Master of Arts in Youth Literature

The Master of Arts in Youth Literature (MAYL) is a professional degree with a foundation of ethics and social responsibility within a philosophy of radical inclusion for the field of children’s and young adult literature. The MAYL provides a robust study of children’s and young adult literature with a concentrated focus not only on youth literature as an aesthetic object but also on the intended audience for that literature as well as on the practitioners who use it. This is a unique feature of our MAYL: the practical application of theory for practitioners, including librarians, teachers, reviewers, editors, and writers.

Degree Requirements

The Master of  Arts in Youth Literature is conferred upon students who have met the following requirements:

• Completion of 36 semester hours of graduate credit with a minimum of 30 semester hours completed in the Dominican University MAYL program;
• Satisfactory completion of a 6-credit hour thesis within the last two semesters of study (included in the 36 required credit hour total);

Enrolled students may register for up to six semester hours of graduate credit in other disciplines at Dominican University, which may be applied as electives toward the MAYL degree. Such courses require approval from the MAYL advisor and the SOIS Director. Undergraduate courses may be included; however, a plan for additional work must be submitted for approval by the SOIS Director.