Various well-known universities in the US offer degrees in curriculum and instruction. Some of these top-tier universities include Stanford University, University of California-Los Angeles, Columbia University, Michigan State University, and the University of California-Berkeley, etc. These universities mostly offer graduate-level degrees in this subject, i.e., master and doctoral.
What Is Curriculum and Instruction?
Curriculum and Instruction degrees focus on teaching methods of curriculum development and pedagogy techniques that are highly effective in delivering that curriculum to the students. Typically, a degree in this subject prepares students to work in the field as educational specialists e.g., curriculum developers, curriculum supervisors, school/department heads, and so on).
What Can You Do with a Curriculum and Instruction Degree?
A degree in Curriculum and Instruction can get you entry-level or advanced-level jobs in various educational settings. Here are some of the possible careers with salary details. The salary data was reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Principals-Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary
To work in this advanced-level career, you must obtain a master’s degree with 5 or more years of work experience in the field. People in this line of work are required to plan, direct, coordinate, and implement all kinds of academic, administrative, or other related activities of kindergarten, elementary, or secondary schools.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $96,400 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 4% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $100,340 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | Texas | 29,960 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New York | $130,600 |
Instructional Coordinators
People who have earned at least a master’s degree in education with 5 or more years of experience in the field can work in this position. Instructional Coordinators are required to coordinate educational content and develop instructional materials. They must also implement technological advancement in developing curricula and conducting courses.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $66,290 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 6% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $69,180 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 20,910 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | District of Columbia | $96,640 |
High School Teachers-Secondary School Teachers
This position requires a relevant bachelor’s degree. Secondary School Teachers are typically required to teach one or more subjects to their students. They may teach subjects like English, Mathematics, or Social Studies, etc. at the secondary level in public/private schools.
| Annual Median Salary, 2019 | $61,660 | |
| Job Outlook, 2018-2028 | 4% | |
| Annual Mean Salary, 2019 | $65,930 | |
| State with the Highest Employment Level, 2019 | California | 109,840 |
| State with the Highest Salary, 2019 | New York | $87,240 |
What to Expect from a Curriculum and Instruction Degree?
Taking a look at the curriculum of any degree allows you to find out what you will learn from it and what kind of a job you can get with that degree. For example, the curriculum of Master of Arts in Curriculum & Teaching offered by the Teachers College at Columbia University has courses like,
- Principles of Teaching and Learning
- Curriculum Theory and History
- Designing Curriculum and Instruction
- Multicultural Approaches to Teaching Young Children, etc.
For details on the curriculum of a degree, please visit the official website of the desired university.
How to Choose a Curriculum and Instruction Degree?
While choosing a degree in Curriculum and Instruction, you must look at its curriculum’s relevance to your future goals, the accreditation of the degree, the reputation of an institution, mode of delivery (online/on-campus), requirements of admission and graduation, etc.
The graduation requirements vary for each degree and university. For instance, the Master of Arts in Curriculum & Teaching offered by the Teachers College at Columbia University requires its students to complete 32 credit hours to graduate.
Curriculum and Instruction Degree Admission Requirements
Each degree type has a different set of admission requirements. For example, if you want to apply for the Master’s Program in Curriculum Studies and Teacher Education (CTE) offered by the Graduate School of Education at the Stanford University, you must submit an online application with;
- Application fee
- Statement of Purpose
- CV/Resume
- 3 letters of recommendation
- College/University transcripts
- GRE scores
- TOEFL scores (for international applicants)
For specific details on a degree, please see the official website of the selected university.