Curriculum Supervisor: Job Description and Salary Information

If you have a passion for education but also crave the responsibility of working as a project manager, then a career as a curriculum supervisor might be a perfect fit.

Curriculum supervisors are also referred to as instructional coordinators. They’re a part of nearly every educational institution, although the size and endowment of a school can determine how many personnel they have in this role.

Curriculum supervisor job description

The main function of professionals in this field is to plan their school’s curriculum. This includes determining what materials will be covered in different classes and how it will best be presented. Because of this, it’s critical for curriculum supervisors to stay up-to-date on the latest teaching methods.

You’ll also assist with the professional development of the faculty in this role. The supervisor can do this in a number of ways; typical methods include educating the faculty on the latest technology and performing reviews of existing curriculum plans.

Should you pursue this career, your work environment is likely to be an office at your school district’s headquarters. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 38 percent of coordinators are employed in elementary and secondary schools, with colleges and universities accounting for eight percent. Support services, government agencies and junior colleges are the other leading employers.

As a curriculum supervisor, you’ll work throughout the year. Since a good deal of the job includes reviewing faculty performance, your services in this position are needed during the summer. A large chunk of time is also spent driving between schools in the district for those employed by elementary and secondary schools.

How to become a curriculum supervisor

If all of this sounds like something you’d like to do for a living, the next part to consider is the requirements for obtaining a position.

Requirements vary for curriculum supervisor positions, but most require candidates to possess a master’s degree at minimum. It will be useful for your graduate degree to be in a field related what you’re hoping to specialize in.

According to the BLS, most positions in this category also require some form of licensing. Each individual district sets its own criteria for candidates to be considered, but a teaching license is a standard requirement. Other districts with more stringent requirements ask that their candidates possess an education administrator license.

Finally, you’ll need to have teaching experience in order to be considered for a position. Some districts go so far as to require work experience as a school administrator, such as a principal or superintendent. You’ll also be expected to possess strong analytical and communication skills.

Curriculum supervisor salary and career outlook

Should you manage to earn a position as a curriculum supervisor, the median pay varies by field. The BLS lists the average salary of instructional coordinators as $62,270.

There is a positive growth outlook for curriculum supervisors. Between now and 2024, an above-average growth of 7 percent is being projected by the BLS. The growth can be traced to an increased demand for maximizing the efficiency of our schools.