Insights from the School of Education and Social Policy at Merrimack College
Educators with expertise in curriculum and instruction are in high demand in Massachusetts and across the nation. The ability to both design educational curricula and develop best practices for curriculum implementation is highly valued by school districts, colleges, and universities. Earning a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction prepares graduates to excel in this field.
Curriculum and Instruction Jobs
One of the most common jobs for graduates with a master’s in curriculum and instruction is instructional coordinator, sometimes referred to as curriculum specialist or education specialist. Other curriculum professionals remain in the classroom, using their new skills to improve their own curriculum and instructional planning. Other jobs include:
- Administrative positions
- Careers with non-profit organizations
- Jobs within government agencies
- Curriculum design for corporate training
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the responsibilities of instructional coordinators include:
- The development and implementation of curriculum
- Planning and overseeing training, conferences, and workshops for teachers
- Analyzing student test data
- Assessing and discussing curriculum standards with school staff
- Reviewing and making recommendations on textbooks and educational materials
- Developing procedures for the implementation of a curriculum
- Mentoring or coaching teachers
Instructional coordinators stay on top of trends in education as well as the latest research in curriculum design. They assess student performance and use analytical skills to determine what is working and what needs to change.
Job Growth and Salary for Instructional Coordinators
Nationwide, the median annual pay for instructional coordinators was $67,490 in May 2018, while the median annual pay in Massachusetts was $76,270, according to the BLS. Massachusetts ranks among the top five states in the country for instructional coordinator salary and the state has a high demand for people in the profession. The projected job growth nationwide for instructional coordinators is 6% and in Massachusetts, it’s 11.8%, according to Projections Central.
Capstone Helps Students Prepare for a Career
Senior capstone is the academic project that culminates the master’s in curriculum and instruction program, giving students a chance to produce an in-depth research project “wherein prior coursework or classroom-based experiences allow the author to synthesize and deepen his or her understanding on that topic,” according to information from the course.
In the Merrimack College Master of Curriculum and Instruction Program, students research their own capstone project with a focus on either practice or policy, choosing topics based on their own interests. The goal is to complete a project that can create change in education.
This capstone experience prepares students for the post-graduation challenges of working successfully in curriculum and instruction whether they work in the classroom, as specialists, or other related careers.