Jobs and Salary Info for a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction

A master's degree in curriculum and information is of value to those who are employed in the area of education. The degree is particularly useful to individuals who are already teachers and want to become master teachers. It is also helpful to teachers who wish to advance into administrative positions within their school systems. This track is offered by various schools as a Master of Education (M.Ed.), a Master of Science (M.S.) or a Master of Arts (M.A.), degree.

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Degree Overview

This degree can be tailored to fit an age group, a subject matter or a career goal. Many universities and colleges offer different areas of emphasis - such as elementary education, secondary education or educational differentiation - within a master's degree in curriculum and instruction. Other schools may design programs geared toward advanced content specialization or technology.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that many administrative positions such as principal, assistant principal or instructional coordinator are filled by educators with teaching experience and additional education in the form of a master's or higher degree (www.bls.gov). Since licensing and certification requirements vary by state, individuals will need to research whether a master's in curriculum and instruction is the best path to their goal in their own state.

Career Possibilities

Enhancement for a Teaching Position

A master's degree in curriculum and instruction is the choice of many teachers who wish to stay in their current positions and enhance their teaching abilities. This graduate degree will often fulfill the graduate degree requirements set by some school districts for job security or higher earning potential. Illinois State University states that the degree is particularly useful to current teachers who want to become master teachers (www.coe.ilstu.edu).

Specializations are also possible within this graduate degree. Northern Illinois University, for example, offers a secondary education focus for teachers who want to increase their knowledge of important issues for modern-day educators. Emphasis is placed on becoming a master teacher who is able to more effectively teach students (www.cedu.niu.edu). It also helps educators to have an enhanced knowledge of how curricula are selected and evaluated so that they may use it more effectively within their own classrooms.

Administrative or Leadership Positions

A master's in curriculum and instruction can prepare graduates for positions that are on the administrative side of the educational system as opposed to having direct contact with students. The University of Iowa states that its M.A. in Curriculum and Supervision can lead to positions such as coordinators of curriculum development (www.uiowa.edu). At Northern Illinois University's College of Education, a curriculum leadership focus area teaches students how to effectively evaluate curriculum and take supervisory roles in curriculum development (www.cedu.niu.edu).

In some states, a master's in curriculum may help qualify a graduate to be a principal or assistant principal. This degree might even lead away from the school system. For example, the University of Albany says that its M.S. in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology that can be a step toward a leadership position in a government or corporate setting or in curriculum design (www.albany.edu).

Salary

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), kindergarten, middle school, elementary and secondary school teachers in public schools earned a yearly average of $50,000-$55,000 as of May 2009, depending on the age level taught. Elementary and secondary school administrators, including principals, assistant principals and school administrators, earned a yearly average of $87,390, while instructional coordinators made $61,270 on average (www.bls.gov).

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