Written By
Georgia Farrokh
Digital Content Specialist,
Grand Canyon Education
With a master’s in curriculum and instruction, you can pursue roles as a teacher leader, curriculum specialist, instructional coach or education consultant. Help design effective programs, improve teaching strategies and support student learning.
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Approved and verified accurate by the Dean of the College of Education on July 21, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
The field of curriculum and instruction focuses on evaluating existing instructional materials and designing new ones for teachers to use in the classroom. This field combines theory and practice by applying research to improve student outcomes.
Professionals in this field work to examine curriculum (what is taught) and instruction (how it is taught) within schools, districts and educational organizations. According to Jamie Mathews, graduates from this degree program often become “the person helping to keep education relevant and fresh” as they use their expertise to align teaching practices with national standards and individual student needs.
Graduates with this degree typically pursue roles that go beyond the classroom. One possible career path is to become an instructional coordinator. As an instructional coordinator, “you’d play a central role in developing and refining the educational programs at schools. This involves evaluating, designing and/or refining curricula that engage students and making sure that everything teachers are using aligns with educational standards,” explains Mathews. Instructional coordinators work in curriculum development to provide schools with recommendations on the best curriculum to adhere to state and national teaching standards.
If you want to stay in a teaching role, you may want to consider becoming a postsecondary education teacher and using your leadership skills to develop new teachers. Teachers at the postsecondary level typically must have a doctoral degree in their field. However, a master’s degree may be accepted at community colleges.1 Mathews adds, “Alternatively, you might become a postsecondary education teacher supporting new teachers and passing on your knowledge that can help shape how future educators approach teaching.”
A Master’s in Curriculum and Instruction is a non-licensure program that can prepare you for roles like curriculum specialist, instructional coach or educational consultant — helping improve teaching strategies, design learning materials and lead educational innovation.
If you are passionate about education and want to go beyond the traditional walls of the classroom, a master’s in curriculum and instruction may be the next step. A graduate degree in curriculum and instruction is designed to teach you advanced skills in developing curriculum and creating strategies for instruction. Graduates can gain leadership skills and learn how to create meaningful learning experiences for students.
We spoke with Jamie Mathews, the College of Education academic program manager at Grand Canyon University, to learn more about the value of this degree and the opportunities for master’s in curriculum and instruction careers.
A master’s in curriculum and instruction can equip educators with leadership skills and advanced instructional strategies. “This degree provides the opportunity to gain valuable skills like analyzing student data, assessing student progress, researching and developing curricula, implementing curricula and integrating technology into the classroom to increase student academic achievement,” says Mathews.
Lesson planning is an important skill to master in the field of curriculum and development. Mathews adds, “Someone with a master’s in curriculum and instruction brings expertise in developing effective and engaging curricula. They can create lesson plans to meet diverse student needs and educational standards while also engaging students in a way that makes learning exciting and relevant. They had the opportunity to gain skills to assess student progress and are able to use that data to make data-informed adjustments to improve learning outcomes.”
With advancements in technology in the education landscape, it is important to know how to utilize this technology when it comes to supporting student development.
When considering emerging career paths for educators, you may be wondering why is curriculum and instruction important beyond the classroom? This field teaches valuable skills in learning theory, edtech and instructional design that can uniquely position professionals to shape how learning happens, even outside of the traditional classroom setting. There are master’s in curriculum and instruction careers that are emerging within other industries. “Even outside of schools, in businesses and nonprofits, the skills from this program help in creating effective training and educational programs,” Mathews notes.
“In my opinion, graduates with this degree are often leaders in their schools or districts in integrating technology into the classroom and providing professional development opportunities for other teachers and staff on integrating technology.”
— Jamie Mathews, Academic Program Manager, College of Education
Additional opportunities for graduates from advanced education programs can also include the following industries:
Educational policy: Education is guided by regulations, principles and laws that determine how it is delivered and assessed. Educational policy works on a local, state and national level to ensure that students receive the instruction they need.
Teacher training: Working as a teacher requires a commitment to professional development as technology and instruction continue to evolve and grow. Professionals who provide teacher training ensure that educators feel confident in their ability to teach and learn new skills.
Corporate learning environments: Experienced teachers and curriculum specialists can provide value to corporations by developing employee training and development programs.
In recent years, the curriculum and instruction field has adapted and evolved with advancements in technology and shifting priorities in curriculum. “One major trend is the big push to use digital tools to make learning more personal and engaging for students,” Mathews observed.
Schools are putting a greater emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills to help students prepare for the future, and curriculum and instruction professionals must adapt to these changes. Mathews adds, “Additionally, there is an increased focus on designing curricula that foster analytical thinking and creativity, equipping students with the ability to approach complex challenges with innovative solutions. Future graduates of the curriculum and instruction program would benefit from understanding these trends to make a positive impact in education.”
“With a master’s in curriculum and instruction, it may be possible for educators to move into leadership roles at their schools. It can not only sharpen your teaching skills but also prepare you to lead workshops, mentor fellow teachers or even coach others on instructional design. In addition, this degree may open doors to opportunities such as teaching at higher education institutions, designing courses or programs, or working in corporate training to help employees boost their skills. You could even manage company training programs.”
— Jamie Mathews, College of Education
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A master’s degree in an education-related field can also teach skills in areas like educational consulting, which involves working with schools or educational companies to improve teaching strategies and curriculum design.
A common question for aspiring educators is, Why is curriculum and instruction important? This advanced degree can equip educators with the skills to design and implement new and effective learning strategies. A master’s in curriculum and instruction can be a great choice for educators who want to lead change in education. Whether you are designing curriculum for the classroom, developing learning programs or helping teachers implement new instructional strategies, this degree provides the tools to make a lasting impact.
“Beyond education-focused roles, graduates from this program can step into the corporate world by developing employee training programs that help enhance skills and productivity. By applying their knowledge in these various roles, they can create a variety of learning experiences, driving improvement and innovation across diverse fields.”
— Jamie Mathews, College of Education
