Top 10 Curriculum Director Certifications

Certifications are an important tool for curriculum directors in the job market as they demonstrate a high level of expertise and knowledge. They also provide evidence that the individual has taken the time to learn and develop their skills in specific areas. By having certifications, curriculum directors can show potential employers that they possess the necessary qualifications to be successful in their role. Certifications also provide assurance to employers that the individual is knowledgeable about industry standards and best practices. In addition, certifications can help increase an individual’s chances of being hired by demonstrating their commitment to professional development and staying up-to-date on current trends in education.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Curriculum Directors and explain how they can help advance a curriculum director's career.

What are Curriculum Director Certifications?

Curriculum director certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and competency in the field of curriculum development. It signifies that the individual has advanced understanding of the design, implementation, and evaluation of curricular programs. This certification can be obtained through a variety of organizations including professional associations and universities.

The primary benefit of curriculum director certification is that it allows individuals to demonstrate their expertise in the field to employers, colleagues, and clients. It also provides additional credibility for those seeking employment as curriculum directors or higher-level positions in educational institutions. Additionally, having this credential may give individuals better access to professional development opportunities such as conferences and workshops related to curriculum design and development. Finally, obtaining certification may make individuals more competitive when applying for grants or other funding that supports educational programs.

Pro Tip: It is important to research the requirements for curriculum director certification in your state and region, as these can vary. Many states require that you have a master's degree or higher in education or related field, as well as a minimum number of years of teaching experience. Additionally, some states may require that you pass an exam or complete a professional development program.

Related: What does a Curriculum Director do?

Top 10 Curriculum Director Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Curriculum Directors today.

1. Certified Curriculum Director (CCD)

Certified Curriculum Director (CCD) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL). The CCD credential is designed to recognize professionals who have achieved a high level of expertise in designing, developing, and managing online curriculum. It is intended for those who are responsible for leading the design and implementation of online learning programs in K-12 schools.

The CCD program requires applicants to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in areas such as instructional design, curriculum development, technology integration, assessment, and evaluation. Applicants must also submit an essay that describes their experience with online learning.

The CCD program typically takes about three months to complete. To get started, applicants must first register for the program on iNACOL's website. After registration, they will be asked to submit their application materials including transcripts, resumes, essays and any other relevant documents. Once all materials have been submitted, applicants will be notified if they have been accepted into the program.

The cost of the CCD program varies depending on whether or not you are an iNACOL member. Non-members pay $550 while members pay $450. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with taking the required exams or purchasing study materials.

2. Certified Instructional Design Professional (CIDP)

Certified Instructional Design Professional (CIDP) is a certification that recognizes individuals who have mastered the skills and knowledge necessary to design, develop, and evaluate effective learning experiences. The CIDP certification is granted by the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance and Instruction (IBSTPI).

It typically takes between 6-12 months to obtain the CIDP certification. To get certified, applicants must first complete an approved course in instructional design from an accredited institution. After completing the coursework, applicants must then pass a written exam to demonstrate their mastery of instructional design principles and techniques.

The cost of getting certified can vary depending on the program chosen. Generally speaking, most programs range from $500-$1000 USD.

3. National Academy of Curriculum Directors (NACD)

The National Academy of Curriculum Directors (NACD) is a professional organization for curriculum directors, coordinators, and supervisors in the field of education. It provides leadership and support to members by offering professional development opportunities, networking events, and resources. NACD also works to promote best practices in curriculum development and implementation.

It takes approximately 3-6 months to become a member of NACD. To become a member, you must submit an application form along with your resume or CV that outlines your experience in the field of education. You must also provide three letters of recommendation from individuals who have knowledge about your work as a curriculum director or supervisor.

The cost for membership varies depending on the type of membership you are applying for. The basic annual fee is $100 per year for individual memberships and $300 per year for institutional memberships. Additional fees may apply depending on the type of services you wish to access through NACD such as webinars or workshops.

4. American Association for Curriculum and Development (AACD)

The American Association for Curriculum and Development (AACD) is a professional organization dedicated to the advancement of curriculum and instruction in educational settings. It was founded in 1960 as the National Association for Curriculum Development, and its mission is to promote excellence in curriculum design, development, implementation, evaluation, and research. The AACD provides resources to educators such as conferences, publications, webinars, workshops, awards programs, and more.

Membership in the AACD is open to any individual who has an interest in curriculum and instruction. There are three levels of membership: Professional ($50/year), Student ($25/year), and Retired ($25/year). To become a member of the AACD you must complete an online application form which can be found on their website.

The AACD also offers certification programs for professionals who wish to demonstrate their expertise in curriculum design or instructional practice. Certification requires passing an exam that covers topics such as curriculum theory and design; assessment; technology integration; instructional strategies; learning theories; and more. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $150 for members or $200 for non-members.

Overall, joining the AACD provides access to a wide range of resources that can help educators stay up-to-date with best practices in curriculum development and instruction. Additionally, certification through the AACD can be beneficial for those looking to demonstrate their expertise in these areas.

5. National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)

The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) is an accrediting body that provides standards and processes for the evaluation of teacher preparation programs. NCATE is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a reliable authority on the quality of teacher preparation programs. It evaluates programs based on their ability to prepare teachers to meet state licensure requirements, as well as their ability to ensure that graduates are knowledgeable about best teaching practices and current educational research.

The accreditation process typically takes two years, although it can take longer depending on the complexity of the program being evaluated. The process begins with a self-study conducted by the institution seeking accreditation, followed by an on-site visit from an NCATE team to review program documents and interview faculty and administrators. After the review is complete, NCATE will make a decision regarding whether or not to grant accreditation status to the program.

The cost of obtaining NCATE accreditation varies depending on the size and complexity of the institution's teacher preparation program. Generally speaking, institutions can expect to pay between $10,000 and $50,000 in fees associated with preparing for and undergoing the accreditation process.

6. International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE)

The International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) is a professional membership organization that serves educators and education leaders who are passionate about using technology to improve teaching, learning, and leading. ISTE provides resources, professional development, advocacy, and leadership opportunities to its members.

To become an ISTE member, you must fill out an online application form and pay the membership fee. Membership fees vary depending on your type of membership. For example, individual memberships cost $150 USD per year while student memberships cost $50 USD per year.

Once your application is submitted and approved, you will receive a welcome email with instructions on how to access all the benefits of being an ISTE member. These include access to exclusive content such as webinars and podcasts; discounts on conferences; networking opportunities; and more.

In addition to the annual membership fee, there may be additional costs associated with attending ISTE events or taking advantage of other services offered by the organization.

7. National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS)

The National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) is a non-profit organization that certifies teachers who demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills in their teaching practice. It is the highest certification available to teachers in the United States.

To become certified, teachers must complete an intensive assessment process that includes both written and performance assessments. The entire process typically takes three years to complete and involves submitting evidence of teaching practice, completing a series of written assessments, and participating in a performance assessment.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on the state in which you live. Generally, it costs between $2,000 and $4,000 to become certified. This cost includes application fees, assessment fees, and other associated costs.

In order to become certified through NBPTS, teachers must first meet certain eligibility requirements such as having at least three years of full-time teaching experience within the past seven years or five years of part-time teaching experience within the past ten years. Additionally, they must hold a valid state teacher license or certificate for the grade levels and subject areas in which they wish to be certified.

Once eligible, teachers can apply for certification online by creating an account on the NBPTS website and submitting all required materials including transcripts, letters of recommendation from supervisors or colleagues, evidence of teaching practice portfolios, test scores from any required exams (such as Praxis), etc.

After submitting all required materials and paying applicable fees, applicants will receive feedback on their application within two weeks regarding whether they have been approved to move forward with the assessment process or not. If approved to move forward with the assessment process applicants will then begin preparing for their written assessments which are typically completed over a six month period followed by their performance assessment which is conducted over two days at an approved NBPTS Assessment Center near them.

8. International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO)

The International Baccalaureate Organization (IBO) is a non-profit educational foundation that offers four programs of international education for students aged 3 to 19. The IBO was founded in 1968 and is now active in more than 150 countries. It provides an internationally accepted qualification for entry into higher education and is recognized by many universities worldwide.

The IBO offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), Diploma Programme (DP) and Career-related Programme (CP). Each program has its own curriculum, assessment criteria, and requirements.

The Diploma Program takes two years to complete and is designed for students aged 16 to 19. To get the diploma, students must take six courses at higher level or standard level, complete an extended essay, participate in creativity, action, service activities, and take part in theory of knowledge course.

To get the diploma, you must register with the IBO through your school or college. The cost of registration varies depending on your country and school but typically ranges from $200 to $400 USD per year.

9. Project Management Institute (PMI)

The Project Management Institute (PMI) is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the project management profession. PMI was founded in 1969 and is headquartered in Pennsylvania, USA. It is the world’s leading association for project managers with more than 500,000 members and credential holders in over 185 countries.

PMI offers a number of certifications that demonstrate an individual’s proficiency in project management. The most popular certification is the Project Management Professional (PMP) which requires applicants to have at least 3 years of experience managing projects and 35 hours of formal education in project management topics.

To get the PMP certification, you must first submit an application to PMI and pay a fee of $555 for members or $700 for non-members. Once your application is approved, you can take the exam which consists of 200 multiple choice questions and takes up to 4 hours to complete. You must score at least 61% on the exam to pass and receive your certification.

The cost for PMI membership is $129 per year or $10 per month for students. Membership provides access to discounts on PMI products and services as well as access to online resources such as webinars, podcasts, articles, and more.

10. Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Education Solutions (MCSE:ES)

Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert: Education Solutions (MCSE:ES) is an expert-level certification that demonstrates a professional’s ability to design, implement, and manage Microsoft solutions for educational organizations. This certification requires the individual to have experience in designing, implementing, and managing solutions for educational organizations using Microsoft technologies.

It typically takes between three to six months of study and preparation to pass the MCSE:ES exam. The exam consists of five modules covering topics such as Windows Server 2012/2016, Exchange Server 2016/2019, System Center 2012/2016, SharePoint Server 2016/2019 and Office 365.

To get the MCSE:ES certification you must first pass all five modules of the exam. You can take the exams at any Pearson VUE testing center or online through Microsoft Learning Partner Program. After passing each module you will receive a certificate from Microsoft confirming your successful completion of that module. Once all five modules are completed you will be awarded with the MCSE:ES certification.

The cost of taking the exams varies depending on which country you are located in but generally ranges from $150-$300 per module. Additionally there may be additional costs associated with studying materials or instructor-led training courses if required.

Do You Really Need a Curriculum Director Certificate?

The answer to this question will depend on the individual and their career goals. For those who are interested in becoming a curriculum director, or already work in the field, a curriculum director certificate may be beneficial. A curriculum director certificate can provide knowledge and skills necessary to develop, implement, and manage successful educational programs. It can also help demonstrate competency to potential employers and can help individuals advance their careers.

For those just starting out in the field of education, a curriculum director certificate may not be necessary. However, it could be beneficial for those with experience in teaching who want to move into an administrative role that involves developing educational programs or overseeing the development of curricula.

In addition to providing knowledge and skills related to curriculum development, a curriculum director certificate can also provide networking opportunities with other professionals in the field of education. This could lead to job opportunities or give individuals access to resources that would otherwise not be available.

Ultimately, whether or not someone needs a curriculum director certificate depends on their individual career goals and experience level. Those interested in advancing their careers within the field of education may find that having such a certification is beneficial in helping them reach their goals more quickly.

Related: Curriculum Director Resume Examples

FAQs About Curriculum Director Certifications

Q1. What is a Curriculum Director Certification?

A1. A Curriculum Director Certification is a professional credential that demonstrates an individual's knowledge and expertise in the field of curriculum design, development, and evaluation. It is designed to help educators develop the skills needed to create effective learning experiences for students.

Q2. What are the requirements for obtaining a Curriculum Director Certification?

A2. Requirements vary by certification program, but typically include coursework in curriculum development, instruction and assessment, as well as supervised experience in curriculum design and implementation.

Q3. How long does it take to complete a Curriculum Director Certification?

A3. The length of time it takes to complete a certification program depends on the specific program’s requirements, but can range from six months to two years or more.

Q4. Are there any prerequisites for obtaining a Curriculum Director Certification?

A4. Prerequisites may vary depending on the specific certification program, but generally include prior teaching experience and/or educational background in curriculum-related fields such as education administration or instructional technology.

Q5. What are some benefits of having a Curriculum Director Certification?

A5. Benefits of having a Curriculum Director Certification include increased job opportunities, higher salaries, greater respect from colleagues and administrators, improved job satisfaction, and enhanced professional credibility with stakeholders such as parents and community members.