Graduate Certificates in Curriculum and Instruction

Why would I want a degree in curriculum and instruction?

A degree in curriculum and instruction is not for everyone, but it definitely is for those who are seriously interested in helping to improve curriculum and teaching methods in schools. If you already have an undergraduate degree in education, you love creating teaching materials, and you would like to update your teaching skills and salary, then getting a degree in curriculum and instruction would be a very good degree for you to consider.

What do curriculum and instruction professionals do?

Those who have a degree in curriculum and instruction are generally employed as instructional coordinators. Instructional coordinators are normally employed by educational institutions to design the curriculum, select textbooks, and train teachers.

Before a curriculum can be chosen, instructional coordinators must first evaluate the quality of the existing curriculum to see where its strengths and weaknesses are. Then they must develop a curriculum that addresses the weak points of the existing curriculum and make sure it conforms to the prescribed standards and regulations of the school board and the government (local, State and federal). A part of that process includes reviewing the latest text books and choosing text books for all grade levels.

Another big part of instructional coordinators’ jobs is to train teachers. Instructional coordinators must stay on top of the latest trends for teaching technologies and strategies. It is then the instructional coordinators’ job to convey this information to teachers. This may be done through memos, newsletters, or through onsite trainings.

In recent years, there has been an explosion in computers and educational software. Instructional coordinators also have the responsibility of reviewing these technologies and deciphering which ones would be appropriate for their institutions to be implementing into the classrooms. Since technology changes so quickly, it’s difficult for coordinators to always know what the latest technologies are and how to implement them, so they may invite experts to help integrate technological materials into the curriculum.

Some educational institutions may not have instructional coordinators on their staff, but they almost certainly have positions that are similar. Other titles that carry the same or similar responsibilities as instructional coordinators include:

• Curriculum Specialists
• Personnel Development Specialists
• Instructional Coaches
• Directors of Instructional Material

Generally speaking, all of these positions require the same level of education, and the salaries are all similar to that of an instructional coordinator.

How much do instructional coordinators make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for instructional coordinators in 2008 was $56,880. The middle 50 percent earned between $42,070 and $75,000. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $31,800, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $93,250. The factors that most heavily affect instructional coordinators’ salaries are their job locations, education levels, and work experience.

How popular are instructional coordinator jobs?

Instructional coordinator jobs are quite popular, and they will continue to be popular into the foreseeable future. The expected job growth rate for this profession is expected to grow by 23% through the year 2018, which is much faster than the average growth rate among all jobs. The factors spurring this growth include a heightened awareness to meet the demands of a changing society, an increased emphasis on education accountability, and an increased emphasis on lifelong learning.

How do I become an instructional coordinator?

In general, employers are looking for candidates who have at least an undergraduate degree in education, 5-7 years of teaching experience, and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction or in the specific field for which they are responsible, such as mathematics or history. Every employer and institution is different, though. If you have a targeted employer, then contact that employer for the specific requirements that they are looking for.