Plural of Curriculum
The noun “curriculum” has two accepted plural forms in current dictionaries: “curricula” and “curriculums.” “Curricula” preserves the traditional Latin plural, while “curriculums” is also recorded as an English plural.
Both “curricula” and “curriculums” are accepted plurals of “curriculum.”
Key details
Choose the right form
| Meaning / situation | Form / construction | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| one course or program of study | curriculum | Use the singular form. |
| traditional Latin-derived plural | curricula | Accepted plural. |
| regularized English plural | curriculums | Also accepted. |
Quick tests
Meaning / construction test
Do you need the plural of “curriculum”?
If yes: Use either “curricula” or “curriculums,” then keep the choice consistent or follow house style.
If no: Use singular “curriculum” for one course or program of study.
Caveat: Both “curricula” and “curriculums” are accepted plurals; neither should be treated as automatically wrong merely because the other is preferred.
Examples
The schools revised their curricula.
“Curricula” is an accepted Latin-derived plural.
The schools revised their curriculums.
“Curriculums” is also an accepted English plural.
The curriculum includes a writing course.
One program takes the singular form.
Further guidance
Core difference
“Curricula” and “curriculums” are both plural forms; there is no need to treat the regularized form as automatically incorrect.
Fast Test
Choose one form consistently within a document unless a house style or field convention requires otherwise.
Usage Boundary
Do not use “curriculum” itself as a plural when ordinary countable agreement requires a plural form.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- CURRICULUM — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge University Press · Direct inflection evidence listing both curricula and curriculums as plurals of curriculum.