What Is the Plural of Curriculum? Usage, Rules & Examples

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2. INTRODUCTION

The word curriculum is central in education, referring broadly to the courses, subjects, and learning experiences offered by an institution. Originating from Latin, where currere means “to run,” it metaphorically denotes a “course” or “race” of study—a journey students undertake.

Understanding how to pluralize curriculum correctly is crucial for students, teachers, academic writers, professionals in curriculum design, and non-native speakers. This knowledge ensures clarity and precision, especially in academic, educational, or professional communication.

However, pluralizing curriculum often causes confusion. This is due to its Latin roots, which traditionally follow Latin pluralization rules, while English also accepts an anglicized plural. Both forms—curricula (Latin plural) and curriculums (English plural)—are used, but the choice depends on context, audience, and formality.

This article will provide a comprehensive explanation of the plural forms of curriculum, including their origins, usage rules, examples, tables, and practice exercises. By mastering this topic, you will improve your precision in academic writing, teaching, curriculum design, and formal communication.

Let’s explore the intricacies of this important term and learn to use it with confidence.

Table of Contents

3. DEFINITION SECTION

3.1 What Does Curriculum Mean?

The noun curriculum refers to the structured set of courses, content, assessments, and learning experiences provided by an educational institution or program. It encompasses what students are expected to learn, how they will learn it, and how their learning will be assessed.

Its origin traces back to Latin: from currere (“to run”) leading to curriculum meaning “a running,” “course,” or “race.” By metaphor, it became “the course of study.”

In English, curriculum is a countable noun, meaning you can have one curriculum or multiple curricula/curriculums.

3.2 Grammatical Classification

  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • Countability: Primarily countable (one curriculum, several curricula/curriculums)
  • Singular Form: curriculum
  • Plural Forms:
    • curricula (traditional, Latin plural)
    • curriculums (anglicized plural)

3.3 Usage Contexts

  • Education: Elementary, secondary, or higher education curricula.
  • Training Programs: Corporate or vocational training curricula.
  • Curriculum Development: Policy discussions, design, and evaluation.
  • Academic Writing: Research papers, conference presentations, teaching resources.

For example:

  • Our university offers a flexible curriculum for engineering students.
  • The new science curricula emphasize inquiry-based learning.

4. STRUCTURAL BREAKDOWN

4.1 Latin-Origin Nouns in English

Many English academic or scientific terms come from Latin. When these are borrowed, English sometimes retains their Latin plural endings, especially in formal contexts.

Common Latin pluralization pattern relevant here:

  • Words ending in -um form plurals in -a

Examples:

  • datum → data
  • medium → media
  • curriculum → curricula

However, English also develops its own plural forms by simply adding -s or -es to Latin words, especially in informal contexts or over time.

4.2 The Two Accepted Plural Forms

Both plural forms are widely used:

  • Curricula: The Latin plural; preferred in formal, academic, or traditional settings.
  • Curriculums: The English plural; increasingly common, especially informally or in business contexts.

Table 1: Singular and Plural Forms of Curriculum

Singular Latin Plural English Plural
curriculum curricula curriculums

4.3 Morphological Analysis

  • Singular: root curricul- + Latin singular suffix -um
  • Latin plural: replace -um with -a → curricula
  • English plural: add -s to singular → curriculums

This duality exists because English sometimes retains Latin plurals for formality/tradition, but also creates intuitive English plurals for ease and clarity.

4.4 Pronunciation Guide

  • curriculum: /kəˈrɪkjʊləm/ (kuh-RIK-yuh-lum)
  • curricula: /kəˈrɪkjʊlə/ (kuh-RIK-yuh-luh)
  • curriculums: /kəˈrɪkjʊləmz/ (kuh-RIK-yuh-lumz)

Note the ending difference:

  • -lum (singular)
  • -lə (Latin plural)
  • -lumz (English plural)

4.5 Choosing Between Curricula and Curriculums

  • Formality: Use curricula in formal writing, academia, or when adhering to traditional standards.
  • Audience: For general or less specialist audiences, curriculums may be simpler and clearer.
  • Style Guides: Follow institutional or publication guidelines, which may prefer one form over the other.

5. TYPES OR CATEGORIES

5.1 Traditional Latin Plural (Curricula)

  • Preferred in formal academic writing and scholarly journals.
  • Seen as more precise and traditional.
  • Aligned with Latin rules (-um → -a).

Example:

Comparative analyses of various curricula reveal insights into global education trends.

5.2 English Plural (Curriculums)

  • Increasingly common in informal, business, or everyday English.
  • More intuitive for native English speakers.
  • Accepted in many modern dictionaries.

Example:

Our training center offers flexible curriculums tailored to client needs.

5.3 Regional Preferences

Different regions and contexts prefer different forms. See the table below:

Table 2: Regional Preferences and Contexts

Region/Context Preferred Plural
Academic Writing curricula
Informal Speech curriculums
American English (formal) curricula (preferred)
American English (informal) curriculums (accepted)
British English curricula (preferred)

6. EXAMPLES SECTION

6.1 Singular Usage Examples

  • The college revised its entire curriculum this year.
  • A new curriculum was introduced for computer science majors.
  • This curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving.
  • Developing a comprehensive curriculum requires collaboration.
  • The national curriculum sets educational standards.

6.2 Plural with Curricula

  • Different countries have designed unique curricula to suit their needs.
  • The university updated all its engineering and medical curricula.
  • Research compares STEM curricula worldwide.
  • Teacher feedback is crucial in refining school curricula.
  • Innovative curricula foster creativity and collaboration.
  • The new social studies curricula include diverse perspectives.
  • Comparative studies of different curricula reveal varied approaches.
  • Medical and engineering curricula differ significantly.
  • Her research analyzes early childhood education curricula.
  • Updated curricula emphasize digital literacy skills.

6.3 Plural with Curriculums

  • Many schools have diverse curriculums to choose from.
  • Our training center offers customized curriculums.
  • Several curriculums incorporate hands-on learning components.
  • Companies develop specialized curriculums for employee training.
  • Different online platforms provide varied curriculums.
  • Parents can select from multiple homeschooling curriculums.
  • The company designs tailored curriculums for different industries.
  • These curriculums focus on practical skills.
  • We reviewed several training curriculums.
  • Some language schools offer intensive curriculums.

6.4 Mixed Examples for Contrast

  • The curricula focus heavily on research skills. (Academic context)
  • The company develops tailored curriculums for clients. (Business context)
  • Ministries of education review national curricula regularly.
  • Our department offers flexible curriculums to suit adult learners.
  • Comparative evaluation of regional curricula can inform policy.
  • We designed several onboarding curriculums last year.

6.5 Complex Sentences and Phrasal Usage

  • Despite similarities, the curricula across countries vary widely due to cultural factors.
  • New curriculums targeting digital literacy have been introduced in many training programs.
  • Comparisons of historical and modern curricula reveal shifts in educational priorities.
  • While some curriculums emphasize theory, others prioritize practical application.
  • International curricula often incorporate multilingual components.
  • Our company customizes curriculums to align with client goals.
  • Teacher feedback was instrumental in revising outdated curricula.
  • Government reforms led to the integration of environmental issues into multiple curricula.
  • They compared traditional and competency-based curriculums to assess effectiveness.
  • Updates to the existing curricula aim to improve student engagement and outcomes.

6.6 Tables of Examples

Table 3: Examples by Context (Academic, Business, Informal)

Context Example Sentence
Academic The university evaluated its science curricula.
Business Our firm offers customizable curriculums.
Informal They tried different homeschooling curriculums.

Table 4: Correct vs. Incorrect Usage

Incorrect Correct
several curriculum several curricula/curriculums
many curriculum many curricula/curriculums
the curricula is the curricula are
different curriculum different curricula/curriculums
a few curriculum a few curricula/curriculums

Table 5: Singular, Plural, and Sentences

Form Example Word Example Sentence
Singular curriculum The curriculum includes advanced math.
Latin plural curricula Comparing different curricula helps identify best practices.
English plural curriculums Our training center offers several curriculums.

7. USAGE RULES

7.1 When to Use Curricula

  • In formal writing, such as academic articles, dissertations, and scholarly books.
  • When following traditional or conservative style guides.
  • When referring to multiple distinct educational programs.
  • In institutional reports or government policy documents.

7.2 When to Use Curriculums

  • In informal contexts or everyday speech.
  • In business, corporate training, or marketing materials.
  • When clarity for non-specialist audiences is important.
  • In settings where anglicized plurals are more familiar or intuitive.

7.3 Agreement with Verbs and Pronouns

Because both curricula and curriculums are plural, they require plural verb forms and pronouns.

  • Correct: The curricula have been updated.
  • Incorrect: The curricula has been updated.
  • Correct: These curriculums are comprehensive.

7.4 Articles and Quantifiers

  • Use plural quantifiers:
    • several curricula/curriculums
    • many curricula/curriculums
    • a few curricula/curriculums
  • Examples:
    • Several curricula were evaluated.
    • Many curriculums are outdated.

7.5 Common Exceptions and Special Cases

  • Sometimes, curriculum is used as a mass noun to refer to the overall concept of a curriculum in general, but this is less common.
  • Hybrid terms: For example, curriculum vitae (CV, meaning “course of life”) has plurals:
    • curricula vitae (Latin plural, formal)
    • curriculum vitaes (anglicized plural, informal)

7.6 Style Guide Recommendations

  • APA, MLA, Chicago: Prefer curricula in academic writing.
  • Institutional guidelines: May specify preferred plural—always check.
  • Consistency: Use one plural form consistently within a document.

8. COMMON MISTAKES

8.1 Using Singular When Plural Is Needed

  • Incorrect: The school offers several curriculum.
  • Correct: The school offers several curricula or curriculums.

8.2 Incorrect Plural Forms

  • Incorrect: curriculua, curriculumes
  • Correct: curricula or curriculums

8.3 Mixing Forms Inconsistently

Avoid switching between plural forms in the same document unless contextually justified.

  • Inconsistent: The department offers several curriculums, and all curricula are accredited.
  • Consistent: The department offers several curricula, all of which are accredited.

8.4 Subject-Verb Disagreement

  • Incorrect: The curricula is designed to…
  • Correct: The curricula are designed to…

8.5 Mispronunciation

Common errors include misplacing stress or incorrect vowel sounds:

  • Incorrect: /kʌˈrɪkjuːləm/
  • Correct: /kəˈrɪkjʊləm/
  • Incorrect: /kʌˈrɪkjʊlæ/
  • Correct: /kəˈrɪkjʊlə/

8.6 Table of Common Errors

Table 6: Common Mistakes and Corrections

Incorrect Usage Correct Usage
several curriculum several curricula/curriculums
the curricula is the curricula are
many curriculum many curricula/curriculums
the curriculua the curricula
multiple curriculum multiple curricula/curriculums

9. PRACTICE EXERCISES

9.1 Fill-in-the-Blank

  1. The university offers diverse ________. (Answer: curricula/curriculums)
  2. New ________ focus on digital skills. (Answer: curricula/curriculums)
  3. Many ________ emphasize practical experience. (Answer: curricula/curriculums)
  4. Our company develops tailored ________. (Answer: curriculums)
  5. Several ________ were revised last year. (Answer: curricula/curriculums)

9.2 Identify Correct or Incorrect Usage

  1. The school updated its curriculums. (Correct)
  2. Several curriculum were outdated. (Incorrect)
  3. All curricula has been approved. (Incorrect)
  4. New curriculums target soft skills. (Correct)
  5. Many curriculum focus on STEM. (Incorrect)

9.3 Correct the Sentences

  1. The curricula is comprehensive. (Change to: The curricula are comprehensive.)
  2. Many curriculum focus on literacy. (Change to: Many curricula/curriculums focus on literacy.)
  3. These curriculum were evaluated. (Change to: These curricula/curriculums were evaluated.)
  4. Different curriculum has unique goals. (Change to: Different curricula/curriculums have unique goals.)
  5. The curriculua are innovative. (Change to: The curricula are innovative.)

9.4 Sentence Construction

  • Use curricula in a formal sentence:
    The comparative study analyzed medical and engineering curricula worldwide.
  • Use curriculums in an informal/business sentence:
    Our company offers customized curriculums for employee onboarding.

9.5 Multiple Choice

  1. Which is the correct plural of curriculum in a scholarly article?
    a) curriculums
    b) curriculua
    c) curricula
    Answer: c) curricula
  2. Which form is more acceptable in informal speech?
    a) curricula
    b) curriculums
    c) curriculum
    Answer: b) curriculums
  3. Which of these is incorrect?
    a) several curricula
    b) many curriculum
    c) multiple curriculums
    Answer: b) many curriculum

9.6 Answer Key

  • 9.1 Fill-in-the-Blank: curricula/curriculums for all blanks.
  • 9.2 Identify: 1-Correct, 2-Incorrect (should be curricula/curriculums), 3-Incorrect (should be have), 4-Correct, 5-Incorrect (should be curricula/curriculums).
  • 9.3 Corrections: As indicated in bold.
  • 9.4 Construction: See example sentences given.
  • 9.5 Multiple Choice: 1-c, 2-b, 3-b.

10. ADVANCED TOPICS

10.1 Latin Plurals in English Grammar

English has absorbed many Latin words, often retaining Latin plurals in formal contexts:

  • bacterium → bacteria
  • datum → data
  • medium → media
  • curriculum → curricula

However, anglicized plurals are also accepted for many of these words, especially in informal contexts. The choice depends on tradition, audience, and clarity.

10.2 Register, Tone, and Style

Choosing between curricula and curriculums can affect the perceived professionalism and formality of your writing:

  • curricula conveys formality, academic rigor, and tradition.
  • curriculums feels informal, modern, and conversational.

Consider your audience and purpose before selecting the plural form.

10.3 Corpus Analysis

Studies of language corpora show:

  • Academic texts: overwhelmingly prefer curricula.
  • News articles: use both, with a preference for curricula.
  • Spoken English: favors curriculums for ease.

This confirms that formality and context drive plural choice.

10.4 Lexicographical Notes

Major dictionaries list both plurals:

  • Merriam-Webster: both curricula (preferred) and curriculums
  • Oxford: both, noting curricula as traditional
  • Cambridge: both, with curricula marked as the formal plural

Historically, only curricula was accepted, but modern usage includes curriculums as well.

10.5 Pluralization of Compound Terms

  • Curriculum vitae (Latin: “course of life”)
    • Latin plural: curricula vitae
    • English plural: curriculum vitaes
  • Other compound pluralizations:
    • attorneys general
    • courts-martial
    • passersby

    • In curriculum vitae, pluralize the first word (curriculum → curricula), keeping the rest unchanged for Latin plural.

    11. FAQ SECTION

    1. What is the correct plural of curriculum?
      Both curricula (Latin plural) and curriculums (English plural) are correct, but curricula is preferred in formal writing.
    2. Is curriculums grammatically correct?
      Yes, curriculums is widely accepted, especially in informal or business contexts.
    3. Which plural form should I use in academic writing?
      Use curricula to align with academic style and tradition.
    4. Why are there two plural forms for curriculum?
      Because it is a Latin-origin noun, English retains the Latin plural curricula but also creates an anglicized plural curriculums.
    5. Are curricula and curriculums interchangeable?
      Yes, though curricula is more formal; choose based on context and register.
    6. How do Americans and British differ in plural usage?
      Both use curricula formally; Americans are more likely to use curriculums informally.
    7. Is curricula singular or plural?
      Plural. The singular is curriculum.
    8. Do style guides prefer curricula or curriculums?
      Most academic style guides prefer curricula.
    9. How do I pronounce curricula and curriculums?
      curricula: /kəˈrɪkjʊlə/
      curriculums: /kəˈrɪkjʊləmz/
    10. Can I use the plural curricula in informal speech?
      Yes, although curriculums may sound more natural informally.
    11. Is curriculum ever an uncountable noun?
      Rarely, when referring to the overall concept of curriculum in general.
    12. What is the plural of curriculum vitae?
      Latin: curricula vitae; English: curriculum vitaes.

    12. CONCLUSION

    The plural of curriculum can be either curricula (traditional Latin) or curriculums (anglicized English). Both forms are correct, but your choice should depend on context, audience, and formality.

    Use curricula in academic, formal, or traditional writing. Use curriculums in informal, conversational, or business contexts where clarity is key.

    Remember to maintain consistency within any document, follow relevant style guides, and ensure correct plural agreement in verbs and pronouns.

    By mastering these plural forms, you will enhance your clarity and professionalism in academic, educational, and professional communications. Practice with the examples and exercises to solidify your understanding, and consult this guide whenever in doubt.

    Happy learning!

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