Julie Larios is the author of four books for children: On the Stairs (1995), Have You Ever Done That? (named one of Smithsonian Magazine’s Outstanding Children...
"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
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.
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 2010 writer-in-residence will be A.M. Jenkins. Previous writers-in-residence have included Jane Yolen and Carolyn Coman.
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.
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.
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.
Julie Larios is the author of four books for children: On the Stairs (1995), Have You Ever Done That? (named one of Smithsonian Magazine’s Outstanding Children...
"This program has opened me to new ways of working and thinking about art. I have developed a network of astounding people to enrich me as an artist. This program has given me a chance to find my voice in order to resonate in our culture. There has been an overwhelming transformation that came through struggle and hard work in my time here."