Common Mistakes with the Plural of Curriculum

If you are writing an academic paper, a professional email, or even a study note, you have likely paused before writing the plural of curriculum. The correct plural forms are curricula (the traditional Latin plural) and curriculums (the standard English plural). Both are accepted, but they are not always interchangeable. The most common mistake is using curricula as a singular noun or overusing curriculums in formal academic writing where curricula is still preferred. This guide will help you choose the right form every time, understand the nuance, and avoid the errors that trip up many writers.

Quick Answer: Which Plural Should You Use?

Use curricula in formal academic writing, official documents, and when referring to multiple programs of study at a university or school. Use curriculums in everyday conversation, informal emails, and general business writing. Both are grammatically correct, but curricula carries a more scholarly tone. Never use curricula as a singular noun; the singular is always curriculum.

Understanding the Two Plurals

The word curriculum comes from Latin, where it belongs to a group of nouns that form their plural by changing the -um ending to -a. Other examples include datum (data), memorandum (memoranda), and stratum (strata). Over time, English speakers have also adopted the regular English plural ending -s, giving us curriculums. Today, both forms are standard, but their usage differs by context.

When to Use Curricula

Curricula is the traditional Latin plural and is still the preferred choice in academic and formal settings. You will see it in university catalogs, research papers, policy documents, and official descriptions of degree programs. Using curricula signals that you are familiar with academic conventions.

Formal tone example:
The university is revising its undergraduate curricula to include more interdisciplinary courses.

Email context:
If you are writing to a professor or an academic committee, use curricula. For example: Please find attached the proposed curricula for the new master’s programs.

When to Use Curriculums

Curriculums is the regular English plural and is perfectly acceptable in most informal and general contexts. It is common in business writing, blog posts, everyday conversation, and internal communications. Many style guides now accept curriculums as a standard alternative.

Informal tone example:
Our training curriculums need to be updated for the new software.

Conversation context:
If you are talking with colleagues or writing a casual email, curriculums sounds natural. For example: We compared the curriculums of three different online courses.

Comparison Table: Curricula vs. Curriculums

Natural Examples

Seeing the words in real contexts helps you understand the nuance. Here are natural examples for both forms.

Examples with Curricula

• The faculty voted to approve the new curricula for the engineering school.
• Comparing the curricula of different universities can help you choose the right program.
• These curricula emphasize critical thinking over rote memorization.
• The committee reviewed the curricula for all graduate programs.

Examples with Curriculums

• We developed three different training curriculums for new employees.
• Many online platforms offer curriculums that you can customize.
• The school is updating its curriculums to include digital literacy.
• I compared the curriculums of two coding bootcamps.

Common Mistakes

Even advanced writers make these errors. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to fix them.

Mistake 1: Using Curricula as a Singular Noun

Incorrect: This curricula is very comprehensive.
Correct: This curriculum is very comprehensive.
Why: Curricula is plural. The singular is always curriculum. This is the most common error because curricula sounds like it could be singular to some ears.

Mistake 2: Mixing Singular and Plural Verbs

Incorrect: The curricula for the department has been updated.
Correct: The curricula for the department have been updated.
Why: Because curricula is plural, it requires a plural verb (have, not has).

Mistake 3: Overusing Curricula in Casual Writing

Incorrect: I looked at the curricula for three different yoga classes.
Better: I looked at the curriculums for three different yoga classes.
Why: In a casual context, curriculums sounds more natural and less pretentious.

Mistake 4: Using Curriculum as a Plural

Incorrect: The school offers many different curriculum.
Correct: The school offers many different curricula/curriculums.
Why: Curriculum is singular. You must change the form to indicate more than one.

Better Alternatives and When to Use Them

Sometimes you may want to avoid the confusion altogether. Here are alternative phrases that work in specific contexts.

• Programs of study: Use this in formal academic writing when you want to be very clear. Example: The university offers several programs of study in the sciences.
• Course offerings: Use this when referring to the list of courses available. Example: The course offerings for next semester are now online.
• Syllabi: This is the plural of syllabus and refers to the outline of a single course, not the entire program. Do not confuse it with curricula.
• Training plans: Use this in corporate or professional development contexts. Example: We have three training plans for new hires.

Mini Practice: Test Your Knowledge

Choose the correct form for each sentence. Answers are below.

1. The school board approved the new (curriculum / curricula) for elementary math.
2. We compared the (curricula / curriculums) of five different online MBA programs.
3. This (curricula / curriculum) focuses on project-based learning.
4. The (curricula / curriculums) for the history and philosophy departments are very different.

Answers

1. curricula (plural, referring to the set of programs for elementary math across multiple grades)
2. curricula or curriculums (both are correct; curricula is more formal, curriculums is fine in general writing)
3. curriculum (singular, referring to one specific program)
4. curricula (plural, referring to the programs of two departments)

FAQ: Common Questions About the Plural of Curriculum

1. Is it ever wrong to use curriculums?

No. Curriculums is a standard English plural and is accepted in most dictionaries and style guides. However, in very formal academic writing, some readers may expect curricula. If you are writing a research paper or an official university document, curricula is the safer choice.

2. Can I use curricula for a single program?

No. Curricula is always plural. If you are talking about one program, use curriculum. For example: The curriculum for the biology major is rigorous.

3. What is the difference between curriculum and syllabus?

A curriculum refers to the overall program of study, including all courses, objectives, and requirements. A syllabus (plural: syllabi or syllabuses) is the outline of a single course, including topics, assignments, and grading policies. They are not interchangeable.

4. Which plural should I use in an email to my professor?

Use curricula to match the formal academic tone. For example: I have a question about the curricula for the graduate programs. If you are emailing a colleague in a less formal setting, curriculums is fine.

Final Tip for Real Writing

When you are unsure, consider your audience and the tone of your document. For academic papers, official reports, and university communications, choose curricula. For blog posts, internal memos, emails to friends, and everyday conversation, curriculums is perfectly correct and often sounds more natural. The key is consistency: do not switch between the two forms in the same piece of writing. If you start with curricula, stick with it. If you start with curriculums, use that throughout. By understanding the context and the nuance, you will avoid the most common mistakes and write with confidence.

For more help with similar tricky plurals, explore our guides on Confusing Plurals or visit our FAQ page for quick answers. If you have questions about our approach, please see our Editorial Policy.