Top 25 Online Master's in Curriculum & Instruction Programs for 2019
An online master's in curriculum and instruction teaches the latest education theories and practices, giving you the skills to improve learning outcomes for all students. In addition to developing your teaching practice, earning a curriculum and instruction master's degree will increase your career and salary potential. PayScale reports that the average starting salary for an elementary education teacher with a bachelor's degree is about $34,000, while a beginning teacher with a master's degree can expect to earn about $39,700 annually. This listing compiles some of the top online curriculum and instruction master's programs.
WHAT ARE THE BEST ONLINE MASTER'S IN CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION PROGRAMS?
Top 25 Online Masters in Curriculum & Instruction Programs for 2019
UF is a public research university that was founded in 1853 in Gainesville, Florida. Today, the school serves more than 50,000 students each year and offers 123 master's degree, including an online master's in curriculum and instruction. The M.Ed. in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in educational technology combines nine credits of core coursework in curriculum and instruction with 24 credits in educational technology, including a course on games and simulation in teaching and learning. Students must also complete a three-credit practicum course during their final semester. This 36-credit program can be completed in just two years of full-time study. The courses in this online master's program are delivered on a 16-week semester schedule with most students enrolling in two courses per semester. All online students at UF pay the same tuition rate, regardless of residency.
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How to Choose an Online Master's in Curriculum & Instruction Program
There are several factors to consider before making a final decision, including program length, tuition, required curriculum, and potential campus requirements. The curriculum is perhaps the most important factor, as many schools offer different concentrations. It's important to consider your personal and professional goals before choosing a program.
Time is also a major factor: some schools offer accelerated programs that allow you to complete your degree in under two years, while others allow you to take several years of part-time courses. Teachers may find a part-time program useful if they plan to continue teaching while pursuing their degree. Some degrees include intensive campus sessions that take place during the weekends or summer, while others may require you to visit campus weekly for certain classes.
Careers for Graduates of Master's in Curriculum & Instruction Programs
A online master's in curriculum and instruction prepares you for a range of challenging careers inside and outside of the classroom. Many teachers earn the degree to enhance their teaching practice and continue teaching at the K-12 level, but others use the master's of curriculum and instruction to move into leadership or curriculum development positions. All graduates have a deeper understanding of education and learning processes, allowing them to reach students more effectively.
K-12 teachers offer general education, specialized subject knowledge, and general life skills that prepare students to enter the workforce or higher education after graduating high school. These teachers work in public or private schools.
Median Salary: $48,200
Job Outlook and Salary for Master's Degree in Curriculum & Instruction Graduates
Careers for teachers who hold an online master's in curriculum and instruction are expected to keep pace with most other professions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects positions such as K-12 teacher, K-12 principal, and instructional coordinator to grow by about 6-7% between 2014-2024 . Postsecondary teachers can expect to see faster than average job growth; the BLS projects a 13% increase within the same period. The projected average throughout the entire economy is 6%. Your growth and salary potential will vary based on factors such as the industry you work in, your specific career, and your location. This chart records projected employment growth across several common education positions.
| Career | Employment, 2014 | Projected Employment, 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| High School Teacher | 961,600 | 1,017,500 |
| Principal | 240,000 | 254,000 |
| Postsecondary Teacher | 1,313,000 | 1,490,000 |
SALARY GROWTH BY EXPERIENCE FOR GRADUATES OF CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION MASTER'S PROGRAMS
Teachers and other education professionals earn a higher salary depending on their experience. This chart presents salary data based on work experience for some of the most common positions among teachers who earn their master's in curriculum and instruction.
CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Professional organizations offer a range of opportunities for educators, including networking, professional support, teaching resources, and specialized publications. Less experienced teachers can connect with seasoned educators, gaining valuable knowledge and insight in instruction methods and practices. The following organizations offer a generous selection of resources to education professionals.
To determine the best online master's in curriculum and instruction programs, we looked at the most important factors prospective students, mainly common predictors of future success and a school's commitment to online programs. This boils down to admissions rate, student loan default rate, retention rate, graduation rate, and the percent of students enrolled in online classes. All data points are taken from information provided by colleges and universities to the National Center for Education Statistics.
Each factor is weighted evenly in order to give an objective view and determine the best online master's in curriculum and instruction programs. To calculate our rankings, we looked at a school's ranking when organized by a single factor, and then averaged each category's ranking to find an overall score: Admissions Rate (20%) + Default Rate (20%) + Retention Rate (20%) + Graduation Rate (20%) + Percent of Students Enrolled in Online Classes (20%) = Final score.