A doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction will prepare you for leadership roles in various settings, at all levels and areas of education.
Experienced Educators Can Level Up
Earning a Doctorate of Education, Curriculum and Instruction online from the University of Louisiana Monroe will challenge educators already in the field to study theories behind instructional techniques and evaluate new methods of direct instruction and lesson planning. Upon completing the program, teachers will be qualified to take on increased responsibilities in their current positions and apply for advanced educational licensure. They will have a more developed understanding of educational assessment, teacher training and support, academic research, and large-scale measures for student success.
Also, in-depth training in curriculum and instruction will give educational leaders the skills they need to guide schools, districts, and even states to improve their policies and increase academic achievement. Public school systems emphasize the need to raise standards across the country, creating an increased demand for instructional coordinators and curriculum specialists, a need that will continue to rise. The U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics projects an 11% increase in employment for instructional coordinators through 2026, with a median annual wage of $63,750.
Professionals in Other Fields Benefit from a Doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction
Even if you do not have a background in teaching or a teaching license or certificate, this program will allow you to combine an interest in teaching with other areas of expertise and experience. Take, for example, ULM Doctor of Education, Curriculum, and Instruction alumna, JoEllen Showers. Her passion for occupational therapy, coupled with her desire to teach, inspired her to enter the ULM program. She stated, “Occupational therapy and teaching are both my passion, and I feel like that’s where I should be.” Her doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction offered her opportunities to learn about developing and employing curriculum, regardless of the subject matter.
Showers also shared that ULM’s CURR 7008: Communication & Collaboration in Problem Solving course helped her to effectively communicate with patients. “We talked about different personalities and different ways of interacting,” she remembers. “You can show that you’re interested and want to help in a professional manner without causing any misunderstanding.” Showers reflects on how these communication strategies have helped her in face-to-face interactions with patients but also online.
Career Opportunities Increase with a Doctoral Degree
The high-quality ULM program prepares graduates for other high-impact and rewarding careers, such as:
- Education Administrators (of K-12 schools, adult education programs, alternative schools, and charter schools)
- Curriculum developers at for-profit companies
- Curriculum specialists and instructional designers for military and nonprofit organizations
- Postsecondary educators and higher education administrators
When combined with the rigorous research that goes into a doctoral program like that at ULM, the soft skills of effective communication and management produce professionals that can work in a host of positions. From K-12 teaching and administration to higher education, nonprofit, and government positions, doctoral graduates in curriculum and instruction have a world of possibilities open to them.
ULM’s doctoral program is even more appealing when you consider its fully online format, affordability, and pay-by-course design. This means opportunities for high-impact, meaningful careers that benefit from a doctoral degree in curriculum and instruction are accessible and obtainable for all.
Learn more about University of Louisiana Monroe’s online Doctor of Education, Curriculum & Instruction program.
Sources:
Public School Review: National Education Standards: Both Sides of the Debate
US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Instructional Coordinators
University of Louisiana Monroe: Faculty Member JoEllen Showers Teaches Again With Ed.D.