Pursuing a Degree in Curriculum Design

Curriculum design is a broad field that allows for the creation, revision and analysis of learning methods, curriculum and instruction within the school system. A unique and highly specialized career can emerge from this broad path in one of any number of the many branches under it, but they all serve the higher goal of increasing the quality of education.
 
Through analyzing, revising and developing learning processes, and the way knowledge is delivered in classrooms, a person certified in a field of curriculum design is prepared to help shape new paths for education instruction.

Subfields in Curriculum Design

While a bachelor’s degree is accepted for a job in the field of curriculum design, many prefer that a person have at the very least a master’s degree or higher. After that, the possibilities open up to include sub-fields in curriculum design, such as:
  • Classical Education Curriculum: Includes refining and restructuring curriculums as well as implementing new developmental technologies for standardized educational practices (i.e. redesigning and updating standardized materials)
  • Curriculum and Instruction for Special Education: Includes instructional methodology planning and development for persons with special educational needs (i.e. designing guidelines for teaching persons with handicaps)
  • Direct Instruction in Education: Includes specialized planning and instructional methodology planning for educational instruction (i.e. creating guidelines and suggested practices for teaching specific subjects)
  • Early Childhood Education Curriculum: Includes structuring educational plans for development of younger persons (i.e. classroom lesson and activities planning for pre-school or kindergarten students)
  • Education Curriculum: Includes designing and implementing new and better materials for educational systems (i.e. lesson planning and resource materials selection for classrooms)
  • Education Instruction: Includes defining, developing, planning and instructional methodology for educational instruction (i.e. creating guidelines for teaching in the classroom)
  • Elementary Education Curriculum Instruction and Assessment: Includes restructuring educational development and testing planning and structures for elementary level educational institutions (i.e. creating or refining testing and instructional systems for elementary teachers)
  • Physical Education Curriculum: Includes planning and implementing structures for healthy development of individuals (i.e. nutritional planning for students, improved cafeteria selections)
  • Special Education Curriculum: Includes creating specialized learning structures for persons with extra developmental needs and handicaps (i.e. designing supplements for deaf students).

Curriculum Design Job Outlook

Most students who undertake a degree in curriculum design will find it a rewarding path. With a master's degree, students will be prepared to enter a sub-field of curriculum design as a specialist in the area.
 
A degree in curriculum design also offers flexibility; curriculum design programs prepare students for state licensure exams, which they can then retake in any other state, depending on where they'd like to live over the course of their career.
 
With the flexible and rewarding work offered in the field of curriculum design, many students find it to be an excellent career path to follow.

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