Curriculum & Instruction Masters & PhD Programs Online

Whether you’re looking to advance your career or simply enhance your knowledge, Online Programs in Curriculum and Instruction are designed to meet your needs and exceed your expectations. Take the first step towards achieving your goals!

What Are Online Curriculum and Instruction Graduate Programs?

Online curriculum and instruction graduate programs could prepare you to help mold a new generation’s education. As part of these programs, you may learn to design innovative instructional methods and evolve educational best practices to address the needs of a diverse student body. And by taking these courses online, you could tackle this worthy goal from the comfort of your home. For current educators, this might be a great way to balance work and your graduate education, immediately applying new teachings methods in your classroom.

Online programs in curriculum and instruction are a great opportunity for students to strengthen their educational planning. You could learn to address the specific needs of at risk students through curriculum development and adjustment. Or you might use new research to enhance the instruction of different age groups. By developing new techniques, students may be able to create and implement improved teaching methods in a classroom or throughout an entire school district. To help you confidently take on this task, schools may offer programs designed to address current challenges in today’s education system.

Depending on your program, you could encounter some of the following curriculum:

• Holistic instructional supervision
• Professional development
• Educational leadership
• Curriculum creation
• Analysis and application of standardized assessment data

While these courses may be offered across varying graduate program levels, it’s important to note that the depth of study might differ. For example, both a master’s and doctoral degree may study curriculum creation. It’s safe to assume, though, that the doctoral program covers more advanced concepts than the masters program. Course offerings vary by institution. Check with your intended program for more information.

How long does it take to complete a curriculum and instruction graduate program?

Students may take 18 months to 1 year to complete a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. This may differ from school-to-school, but some universities offer an accelerated program to complete it sooner.

What type of courses are a part of a curriculum and instruction graduate degree?

Courses differ based on what the student hopes to focus their studies on, but some include holistic instructional supervision, curriculum creation, and educational leadership. Some may also take professional development programs and analysis and application of standardized assessment data classes.

Potential Benefits of Online Programs in Curriculum and Instruction

By pursuing a graduate program online, you could gain convenient access to your education. This format enables students to log into their classes when and where their schedule allows it. This could be a perfect option for current educators! While teaching, your days might be heavily scheduled with classes, meetings, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities. Pursuing a curriculum and instruction degree online, you could sign into your classes after you’ve completed your other tasks. Or, wait until the weekend when you have less obligations. Plus you may be exposed to leading educational technology, experience which may prove useful in your career.

Choosing an Online Curriculum and Instruction Graduate Program

Searching for online curriculum and instruction graduate programs may present you with many options to choose from. You might find potential programs at the master’s, doctoral, and graduate certificate levels. The next question is, “How do you choose?” Now might be a great time to solidify your academic expectations and education goals to help you narrow down prospective programs. Consider some of the following questions to help refine your graduate search:

• How long do I want my degree program to take?
• Do I want a want a holistic education or a concise one?
• What do I want to do with my degree after graduation?

Your answers might help determine which of the below programs is perfect for your lifestyle and educational pursuits. Keep reading for a more in-depth look into some possible online curriculum and instruction graduate degrees. Then continue down the page to browse program listings and make your selection.

Online Curriculum and Instruction Masters Programs

Online curriculum and instruction masters programs may award several different degrees. It is common for these programs to be offered as a masters of science (MS), master of education (MEd), or a master of arts (MA). Though teaching strategies may vary between these programs, each focuses on helping students address the learning needs of a diverse school population. Many programs also offer in-classroom opportunities to test your developing skills and knowledge. This may be a great way to see your instructional methods in action and how your coursework directly affects students! Your online school will likely help coordinate this semester long work-study. With this coursework in mind, students could potentially earn a masters degree in 2 years. Program lengths vary by school.

Since masters programs tackle both academics and in-classroom techniques, admissions aim to assess students on both fronts. Students may be required to submit a 2.7 to 3.0 undergraduate GPa in addition to GRE exam scores. Also, programs typically request teaching portfolios or samples of previous work. Programs vary, so contact schools directly for details.

Online Curriculum and Instruction Doctoral Programs

Online curriculum and instruction doctoral degree programs are a final form of study that tackle advanced curriculum coursework. As you begin your search for a program, you may find that doctoral programs are offered as a doctorate of philosophy (PhD) or education (EdD). These programs each cover similar coursework, and engage with the historical, philosophical, and theoretical aspects of curriculum and instructional. Students may also be encouraged to partake in faculty, or self-run, research. This hands-on learning tool could be a great chance to develop and study the effects of new teaching methods. More importantly, research might act as practice for potential careers that focus on curriculum creation and implementation.

Due to the comprehensive academic nature of doctoral programs and the typical dissertation requirement, it may take longer to earn a degree as opposed to other graduate programs. Students could potentially graduate in 4 to 7 years. Program lengths vary by school.

Likewise, admissions requirements want to assess your ability to manage the extensive course load. To do so, students may be required to submit a 3.0 undergraduate or a 3.5 graduate GPA, in addition to GRE exam scores.

Online Curriculum and Instruction Certificate Programs

Online curriculum and instruction certificate programs are designed for the current educator looking to expand their teaching repertoire. Unlike other graduate degrees, certificate programs focus on expanding students’ knowledge regarding one academic facet. For example, you could have the opportunity to learn about autistic spectrum disorders, educational leadership, or inclusive academics. These programs might boost your current teaching strategies. Or, they may be your first stepping stone to enhancing your career to an administrative position. Even still, a graduate certificate might be a trial run for another graduate program! Check with your program to see if credits might be transferable. Since these programs are often so concise with their coursework, students could potentially earn an online curriculum and instruction certificate in 1 year, but program lengths vary by school so please check with your intended school.

Just like the shorter timeline, admissions requirements may also be alluring to current educators. Online certificate programs aim to make their programs accessible so that a wide range of educators could potentially enhance their teaching capabilities. Due to this, students might be required submit a 3.0 undergraduate GPA. Additionally, certificate programs generally do not require GRE exam scores. Not having to take these standardized tests could save you valuable time and money!

FACT: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for Instructional Coordinators was $66,490 in May 2022.

GradSchools.com offers 116 Graduate Schools with Online Graduate Programs in Curriculum and Instruction