You’ve used various materials throughout your education to help you understand important topics and concepts—textbooks, videos, presentations, and more. While in our younger days we may take these materials for granted, as we grow, we sometimes wonder, “Who decides on all of this? Where does it come from? What kind of degree is required for that job?” That’s where a curriculum specialist, sometimes referred to as an instructional coordinator, comes into the picture.
Curriculum can be defined as all the educational content presented within a class or at a school. A person with the title of curriculum specialist has many crucial duties, including:
A master’s degree is typically required in order to become a curriculum specialist in general education or special education. This position appeals to a wide variety of professionals, including teachers, childcare workers, social workers, and anyone who wishes to work with people who are living with disabilities, and it can be rewarding in many ways. Overall, curriculum specialists set the educational trajectory for young students and the teachers who are guiding them through their education.
Compensation can vary for curriculum specialists, depending upon the job sector in which they work. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of May 2019, the mean annual wage for curriculum specialists working in government is $76,270; in elementary and secondary schools, $70,690; in educational support services, $67,580; and in colleges, universities, and professional schools, $60,910. Median pay for curriculum specialists in the United States is $66,290 per year.
A curriculum specialist who chooses to work in the special education field can positively impact young lives through education. He or she also has the added opportunity of helping students with learning and developmental disabilities gain critical knowledge that can enable them to transcend their limitations and live more fulfilling lives.
As we discussed above, the path to a career as a curriculum specialist for special needs students begins with a master’s degree. The University of Texas Permian Basin offers three online master’s-level special education degree programs that can prepare you for a role as a special education curriculum specialist. You can choose a general program or one with a specific focus.
This program is designed for individuals who want to enrich the lives of students with developmental and learning disabilities. Our MA in special education explores the importance of technology and innovation in the contemporary classroom and shows students how they can overcome some of the unique challenges teachers face today, such as limited resources, issues of diversity and inclusion, and identifying and addressing individual student needs.
Program highlights:
This program is designed for individuals who wish to address the differing needs of students on the autism spectrum and help them live more fulfilling lives. Our MA in special education, autism spectrum disorders track examines the role of technology and innovation in today’s classrooms and illustrates how teachers can overcome unique modern challenges, including resource limitations, parental involvement, diversity and inclusion issues, and recognizing the specific needs of students on the autism spectrum.
Program highlights:
This program is designed for individuals interested in diagnosing and evaluating the learning needs of students. Our MA in special education, educational diagnostician track considers the place of technology and innovation in the classroom and provides comprehensive training in the use of standardized and curriculum-based assessments to discern learning or developmental disabilities in students.
Program highlights:
In addition to traditional financial aid and GI Bill options, you may qualify for a TEACH Grant. The TEACH (Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education) Grant provides up to $4,000 per year to students who are completing the coursework necessary to embark on a career in a high-need teaching position such as special education curriculum specialist. UT Permian Basin proudly participates in this essential program.
Earning a master’s degree in special education online from UT Texas Permian Basin carries with it many benefits. No campus visits are required. Our programs feature asynchronous, 100% online courses that enable you to complete your coursework at your own pace, from any location with internet access. This is a tremendous advantage for on-the-go students who may be balancing their education with professional and personal responsibilities.
Depending on which program you choose, you can select from six start dates per year and finish your degree in as little as 12 months (or as little as 24 months for the educational diagnostician track). Our online courses are taught by the same acclaimed faculty who teach on campus, and when you graduate, your degree won’t say “online.” It’s the same degree you’d earn if you had attended classes in-person and carries the same prestige and the same weight with employers.
If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping special education students learn and grow, special education curriculum specialist may be the role for you. A master’s degree in special education from UT Permian Basin can help you acquire it. Learn more now.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/education-training-and-library/instructional-coordinators.htm
Educational leadership is as important as it sounds. But what exactly does it mean? A quick web search will offer many different meanings. Still, they share one central idea: helping educators perform their best so students can thrive.
The impact of educational leadership is broad and far-reaching. As a leader in education, your influence can be felt from the classroom where teachers and students interact to the boardrooms where tomorrow’s leaders make important decisions, and everywhere in between. Educational Leadership Roles: Key Positions and Career Paths
In terms of professional roles, educational leadership encompasses the following:
These, too, share a common element: they each require a master’s degree. A master’s degree in educational leadership can be your next step toward a leadership position in elementary and secondary schools. Graduate degrees put you on the path to increased career potential and can enhance your professional credibility in education and in many other professions.
Aside from the fact that it’s a requirement, a master’s degree in educational leadership is where you hone leadership expertise. As a student in an MA in educational leadership program, you’ll undergo training in a diverse range of crucial areas of leadership, including:
An MA in educational leadership prepares you to become a school leader that drives positive change by improving educational processes in elementary and secondary schools.
Pursuing a career in educational leadership offers a wide range of personal and professional rewards. As an educational leader, you’ll not only have the opportunity to influence the lives of students and teachers but also shape the future of education. Here are some key benefits of stepping into an educational leadership role:
As an educational leader, your role directly impacts teachers and their ability to succeed. Here’s how you’ll help:
By leading schools, you shape the futures of students. Key benefits include:
Pursuing a career in educational leadership not only offers the opportunity to make a significant impact but also provides attractive financial rewards. Consider the following salary insights:
If you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and have at least one year of teaching experience, you’ve already met some of the major requirements to enroll in a graduate degree program. You’ll also need to meet minimum GPA requirements and may need to submit additional requirements such as essays or letters of recommendations.
Certain educational and professional requirements must be met before becoming an education leader. Beyond that, however, there are a number of key personality traits you should possess.
As a principal, for example, you’ll regularly interact with fellow administrators, teachers, students, and parents, “people skills” are critical in this position.
The BLS suggests that the most important nonacademic skills for those aiming for a leadership role are:
Thinking about taking the next step in your education career? These frequently asked questions address what a master’s degree in educational leadership involves, why it’s important, and the kinds of roles it can prepare you for.
An online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from The University of Texas Permian Basin has many advantages. Asynchronous, 100% online learning means you can complete coursework anywhere, on your own schedule. (Students already working demanding jobs in education or balancing your education with family obligations—we’re looking at you.)
Our flexible program has six start dates a year and enables you to earn your MA in educational leadership in as little as one year. It features the same curriculum and acclaimed faculty members who teach on the UT Permian Basin campus at the College of Education, which is accredited by the prestigious Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP).
Our online program has practicum experiences that help you prepare for principal certification and superintendent certification opportunities ideal for students seeking K-12 educational leadership roles within Texas.
Learn more about the benefits of UT Permian Basin’s online Master of Arts in Educational Leadership today.
Sources:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm
https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes119032.htm#(2)
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/elementary-middle-and-high-school-principals.htm#tab-4
Robots in the classroom. Three-dimensional online education. 2025 is well underway, and the potential for big developments in education is on the horizon this year. Perhaps unsurprisingly, many of these educational trends are centered around technology-facilitated digital learning. Some may be familiar, while others may be new to you. All are expected to become more…
“Effective character education is not adding a program or set of programs to a school. Rather it is a transformation of the culture and life of the school.” – Dr. Marvin Berkowitz, renowned educator and researcher Is it your professional goal to one day occupy the principal’s office? If so, you’ll need exceptional drive and…
When the internet was first developed, it was nothing like it is today. With limited speed and bandwidth, the early internet was used exclusively by a few government agencies and, later, universities. In the 1990s the internet became a premium consumer service not unlike cable television. Internet access and the required devices—at first computers, then…