Program overview

The Writing for Children and Teens Graduate Certificate is a 15-credit-hour program housed in the Theory and Practice in Teacher Education department, in which students study the craft of writing for young people alongside the history, content, and themes of children’s and young adult literature, fairy tales, and storytelling. It’s offered both on the Knoxville campus and through distance education, and can be pursued as a stand-alone certificate or added onto another UT graduate degree.

Applicants may already be admitted to a UT graduate program or apply solely for the certificate. All coursework must be completed at UT within five years of applying, and students must maintain a 3.50 GPA in certificate courses. To graduate, students submit a Course Verification Form and apply through MyUTK.

Why study Writing for Children and Teens?

Studying writing for children and teens sharpens a craft that’s easy to underestimate: writing well for young readers demands precision, emotional honesty, and a deep understanding of how kids and teens actually think and feel, arguably a harder needle to thread than writing for adults.

UT’s certificate immerses you in the history, themes, and storytelling traditions that shape the field, from classic fairy tales to contemporary YA, giving you both craft skills and critical context. It’s a strong fit for aspiring authors, but also for teachers, librarians, and education professionals who want to better understand the literature shaping young readers’ lives, or who hope to add a specialized credential to an existing graduate degree.

Because it’s a stand-alone or add-on certificate available in-person or online, it offers real flexibility for working professionals looking to grow creatively and professionally without committing to a full new degree.

What can you do with a graduate certificate in Writing for Children and Teens after graduation?

A graduate certificate in Writing for Children and Teens opens doors in several directions. Many graduates pursue careers as authors of picture books, middle-grade fiction, or YA novels, using the craft training to strengthen their manuscripts for publication. Others work in publishing—as editors, literary agents, or acquisitions readers—where deep knowledge of children’s and YA literature is essential.

The credential also pairs well with existing careers in education, librarianship, or literacy instruction, letting teachers and school librarians bring stronger storytelling and literature expertise into curriculum design or reading programs. Some use it to teach creative writing workshops or move into freelance writing, editing, or content creation for children’s media. Because it’s a certificate rather than a full degree, it’s often most valuable as an added credential, paired with an MFA, an education degree, or professional publishing experience, rather than a standalone career path.