20 Best Online Masters in Curriculum and Instruction

Your brain doesn’t turn off when some dean moves the tassel on your mortarboard from one side to the other. Common wisdom says that learning is a lifelong process and unbeholden to diplomas or minimum credit hours. For educators, it’s especially important to continue learning, as educational practices are continually revised and updated. That’s where the best online curriculum and instruction Master’s programs come in. They enhance the skill set of educators, enabling them to see the most successful ways to reach students, address the needs of a learning environment, and step up their game as educators in general. What Is a Curriculum and Instruction Master’s? Studying education as an undergrad and earning a teaching certificate covers the basics. A Master’s in curriculum and instruction is essentially advanced coursework that blends educational theory with practical guidance to enable educators to work at a higher level. As the University of Kansas puts it, â€Å"The curriculum you construct and use can have a profound effect on your students lives. By developing your strengths as an instructor and learning to build a stronger curriculum, you can give your students the best possible advantage.† Classes cover topics like multicultural education (important in an increasingly diverse nation), planning curriculum, data and tech literacy, assessing progress and providing feedback, and much more. Many degree programs provide specializations, such as STEM, early childhood education, English for non-native speakers, languages, literacy studies, and more. In some programs, students must select a concentration area, but others allow for a more general course of study. Requirements across programs can vary significantly; some programs require teaching experience and a teaching certificate while others require the GRE or the Praxis teaching test. Several offer thesis and practicum options. All of these degrees are earned online, though some schools offer hybrid programs that offer some in-person instruction. Generally speaking, online work is asynchronous, meaning you complete the coursework on your own schedule, while meeting assignment deadlines. The degree cost varies considerably; the 20 best online Master’s in curriculum and education programs range from $6,785 per academic year to $20,976. We calculated those numbers using tuition as a base and factor in financial aid opportunities. The average cost is $15,179, with a median of $15,635. Careers for a Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Universities tend to gear their degrees toward working teachers, particularly those looking to increase their seniority and earning power perhaps in a role like principal or other senior administrator. But the potential goes beyond that. Texas Tech notes the training is applicable for roles in government and business. Florida Atlantic University drops titles like curriculum specialist, professional development chair, assistant principal, adjunct instructor, and training specialist. Northwest Missouri State University adds corporate trainer. In short, a Master’s in curriculum and instruction can enhance teaching skills and lead to roles outside of the classroom. Numerous jobs can come from the degree, but perhaps the most obvious is instructional coordinator, which the Bureau of Labor Statistics defines as someone who â€Å"oversees school curriculums and teaching standards.† The BLS estimates there are 181,600 of those positions currently in the United States, with another 11,500 expected to be added by 2028. That’s a growth rate of 6%, roughly the average for all occupations in the U.S. Similar occupations include literacy instructors, school and career counselors, training and development managers, and librarians. Masters in Curriculum and Instruction Salary Potential Looking at Bureau of Labor Statistics information, instructional coordinators earn a median annual salary of $64,450, with the lowest 10 percent earning $36,360, and the highest 10 percent $102,200. The best paying jobs among instructional coordinators come from the government. Other notable related jobs include principals, who make a median annual salary of $95,310 per the BLS, versus the less than $60,000 median for elementary and high school teachers. Training and development managers pull in a median of $111,340, adult literacy instructors $53,630, librarians $59,050, and school and career counselors $56,310. No one ever said a career in education was a sure path to riches, but a Master’s in curriculum and instruction can certainly open up better opportunities. Some of the programs in our 20 best online Master’s in curriculum and instruction offer additional certificates—in technology or specific subject areas like math or English—that look good on a resume and can help with positions that require specialized training. What Are the Best Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Degrees? We know that you have educational goals that you’re itching to pursue, but you may not know where to start. The editors of College Rank utilize a unique ranking methodology based on the following three aspects: 40% Potential Salary After Graduation: Average mid-career salary of school alumni 30% Institutional Accreditation: Regional and national accreditation for the 2019-2020 school year   30% Overall Degree Affordability: Average cost of undergraduate and graduate tuition per school At College Rank, we strive to do our best to guide you and your family toward a fruitful academic career. The pursuit of knowledge is a noble one, and we want to help you reach your goals. For questions, comments, badge downloads, or data corrections, please feel free to reach out to us at editor@collegerank.net. 1Northwest Missouri State University LocationMaryville, MissouriAverage Net Price$11,778More Information Located about 20 miles south of the Iowa border and about 40 miles east of the Nebraska border, Maryville, MO, definitely lives up to the name of its hometown university, Northwest Missouri State. But if you’re interested in a Master’s in curriculum and instruction, chances are you won’t see the campus until commencement. That’s because Northwest Missouri’s degree is 100% online. Emphasizing â€Å"technology, change management, and student engagement,† the 10 courses in the 30-hour program include topics like Visionary School Leadership, Culture and Student Engagement, and Academic Inquiry. The curriculum breaks down into 15 credit hours of core courses and 15 credit hours of subject-field requirements. All classes last seven weeks, and the program can be completed in as little as 12 months. Getting into the Northwest Missouri is pretty simple: Applicants need a bachelor’s degree and a GPA of at least 2.75. Once accepted, they’ll need to complete a writing assessment. Also simple: payment. In-state and out-of-state students pay the same, $11,778, well under the $15,179 average for the top 20 best online Master’s programs in curriculum and instruction.