Curriculum and Instruction.

Degree Overview

Curriculum and Instruction (CIP 13.0301) is the "engine room" of the educational system. While a general teaching degree focuses on the day-to-day delivery of lessons, a degree in Curriculum and Instruction (C&I) focuses on the science and design of learning. It explores what students should learn (curriculum) and the most effective ways to teach it (instruction). This field combines educational psychology, data analysis, and creative design to build learning experiences that are engaging, equitable, and effective.

This degree is ideal for educators who want to move beyond their own classroom to influence how entire subjects or grade levels are taught. It is a path for leaders who are passionate about pedagogical theory, standards alignment, and the pursuit of "best practices" in education.

What Is a Curriculum and Instruction Degree?

A Curriculum and Instruction degree focuses on the systematic design of educational programs. It bridges the gap between state standards and the actual materials used by students. Professionals in this field analyze student data to identify learning gaps and then develop specialized strategies—such as differentiated instruction or STEM integration—to close those gaps. It is essentially the "blueprint" for how a school or organization achieves its learning goals.

Schools offer this degree to:

• Train "Lead Teachers" and department heads to mentor their colleagues
• Prepare Instructional Coordinators to oversee district-wide subject areas
• Develop curriculum writers who can create textbooks and digital learning resources
• Research how cultural, social, and technological changes should alter what we teach

This structure balances high-level educational theory with the practical skills needed to manage classroom change.

What Will You Learn?

Students in these programs learn to dissect the learning process, moving from the broad "scope and sequence" of a subject down to the specific mechanics of a single assessment.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Most students learn to:

• Design standards-aligned curricula that ensure vertical and horizontal alignment
• Analyze standardized test data to identify instructional weaknesses
• Implement differentiated instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners
• Evaluate and select textbooks, software, and other educational materials
• Coach and mentor other teachers on new pedagogical strategies
• Conduct "action research" to test the effectiveness of new teaching methods

Topics You May Explore

Depending on the program's focus, coursework often includes:

• Advanced Educational Psychology and Learning Theory
• Curriculum Mapping and Design Principles
• Assessment Literacy and Data-Informed Practices
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Classroom
• Instructional Technology and Digital Literacy
• Leadership and Supervision of Instruction
• Research Methods in Education
• Specialized Subject Pedagogy (e.g., Literacy, Mathematics, or STEAM)

This curriculum transforms a teacher into a specialist who understands the "why" and "how" of educational success.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A degree in Curriculum and Instruction is a powerful "ladder" degree, opening doors to leadership and specialized roles both inside and outside of schools.

Common job roles include:

• Instructional Coordinator or Curriculum Specialist
• K-12 Lead Teacher or Department Chair
• Curriculum Developer or Content Writer
• Instructional Coach or Academic Coach
• Education Consultant
• Corporate Trainer or Learning & Development Specialist
• ESL/ESOL Program Coordinator
• Museum Education Director

Many graduates use this degree to move into "District Office" roles where they oversee a specific subject area for dozens of schools at once.

Where Can You Work?

Professionals in this field are found anywhere that structured learning takes place:

• Public and Private K–12 School Districts
• Colleges and Universities (Teacher Education programs)
• Educational Publishing Companies (Textbook and digital content)
• Educational Technology (EdTech) Firms
• Government Agencies (State Departments of Education)
• Non-profit Educational Organizations and Foundations
• Corporate Human Resources (Employee training and onboarding)
• Museums and Science Centers

These environments value the ability to turn complex standards into simple, effective learning pathways.

How Much Can You Earn?

Salaries in C&I are generally higher than standard teaching salaries because these roles often require a Master's degree and involve leadership responsibilities.

• Curriculum Specialists and Instructional Coordinators typically earn between $60,000 and $75,000, with top earners in large districts reaching over $100,000.
• Instructional Designers (especially in the corporate sector) earn an average of $70,000 to $95,000.
• Lead Teachers often receive a "stipend" or a higher salary tier, typically earning $5,000 to $10,000 more than their base teaching pay.
• Curriculum Directors at the district level can earn between $90,000 and $130,000.

Because many of these roles are "administrator" or "specialist" positions, they often come with 11-month or 12-month contracts rather than the traditional 9-month teacher schedule.

Is This Degree Hard?

The academic work is highly rewarding for those who enjoy reading, writing, and analyzing data. It is "hard" in the sense that it requires a shift in mindset: you have to stop thinking about your own classroom and start thinking about how a system works. You will spend a lot of time looking at spreadsheets, alignment charts, and research papers.

Success requires strong interpersonal skills, as much of your job involves convincing other teachers to change the way they have been teaching for years.

Degree Levels and Learning Formats

This is one of the most popular graduate-level education degrees in the United States:

• Master’s degrees (M.Ed. or M.A.) are the industry standard for coordinators and coaches.
• Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degrees provide advanced training for district-level leadership.
• Doctoral degrees (Ph.D. or Ed.D.) focus on creating new educational theories and training future teachers at universities.

Most C&I programs are designed for working teachers and are offered fully online or in hybrid formats. Many districts even provide "tuition reimbursement" for teachers who pursue this degree because it directly improves the school's performance.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a good fit if you:

• Love the "planning" part of teaching more than the "performing" part
• Are a "data person" who likes to see evidence that a strategy is working
• Want to be a mentor or leader for other educators
• Are frustrated by outdated textbooks and want to build something better
• Are interested in how psychology and technology change the way we learn
• Want a career that offers a path into the corporate or non-profit worlds

It is the perfect path for the "educational engineer" who wants to build the systems that help every student reach their potential.

How to Prepare in High School

If you are interested in the "behind-the-scenes" of education, you can start preparing now:

• Volunteer as a tutor to see how different students learn the same material
• Take classes in Psychology, Sociology, and Statistics
• Practice "technical writing"—explain a complex process in a simple, step-by-step guide
• Join leadership clubs like National Honor Society or Student Council
• Pay attention to the digital tools your teachers use and think about how they could be better

You do not need to be a teacher yet to appreciate the power of a good plan. A love for learning, a knack for organization, and a desire to help others succeed are the most important tools you can bring to this field.