Advanced Studies in Writing for Young Readers
Elevate your craft and develop publication-ready work for children and young adult audiences. Bridge the gap between creative practice and professional authorship through rigorous mentorship with an award-winning author.
Designed With You in Mind
This advanced certificate program is specifically designed for MFA graduates seeking to deepen their expertise in writing for young readers. Through intensive reading, personalized mentorship, and focused manuscript development, you'll synthesize advanced storytelling techniques and produce publication-ready work that resonates with today's diverse young audiences.
For MFA Graduates: If you've already earned an MFA in Writing, you're eligible for this extraordinary opportunity to dive deeply into an existing project or explore a new form with our all-star faculty.
Personalized Mentorship: Work one-on-one with an award-winning author who will guide you through four months of intensive manuscript development, reading, and professional preparation.
Publication-Ready Work: Complete and refine a book-length manuscript or multiple picture books, developing sophisticated command of genre conventions, authentic voice, and cultural awareness.
Comprehensive Reading Program: Analyze 40+ exemplary works across multiple genres, formats, and cultural contexts to master narrative structure, character development, voice, and thematic complexity.
Career Strategy Development: Develop your submission strategy, identify suitable agents, craft compelling queries, or advance your professional skills with conference proposals and school visit planning.
Flexible Format: Choose between 5 units (online only) or 7 units (with optional San Francisco residency including workshops, panels, and networking with publishing professionals).
Course Information
Start Date: Any time that is mutually agreeable for student and instructor
Format: Online, asynchronous with monthly packet submissions
Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per week, including reading, writing, and revision
Duration: 4 months (one semester)
Prerequisites: MFA in Writing (any specialization)
CEUs: 5 continuing education units, with an additional 2 for optional summer residency
Cost: $8,475 for 5 CEUs or $10,475 with the optional summer residency.
Application Process
To apply for the Advanced Studies in Writing for Young Readers certificate, you'll need:
- An earned MFA in Writing (required for eligibility)
- A 5-page writing sample
- A description of your goals for the semester
- The name of the faculty member you wish to work with (plus at least one alternate)
If you are admitted into the program, we will determine whether the faculty members on your list are available to work with you. You may wait until they become available if they already have a full student load or professional obligations.
Learn from Award-Winning Authors
Work one-on-one with internationally acclaimed authors who have taught at prestigious MFA programs and won the field’s most distinguished awards. You may request any of the following faculty members. Availability varies, but we will make sure you get a strong match.
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Elana K. Arnold: National Book Award finalist, Printz Honor medalist for Red Hood, and Global Read Aloud selection for A Boy Called Bat.
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Tracey Baptiste: New York Times bestselling author of The Jumbies fantasy series and Minecraft: The Crash. Former faculty at Lesley University.
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Ann Dávila Cardinal: Two-time International Latino Book Award winner for YA horror and adult fiction, including Five Midnights and The Storyteller's Death.
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David Macinnis Gill: Award-winning author of Soul Enchilada, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Former VCFA faculty and Associate Professor at UNC Wilmington.
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Candice Iloh: National Book Award finalist and Michael L. Printz Honor recipient for the novel in verse Every Body Looking.
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Erin Entrada Kelly: Two-time Newbery Medal winner (Hello, Universe and The First State of Being), Newbery Honor recipient, and National Book Award finalist. Former Hamline faculty.
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A.S. King: Margaret A. Edwards Award recipient and the only two-time Michael L. Printz Award winner (Dig and The Collectors: Stories). Former VCFA faculty.
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Michelle Knudsen: New York Times bestselling author of more than 50 books, including Library Lion, one of Time magazine's 100 Best Children's Books of All Time, and the Andre Norton Nebula Award winner Into the Wild Magic.
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Michael Leali: Golden Kite Award winner for The Civil War of Amos Abernathy, Lambda Literary Award finalist, and ALA Rainbow Round Table selection.
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An Na: Michael L. Printz Award winner and National Book Award finalist. Author of A Step from Heaven. Former VCFA faculty.
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Erica S. Perl: Author of more than 50 books for young readers, winner of the National Jewish Book Award and three Sydney Taylor medals, and co-author of books with Dolly Parton and R.J. Palacio. VCFA faculty.
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Laura Ruby: Michael L. Printz Award winner for Bone Gap and two-time National Book Award finalist (Bone Gap and Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All). Has taught at Hamline University and Queens University.
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Liz Garton Scanlon: Poet and author of the bestselling Caldecott Honor book All the World and the middle grade novels The Great Good Summer and Lolo's Light. VCFA faculty since 2016.
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Eliot Schrefer: New York Times bestselling author, two-time National Book Award finalist, and Printz Honor and Stonewall Honor recipient whose books include Endangered and The Darkness Outside Us. Former Hamline faculty.
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Dashka Slater: New York Times bestselling author of The 57 Bus, a Stonewall Book Award winner named one of Time magazine's 100 Best YA Books of All Time. Former Hamline faculty.
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Eugene Yelchin: Newbery Honor recipient for Breaking Stalin's Nose and National Book Award finalist for The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge (with M.T. Anderson). Winner of the Golden Kite and Sydney Taylor Awards.
What You'll Accomplish
When you earn the Certificate in Advanced Studies in Writing for Young Readers, you will:
- Synthesize and apply sophisticated storytelling techniques by reading and annotating 40+ exemplary works across multiple genres, formats, and cultural contexts, demonstrating mastery of narrative structure, character development, voice, pacing, and thematic complexity appropriate for young readers.
- Engage in master's-level literary discourse with your advisor, integrating deep textual analysis with contemporary scholarship in children's literature, cultural responsiveness, and audience development theory.
- Complete and refine a publication-ready manuscript that demonstrates sophisticated command of genre conventions, authentic voice, and cultural awareness, while exhibiting advanced revision strategies, editorial judgment, and the ability to synthesize extensive feedback into polished, market-ready work.
- Identify and execute next steps in your publishing journey by developing a submission strategy, understanding how to identify suitable agents, pitch your work, and navigate the professional realm with confidence.
Course Components
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Read approximately 40 books across categories and genres, annotate a bibliography, and analyze essential narrative craft elements. Focus on selections that support your specific craft concerns and questions.
CEUs: 2 continuing education units
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Under the guidance of your advisor, complete drafting and polishing one or more book-length works of fiction or nonfiction, up to four picture books, a graphic novel, or collection of short stories. Submit 50 pages of new and/or revised material monthly.
CEUs: 3 continuing education units
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Develop a list of suitable agents, submission strategy, and query; or build advanced professional skills, including conference proposals, school visit planning, and other career development topics tailored to your needs.
CEUs: 1 continuing education unit
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Attend workshops and seminars with faculty, craft lectures and panels, peer manuscript feedback sessions, one-on-one conferences with your advisor, and networking opportunities with publishing professionals.
Summer 2027 dates: July 6–13, 2027CEUs: 2 continuing education units