Curriculum Plural Form: Rule, Examples, and Mistakes
The plural of curriculum is curricula (the traditional Latin plural) or curriculums (the standard English plural). Both forms are correct, but they are used in different contexts. Curricula is more common in academic and formal writing, while curriculums appears frequently in everyday conversation, business, and less formal documents. This guide explains the rule, shows you how to choose between the two, and highlights the most common mistakes learners make.
Quick Answer: Which Plural Should You Use?
- Curricula – Use in formal academic writing, university documents, and when referring to multiple programs of study in a scholarly context.
- Curriculums – Use in emails, casual conversation, business settings, and general writing where a simpler English plural feels natural.
Both are acceptable. Your choice depends on your audience and the tone you want to set.
Why Are There Two Plurals?
The word curriculum comes from Latin, where it belongs to a group of nouns ending in -um. In Latin, the plural of -um nouns is formed by changing the ending to -a. This is why we have curricula, data (from datum), and media (from medium). Over time, English speakers began applying regular English plural rules to these words, adding -s or -es. This gave us curriculums, datums (rare), and mediums (used for spiritual mediums, not media). Today, both forms coexist, and usage varies by context.
Comparison Table: Curricula vs. Curriculums
| Aspect | Curricula | Curriculums |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Latin plural | English regular plural |
| Formality | Formal, academic | Informal to neutral |
| Common in | University catalogs, research papers, policy documents | Emails, meetings, blog posts, everyday speech |
| Example sentence | The university revised its curricula for all departments. | We compared three different curriculums before choosing one. |
| Perception | Scholarly, precise | Accessible, modern |
Natural Examples
Formal / Academic Context (Use curricula)
- The faculty voted to update the curricula for the engineering and biology programs.
- Many European universities offer curricula that include mandatory internships.
- The report analyzed the curricula of ten medical schools across the country.
Informal / Everyday Context (Use curriculums)
- We looked at several online curriculums before signing up for the course.
- Can you send me the curriculums for the summer workshops?
- Their training curriculums are very similar to ours.
Mixed or Neutral Context
- The school is developing new curricula for its language classes, but the curriculums for the arts remain unchanged.
- Both curricula and curriculums appear in modern dictionaries, so you can choose based on your audience.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using curriculums in Formal Academic Writing
If you are writing a research paper, thesis, or official university document, curricula is the safer choice. Using curriculums in these contexts can make your writing sound less polished or unaware of academic conventions.
Incorrect: The study compared the curriculums of five graduate programs.
Correct: The study compared the curricula of five graduate programs.
Mistake 2: Using curricula in Casual Conversation
In an email to a colleague or in a team meeting, curricula can sound overly formal or stiff. Stick with curriculums for a natural tone.
Incorrect: Let me know which curricula you prefer for the new hire training.
Correct: Let me know which curriculums you prefer for the new hire training.
Mistake 3: Treating curricula as Singular
Because curricula ends in -a, some learners mistakenly think it is singular. It is not. Curricula is always plural. The singular is curriculum.
Incorrect: This curricula is outdated.
Correct: This curriculum is outdated. / These curricula are outdated.
Mistake 4: Overcorrecting to curriculae
Some learners try to apply a different Latin plural pattern and write curriculae. This is incorrect. The Latin plural of curriculum is curricula, not curriculae.
Incorrect: The school offers several curriculae.
Correct: The school offers several curricula.
Better Alternatives and When to Use Them
Sometimes you may want to avoid the plural of curriculum altogether. Here are some alternatives that can make your writing clearer or more natural.
- Course of study – Use when referring to a single program in a general way. Example: “Each course of study has its own requirements.”
- Programs – Use in business or education settings when talking about different degree or training offerings. Example: “We offer three programs for new managers.”
- Syllabi – Use when referring to the content of individual courses, not the entire curriculum. Example: “The syllabi for the history courses are available online.”
- Lesson plans – Use for day-to-day teaching materials. Example: “The teachers shared their lesson plans for the week.”
These alternatives are especially helpful in emails or conversations where curricula might sound too academic and curriculums might feel slightly awkward.
Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding
Choose the correct plural form for each sentence. Answers are below.
- The committee reviewed the (curricula / curriculums) for all undergraduate programs before the accreditation visit.
- Can you send me the (curricula / curriculums) for the weekend workshops?
- This (curricula / curriculum) is designed for intermediate learners.
- Both (curricula / curriculums) and (curricula / curriculums) are acceptable, but the first is more formal.
Answers:
- curricula – Formal academic context.
- curriculums – Casual request in an email or conversation.
- curriculum – Singular form is needed here.
- curricula (first blank) and curriculums (second blank) – The sentence itself explains the difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is curricula the only correct plural?
No. Both curricula and curriculums are correct. Curricula is the traditional Latin plural and is preferred in formal academic writing. Curriculums is the regular English plural and is common in everyday use.
2. Can I use curricula in an email to my boss?
It depends on your workplace culture. In a university or research setting, curricula is fine. In a corporate or casual environment, curriculums will sound more natural. When in doubt, match the tone of the emails you usually receive from your boss.
3. What is the singular of curricula?
The singular is curriculum. Never use curricula as a singular noun. If you are talking about one program of study, say “this curriculum” not “this curricula.”
4. Is curriculums considered incorrect in any situation?
No, curriculums is never incorrect. It appears in major dictionaries and is widely used. The only risk is that it may sound too informal in a very formal academic paper. In all other contexts, it is perfectly acceptable.
Final Tip
When you write, think about your reader. If you are writing for professors, researchers, or university administrators, choose curricula. If you are writing for colleagues, clients, or a general audience, curriculums is usually the better choice. Being aware of this small difference will make your writing more precise and appropriate for each situation.
For more help with plural forms, visit our Common Plural Forms section. If you need to check whether a word is singular or plural, see our Singular or Plural Checks guide. For other tricky plural rules, explore Plural Spelling Rules and Confusing Plurals. If you have questions, check our FAQ or contact us.
