What it is
Curriculum & instruction is the study of what should be taught and how — designing curricula, improving teaching, choosing materials and assessments, and training teachers. It's the field behind instructional coordinators and curriculum specialists.
What you'll study
Primarily a graduate field for experienced educators:
- Master's (MEd/MA)Curriculum design, instructional theory, assessment, and educational research
- SpecializationsBy subject, grade band, or area (literacy, STEM, ed-tech)
- Doctorate (optional)For research, higher-ed, or senior district roles
Concentrations & focus areas
- Curriculum DesignBuilding programs of study
- Instructional CoachingDeveloping teachers
- Assessment & DataMeasuring learning
- Literacy / STEM SpecializationBy subject
- Educational TechnologyTech-enabled learning
- Instructional Design (corporate)Training beyond schools
Skills you'll build
- Curriculum designBuilding coherent learning
- Instructional expertiseEffective teaching methods
- Assessment literacyUsing data
- Coaching & trainingDeveloping teachers
- Research & analysisEvidence-based improvement
Careers & job titles
- Instructional coordinatorDistricts and schools
- Curriculum specialist / developerPrograms and publishers
- Instructional coachSupporting teachers
- Instructional designerCorporate/online learning
- Director of curriculumDistrict leadership
- Professor / researcherWith a doctorate
Job outlook & demand
Employment of instructional coordinators is projected to grow slowly (~1%), but the skills also transfer to the growing corporate/online instructional-design market. Roles typically require a master's and teaching experience.
Pay: median, range & trajectory
Per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), instructional coordinators had a median of $74,720 (range ~$46,560–$115,410) — above classroom teaching. Corporate instructional designers can earn more.
Degree levels it's offered at
Offered across these levels — click a level to learn about it:
A master's + teaching experience is the standard entry; a doctorate supports research and senior/higher-ed roles.
Is it right for you?
You might thrive here if you are an experienced teacher who loves the "how" of teaching, enjoys designing learning and coaching colleagues, and wants to shape education beyond one classroom.
Bonus: the same skills open instructional design in corporate and online learning — a growing, often higher-paid alternative to school-based roles.
Explore further
Keep exploring:
Key facts
- FocusDesigning curriculum & improving instruction
- DegreeMaster's + teaching experience (doctorate to advance)
- CareersInstructional coordinator, coach, curriculum director, instructional designer
- OutlookSlow growth in schools; growing in corporate ID (BLS)
- Pay$74,720 median (BLS); ~$47k–$115k
Where to learn more
Authoritative sources for careers and pay: