Bachelor in Curriculum and Instruction
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the education sector, having a degree in curriculum and instruction might be useful. These programs are designed to provide you with instructions in curriculum design and development. You may get a chance to learn about the latest trends in teaching that may help you become a curriculum specialists or instructional technologist. Curriculum and instruction programs may also help you get to know how to train teachers and evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of curriculum specialists is expected to grow by 13% between 2012 and 2022.
Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction
Curriculum and instruction programs are offered at the undergraduate as well as graduate level. Students can work towards a bachelor's degree that may take 4 years to complete or a master's program that generally span over 1-2 years. The enrollment status of the students will help to determine the duration of a program.
A bachelor in curriculum and instruction degree can provide learners with the basics of curriculum design and development while the master's degree can help them gain in-depth knowledge in the field. The master's degree may help candidates get to know how to develop, and implement standards-based instruction which may allow learners to achieve their highest potential.
Program Coursework
Students may take courses in instructional theory, financing educational systems, legal issues in education and curriculum design among other subjects. Classes are also available in language and literacy learning, foundations of reading, diagnosis and remediation, global and multicultural education and educational policy and leadership.
Some curriculum and instruction programs may provide students with a chance to focus their degree on a particular area within the field such as educational technology, literacy and educational leadership.
Online Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction
There are a number of distance learning schools that offer degrees in curriculum and instruction that may allow a student to work towards a degree program without setting foot on campus. Thanks to the internet and other online learning technologies, all an online student now requires is an internet connection and a computer. He/she can study from any location, any time and earn a degree without making major changes to his/her daily routine.
Admissions Requirements
Students who want to pursue a degree in curriculum design and development need to hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. They may also have to provide letters of recommendation and appear for an interview. It is worth reminding here that admission requirements may differ from school to school.
Employment Opportunities
Curriculum specialists can work in professional schools, elementary and secondary schools, educational support services as well as universities. The professional life of curriculum specialists is not easy however, they are required to work round the year and have no summer holidays. Their income may vary by location, experience and qualification. The BLS reported that the median annual wage of instructional coordinators in 2012 was $60,050.