One of the essential components of an effective educational journey is the curriculum. An ongoing process, curriculum development is not a straightforward uniform matter. The particulars of the student body, location and access to resources must always be at the forefront of consideration. And leading the process can be both challenging and rewarding.
What Does Curriculum Development and Leadership Look Like?
Specialists in curriculum development and leadership focus on improving the classroom experience in different ways. As Teacher Certification Degrees’ Guide for Curriculum and Instruction Specialists indicates, these improvements can be “made through research, development, and testing of new curricula and teaching methods, selecting appropriate textbooks and learning materials for use in the classroom, advising teachers and administrators on education regulations, and suggesting innovative ideas that will enhance teaching and learning.”
Therefore, taking on a leadership role in this field requires a background in teaching or administration and significant expertise in other related areas. If you have a master’s degree from an accredited institution and at least one year of teaching experience, Arkansas State University’s Education Specialist in Educational Leadership, Curriculum Director online program will help you acquire the skills necessary to succeed in a campus or district role.
What Coursework Does This Degree Program Include?
The core courses included in the Arkansas State program lay the foundations of leadership, resource allocation, supervision and effective communication and consistently focus on meeting every student’s needs. The curriculum consists of 12 courses tackling topics such as:
- Curriculum design and management
- Professionalism
- School and community relations
- Legislative aspects of the school system
- Administration and supervision
- Ethical leadership
- Educational theories
Also, classes specifically geared toward elementary, middle, and secondary school curricula will prepare you for the challenges unique to each age and grade level. You will learn to select and organize educational content, textbooks, technology and activities and revise the curriculum as issues arise. The courses will also shed light on the important relationship between teachers and curriculum directors. As Writing City’s article Leadership Truths for Curriculum Leaders points out, “When teachers collaborate to develop the curriculum, they will have co-workers who support them when they come to a fork in the road in instruction.”
Taken as the last course, the Curriculum Internship ensures that candidates develop the real-world abilities that will enable them to thrive in their chosen profession. A steppingstone to leadership positions, this semester-long requirement integrates the theoretical and practical knowledge gained throughout the program.
For candidates wishing to advance further, some of the coursework of this Ed.S. program satisfies pre-doctoral requirements.
Learn more about Arkansas State University’s Ed.S. in Educational Leadership, Curriculum Director online program.
Sources:
Teacher Certification Degrees: How to Become a Curriculum and Instruction Specialist