As educational accountability becomes more important to online, traditional and corporate schools, the demand for educational professionals trained in curriculum design is quickly rising. The academic solution to this problem is a Master’s in Education with a specialization in curriculum design. This unique degree provides students with the tools necessary to plan and formulate comprehensive curricula while improving delivery methods in the process.
Program Outcomes
Programs that prepare students to become curriculum designers will train them how to assess state and national academic standards to understand how these impact the development and implementation of curricula. Students will learn how to promote, organize and execute potential curriculum ideas through project management courses. Instruction on how to analyze traditional curriculum tools and structures will enable students to identify weaknesses, opportunities and best practices. After graduation, students will be familiar with current academic standards, curriculum formatting techniques and regulatory requirements. Curriculum design classes will train students how to create original content and align it with student learning requirements and the common core standards.
Core Classes
Programs that teach curriculum design will generally start out with courses in curriculum development, so students will know how to create effective and creative educational content. Some programs use traditional methods, while others focus on modern concepts, such as the understanding by design (UBD) concept. An educational assessment class will increase evaluative competency by analyzing current standards of gauging student progress and performance. This class usually involves design assessment projects that require them to make instructional decisions and recommendations for curriculum improvement. One of the required classes for this degree is a communication course that teaches how to prepare and present factual information that persuades decision makers.
Curriculum Designer Duties
Curriculum designers learn valuable job skills during their Master’s in Education program that will help them excel in their future careers. They will build an advanced set of skills related to research, teaching, organization and administration. Because curriculum designers manage the curriculum review process, assignments will challenge them to evaluate how well real-world schools succeed with assessments, learning methods and program outcomes. Other coursework will require them to choose the most appropriate learning strategies for particular schools or programs. During their degree, students will be challenged to make difficult decisions, such as evaluating learning materials to be purchased, and technology related decisions, such as how to implement new learning platforms.
Future Jobs
Students who have a graduate level degree in education may go on to become curriculum specialist, coordinators and consultants. Other potential job titles include staff development manager and administrator of instructional material. There are employment opportunities in public schools, colleges and private educational organizations. These positions will most likely require state teaching licensure. Almost every type of government agency will employ curriculum designers, such as transportation, human services and law enforcement departments. Many curriculum designers find work in international businesses as managers of corporate training programs. Companies that specialize in developing educational materials always are on the lookout for talented curriculum designer.
Graduates of Master’s in Education in Curriculum Design programs will play critical roles in improving learning methods, educational standards and development enhancement techniques.
