Curriculum administrator

Curriculum administrators develop and improve the curricula of educational institutions. They analyse the quality of existing curricula and work towards improvement. They communicate with education professionals to ensure an accurate analysis. They report on curriculum developments and perform administrative duties.

Curriculum administrators typically do the following:

• Collaborate with academic departments, faculty members, subject matter experts, and instructional designers to develop and revise curriculum frameworks, course syllabi, and instructional materials aligned with educational standards, learning objectives, and program goals. Incorporate innovative teaching methods, educational technologies, and interdisciplinary approaches to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
• Conduct programmatic reviews, curriculum assessments, and learning outcomes assessments to evaluate the effectiveness of educational programs, courses, and instructional strategies. Collect, analyze, and interpret data on student achievement, course completion rates, retention rates, and program satisfaction to inform curriculum decisions and continuous improvement efforts.
• Map curriculum sequences, learning progressions, and course pathways to ensure coherence, continuity, and alignment across grade levels, disciplines, and educational levels. Identify vertical and horizontal alignment opportunities to scaffold learning experiences, reinforce essential skills, and promote interdisciplinary connections within the curriculum.
• Ensure alignment of curriculum content, instructional practices, and assessment strategies with academic standards, accreditation requirements, and regulatory guidelines established by educational authorities, professional organizations, and accrediting agencies. Monitor changes in educational standards and update curriculum materials accordingly to maintain compliance and quality assurance.
• Identify, evaluate, and select instructional resources, textbooks, digital materials, and educational technologies to support curriculum delivery and enhance student learning experiences. Collaborate with librarians, media specialists, and technology specialists to integrate multimedia resources, online platforms, and digital tools into the curriculum to enrich teaching and learning.
• Provide professional development opportunities, workshops, and training sessions for faculty members, instructional staff, and curriculum developers to enhance their pedagogical knowledge, curriculum design skills, and instructional effectiveness. Offer mentoring, coaching, and resources to support faculty members in implementing evidence-based teaching practices and incorporating active learning strategies into their courses.
• Serve on curriculum committees, academic councils, and institutional boards responsible for reviewing, approving, and implementing curriculum changes, additions, or revisions. Facilitate curriculum discussions, policy development, and decision-making processes to ensure transparency, inclusivity, and shared governance in curriculum governance structures.
• Provide academic advising, curriculum counseling, and educational planning services to students to assist them in selecting appropriate courses, majors, concentrations, and pathways aligned with their academic interests, career goals, and graduation requirements. Offer guidance on course sequencing, prerequisite requirements, and transfer credit evaluations to facilitate student success and degree completion.
• Communicate curriculum changes, updates, and initiatives to students, faculty members, administrators, and stakeholders through various channels, including websites, newsletters, information sessions, and orientation programs. Solicit feedback, input, and suggestions from stakeholders to ensure responsiveness to diverse perspectives and needs in curriculum development and implementation.
• Analyze curriculum data, enrollment trends, student demographics, and program outcomes to generate reports, dashboards, and visualizations for decision-making, strategic planning, and institutional assessment purposes. Prepare accreditation reports, program reviews, and institutional effectiveness assessments to demonstrate curriculum quality, student achievement, and program effectiveness.
• Stay abreast of current trends, research findings, and best practices in curriculum design, educational technology, learning sciences, and instructional pedagogy. Participate in scholarly activities, research projects, and curriculum innovation initiatives to contribute to the advancement of curriculum theory, practice, and scholarship in higher education.
• Advocate for curriculum-related policies, initiatives, and reforms to enhance educational quality, equity, and access for diverse student populations. Collaborate with policymakers, educational leaders, and advocacy groups to influence educational policies, funding priorities, and legislative agendas that support curriculum innovation, academic excellence, and student success.

The following job titles also refer to curriculum administrator:

education manager
teaching aids specialist
curriculum development consultant
curriculum manager
education officer
education coordinator
education administrator
curriculum director
curriculum enhancement administrator
curriculum specialist
education consultant
curriculum management administrator
curriculum coordinator
curriculum support administrator
curriculum developer

Curriculum Administrators work in educational institutions, including K-12 schools, colleges, universities, vocational schools, and online learning platforms. They may work in office environments, academic departments, curriculum offices, or educational administration buildings. The work schedule is typically full-time during regular business hours, with occasional evening or weekend hours required for meetings, events, or project deadlines.

A master’s degree or doctoral degree in education, curriculum and instruction, educational leadership, or a related field is typically required for positions as a Curriculum Administrator. Some employers may prefer candidates with teaching experience, curriculum development expertise, and administrative leadership skills. Practical experience in curriculum development, instructional design, assessment, or educational research is valuable.

Curriculum Administrators may pursue professional certifications or credentials in curriculum development, educational leadership, or instructional technology to enhance their qualifications and career advancement opportunities. Continuous learning and professional development in curriculum theory, pedagogy, and educational innovation contribute to ongoing professional growth and effectiveness as a Curriculum Administrator.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Curriculum administrator is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to curriculum administrator.

education programme coordinator
education inspector
educational researcher
dean of faculty
special educational needs coordinator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of curriculum administrator.

• Curriculum standards: The governmental policies concerning educational curricula and the approved curricula from specific educational institutions.
• Pedagogy: The discipline that concerns the theory and practice of education including the various instructional methods for educating individuals or groups.

These skills are necessary for the role of curriculum administrator.

• Monitor curriculum implementation: Monitor the steps taken in educational institutions to implement the approved learning curriculum for the said institution to ensure adherence and the use of proper teaching methods and resources.
• Cooperate with education professionals: Communicate with teachers or other professionals working in education in order to identify needs and areas of improvement in education systems, and to establish a collaborative relationship.
• Evaluate education programmes: Evaluate ongoing training programmes and advise on potential optimisation.
• Monitor educational developments: Monitor the changes in educational policies, methodologies and research by reviewing relevant literature and liaising with education officials and institutions.
• Maintain relationships with government agencies: Establish and maintain cordial working relationships with peers in different governmental agencies.
• Identify education needs: Identify the needs of students, organisations and companies in terms of provision of education in order to aid in the development of curricula and education policies.
• Develop curriculum: Develop and plan the learning goals and outcomes for education institutions, as well as the required teaching methods and potential education resources.
• Advise on lesson plans: Analyse policy issues that impact students’ education experience. Advise on how lesson plans for specific lessons can be improved to reach education goals, engage students, and adhere to the curriculum.
• Analyse curriculum: Analyse the existing curricula of educational institutions and from government policy in order to identify gaps or issues, and to develop improvements.
• Advise on teaching methods: Advise education professionals on the proper adaptation of curricula in lesson plans, classroom management, professional conduct as a teacher, and other activities and methods related to teaching.
• Analyse the training market: Analyse the training industry’s market in terms of its attractiveness, taking market growth rate, trends, size, and other elements into account.
• Ensure curriculum adherence: Ensure that educational institutions, teachers, and other education officials adhere to the approved curriculum during educational activities and planning.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of curriculum administrator. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• E-learning: The strategies and didactical methods of learning in which the main elements include the use of ICT technologies.
• Budgetary principles: Principles of estimating and planning of forecasts for business activity, compiling regular budget and reports.
• Learning technologies: The technologies and channels, including digital, to enhance learning.
• Special needs education: The teaching methods, equipment and settings used to support students with special needs in achieving succes in school or community.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of curriculum administrator. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Advise on curriculum development: Advise education professionals and officials on the development of new curricula or changes in existing curricula.
• Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Provide feedback to teachers: Communicate with the teachers to provide detailed feedback on their teaching performance, class management, and curriculum adherence.
• Inspect education institutions: Inspect the operations, policy compliance and management of specific educational institutions in order to ensure they comply with education legislation, manage operations efficiently, and provide proper care for students.
• Establish educational network: Establish a sustainable network of useful and productive educational partnerships to explore business opportunities and collaborations, as well as stay current about trends in education and topics relevant to the organisation. Networks should ideally be developed on a local, regional, national and international scale.
• Develop e-learning plan: Create a strategic plan to maximise the outputs of educational technology both within the organisation and externally.
• Develop a pedagogical concept: Develop a specific concept that describes the educational principles on which the organisation is based, and the values and behaviour patterns it advocates.
• Ensure compliance with policies: Ensure compliance with legislation and company procedures regarding health and safety in the workplace and public areas. Ensure awareness and compliance with all company policies regarding health and safety and equal opportunities in the workplace.
• Present reports: Display results, statistics and conclusions to an audience in a transparent and straightforward way.
• Advise on legislative acts: Advise officials in a legislature on the propositioning of new bills and considering items of legislation.
• Implement strategic planning: Take action on the goals and procedures defined at a strategic level in order to mobilise resources and pursue the established strategies.

2351 – Education methods specialists

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References

1. Curriculum administrator – ESCO
2. Featured image: By U.S. Army Corps of Engineers from USA – Nashville teachers graduate STEM curriculum with Corps externshipsUploaded by AlbertHerring, CC BY 2.0