While most men and women looking to earn a degree that qualifies them for a career in education study in majors geared exclusively towards teaching, there are a select few who earn their academic training in Curriculum & Instruction. If you're striving to become an elite educator, both as a teacher with enhanced skills and also as someone who is able to successfully design classroom activities centered on student achievement, this field is for you. Curriculum & Instruction is one of those rare areas of study that blends both academic theory and classroom practice, making it one of the most effective ways to ensure that you will succeed in your goal of becoming a prime educator.
Selecting the right school for a Curriculum & Instruction program is pretty much the same as picking a school for any other type of major. Start by listing schools that offer programs designed to help you reach your career goals. Next, narrow the list down by checking out both the accreditation and reputation of each school and their respective programs. Finally, begin checking on the qualities that set each program apart, such as job placement services, courses offered and hours required. Now all that's left is to choose which one best matches up with your needs.
Most students that study Curriculum & Instruction choose to enroll in Masters' Degree programs in the field after having earned their Undergraduate Degrees in either Liberal Arts fields or Education. While Curriculum & Instruction programs are available at the Associates' and Bachelors' Degree levels, most individuals who enroll in these programs are teachers looking to expand their career prospects. Many are educators interested into moving towards academic administration, such as serving as school principles or designers of the state-mandated curriculum to which all teachers must adhere.
Because of Curriculum & Instruction's unique combination of theory and practice, programs are available online but students will still be required to meet certain hourly requirements in student-teaching. Some institutions will provide an opportunity for students to earn Life Credits if they've brought in suitable work experience before enrolling in the program, but no matter what a student may be able to pick up from studying online, some things simply can't be taught any other way than experiencing what its like to not only draft and script a unique, specialized curriculum, but also to implement it into an actual classroom.
High school students who are considering working in education should take a second look at Curriculum & Instruction. In fact, here are a few pointers to help get started early:
Many students entering Curriculum & Instruction programs are already educated, certified, qualified teachers simply looking to expand their horizons. Rather than being marked as a distinct career field, Curriculum & Instruction is typically viewed by many as the next step - another ingredient added to the recipe of the perfect resume.
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