How to Become a Curriculum Writer

If you have a talent for technical writing and want a fast-growing job in the education field, consider a curriculum writing career. A curriculum writer is responsible for developing new and revised instructional materials for school districts, media companies, and other businesses.

As a curriculum writer, you will create education curriculum, manage professional development, perform evaluations, review education materials like textbooks and computer programs, train instructional staff, and coach teachers.

Curriculum development jobs

Also known as curriculum developers and instructional coordinators, curriculum writers are often licensed teachers or school administrators. Their responsibility lies in developing and implementing new techniques to improve education and training quality.

According to the most recent statistics from the United States Department of Labor, curriculum developers and instructional coordinators held 139,700 jobs in 2012. While most of them worked in public or private schools, some were employed by colleges, professional schools, and government offices.

As a curriculum writer, you will work a full-time schedule in an office environment. Unlike other educators, you will probably work year-round without a summer break. Curriculum writers often meet with teachers and administrators before and after school or business hours.

In schools, curriculum writers develop and coordinate the district’s teaching curriculums and standards. In companies and governments, they develop creative activities that support training course objectives.

Curriculum development education

Most curriculum writers, especially school district instructional coordinators, must have a master’s degree. Many employers also require them to be licensed teachers or administrators.

In your pursuit of a curriculum writer career, you must earn a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction or related field of study. Some curriculum developers also hold a master’s degree in a specialized field of study, such as math or science.

Master’s degree programs teach curriculum design, instructional theory, and data analysis. In order to enter these programs, you must first earn a bachelor’s degree in teacher education or a related field.

Public schools usually require their curriculum developers to have a teaching or education administrator license. Licensure requirements vary for high schools, middle schools, elementary schools, and school principals.

Your skill set must include analytical, communication, instructional, and decision-making skills as well as people skills. Most school districts require curriculum writers to have some teaching or school administrator experience.

Curriculum development salary

According to the Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, $62,270 is the median salary for curriculum writers. Elementary and secondary schools typically pay higher salaries than colleges, professional schools, or governments.

Employment for curriculum writers is expected to grow by 7 percent between now and 2024. This anticipated growth is based on America’s focus on improving teacher effectiveness in the schools. Local school districts and state governments are working to improve teacher effectiveness by evaluating student learning and test scores.