Online Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction Programs

Master's in curriculum and instruction online programs teach valuable curriculum development skills. Discover popular programs and career paths.
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Updated on November 6, 2023
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A master's degree in curriculum and instruction can provide you the skills to develop curriculums and pursue education leadership roles. Curriculum designers have an increasingly difficult job and must take into account evolving instruction methods, classroom technologies, and a diverse student body.

If you have an interest in pursuing a degree in this field, the following page highlights popular online master's programs and offers insights into the associated admission requirements, costs, and career paths.

Why Get a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Online

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    Earn your degree while working with asynchronous courses
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    Attend any university in the country that offers online programs
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    Save time by eliminating school commutes

Featured Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Online Degrees

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Popular Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Online Programs

We chose to highlight the following schools based on several factors, including top position in organic or paid search results (as of October 2023), relevancy of program offerings, and categorization as a nonprofit. These programs are listed alphabetically by school and not weighed against each other in our methodology.

Popular Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Online Programs
School Degree Offered Cost per Credit Required Credits Months to Complete GRE Scores Required Leads to Initial Teacher License Leads to Endorsement or Other License
Louisiana State University Shreveport M.Ed. $374 30 10-12 No No Yes
Purdue University MS $450 (in-state)
$670 (out-of-state)
30 18 No No Yes
Texas A&M University M.Ed. $454 (in-state)
$983 (out-of-state)
36 18 No No Yes
UMass Global MA $709 30 unknown No No No
Western Governors University MS $3,975 /term N/A 12 No No No

Louisiana State University Shreveport (LSUS)

  • Public university in Louisiana
  • M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
  • 30 credits | $374 /credit

LSUS offers an M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction with eight concentration options, including STEM and adult education. The general concentration is customizable and allows you to choose courses based on personal interests and career goals. You can work with an advisor to determine the best courses to meet your goals.

Visit LSUS's Program Page . External link

Purdue University

  • Public university in Indiana
  • MS in Education: Curriculum and Instruction
  • 30 credits | $450-670 /credit

Purdue University's online master's in curriculum and instruction focuses on incorporating social justice issues, strength-based approaches, and STEM into curriculums. You can choose among five concentrations including integrated education technology and English language learning. Program concentrations require completing 4-5 courses in the subject.

Visit Purdue's Program Page . External link

Texas A&M University (TAMU)

  • Public university in Texas
  • M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
  • 36 credits | $454-983 /credit

Texas A&M University has a general master's in curriculum and instruction online program and the ability to concentrate in one of three areas. Most of TAMU's online masters in curriculum and instruction programs do not require a thesis, except for the reading and literacy emphasis. Courses consist of both synchronous and asynchronous options.

Visit TAMU's Program Page . External link

University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global)

  • Private university in Massachusetts
  • MA in Education: Curriculum and Instruction
  • 30 credits | $709 /credit

UMass Global's master's degree in curriculum and instruction has a pre-defined curriculum and you can choose only one elective. The program discusses the influence of modern technology on teaching methods and how to improve student engagement.

Visit UMass Global's Program Page . External link

Western Governors University (WGU)

  • Private university in Utah
  • MS in Curriculum and Instruction
  • Competency-based | $3,975 /term

Western Governors University offers a 10-course master's program which requires the completion of a capstone project. The project consists of solving a potential real-world issue using the skills learned in the program.

Visit WGU's Program Page . External link

What Is a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction?

A master's in curriculum and instruction will teach you a combination of effective education strategies, research tools, and learning theories to develop and evaluate curriculums for various student groups. Programs may focus on different aspects, including the technical or social areas of curriculum and instruction.

You can understand a program's focus by reading the course overview and identifying which of the following degrees is awarded upon graduation:

Common Courses in Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Programs

  • Educational Research
  • Democracy, Education and Social Change
  • Learning Theory
  • Instructional Leadership for Practitioners
  • Utilizing Data for School Improvement
  • Educational Technology Applied to the Classroom

How long does an online master's in curriculum and instruction take?

Online master's programs in curriculum and instruction usually consist of 30-36 credits that take full-time students 12-18 months to complete. Part-time students' graduation time depends upon your course load, but often takes 24-36 months. Most programs offer time estimates on their website for prospective students to review.

How much does an online master's in curriculum and instruction cost?

Graduate programs had an average tuition price of $19,749, according to the latest data available by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

The NCES also states that the average online master's in education tuition comes to around $8,155 a year.

Online master's in curriculum and instruction have various rates, with some costing as low as $10,000. Prospective students can save money by applying for financial aid and comparing the total price of programs.

Do Online Master's Degrees in Curriculum and Instruction Lead to Licensure?

Master's degrees in curriculum and instruction offer different tracks including licensure, non-licensure, and endorsements.

Programs that lead to teaching licensure or certification are typically state-approved and meet degree and licensure requirements simultaneously, through course- and fieldwork. You may be required to take additional exams after graduation to achieve licensure.

If you already hold a valid teaching license, you can enroll in a program that leads to an add-on certification or endorsement, which demonstrates specialized knowledge in areas including gifted education, special education, or English as a second language.

Licensure Tracks for Popular Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Programs

LSUS
  • Endorsements for certified teachers
Purdue
  • English language learning licensure
  • High ability licensure
TAMU
  • Reading specialist certification
  • STEM certification

Does Accreditation Matter for Online Curriculum and Instruction Master's Programs?

You should ensure that your future institution has received institutional accreditation, which demonstrates that a certain standard of education has been met and enables eligibility for federal financial aid.

Programs and departments that receive programmatic accreditation show an additional level of approval from an agency that specializes in the same field.

Both the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) and the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP) are the main accreditors for educator preparation programs at the initial and advanced licensure levels.

Accreditation of Popular Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Programs
School Institutional Accreditation Programmatic Accreditation
LSUS Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges CAEP
Purdue Higher Learning Commission CAEP
TAMU Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges none
UMass Global WSCUC Senior College and University Commission none
WGU Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities none

What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Program?

Master's in curriculum and instruction online programs' admission requirements vary by institution. The list below focuses on the typical admission requirements you may face for this degree.

  • School application
    • Relevant application fees
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
    • A minimum 2.5-3.0 GPA may be required
    • Official transcripts
  • Some or all of the following documents
  • Many programs do not require a teaching license
    • Specific endorsements or new certifications may require previous coursework or experience in the subject

What Can You Do With a Curriculum and Instruction Master's Degree?

You can work in public or private institutions with a master's degree in curriculum and instruction as a teacher, principal, or curriculum specialist. If you already have a career in education, you can use the degree to pursue career advancements in leadership or administration.

Administration or leadership roles, including principals, may offer a higher salary than the average teacher's wage. If you do not wish to work for a school, there are career paths in areas including government and writing.

Note that some career paths, such as P-12 public school teachers and administrators, may require a state-issued license or certification to practice.

Popular Careers for Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Degree-Holders
Job Title Median Salary (2022) Outlook (2022-2032)
Instructional Coordinator $66,490 +2%
Preschool Teacher $35,330 +3%
Special Education Teacher $62,950 +0%
School Principal $101,320 +1%
Preschool or Childcare Center Director $49,690 -3%
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Is a Master's in Curriculum and Instruction Worth It?

Average Annual Wage by Degree Type

MA in Curriculum and Instruction

$64,000

Source: Payscale

M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction

$64,000

Source: Payscale

MS in Curriculum and Instruction

$55,000

Source: Payscale

If you have a passion for education, then pursuing an online curriculum and instruction master's degree may be worth the time and financial commitment. If you earn this degree, you will have an increased potential for career opportunities, advancements, and salary increases.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that many education-related roles will grow or shrink slightly between 2022 and 2032. You may need to stand out in the increasingly competitive job market and demonstrate your specialization with a master's degree.

BestColleges.com is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

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