Skip to main content Skip to local navigation
Home » Curriculum Development

Curriculum Development

Curriculum: Dream, design, and determine

Curriculum is a course of study for an educational experience. All educational experiences have a curriculum, even if this curriculum isn't explicitly defined or articulated. Thoughtfully defining and articulating a curriculum strengthens the overall teaching, learning, and cohesion of a program and allows for students to get a clear learning experience (a clear "course" for them to follow). Developing curriculum involves thinking about, defining, and then checking the goals of an educational experience.

We find it helpful to think about curriculum development in three iterative steps:

Dream and vision a program that best meets the needs of students and the future of the subject matter in the world
Design and map a program that has clear Outcomes and structure of courses that ensure all students meet these Outcomes
Determine and assess whether the program is doing what it is expected it would be doing and whether students are meeting the Outcomes laid out

The cyclical nature of these steps are invited through the Cyclical Program Review process, but curriculum development, renewal, and innovation can happen any time a program wants to revise their offerings.

Process of Curriculum Development:

Dream of what your program could be and do for your students

What are the possibilites of your program for the future? How does your program speak to the challenges we face in the 21st century? What could your alum do with what they've gained in your program?

Dream a big vision for your program. Imagine how innovative curricular and pedological elements can become core to the experiences of your teaching and students' learning.

Questions to Ask:
  • What is the ideal vision of your program?
  • What are the goals and expectations for your students?
  • What do you want your students to know, do, and value in your program?
Quick Links

Interested in renewing or innovating your curriculum?

Explore our resources or contact our Program and Curriculum Development Specialist for support.