All About Curriculum Design: Degree Options and Career Paths

What Is Curriculum Design?

Curriculum designers play an important role in school systems, shaping the education plans of students and staff members alike. Curriculum specialists perform a wide range of duties, including:

• Developing school curricula
• Selecting textbooks and classroom learning materials
• Training teachers
• Evaluating school programs for adherence to federal education requirements
• Aiding in implementing new technology in the classroom

Curriculum designers working with grades K through 12 often specialize in a specific subject like reading, science, or math. At the college level and beyond, curriculum specialists more commonly work with staff members, developing training programs to enhance their skills and performance.

Curriculum designers are also known as:

• Instructional coordinators
• Curriculum specialists
• Personnel development specialists
• Instructional coaches
• Directors of instructional material

Why Pursue a Degree in Curriculum Design?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), curriculum specialists are expected to see "much faster-than-average" job growth during the 2006 to 2016 time period. As schools become more concerned with providing a quality education for students, as well as meeting federal education requirements, the demand for instructional coordinators will continue to grow.

The BLS predicts that job opportunities will be good for all curriculum designers, but particularly keen for those specializing in math, reading, and science. In addition to excellent job prospects, U.S. News and World Report named this one of the best careers for 2009 because of its relatively low stress, rewarding work, and job security.

The average annual salary for instructional coordinators, as of 2008, was $59,780, with the top ten percent earning $93,250.

What's Special About an Online Degree in Curriculum Design?

Online education can provide a number of benefits for students, especially those who plan to continue working while pursuing their degree. An online degree program may provide advantages like video conferencing, discussion chat rooms, individual conferencing with professors, and other technological advances that make online education increasingly popular among students. Pursuing a curriculum design degree online gives students the option of attending part-time or full-time, and offers flexible scheduling.

What Kind of Degree is Required for Curriculum Specialists?

Most instructional coordinators hold a Master's degree, usually in education. This is considered a minimum requirement for jobs in public schools and in most other settings. Many curriculum specialists work as teachers or education administrators before becoming curriculum specialist.

Putting Your Degree to Work: A Day in the Life of a Curriculum Designer

Once you have your curriculum design degree, what will your working life look like? Because curriculum designers can perform such a wide variety of duties, it will depend on your specific position, but here are some examples of what you might do in a day:

• Review textbooks for adherence to federal education requirements
• Develop lesson plans for classrooms covering basic skills of a particular subject matter
• Lead a workshop for teachers to upgrade their skills for using the Internet in their classrooms
• Work with administrators to select appropriate lesson plans and school textbooks

Curriculum design is a special career path for those with a passion for education. With the right training, you can pursue a rewarding career as a curriculum specialist, and enjoy the many benefits this profession has to offer.