BA in English - Children and Young Adult Literature in Hempstead United States | Hofstra University

The English Department's latest specialization is Children's and Young Adult Literature, created in response to the growing influence of popular series like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Divergent in shaping contemporary readers. These influential works have established youth literature as a vital part of today's literary world. Hofstra stands out as one of only a handful of institutions offering this unique program, which features a progression of courses covering literary history, methodology, and specialized topics ranging from childhood depictions in literature to fairy tale studies. This interdisciplinary program combines English department coursework with studies in child psychology, education, and literacy, preparing students for diverse careers in writing, publishing, criticism, or elementary education related to youth literature.

English majors at Hofstra can specialize in one of four concentrations: Literatures in English, Children's and Young Adult Literature, Creative Writing and Literature, or Publishing Studies. The Literatures in English track offers broad literary studies across genres, periods, and themes. Creative Writing and Literature students balance literary analysis with workshops in various writing forms, including fiction, poetry, drama, and children's literature. Publishing Studies combines literary coursework with practical training in publishing history and industry skills. The Children's and Young Adult Literature concentration integrates literature, creative writing, publishing, and psychology courses to prepare students for professional roles as authors, critics, or editors in the youth literature field.