What Is Curriculum Design?
Written by:
Wilson College
• Sep 19, 2025
A curriculum is a road map that guides educators as they teach learners of all ages. A successful curriculum outlines the material, standards, skills, and instructional methods, while also listing the assessment methods that educators will use to measure student learning.
Educators from preschool through college design curricula to structure their classes and measure progress toward educational goals. Earning a Master of Education (MEd) can strengthen curriculum design skills. Curriculum design careers often require a master’s degree.
Curriculum Design Definition
Curriculum design involves the process of creating an educational plan for a specific grade level. Developing a successful curriculum requires strong analytical, planning, and teaching skills. As a result, many curriculum designers are either teachers or individuals with a background in teaching.
In K-12 schools, instructional coordinators—also known as curriculum specialists—may develop, implement, and assess curricula for schools or school districts. Instructional coordinators often specialize in a grade or subject.
In early childhood education and adult learning, teachers and administrators may develop curricula. For example, a preschool director might lead the curriculum design process at their facility.
An effective curriculum includes the following components:
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Learning Objectives: The curriculum states the overall learning objectives, typically drawing on standards-based benchmarks. These goals structure the units, material, and assessment strategies.
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Instructional Methods: The curriculum lists the instructional approaches to deliver the material and promote student learning. Examples may include project-based learning, educational technology integration, or direct instruction.
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Materials: The curriculum includes the resources and materials that align with learning objectives. These materials should consider diverse student needs and interests.
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Evaluation: The curriculum outlines evaluation approaches that educators will use to document student learning and skill development. These evaluations will also inform curricular revisions.
How to Design a Curriculum
Curriculum design involves planning, development, implementation, and evaluation. Teachers and other curriculum specialists learn how to design a curriculum in education programs.
Planning
The first step to design a curriculum requires planning. Educators often begin the planning phase by reviewing educational standards, including those at the national, state, and district levels. These standards inform the learning objectives.
When planning a new curriculum, educators should also consider learner needs and any gaps in learning.
Development
After researching standards and analyzing needs, educators can begin the curriculum development phase. First, educators should develop sequential learning progressions that build toward the learning goals. Next, they should identify materials and other teaching resources to deliver the content. Then, educators should consider assessment approaches to measure progress.
The final curriculum should include learning objectives, instructional methods, materials, and evaluation approaches.
Implementation
The implementation phase puts the new curriculum into practice in the classroom. School staff, teachers, and administrators all play important roles in this process.
Instructional coordinators provide resources and support for teachers implementing the curriculum. Teachers prepare classroom activities and instructional strategies. And administrators manage resources and connect teachers with professional development support.
Evaluation
Assessment is a critical step in teaching and curriculum design. Educators regularly measure the impact of the curriculum on student learning to improve the overall curriculum.
During the evaluation phase, educators analyze data on student achievement, including feedback from teachers and other stakeholders. This can include classroom observations, surveys, and test results. Educators use this data to measure progress toward educational goals and implement modifications to the curriculum.
Benefits of an MEd for Gaining Curriculum Design Skills
Earning a master’s degree in education can develop curriculum design skills. Graduate courses emphasize the research, planning, and evaluation skills that educators need for curriculum design.
During a master’s degree program, graduate students explore research-based approaches to curriculum design. Educators learn how to integrate the following principles into their curriculum development:
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Focus: Material should align with educational standards, with intentional content selection that connects with prior knowledge.
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Coherence: The curriculum should connect learning goals with unit materials for a coherent vision.
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Relevance: Students should engage with material in relevant ways, including through experiential learning, inquiry-based learning, and applied learning.
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Rigor: The curriculum should set high expectations and outline differentiated learning approaches to support learners.
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Sequential Learning: The design process should outline a sequential learning process that increases in complexity.
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Specificity: The curriculum should clearly list student learning objectives and outcomes.
In addition to building classroom teaching skills, an MEd prepares teachers to advance into roles such as instructional coordinator. These careers typically require a master’s degree and teaching experience. Teachers can often increase their earning potential by moving into these education support roles.
Earn an MEd at Wilson College Online
Are you ready to take the next step in your education career? Wilson College Online offers a MEd program that uses a flexible online learning format. Designed for working educators, the program strengthens teaching competencies while preparing graduates for roles such as instructional coordinator or preschool director.
Graduate courses on differentiated instruction, technology integration, and classroom assessment build curriculum design skills that educators can apply in various roles. With a self-paced model and individualized attention from experienced practitioners and educators, Wilson College Online prepares graduates to make an impact in education. Contact us to learn more about the online MEd program.
Recommended Readings
Benefits of Experiential Learning
How to Make a Career Change to Teaching
What Are the Requirements to Earn a Master of Education?
Sources:
Australian Education Research Organization, A Knowledge-Rich Approach to Curriculum Design
California State Board of Education, Content Standards
Connecticut State Department of Education, K-12 Universal Curriculum Design Principles
Indeed, Curriculum Design: Definition, Types and Best Practices
Kentucky Department of Education, Model Curriculum Framework
State of Rhode Island Department of Education, Curriculum Definition
