Curricula vs. Curriculum – Which is Correct?

The words curriculum and curricula are both correct, representing the singular and plural forms, respectively. A curriculum refers to a single course of study or program, while curricula refers to multiple such programs or courses. Understanding their Latin origins is key to using them accurately in English.

Curriculum or Curricula – Which is Correct?

Both “curriculum” and “curricula” are grammatically correct and widely used in American English, but they differ in number. Curriculum is the singular form, referring to a specific course of study, an entire program of learning, or the content taught in a school or academic department. Curricula is the plural form, referring to multiple such courses, programs, or bodies of content. The confusion often arises because “curriculum” is a Latin-derived noun, and its traditional plural form (“curricula”) follows Latin rules, rather than adding an “-s” like most English nouns.

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the difference, think of other Latin-derived words:

• Curriculum (singular): Remember it ends in -um, like “datum” (singular). It refers to one course of study.
• Curricula (plural): Remember it ends in -a, like “data” (plural of datum) or “agendas” (plural of agenda). The “a” often signals a plural form for Latin-derived nouns in English. If you can swap it with “programs” or “courses,” then “curricula” is likely the correct choice.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Curriculum	Noun (singular)	A course of study; the subjects comprising a course of study in a school or college.	The new curriculum focuses heavily on STEM subjects.
Curricula	Noun (plural)	Multiple courses of study or educational programs.	The university offers diverse curricula across its various departments.

How to Use Curriculum

“Curriculum” is used when referring to a single, unified course of study, a complete program, or the entire body of subjects offered within a specific context. It typically functions as a singular noun, requiring singular verb agreement. It can refer to the specific content, objectives, materials, and assessments of a particular educational program. The tone is generally formal and academic.

Example 1: The school board approved a revised mathematics curriculum for the upcoming academic year.

Example 2: Every medical student must complete a rigorous core curriculum before specializing.

Example 3: Developing an effective online curriculum requires careful planning and instructional design.

What are the different forms of Curriculum?

“Curriculum” is a noun, and its primary form is singular. Its traditional Latin plural is “curricula.” While “curriculums” is also sometimes used as an anglicized plural, “curricula” remains the more formally accepted and widely preferred plural form in academic and professional contexts.

Etymology of the word Curriculum

The word “curriculum” originates from Latin, meaning “a course, a race, a chariot.” It is derived from the verb currere, which means “to run.” In its educational context, it came to signify a prescribed course of study, a “course to be run” by students. Its use in English dates back to the early 17th century.

How to Use Curricula

“Curricula” is the plural form of “curriculum.” It is used when you are discussing multiple courses of study, educational programs, or sets of learning content. As a plural noun, it requires plural verb agreement. This term is common in academic administration, policy discussions, and comparative educational studies where different programs or departments are being referenced.

For comprehensive grammatical accuracy, consider the nuances of Curricula vs. Curricular, which addresses the noun-adjective distinction.

Example 1: The college reviewed all its undergraduate curricula to ensure they met current industry standards.

Example 2: Different countries often have vastly different national curricula, reflecting diverse educational philosophies.

Example 3: The department head is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of several curricula.

What are the different forms of Curricula?

“Curricula” is already the plural form of the noun “curriculum.” Therefore, it does not have further plural forms. Its singular counterpart is “curriculum.”

Etymology of the word Curricula

As the traditional plural of “curriculum,” “curricula” shares the same Latin root. It also comes from the Latin currere (“to run”), signifying multiple “courses to be run.” Its adoption as the plural in English reflects the influence of Latin grammar on academic language.

Related Concepts

Understanding broader grammatical concepts, especially those related to Latin-derived words, can clarify the usage of “curriculum” and “curricula.”

• Latin Plurals: Many English words, particularly in academic and scientific fields, retain their original Latin plural forms. Examples include “datum/data,” “medium/media,” “bacterium/bacteria,” and “phenomenon/phenomena.” Recognizing this pattern helps distinguish singular from plural.
• Subject-Verb Agreement: Correctly identifying whether a noun is singular or plural is crucial for proper subject-verb agreement. A singular subject (e.g., “The curriculum is…”) requires a singular verb, while a plural subject (e.g., “The curricula are…”) requires a plural verb.

Examples from Media and Literature

Observing these words in context demonstrates their correct usage:

• “The new K-12 curriculum aims to integrate technology across all subjects.” – The New York Times, June 1, 2026.
• “Universities are constantly evaluating their curricula to remain competitive and relevant.” – Inside Higher Ed, May 28, 2026.
• “A progressive curriculum often emphasizes critical thinking over rote memorization.” – From an educational policy journal.
• “She was tasked with harmonizing the diverse curricula of the newly merged school districts.” – From a novel about educational reform.
• “The debate over national curricula continues to be a central topic in educational policy.” – A news report on global education trends.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. The elementary school’s science _________ includes hands-on experiments for every grade level.
2. The department offers several specialized _________ in advanced computer science.
3. Reviewing the _________ for all majors will take considerable time.
4. Each _________ must be approved by the academic senate before implementation.
5. The new educational initiative seeks to enrich the existing _________ with more arts programs.

Answer Key

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

Curriculum Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Course of study	A program of instruction in a particular subject or field.
Program	A planned series of future events, items, or performances.
Syllabus	An outline or summary of the subjects in a course of study or teaching.
Scheme of work	A plan for a course of study, outlining content, activities, and assessment.

Curricula Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Courses of study	Multiple programs or series of instruction.
Programs of study	Various planned educational tracks or series of courses.
Educational offerings	The range of subjects or programs provided by an institution.
Syllabi	Multiple outlines or summaries of courses (plural of syllabus).

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “curriculums” ever acceptable?
While “curriculums” is an anglicized plural that sometimes appears, especially in less formal contexts, “curricula” remains the traditionally correct and overwhelmingly preferred plural form in academic and professional writing. Using “curricula” demonstrates a stronger command of formal English.

Question 2: Why do some words keep their Latin plurals in English?
Many words adopted directly from Latin into English, particularly in academic, scientific, and legal fields, retained their original plural forms. This is often due to the historical influence of Latin as the language of scholarship and the desire to maintain precision in specialized terminology.

Question 3: How can I remember which form to use in a sentence?
A simple trick is to try substituting “program” (singular) or “programs” (plural). If “program” fits, use “curriculum.” If “programs” fits, use “curricula.” For example, “The new program is challenging” (curriculum) vs. “All the programs are challenging” (curricula).

Conclusion

Mastering the distinction between “curriculum” and “curricula” is straightforward once you remember their singular and plural roles. Curriculum refers to one course of study, while curricula refers to multiple. Adhering to these traditional Latin-derived forms not only ensures grammatical accuracy but also reflects a sophisticated understanding of academic language.

Pro Tip: In professional and academic writing, consistently using “curricula” as the plural form of “curriculum” will enhance your credibility and demonstrate attention to detail, which is crucial for maintaining a strong professional reputation.