What Jobs Can You Get With a Degree in Curriculum and Instruction?

Professional educators might no longer be students in name, but they are certainly students by trade, constantly learning new skills and techniques and gaining other knowledge. For many teachers, obtaining a master’s degree or furthering their professional development through advanced education or training is a requirement of the profession.

The Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction program at Mississippi College (MC) offers educators returning to school an opportunity to expand their understanding of learning environments by exploring principles of pedagogy, methodology and instruction. The program covers how these principles work in tandem to create a strong classroom experience. These educators will also learn how to analyze and apply student data and research-based strategies to create a responsive classroom environment that leads to continuous student improvement.

An advanced education degree in curriculum and instruction is a strategic option for educators who want to learn more about education theory and develop a stronger understanding of how the learning process functions. This type of deep, multifaceted knowledge allows graduates to fill many different roles in the education sector.

Even beyond education, some industries have a need for employees who are experts in teaching, learning and training practices, as well as instructional development and implementation.

Some of the jobs that graduates of a master’s program in instruction and curriculum typically pursue, and their median salaries as of 2021, include:

Instructional Coordinator: $66,970 per year (via U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Instructional coordinators specialize in helping school systems develop and implement curricula, professional development and training, data analysis and other strategies. Working alongside principals, teachers, and school boards, instructional coordinators create curricula and recommend teaching materials tailored to different learning environments, then monitor and analyze the results for effectiveness.

Instructional coordinators can also work directly with principals and teachers. Evaluation, training programs and one-on-one mentorships are just a few of the ways that instructional coordinators apply their expertise in schools.

Education Specialist: $58,621 per year (via Glassdoor)

In some ways, an education specialist’s responsibilities mirror those of an instructional coordinator, albeit with a narrower, or specialized, scope. Education specialists are experts in a specific subject area and are often consulted to formulate lesson plans and curricula, structure programs, develop training materials and share other methods of expertise. However, education specialists can also act as instructors, providing lectures and hands-on demonstrations.

Curriculum and Assessment Director: $70,720 per year (via Glassdoor)

Curriculum and assessment directors are typically responsible for the implementation and ongoing monitoring and assessment of curricula in school systems. They also work to ensure that all programs are in accordance with local, state and federal education guidelines. Their responsibilities often include recommending new programs, budgeting, and planning initiatives of all types. Most positions are heavy on administrative tasks, with a diverse collection of responsibilities that require an understanding of government regulations.

Program Administrator: $53,586 per year (via PayScale)

Program administrators are much like the day-to-day leaders and project managers of different programs and initiatives in schools. Typically, program administrators have to be more hands-on in their work, because they are responsible for ensuring that the operations they are overseeing run smoothly and effectively. This can include student assessment, data collection and analysis, strategic planning, budget management and more.

Work in Other Fields

Outside of education, many other fields value the skills and abilities that graduates of the curriculum and instruction program possess. Skills like effective teaching, instructional development, and mentorship are valuable abilities in any industry. Curriculum and instruction graduates excel in higher education, government policy, nonprofit, corporate and technology careers.

Learn more about Mississippi College’s online Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction program.