Online Curriculum and Instruction Degree Programs

A campus or online curriculum and instruction degree may also be referred to by other terms for example curriculum design degree or curriculum development degree.

The goal of curriculum designers is to determine what to teach and how to teach the instructional content. Students who study towards a curriculum and instruction degree will learn how instruction should be provided, based on pre-determined designs in formal classroom settings. They will also lean how exams are prepared and administered. Such tests should be designed in such a way that it provides an accurate indication of the aptitude of students and their understanding of the material that is taught in the classroom. Curricula have existed for many years as a means for standardizing the way in which ideas are developed in classroom settings. The instructors are responsible for ensuring that each child is exposed to similar concepts in every school. Individuals who earn a degree in Curriculum and Instruction will be able to design a curriculum for instruction in the classroom.

Locate Teacher Certification Programs in your area

Search Online Teacher Education Degree Programs

Selected Online Curriculum and Instruction Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• Doctor of Education/Curriculum and Instruction
• MA in Education/Curriculum and Instruction
• MA in Education/Curriculum and Instruction-English and Language Arts Education
• MA in Education/Curriculum and Instruction-ESL
• MA in Education/Curriculum and Instruction-Mathematics Education

Capella University

• EdS - Curriculum and Instruction
• MS - Curriculum and Instruction
• PhD - Curriculum and Instruction
• PhD - Instructional Design for Online Learning

Walden University

• Doctor of Education - Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment (K-12)
• Ed.S. in Curriculum, Instruction and Professional Development
• M.S. Ed - Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment (Grades K-12)
• Ph.D. in Education - KAM-based - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment
• Ph.D. in Education - Mixed-Model - Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

Jones International University

• M.Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure
• M.Ed. in Secondary Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment
• M.Ed. in Secondary Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment: Teacher Licensure
• M.Ed. in Elementary Curriculum, Instruction & Assessment

Grand Canyon University

• M.Ed. Curriculum & Instruction: Technology
• M.Ed.: Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Elementary Education (No IR, No Cert.)
• M.Ed.: Curriculum and Instruction: Reading - Secondary Education (No IR, No Cert.)

Western Governors University

• M.A. in Mathematics Education (K-6, 5-9, or 5-12)
• M.A. in Science Education (5-12, Biological Science)
• M.A. in Science Education (5-12, Chemistry)
• M.A. in Science Education (5-12, Geosciences)
• M.A. in Science Education (5-12, Physics)
• M.A. in Science Education (5-9)
• M.A. in Teaching (K-8)
• M.A. in Teaching - Mathematics (5-9 or 9-12)
• M.A. in Teaching - Science (5-9 or 9-12)
• M.A. in Teaching - Social Science (5-12)

American InterContinental University Online

• Master's of Education (M.Ed.) in Curriculum and Instruction

Northcentral University - Graduate

• Curriculum and Teaching - C.A.G.S. in Education
• Curriculum and Teaching - Master of Education

Online Curriculum and Instruction Degree Education and Training

Four aspects are involved in this degree program, namely curriculum for transmitting a subject for understanding, curriculum as praxis, curriculum as a process and curriculum as a way to educate pupils. Practical, productive and theoretical disciplines are also explored in this degree program. These degrees are vital as they help to prepare and standardize the information relayed to students.

Individuals seeking an online curriculum and instruction degree may receive Associates, Bachelors, Masters or PhD degree in Curriculum and Instruction. A doctorate degree may be pursued specializing in this field. For this, one needs to be innovative and think critically. Individuals with this kind of qualification are equipped to manage curricula, instruction and assessment processes. Educational leaders are helped to facilitate learning in culturally diverse settings. Several online schools offer this program.

Courses taught in the online curriculum and instruction degree program include doctoral program orientation seminars, communication strategies, critical thinking and creative thinking, curriculum theory, research design, assessment of learner education, doctoral dissertation and annual renewal residency and more. Students will learn to design lessons for instruction as well as exams that adhere to standards of education. Some of the programs may or may not prepare the students for certification standards.

Other curriculum and instruction courses may include research design, instructor evaluation techniques, teacher support, and observation and analysis of teaching methods. Most curriculum designers specialize in a specific content area for example language arts, social studies, mathematics, and science.

Curriculum and Instruction Careers

Good communication skills, organizational skills, management skills and strategy skills are all important qualities that an education administrator should possess. These individuals are responsible for managing teachers and other personnel. Counselors, administrative assistants, librarians, coaches and technical staff may all form part of the group, which is managed by an educational administrator. In universities where records and budgets are the responsibility of different administrators, the educational administrator would manage them too.

Another term for educational administrator is a school principal. A principal can manage an elementary school, middle school, or a high school. Devising vision and mission statements as well as setting curriculum standards are some of the responsibilities of a school principal. They also have to hire staff and teachers. Objectives have to be set for teachers and performance reviews have to be done.

Most of these teachers specialize in their fields of study, for instance sciences, English or mathematics. They have to coordinate schedules and propose budgets to the school board. Applicants have to be recruited, interviewed and hired. The faculty must be evaluated and development must be encouraged. The principal would usually serve on a number of committees.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

In the United States curriculum designers with a curriculum and instruction degree or related area of study earn a median salary of between $58,070 and $61,109. The national annual median wage for a graduate with a PhD. program in curriculum and instruction ranges from $61,715 to $132,967. Kindergarten, middle school, elementary and secondary school teachers in public schools earn an average of $50,000-$55,000 depending on the age level taught. Elementary and secondary school administrators, for example school principals, assistant principals and school administrators, earn an annual average of $87,390, while instructional coordinators earn $61,270. Between 2006 and 2016, the job market for curriculum designers is expected to increase by 22% according U.S. Department of Labor (BLS) projections.

Online curriculum and instruction degree programs and online teaching degree programs