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Children’s Book Writing

Specialized Certificate

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About the Children’s Book Writing Program

Courses

Delivery Method
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  • Live Online
  • In-Person
  • Online
  • Hybrid
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Information Session

(Learn more about the program in a free, online Information Session)

Children's Book Illustration & Writing Programs - Information SessionINFO-70117

Units: 0.00

Free

Interested in learning more about breaking into the field of Children s Book illustration or Writing? In this free, on-demand Information Session, learn more about the Children s Book Illustration an...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Required Courses

12 units

Writing for Children I: IntroductionWCWP-40186

Units: 3.00

$425

Have you ever told yourself that someday you will write a children s book? Now s your chance! Join us as we demystify the writing process and examine the wide variety of books offered to children: pi...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Writing for Children II: IntermediateWCWP-40315

Units: 3.00

$425

Revision is the key to improving your work to reach the next level: publication. But often the hardest part is to figure out which words to cut, which to leave in, and how to tighten up the rest. Thi...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

History of Children's LiteratureLIT-40093

Units: 3.00

$425

Gain a deep understanding of the history of children s literature by studying classics of post-enlightenment writing for children. This course provides children s book writers, illustrators and enthus...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Final Required Course

(All other Required Courses and Electives must be completed first)

Getting Published: Navigating the Children's Book MarketART-40636

Units: 3.00

$425

#blankSection {display:none !important;} Getting Published: Navigating the Children s Book MarketCourse Overview This final, required course in the Children s Book Illustration Certificate and Childr...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Winter

Electives

Min 6 units required (Offerings subject to change. Certificate students must follow Matrix as listed in their MyExtension account.)

Writing Children's Picture BooksWCWP-40261

Units: 3.00

$425

Let the wild rumpus begin! Do you dream of imaginary lands and mythical creatures? Learn how to inspire a child s imagination by giving them the tools necessary to explore the world around them. The ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Writing for the Middle Grade/YA ReaderWCWP-40274

Units: 3.00

$425

Discover how successful middle grade and young adult books are crafted, and begin to plot out and write a tale of your own. In this course, we will consider how a plot works, what makes a compelling ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Writing Non-Fiction and Informational Books for ChildrenWCWP-40327

Units: 3.00

$425

The market for children s nonfiction and informational books and articles has never been better. In this course, which can be taken by those familiar with writing for children and those just beginnin...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Children's Book Illustration I: Thinking in PicturesART-40634

Units: 3.00

$425

Children s Book Illustration I: Thinking in PicturesDo you have an idea for a children s book? Or have you always wondered how to make a story come alive through art? Learn to create stories through ...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Courses of Interest

(Not required/Does not count toward certificate)

Adobe IllustratorART-40527

Units: 3.00

$595

Adobe Illustrator 9 Weeks | $595 | OnlineLearn the industry-standard professional vector drawing program Adobe Illustrator. In this graphic design training course, students will gain practical experi...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Adobe InDesignART-40533

Units: 3.00

$595

Adobe InDesign 9 Weeks | $595 | OnlineLearn to use Adobe InDesign, a comprehensive page layout software, in conjunction with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator to create various kinds of publications an...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Adobe PhotoshopART-40311

Units: 3.00

$595

Adobe Photoshop I: Introduction 9 Weeks | $595 | OnlineAn introduction to Adobe Photoshop, the imaging software application used by professional graphic artists to create and modify images for use in...

Upcoming Start Dates:
Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Additional Information

For further information about this program, please enroll in the online on-demand Children’s Book Writing & Illustration Program Information Session. Questions about our classes or certificates? Contact our department at 858-534-5760 or ahl@ucsd.edu.

Conditions for Admission

Students should have a basic knowledge of English grammar and be comfortable using computers (PC or Mac).

Please see the application for specific admission requirements for this program.

Although a college degree or professional experience in the field are not required, applicants with such experience may receive preference for admission when program capacity is limited.

Current UCSD students may be considered for admission depending on their academic and career focus and educational performance.

Certificate Guidelines

The Specialized Certificate in Children's Book Writing can be completed in 3-6 quarters (taking 1-2 courses per quarter). Tuition is $395-595 per course.

About online courses

  • Online courses in this certificate are led by live instructors, but students may view lectures according to their own schedules. There are no set lecture dates or times; however, students will be required to meet weekly assignment deadlines, participate in critiques, and contribute to discussion topics.
  • Online students should expect to spend four to six hours per week per course.
  • Online students must provide their own software.

Advisory Board

Joy Chu, B.F.A.

Principal, Joy Chu Designs; Instructor

UC San Diego Extension

Edith Fine, B.A.

Author

Deborah Halverson

Author, Editor

Seth Lerer, Ph.D

Dean, Arts and Humanities

UC San Diego

Annika Nelson, B.A.

Artist, Instructor; Program Manager

UC San Diego Extension

Annika Nelson, B.A.

Associate Director

UC San Diego Extension

Brian Selznick

Author

Kelly Sonnack, B.A.

Agent

Andrea Brown Literary Agency

Peter Thomas, M.A., Ed.M.

Assoc. Director, Arts, Humanities, Languages, Digital Arts

UC San Diego Extension

Blair Thornley, B.F.A.

Painter, Animator; Instructor

UC San Diego Extension

Sarah Tomp, M.F.A.

Author, Instructor

UC San Diego Extension

Andrea Zimmerman

Author, Instuctor

UC San Diego Extension

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This certificate requires an application before taking any courses. There will be a $0 fee to apply to this program. Students will also be required to pay a $95 certificate fee upon enrollment into the program after acceptance. View the complete Certificate Registration and Candidacy Guidelines.