Master of Arts Specialization in Children's Literature: Frequently Asked Questions

• Do I have to take the GRE? Yes. The department requirement for Classified Graduate Standing is 550 on verbal and a 1050 overall score.
• Can I be admitted if I don't have a degree in English? Yes. However, there would be conditions attached to your admittance which would be determined by the graduate director.
• Can I attend part time? Yes.
• Can I complete the program in one year? Many students allow two years to earn the degree.
• Can I do both the MA and MFA at the same time? Generally, no.
• If I don't have 24 upper division units in English can I still be admitted? Yes, with conditions attached to your admittance as stated by the graduate director.
• What does Classified Graduate Standing mean? CGS students have completed 24 upper division units in English and/or Comparative Literature and have met the GRE requirement for the Department (550 V, 1050 overall). They have also met scholastic standards established by the Department and Graduate Division.
• Can I teach at a Community College with an MA degree? Yes.
• Is a thesis required? No. You can opt to take the MA exam instead.
• What sort of funding is available to MA students? The Department and the University have a modest number of scholarships to support graduate students; in addition, some graduate students work as graduate teaching assistants (teaching their own  lower-division classes or assisting faculty with their classes). In the coming months, we will be seeking funds and donors to offer fellowships to those especially pursuing graduate study in this specialization.
• I have a particular interest within the field of Children's Literature that is not reflected in your offered courses or faculty publications. Is your department appropriate for me? Questions about specific interests within the field of Children's Literature may be sent to the Director of the Children's Literature Program at childlit@mail.sdsu.edu.
• Are there online courses I can take towards earning a master's degree? No, SDSU does not offer, nor is it possible to earn, the M.A. in English or the Graduate Certificate by means of "online courses" or "distance learning."