. Letters of reference may be submitted through the mail. These should be accompanied by the signed Reference Form, and directly to the School by the referee in a sealed and endorsed (signed across the flap) envelope. Alternatively, the applicant may elect to use the E-Ref system at the time of application. This permits referees to submit references electronically with a personal link to the E-Ref system. References emailed directly to the School will NOT be accepted.
Under normal circumstances, the applicant will be informed of the decision of the Admissions Committee within 6 weeks of the application deadline. The Faculty of Graduate Studies will then inform the applicant, usually within one week, of their final decision on admission. If the applicant is admitted then he/she must promptly contact the School via email (slais.admissions@ubc.ca) indicating his/her decision to accept or decline the offer
Conditional admission may be granted pending the completion of formal academic requirements. In such cases, arrangements must be made to have final transcripts sent to the School.
Application Deadlines
The closing date for applications for entry to the MACL program is February 1st of the year of proposed enrolment.
Those students accepted into the MACL Program who wish to take Creative Writing courses may contact MACL faculty member Prof. Rhea Tregebov of the Creative Writing Program for permission to enrol in Creative Writing courses. Those students considering a creative project for their MACL thesis normally take the graduate level creative writing workshop in children’s literature in their first year of the program and then consult with Prof. Tregebov in term 2 of that year regarding the feasibility of pursuing a creative thesis.
Application Procedures for Creative Writing Workshops
The UBC Creative Writing Program invites MACL students to apply to join the Creative Writing 503 (6 credits) Advanced Writing for Children workshop or the undergraduate Creative Writing 403/433 workshops (3 credits each). CrWr403 (offered in term 1) is normally a prerequisite to CrWr433 (offered in term 2). Students taking the undergraduate (CrWr 403/433) courses will be credited with a 500 level graduate number.
Both courses meet for two hours weekly; CrWr 503 normally has a maximum of 12 and CrWr 403/433 a maximum of 14 students. Creative Writing workshop classes are designed so that students generate original writing for children which is peer workshopped by class members, as well as the instructor.
Priority for enrolment in these courses is given to MFA students or Majors in the Creative Writing Program, followed by MACL students, who are admitted according to an evaluation of their writing sample.
To apply, submit a letter and a sample of your creative writing to Prof. Tregebov at tregebov@mail.ubc.ca. Your cover letter should identify you as either an applicant to the MACL Program, accepted into the MACL Program, or a current MACL student and should include your UBC student number. Also provide information on your educational and creative writing background (if applicable), as well as any publications and awards. Sample manuscripts should be 20 pages double-spaced text (no illustrations) in any genre (poetry, fiction, stage play) or in a combination of genres. Work should be intended for children and young adults. If you are accepted, the Creative Writing Program will determine whether to place you in the graduate or undergraduate course depending on the level of your experience and writing sample. As noted above, if you are placed in the undergraduate course, you will receive graduate-level credit. The Creative Writing program will notify you of the decision and register you in the course.
Other Creative Writing Workshops
MACL students who wish to apply for other graduate and undergraduate workshops in the Creative Writing Program should consult the Creative Writing Program website for information on workshops in Fiction, Poetry, Playwriting, Screenwriting, Writing for Television, Graphic Novel, New Media, Lyric & Libretto, Translation, and others. Note that priority for enrolment in these courses is given to MFA students or Majors in the Creative Writing Program, so space is normally limited. MACL students must apply for permission for these courses as well and submit writing samples in the applicable genre to the instructor. Contact Prof. Tregebov for more details.
DEADLINE: JUNE 30
Degree Requirements
For detailed information on the MACL Degree's requirements please use the "Programs" link to the left.
Prospective applicants may address inquiries to the Admissions Secretary at slais.admissions@ubc.ca or phone 604-822-3459. Please specify which program you are inquiring about.
