Post-Master's Certificate in Children's & Young Adult Literature

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Children’s and Young Adult Literature provides advanced instruction in children’s and young adult literature. The program prepares professionals for careers in libraries and other settings that work with children and young adults.

Students engage with literature that presents diverse and interesting characters and plots, explore multiple genres of literature, authors, illustrators, and subjects, and learn how these materials can serve children and young adults. 

The Post-Master’s Certificate in Children’s and Young Adult Literature program is available entirely online.

Request more information

If you do not already hold a master’s degree, please see the MLS with Certificate in Children's and Young Adult Literature program. 

See the courses section for additional information.

Certificate Plan for Children’s and Young Adult Literature

Admission Requirements

Applicants must complete both the Certificate program and Graduate School admission requirements.

Admission to the Certificate in Children's & Young Adult Literature

Program Contact

Tawnda Smith
Admissions Coordinator
940-898-2602
slis@twu.edu

Preferred Application Deadlines

Fall - June 1
Spring - November 1
Summer - April 1

Prospective students are encouraged to keep submitting their application materials after the preferred deadline. The preferred deadline just guarantees admission review before the semester begins. SLIS admissions remain open until at least two weeks before each semester begins.

Admission Requirements

  • Completed master's degree in library and information science or another discipline.
  • Completed bachelor's degree from a U.S. college or university accredited by a regional accrediting agency or an equivalent degree from a foreign college or university.
  • Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 semester credit hours of coursework; or minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for a previous master's or doctoral degree.
  • Applicants with GPA below 3.0, who meet the Graduate School minimum requirement, may be considered for admission review on a case-by-case basis.
  • Apply for admission to the TWU Graduate School (see How to Apply).  Upload the following documents: 
    • Application Form - School of Library & Information Studies - (fillable PDF form; Chrome browser recommended)
    • Resume
    • 2-page statement of intent (your professional goals and career interests)
    • Email address for one professional or academic reference familiar with your academic capabilities, who can provide a letter of recommendation to be requested through and submitted into the application

 

Graduate Admission

Begin by reviewing your program's website to see if there are additional admission requirements and application deadlines prior to applying.  

  1. Apply online.
    Apply to Graduate Programs  via the TWU Online Graduate Application Portal following instructions below.  
  2. Submit transcripts to TWU.
    • Domestic Applicants must submit official transcripts for each college or university attended, both undergraduate and graduate. See the Information on Transcripts website for more details. Original transcripts for each college/university attended must be submitted, even if referred to on another schools transcripts.
    • International Applicants are now required to provide an evaluation prepared by a NACES or AICE member evaluation service. International transcripts should not be sent directly to TWU. See the International Admissions website for more details.
  3. Submit Recommendation Requests
    If your program requires you to submit names for recommendations you will need to do it in the application. List of programs-majors.  
  4. Pay the application fee.
    The $50 fee ($75 fee for International applicants), which applies to all new and returning applicants, can be paid by:
    1. Credit card - Pay Online through the application as the last step before submitting the application. The second portion of the application will not be available until the application fee has been received.
    2. Fee Waivers - Graduate applicants who are certified McNair Scholars are eligible for a McNair Scholar Application Fee Waiver. TWU Alumni may be eligible for the Alumni Advantage Fee Waiver. Check your eligibility here: https://twu.edu/alumni-advantage/. If eligible submit the request using the Application Fee Waiver Submission
    3. Following fee payment return to the application dashboard where supplemental application documents can be uploaded. The online application will list which documents are needed to fulfill the program admission requirements. You can also check the program's website.
  5. Submit Program supplemental documents
    1. Review the specific requirements for your intended program to identify any supplemental materials needed for your application.

Watch for emails from your new program/department that may come to your TWU email address.

For more information or assistance with the application or graduate admissions, visit the Graduate Admissions website.

Students who wish to apply for a Graduate Assistantship must meet the General Criteria for Appointment of Graduate Assistants.

Contact Information

For questions on the SLIS admissions process, please contact the SLIS office at 940-898-2602, or slis@twu.edu.

Page last updated 6:10 PM, July 10, 2026