Rising enrollment across elementary, secondary, and postsecondary schools will boost growth in employment of education-related jobs through 2028. About 513,000 new jobs are expected in that period.
Instructional coordinators use their advance knowledge of teaching pedagogies and methods to design curriculums and teaching standards. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 6% within the next decade.
According to the National Council on Teacher Quality, 88% of the largest U.S. school districts offer additional pay to teachers who hold an advanced degree. This is either in the form of a stipend or annual pay increases.
For this list, we focused our research on master’s degrees in curriculum and instruction. The most common types of degrees available in this field are Master of Education (M.Ed), Master of Science (MS), and Master of Arts (MA).
All programs are offered by schools that have regional accreditation. Many programs also have specialized accreditations for educational programs through the Council for the Accreditation of Educational Programs (CAEP). These accreditations ensure that programs meet the high standards of quality for postsecondary education.
We specifically sought programs that can be completed entirely or primarily through online coursework. These programs are accessible to the greatest number of students regardless of geographic location or schedule.
Our researchers evaluated the programs based on their reputation, outcomes, cost, flexibility, and faculty. Using this information, we calculated the Intelligent Score of each program on a scale from 0 to 100. For a more extensive explanation, check out Our Ranking Methodology.
Master’s programs in curriculum and instruction are designed to teach educators how to enhance their theoretical and practical approaches to teaching and develop curriculums that adhere to the most advanced teaching standards and practices. Generally, individuals seeking master’s in curriculum and instruction degrees are already practicing teachers.
A major consideration is whether a program leads to teaching licensure or certification. Some programs lead to professional credentials, while others are designed for teachers who already have their licensure or certification. Review the program’s eligibility requirements carefully to ensure that you select a program for which you are qualified.
Each state sets its own regulations for teaching credentials, so if you are pursuing a master’s in curriculum and instruction as a way to obtain credentials, be sure you select a program that fulfills your state’s education requirements.
Whether a program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educational Programs (CAEP) is a consideration if you are planning to pursue teaching licensure or certification. Employers and certification boards typically want candidates who graduated from an accredited program.
Depending on your career goals, there may be other master’s programs in education that are of interest to you, including a master’s of education administration, master’s of educational leadership, or master’s of higher education.
Here are some questions to ask when researching Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction programs:
This is also an ideal time to begin collecting your application materials as well as confirm the application deadlines and procedures for the programs that interest you. Financing your graduate degree is another important consideration. Options for financial aid include student loans, scholarships, assistantships, and employer tuition assistance if you are currently working.