by our College Data Analytics TeamA major in Curriculum & Instruction will give you the tools required to become a Curriculum Specialist. Students will focus on material currently being taught in schools, how it should be taught, and how it aligns to state standards. You will learn the most effective methods of tailoring learning to make it more effective for various subjects, grade levels, and ability levels. You will also learn how to measure the success of curriculums and how they can be improved.
Along with core courses and some education courses, you may take curriculum application, curriculum planning, curriculum evaluation, and curriculum design.
Studying Curriculum & Instruction covers Curriculum And Instruction. Continue reading for the essential details every curriculum & instruction student should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering curriculum & instruction programs.
Nationwide, curriculum & instruction is a widely-pursued major, with 21,331 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Curriculum & Instruction Schools ranking analyzes these 418 schools to determine the best overall colleges for curriculum & instruction students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of curriculum & instruction programs later in this article.
Coursework for Curriculum & Instruction develop a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations curriculum & instruction graduates commonly enter.
Those interested in developing curriculum and instruction should be up to date on current teaching strategies and the constantly changing classroom environment. This is so that you can enhance curriculum with your educational expertise and content knowledge.
To be successful in this field, organization, time management and multi-tasking are important qualities. Part of the job includes arranging professional development opportunities for teachers. It will also be your task to train teachers to adjust to the latest technology in their classroom and help them learn how to implement new teaching strategies. You will be a key support in many teachers' lives and will be responsible to help them improve their skills. You cannot be easily intimidated by headstrong teachers; instead you need to be flexible and creative in order to appeal to even the most seasoned teacher. Another task you will manage is the evaluation of the curriculum and teaching methods based on analyzing student test data.
This major appeals to those passionate about learning and education, but who want to take a behind-the-scenes position. As a Curriculum & Instruction major, you will stay up to date with the latest state standards and learn methods of teaching the new standards to those in the education field.
The skill set developed in a curriculum & instruction program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a curriculum & instruction major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several curriculum & instruction degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 6 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 38 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 19,479 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 1,808 |
People currently working in careers related to curriculum & instruction tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Doctoral degree | 44.0% |
| Master’s degree | 35.2% |
| Bachelor’s degree | 13.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 5.6% |
| First professional degree | 2.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 0.1% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in curriculum & instruction careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
A Curriculum Coordinator will work in a school district and may be hired for specific grade levels or subjects. This will allow you to tailor professional development classes for your particular area. Most school districts will require at least a master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction and some may require a master's degree in your content area. Also, many districts require a minimum number of years as a classroom teacher before becoming a curriculum coordinator.
A degree in curriculum & instruction can lead to a variety of career paths. Here are some of the most common occupations related to curriculum & instruction.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to curriculum & instruction.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Instructional Coordinators | 1,448,345 | -1.3% |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | 1,441,246 | 2.4% |
The U.S. Department of Education tracks median earnings of curriculum & instruction graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. Earnings tend to climb as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $58,665 |
| 4 years | $57,335 |
| 5 years | $63,055 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for curriculum & instruction graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers curriculum & instruction grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $98,329 |
| Instructional Coordinators | $40,936 |
With 418 different curriculum & instruction programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased curriculum & instruction school rankings to help you.
Students interested in curriculum & instruction, you may also want to explore other closely related fields of study within the same broad area.
| Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and Instruction | 21,331 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
