"Getting the MFA degree at Vermont meant more to me than any other diploma I have received. The entire experience has shaped everything in my life that came after." Laura Greene, graduate, 1/2004

Special Event Days

During every summer residency, the MFA-WC&YA program hosts a special event day. Topics have included Good Humor Day, History Day, Picture Book Day and Middle Grade Day.

Writer-in-Residence

During every winter residency, we invite a distinguished author and/or illustrator to join us as a writer-in-residence. We are pleased to announce that the January 2011 writer-in-residence will be David Macaulay. Previous writers-in-residence have included Kimberly Willis Holt, Jane Yolen and Carolyn Coman.

Picture Book Concentration / Certificate Program

The MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults program also now offers a one-semester intensive Picture Book concentration for enrolled students or Graduate Certificate in the Picture Book for external candidates. MFA students that wish to participate in the Picture Book concentration can do so as one of their four semesters in the program. The Graduate Certificate in the Picture Book Program is open to alumni and individuals outside of the program who have relevant advanced degrees. Applicants without advanced degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Picture Book Concentration / Graduate Certificate Program is modeled after a regular semester in the MFA WC&YA program, with a few additional components.

Please click here for a flyer and here for an application. For more information, contact the program office at 800-336-6794, ext. 8637, or email Shannon Dixon.

Dual-Genre Option

Exceptional students may apply for acceptance into both the MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program and the MFA in Writing Program for a dual-genre extended-degree option. Students accepted into both should note that the programs are staffed by distinct faculty groups, and that the residencies for the two programs occur at different times.

The semester workload is the same for single-genre and dual-genre students. The only difference is that dual-genre students must complete a fifth semester of study and turn in a creative thesis in both programs.

For more information about the dual-genre option or for an application, please contact the program office at (866) 934-VCFA, ext. 8637, or e-mail Shannon Dixon.

PostGraduate Semesters

Alumni of the MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults Program can apply for a postgraduate semester. Individuals outside of the program who have relevant graduate degrees can also apply for a postgraduate semester. Applications from individuals without advanced degrees will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Postgraduate semesters can be combined with our Picture Book Concentration, allowing individuals to complete a postgraduate semester in picture book studies.

Scholarships for postgraduate study are occassionally available.

For more information about postgraduate semesters and scholarships, please contact the program office at (866) 934-VCFA, ext. 8637, or e-mail Shannon Dixon.