Curricula vs. Curriculum – Understanding the Academic Language

Curriculum is singular and usually refers to one specific course or study plan in a school or university. As a teacher, I’ve often seen a curriculum include all the lessons, materials, assessments, and assignments for a class or subject, whether it’s math, science, history, or language arts. 

Each curriculum is designed to meet certain standards, integrate 21st century skills, and provide a structured learning experience for students. Its roots are in Latin, from the word currere, meaning to run, which reminds me that a curriculum is a running sequence of courses that guide a student’s educational journey.

On the other hand, curricula is the plural form, used when talking about multiple, distinct courses, programs, or study plans across a university, school, or educational institution. I’ve noticed curricula being discussed by faculty or councils when they decide on upcoming academic years, or when comparing traditional and modern versions of lessons across departments. 

While curriculums is also plural and widely accepted, it is often informal or used in everyday writing, whereas curricula carries a more formal, academic tone. Understanding the difference helps students, teachers, and administrators plan, update, and deliver high-quality education efficiently.

What is Curriculum?

The term curriculum refers to the complete set of courses, lessons, and academic content offered by a school, college, or educational program. It defines what students should learn, how they learn it, and the outcomes expected. For example:

• Correct: The curriculum for the biology course includes lab experiments.
• Incorrect: The curricula for the biology course includes lab experiments.

Think of curriculum as a single, structured plan for learning, like a hero’s journey through education.

What are Curricula?

Curricula is simply the plural form of curriculum. Use it when you talk about multiple educational programs or course structures across different schools or subjects.

• Correct: Different schools have different curricula for math and science.
• Incorrect: Different schools have different curriculum for math and science.

In everyday terms, if a curriculum is one lamp lighting a classroom, multiple curricula are all the lamps illuminating the entire school.

Grammar Rules in Plain English

Here’s an easy way to remember:

• Curriculum = singular (one program, one plan)
• Curricula = plural (more than one program, multiple plans)

Example with verbs:

• Singular: The curriculum focuses on critical thinking.
• Plural: The curricula focus on practical skills.

Always match the verb to the subject to avoid mistakes.

Real-Life Usage Examples

• The school revised its curriculum to include coding and robotics.
• Universities worldwide adapt their curricula to changing technologies.
• Each curriculum typically includes a balance of theory and practice.
• Students discuss their favorite curricula during orientation week.

Notice how the word shifts depending on whether you mean one program or multiple.

Correct vs Incorrect Sentence Comparisons

Correct	Incorrect
The curriculum includes lessons on salmon biology.	The curricula includes lessons on salmon biology.
Schools often update their curricula every five years.	Schools often update their curriculum every five years.
Each curriculum is designed for different learning styles.	Each curricula is designed for different learning styles.

Usage Types and Sentence Structures

• Subject of the sentence: The curriculum is designed carefully.
• Object of the sentence: Students follow the curriculum strictly.
• Prepositional phrases: According to the curricula of European schools, practical lessons are essential.
• Adjective + noun: The new curriculum guide was published last week.

These structures help you fit the word naturally into sentences.

Google Trends & Usage Data

Data shows that searches for curriculum spike during the back-to-school season and before university admissions. Meanwhile, curricula appears more in academic research and policy discussions.

This indicates that curriculum is commonly used in practical, everyday education, whereas curricula appears in formal contexts.

Common Mistakes Learners Make

1. Using curriculum when referring to multiple programs.
2. Confusing verb agreement: saying “curricula focuses” instead of “curricula focus.”
3. Misspelling: writing yourselfes or yourselfs instead of yourself or yourselves.
4. Mixing singular and plural subjects, e.g., “The curriculum and students is…” instead of “are.”

Practice Exercises

Fill in the blanks with the correct form:

1. The new science ______ includes genetics and ecology.
2. Many universities revise their ______ every three years.
3. This art ______ focuses on practical skills.
4. Different schools have different math ______.

Answers:

1. curriculum
2. curricula
3. curriculum
4. curricula

Idioms and Related Expressions

• Follow the curriculum – stick to the planned lessons
• Curriculum vitae – a document summarizing your education and work experience (often shortened as CV)
• Hidden curriculum – informal lessons learned in school that are not part of the official plan

Quotes

• “Education is not the filling of a lamp, but the lighting of a lamp.” – often used to explain the purpose of a curriculum.

Synonym and Alternative Phrase Tables

Word	Alternative/Phrase
Curriculum	Course plan, educational program, syllabus
Curricula	Course plans, educational programs, syllabi
Focus	Emphasis, concentration, priority

Keyword Variations Comparison Table

Keyword	Usage Context	Search Intent
Curriculum	Singular program, lesson plan	Practical, everyday education searches
Curricula	Multiple programs, comparative study	Academic research, formal discussions
Data	Singular or plural in modern usage	Research, statistics
Datum	Singular form, rare	Academic or technical writing

FAQs

Q1: What is the difference between curriculum and curricula?
A1: Curriculum is singular, referring to one educational program. Curricula is plural, used for multiple programs. Correct verb agreement is essential: “The curriculum focuses” vs. “The curricula focus.”

Q2: Can you use curriculum for multiple schools?
A2: No, for multiple schools, use curricula. Example: “Different schools have different curricula for science and math.”

Q3: How do you spell the plural of curriculum?
A3: The plural is curricula, not curriculums (though some English variants accept it informally).

Q4: Is curriculum singular or plural?
A4: Curriculum is singular, referring to one structured plan of lessons and courses.

Q5: What are common mistakes with curriculum and curricula?
A5: Learners often confuse singular vs plural, mismatch verb forms, and sometimes misspell related words like yourselfes or yourselfs.

Conclusion

Understanding curriculum and curricula is vital for clear, precise academic communication. Remember, curriculum = one, curricula = many. Use the correct form with matching verbs, and you’ll sound confident in English. Whether you’re discussing a single course, a school program, or multiple educational plans, mastering these terms improves your grammar, writing, and overall credibility in academic and professional contexts.

Keep practicing, stay focused, and soon these terms will become second nature.