Curriculum vs. Curricular — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 25, 2023
Curriculum is a noun referring to a course of study, while Curricular is an adjective describing things related to that course.
Difference Between Curriculum and Curricular
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Curriculum refers to the set of courses, content, or educational material that is offered at a school or university. It's a comprehensive framework that encompasses what students are supposed to learn. On the other hand, Curricular describes anything that pertains to this curriculum. For instance, a curricular activity would be one that is an integral part of this academic framework.
Curriculum is the entirety of the academic content taught in a specific educational program. It can include textbooks, lessons, and all instructional materials. Whereas Curricular is the descriptor for anything that falls under or relates to this academic program. If something is deemed curricular, it's considered an essential component of the curriculum.
The term Curriculum can be used to depict the general course or progression of study in a school or university. It's the roadmap for educators and students, indicating what needs to be covered. Conversely, Curricular might be used to describe resources, events, or aspects directly tied to this roadmap. For example, a curricular resource would directly support the intended curriculum.
A Curriculum represents the educational goals, lessons, and assignments that a student will undertake to complete their education in a specific subject or grade level. Curricular, meanwhile, can refer to the methods, strategies, or materials employed within this curriculum. For instance, curricular methods would detail how the curriculum is delivered to the students.
Lastly, Curriculum is a structured plan that defines the learning outcomes, topics, and material that need to be addressed. It's the "what" of education. In contrast, Curricular deals with the "how" – how these outcomes and topics relate to the overall educational experience, such as through curricular activities or curricular assessments.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective
Definition
Set of courses or materials in a course of study.
Relating to or associated with the curriculum.
Usage
Describes the content to be taught.
Describes activities or elements associated with the educational plan.
Example
The school's curriculum includes math and science.
Curricular activities are essential for holistic development.
Context
Refers to the entirety of academic content.
Indicates the relation of something to the curriculum.
Compare with Definitions
Curriculum
A roadmap of academic content to be delivered.
Teachers collaborated to design the new curriculum.
Curricular
Relating to the courses of a curriculum.
There are several curricular options available.
Curriculum
The entirety of student experiences in an educational process.
The school's curriculum emphasizes hands-on learning.
Curricular
Describing resources or materials supporting a curriculum.
There's a need for curricular resources in the science department.
Curriculum
The subjects comprising a course of study in a school.
The curriculum was updated to include modern topics.
Curricular
Indicative of educational strategies or methods.
They proposed some curricular changes to the program.
Curriculum
A planned series of lessons or trainings.
The training curriculum lasted six weeks.
Curricular
Reflecting the components of an academic program.
Curricular activities are prioritized in the new academic year.
Curriculum
A set of courses in an educational program.
The university offers a diverse curriculum.
Curricular
Pertaining to the subjects taught in an institution.
The school emphasizes curricular excellence.
Curriculum
In education, a curriculum (; plural curricula or curriculums) is broadly defined as the totality of student experiences that occur in the educational process. The term often refers specifically to a planned sequence of instruction, or to a view of the student's experiences in terms of the educator's or school's instructional goals.
Curricular
All the courses of study offered by an educational institution.
Curriculum
All the courses of study offered by an educational institution.
Curricular
A group of related courses, often in a special field of study
The engineering curriculum.
Curriculum
A group of related courses, often in a special field of study
The engineering curriculum.
Curricular
Of, relating to, or following a curriculum.
Curriculum
The set of courses, coursework, and their content, offered at a school or university.
Curricular
Of or relating to an academic course of study
Curriculum
(obsolete) A racecourse; a place for running.
Curriculum
A race course; a place for running.
Curriculum
A course; particularly, a specified fixed course of study, as in a university.
Curriculum
An integrated course of academic studies;
He was admitted to a new program at the university
Common Curiosities
Can "Curriculum" describe a single course?
Yes, it can refer to the content of a single course or an entire program of studies.
Can "Curriculum" be used for non-academic courses, like training programs?
Yes, it can refer to any structured set of learning outcomes or lessons.
What's the primary difference between Curriculum and Curricular?
Curriculum is a noun describing a course of study, while Curricular is an adjective related to this course.
What might be a reason to introduce curricular changes?
Changes in academic standards, student needs, or advancements in the field could prompt curricular changes.
Is a textbook a Curriculum or Curricular?
A textbook is curricular, as it supports the curriculum.
Do schools have a single Curriculum?
Schools can have multiple curricula, often differentiated by subject or grade level.
How would you use "Curricular" in a sentence?
"The school has several curricular activities planned for the semester."
Can "Curriculum" change over time?
Yes, curriculum can be updated or modified based on evolving educational needs.
Are extracurricular activities considered Curricular?
No, by definition, extracurricular activities fall outside the main curriculum.
Is "Curricular" only used in the context of education?
Mostly, but it can be used whenever referring to a structured course or program.
Are curricular activities graded?
Often, but not always. It depends on how integral they are to the main course of study.
How is "Curricular" different from "Academic"?
While both relate to education, "Curricular" specifically ties to the curriculum, whereas "Academic" has a broader educational context.
Does every school follow the same Curriculum?
No, curriculum can vary based on the school, district, state, or country's educational standards.
Is the syllabus the same as the Curriculum?
Not exactly. A syllabus is often a detailed outline for a specific course, while a curriculum encompasses the broader educational content and goals.
Is every element of a school's program considered Curriculum?
Not necessarily. Only the academic or structured instructional components are considered curriculum.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
