Simmons University Gwen Ifill School Travel Booklet
GRADUATE PROGRAMS
CHILDREN’S
LITERATURE
GENDER &
CULTURAL STUDIES
HISTORY
PUBLIC POLICY
“We can’t expect the world to get better by itself.”
—GWEN IFILL
What kind of meaningful work do you want to do in the world? Will you enter or change a career path? At Simmons, we pledge to engage you in imagining and preparing for your future.
In the academic programs in the Gwen Ifill School of Media, Humanities, and Social Sciences, we embrace modes of expression as we record and interpret human experience. We analyze and seek to understand our world through the intersecting lenses of language, history, narrative, art, film, and contemporary media.
A Simmons graduate education combines the cross-disciplinary with the cross-professional to offer innovative curricular experiences that help prepare you for to address today’s real-world challenges. Social justice and leadership are essential components woven throughout the coursework we offer.
Children’s Literature courses in fantasy, realism, the picturebook, and other genres complement courses in children’s book publishing, the child in fiction, and social justice. Critical analysis deepens engagement with published works and prepares students for future research, practice, or creative writing. Our curriculum integrates literary studies, study of art and text, and childhood studies to inform the disciplines and practices in literature for young people.
Our Gender and Cultural Studies students work to understand the power of culture to shape identities, lived experiences, inequities, and opportunities. They work across disciplines and draw on a range of faculty expertise from across the University.
Students in our History programs study the past to understand today’s diverse and complex world. Coursework analyzes material culture and the nature of memory.
Public Policy programs provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of complex, ever-evolving societal problems and their potential solutions. They learn analytical skills and data-driven research ability to help them better serve local, national, and global communities.
Through these liberal arts programs, we interrogate the given, helping to create liberally educated critical thinkers who can bridge theory and practice in transformative ways.
Children’s Literature
Programs
Our MA in Children’s Literature engages in rigorous study of literature published for children and young adults. The MFA in Writing for Children places new writers with agents, editors, and professional mentors to develop their creative manuscripts. The dual degree MA/MFA utilizes critical analysis as a tool to help position and inform students’ voices as authors. The dual degree MA/MS offers a unique synthesis for students interested in both children’s literature and youth services as they earn professional credentials.
Degree Options
• MA in Children’s Literature
• MFA in Writing for Children
• MA in Children’s Literature and MFA in Writing for Children
• MA in Children’s Literature and MS in Library and Information Science
Highlights
• Our programs situate works for young people in historical and cultural contexts as they adopt multiple critical perspectives on children’s books, young adult literature, and social constructions of child/young adulthood
• In 1977, Simmons became the first university to offer a Master of Arts in Children’s Literature
• Faculty lead the field with research in Latinx youth literature, executive positions in the Children’s Literature Association, multiple book award committees, as well as published authors, publishers, and educators
• Programs offer courses at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
• Extensive involvement with the children’s book industry, local educators and librarians, and the review media enhances professional opportunities for students
• Scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistant opportunities
Careers and Outcomes
Graduates pursue careers in children’s book publishing as authors, book designers, editors, and reviewers; in education and librarianship; and in doctoral studies. Some positions our graduates have gone onto include:
• Editor-in-Chief, The Horn Book Magazine
• Founder, The Boston Book Festival
• Agent, Rubin Pfeffer Content
• Humanities Teacher, Sonoma Academy
• Youth Services Manager, Boston Public Library
SIMMONS.EDU/GO/ CHL
Find out more about children’s literature courses, curriculum, faculty, and program details.
• Celebrated writers of The Wicked series, the Graceling Realm series, The Monty and Percy novels, and Marvel Comics
Faculty
Learn more about our children’s literature faculty: simmons.edu/chl-faculty
Graduates
See what our children’s literature graduates are doing: simmons.edu/chl-student
“
I wrote one of the books that I sold during my time in the children’s literature MA/MFA program. I was given the opportunity to work one-on-one with amazing publishing professionals during the mentorship program. Those mentors gave me key advice on how to navigate the publishing world and skills that have been critical in how I approach my work.”
ARIEL
VANECE ‘22MA/MFA AUTHOR, SEARCHING FOR MR. JOHNSON’S SONG
Gender and Cultural Studies
Programs
The MA in Gender and Cultural Studies examines intersecting systems of power and privilege and the ways in which race, ethnicity, nationality, class, ability, gender, sexuality, and sexual orientation are constructed within the United States and in international contexts. The dual degree MA/MPP affords students the core skills and most essential content knowledge of public policy, and prepares graduates equally well to work in a policy setting or a nonprofit organization, where policy knowledge and analysis skills can heighten marketability.
Degree Options
• MA in Gender and Cultural Studies
• MA in Gender and Cultural Studies and Master in Public Policy SIMMONS.EDU/GO/
Find out more about gender and cultural studies courses, curriculum, faculty, and program details.
Highlights
• The only program in the country to focus on both Gender Studies and Cultural Studies
• Takes a uniquely interdisciplinary approach which encourages coursework in Africana Studies, Sociology, Media Studies, History, and Political Science, in addition to Women’s and Gender Studies
• Offers the opportunity to take graduate classes through the Consortium for Gender, Culture, Women’s and Sexuality Studies, with faculty and students from nine member institutions in the Boston area
• Scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistant opportunities
Careers and Outcomes
Our graduates are employed in institutions of secondary and higher education, in museums, in town and state governments, and in organizations committed to housing equity, ending gun violence, combating climate change, and supporting LGBTQ+ youth, among other causes. Our graduates go on to work for a variety of employers, including:
• Beacon Press
• Harvard Business Review
• Hourglass Boston
• Mango & Marigold Press
• Mass NOW
• Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Massachusetts Law Reform Institute
• Matson + Gilman Bourbon Tours
Faculty
Learn more about our gender and cultural studies faculty: simmons.edu/gcs-faculty
“
Many of my students identify as feminists, though their interest lies more in gender identity. Queer theory and critical race studies have done a lot to add to this conversation, regarding what our students are experiencing now.”
SUZANNE LEONARD PROFESSOR AND PROGRAM DIRECTOR FOR GENDER AND CULTURAL STUDIES
Graduates
See what our gender and cultural studies graduates are doing: simmons.edu/gcs-student
“
I believe that the personal is political, and my life experiences reflect larger conversations about our society. I wanted to take the knowledge that I already had and expand on it. I love to learn and challenge myself with different perspectives. I believed Simmons would provide that for me— and I was right!”
GIAVANNA WORTHY ‘20MA HIV PREVENTION INSTRUCTOR WITH THE YWCA
History
Programs
Our MA in History program offers individualized courses of study for students to gain a broad understanding of diverse eras and places, and deepen their knowledge of specialized historical topics. We combine coursework with strong faculty mentoring in areas like American history, modern Europe, East Asia and the Middle East, global and comparative history, women and gender, maritime history, the Atlantic world, memory studies and public history. Students also have access to a vibrant array of historic sites and manuscript collections that surround our Boston campus. The dual degree MA with MS in Library Science addresses the need in the archival field to have technical skills combined with historical and political knowledge and you can choose from two different LIS concentrations.
Degree Options
• MA in History
• MA in History and MS in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Archives or a concentration in Cultural Heritage Informatics
Highlights
• Courses that focus on identifying and applying a variety of historical inquiries, including cultural, gender, political, and social analysis, that prepare students to conduct independent historical research while engaging in public forum spaces
• Students study both advantages and disadvantages of leading methodologies used by historians over time to master a broad body of knowledge including contexts, topics, and time periods
• Historic Boston affords unique opportunities for internships and learning beyond the classroom
• Scholarships, fellowships, and teaching assistant opportunities
Careers and Outcomes
Our graduates go on to careers in education, research, archives management, librarianship, curation and various other forms of public history. Our graduates have gone on to work and doctoral research at:
• Brandeis University
• Cambridge University, England
• Harvard Libraries
• John F. Kennedy Library
• Mass Historical Society
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• The National Archives
• Rutgers University
SIMMONS.EDU/GO/ HISTORY
Find out more about history courses, curriculum, faculty, and program details.
• Syracuse University
• UCLA Film Archive
Faculty
Learn more about our history faculty: simmons.edu/history-faculty
Graduates
See what our history graduates are doing: simmons.edu/history-student
I love the moments of discovery—when people feel the magic of historical records. I take great pleasure in revealing how history is a lot weirder, crazier, and gayer than it was taught in high school history class.”
SARAH SHEPHERD ’23MA/MS
Public Policy
Programs
Our Master in Public Policy program offers students a dynamic curriculum that draws on courses in economics, quantitative methods, political science, sociology, and social work, with an interdisciplinary foundation that leads to deeper, more substantive policy analysis. The MPP degree also includes both an internship experience and capstone project that challenge students to put in-classroom theory into action to strategize effective policy solutions grounded firmly in data analysis. Through the program, students gain a command of public policy analysis and an applied understanding of the various surrounding institutional contexts. This fosters their ability to bring about positive change from policy development through to its implementation, understanding completely the impact of their work on all levels of society.
Degree Options
• Master in Public Policy
Find out more about public policy courses, curriculum, faculty, and program details.
Highlights
• Student gain applied policy expertise by combining analytical skills and practical knowledge of the institutional frameworks where public policy is developed and implemented, preparing them to tackle complex societal challenges effectively.
• The program takes a unique approach to the interdisciplinary integration of liberal arts, information science, social work, and the social sciences, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of public policy.
• Boston provides meaningful internship placement locations as well as access to future employment opportunities and networking opportunities.
Careers and Outcomes
Our graduates have pursued rewarding careers in government, the private sector, nonprofit organizations, and advocacy centers, assuming important positions such as:
• Advancement Officer
• City Councilor or Manager
• Government Relations Manager/ Advocate
• Legislative Aide
• Nonprofit Resarch Analyst
• Policy Analyst
Faculty
Learn more about our history faculty: simmons.edu/public-policy-faculty
Graduates
See what our history graduates are doing: simmons.edu/public-policy-student
My internship was exciting because I got to directly apply what I was learning in classes by researching policies that could actually be passed and implemented. As a result of the pandemic, the services public schools provide have expanded greatly. It was rewarding to work within a district that was employing every resource possible to offer students and families the support they needed.”
KYLIE COLLINS ‘22, ‘23MPP
Boston
Simmons is located in the heart of Boston, equally close to renown historical and cultural institutions and museums, a wide variety of colleges and universities, as well as book publishers and government institutions. Many of Simmons’ internships and career opportunities and networking are possible because of our location and deep connections throughout the Boston community.
Fenway Park
Shops at Landmark Center
Whole Foods
Museum of Fine Arts
Huntington Avenue
Boylston Street
The Fens
Longwood Medical Area
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Application and Tuition
Children’s Literature
Admission Requirements
• Completed application form
• Non-refundable $35 application fee
• Current resume or CV
• Statement of purpose
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Creative portfolio (for dual degree Children’s Literature applicants)
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores for applicants whose first language is not English (waived if bachelor’s degree was taught in English)
Gender and Cultural Studies
Admission Requirements
• Completed application form
• Non-refundable $35 application fee
• Current resume or CV
• Statement of purpose
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Academic writing sample
• Short answers
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores for applicants whose first language is not English (waived if bachelor’s degree was taught in English)
Admission Requirements
• Completed application form
• Non-refundable $35 application fee
• Current resume or CV
• Statement of purpose
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Interview (required for Dual Library Science/History applicants; strongly recommended for History applicants)
• Academic writing sample
• Short answers
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores for applicants whose first language is not English (waived if bachelor’s degree was taught in English)
History
Admission Requirements
• Completed application form
• Non-refundable $35 application fee
• Current resume or CV
• Statement of purpose
• Official transcripts from all institutions attended
• 2 letters of recommendation
• Interview (required for Dual Library Science/History applicants; strongly recommended for History applicants)
• Academic writing sample
• Short answers
• TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo test scores for applicants whose first language is not English (waived if bachelor’s degree was taught in English)
Apply
Apply at simmons.edu/graduate-apply
Tuition and Fees
Tuition and fees vary across program and concentration. Learn more at: simmons.edu/go/graduate-tuition
Visit
The best way to get a feel for our graduate programs and the community is to visit our campus. The Admission Office offers a variety of visit options to suit your needs:
• Frequent information sessions at all of our campuses, as well as online
• Personal visits, including informational interviews with faculty, tours, an opportunity to speak with a Graduate Student Ambassador, and the option to sit in on a class
For information session dates and all visit requests, check our website: simmons.edu/grad/visit or contact us.
Chat with a Current Student
Chat with a current graduate student in the SLIS program of your choice at simmons.edu/ go/graduatestudent-chat Contact Us
Please contact graduate admission at ifilladm@simmons.edu or 617-5212915 if you have questions about the application process, a program, or the school.
Simmons University
Graduate Studies
300 The Fenway
Boston, MA 02115-5898
Phone: 617-521-2915
Email: ifilladm@simmons.edu
simmons.edu/graduate
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Simmons University prohibits sex discrimination in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns or questions to the University's Title IX Coordinator. Please see the University's Notice of Non-Discrimination (simmons. edu/go/non-discrimination) for information on how to report concerns or questions relating to sex discrimination.
